Hard to believe, but the Kindle Scout program is now two years old. Wow.

Two years ago, I was starting out my writing career and winning Kindle Scout over the summer of 2015 with my second novel, Tiny Island Summer (True North Book 2) was a huge boost. Since that time, I’ve worked hard to develop my craft and hone my storytelling skills. Without the support of the Kindle Scout community of authors, I don’t know where I’d be today.

In celebration of the second anniversary, all Kindle Scout books are on sale for only $0.99 each until April 3rd. Don’t miss this opportunity! Romance readers are voracious (myself included) and there are a ton of great books. Click here to check them out.

A few of my favorites (in no particular order):

BUT!

With my 2017 goal, I’m taking chances and spreading my wings. I want to write a little more fearlessly this year. I’ve been learning craft, reading books, listening/attending workshops, and think my story development has improved. I want to get back to the fun of writing, to telling a story that keeps me wondering what comes next, and to stop feeling so hemmed in by rules (of course I still follow, but rules are best applied in the edit round).

I’m continuing to edit and refine the series I submitted to Carina Press. I love those books and want to deliver for you, dear readers. I’ve been working on that series for a few months and need a break for perspective.

Last year, Carina’s call for jewel heist stories inspired me to get out of my small town comfort zone. After I submitted my series for consideration, I read a note about an upcoming call for novellas with a royal theme. I’ve never tried to write royalty before but I’m taking this call the same way I did the last one…and I’m having a blast.

I’ve been outlining, plotting, and dreaming up my fake kingdom and the royals that populate it. Of course, my imagination is never content to devote so much energy to only one story. I’m working on two royal novellas following the family in my kingdom and can’t wait to see where this new world takes me. (Of course…stay tuned! I’ll post when I’m finished, when I submit, etc.)

How about you? What are you up to? Are you letting 2017 challenge you? I’d love to hear.

I’m (hopeful) that I’ll be able to attend the RWA national conference this summer. Again, hopeful, because you never know what can come up between now and July (and I don’t want to put anything out that can come back and bite me in the you know where).

Last year’s conference was wonderful. A truly encouraging, engaging, eye-opening experience (love that alliteration!). I’m forever grateful that I had the opportunity and if I get the chance to go again, I’ll definitely do everything to get there.

I came home with a journal full of craft notes, ideas for new series/stories, and a ton of books. I’ll hang my head here and admit that when I’m writing, I focus on my own words and don’t make time to read. Also, anyone who reads here knows I’m a huge tv binge watcher.

But now that I’ve submitted a series (cross your fingers, send good vibes, whatever you do that’s positive–I’ll take it please!) and have the outline for two short novellas (again, a departure from my traditional small-town books) and the rough idea for another two books I’d like to try to sell, I’m getting back to reading. I actually read a ton for a contest in January. And essentially I read ridiculously fast, like a thirsty woman back from the desert.

My goal is to read through all the books I received back at RWA16 and the Harlequin Heartwarming books I’ve downloaded onto my Kindle before this upcoming conference. If you want to follow along with my progress, I’m on Goodreads, click here.