Tag: newyear

2016 Wrap-Up

2016 Wrap-Up

by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, we’ve made it to the end of 2016.

Maybe not quite in the same shape as when we started the year, but if you’re reading this, you’ve survived.

As we put 2016 to bed, I thought I’d share some of the things that were good in my world this year.

1.  I sold a second book!  It was a dream come true to see one book become real, but to be given the chance to do it again is overwhelming.
2.  I went to Las Vegas for the first time and celebrated 10 years of marriage.
3.  I retreated with some inspiring authors in the fall.

4.  I gave my first professional (not writing related) conference presentation.
5.  I held my words in my hands–it’s almost a real book!

I was also very entertained by the following books:

1.  Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
2.  My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
3.  Great Small Things by Jodi Picoult
4.  Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
5.  Exit, Pursued By A Bear by E.K. Johnston
6.  Wild Swans by Jessica Spotswood
7.  Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally
8.  Frannie & Tru by Karen Hattrup
9.  Liars And Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath
10.  Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell

2017 debuts to look forward to (these are the ones I’ve been privileged to read already):

1.  Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
2.  It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Suguira
3.  The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
4.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5.  After The Fall by Kate Hart
6.  How To Break A Boy by Laurie Devore
7.  In 27 Days by Alison Gervais
8.  Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
9.  The Girl With The Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

I’ll share more 2017 debuts as I make my way through them.

Favorite movies this year:  Moana, Ghostbusters, Sing Street, Love & Friendship, The Edge of Seventeen, How To Be Single, and Rogue One.

Things to look forward to in 2017:

1.  I feel like this goes without saying, but May 9, 2017 is going to be a pretty momentous day.  My debut novel IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE will officially be published and available for public consumption.
2.  My launch party will be May 13, 2017 at One More Page in Arlington, VA–I’d love to see you there!
3.  I’m signing copies of my ARC at the American Library Association’ Midwinter Conference AND I’m on a panel with some fabulous authors.

4.  I’m appearing at YABBAFest in Warrenton, VA in October.
5.  I’ve got a few more signings/readings ideas in the works, so stay tuned.

Whether you’re celebrating this time of year or not, I hope you’re ushering in the new year with loved ones and doing something that brings you joy.

Interested in preordering my book?  Here’s all the info.  AND!  There’s a bonus chapter in it for you.

Feel like asking your library to add my book to their collection?  Here’s how.

This post was originally sent to my newsletter subscribers.  Miss a previous newsletter?  Catch up HERE.

2015 Was…

2015 Was…

by Christina June ♥ 4 Comments

new-year-messages-and-sms

 

….. a pretty great year!  There were a lot of firsts for me and a lot of interesting milestones and happenings.  This was the year that:

  • I sold my first book! This is definitely top of the list of exciting things.  The road to traditional publication is something I’ve been dreaming about for the last almost four years, and really my whole life in abstract, so to have made it to the starting line is monumental in my book.  I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.  2016 is now the year I get to say “my book comes out next year!”
  • I sent my baby to kindergarten.  Everyday I’m amazed at how fast she’s learning and growing up.
  • I took on more responsibility in my day job.  Some of it has involved defending for things I believe in, occasionally loudly, which really isn’t in my nature, so I’m proud of myself for being able to speak up.
  • I got to meet my lovely agent in person, which was completely delightful.  I’m blessed to have such a caring advocate in my corner.
  • I went to New York 4 times, in three different seasons.  It remains one of my favorite places in the whole world.
  • I started listening to audiobooks.  It seems small but having a little bit of time to myself on my commute to add in “bonus” books has been really fun.
  • I joined RWA and my local chapter, WRW.  Both organizations have been helpful and also rejuvenating.  I look forward to their newsletters in my inbox and to attending monthly meetings to learn about craft.  Plus, the fellowship is excellent.
  • I completed a new book, start to finish, that is shiny and fun and I love it.  I hope it gets it’s chance to go out into the world.
  • I entered said book in a handful of contests (and finaled in one!) and have found the kind feedback of experienced authors to be very enlightening.
  • I won NaNoWriMo for the fourth time.  That book hasn’t been touched since Nov. 30, but I plan to finish it up soon.
  • I generated a number of new ideas and plan to try something totally new for me with my next project, which is exciting and scary.
  • I read 61 new books.  That’s half my total from the previous year, but it makes sense, given everything else that’s been going on with my time.  I’ll aim for a similar number for 2016.
  • I made new and continued ongoing friendships with wonderful writing community friends.  This is most definitely not a solitary endeavor and I love having so many hands to hold as we walk along this road together.

2016 is going to be full of even more accomplishments and surprises and gifts.  Cheers to a new year and thank you to everyone who made 2015 amazing!