What to Expect in 2026

With a new year starting, there always comes expectations. I expect my first goal will be to pack away all the Christmas decorations again. But there's more than that. I'll start a new Bible reading program. This year, I'm doing a chronological reading. My parents gifted me a new bible that has maps and notes all through it and I'm looking forward to diving back in. Each year, I try to do a different version so that it has a bit of a new feeling to it and I don't simply skim words I've read a hundred times.
Also this year, I'd love to lose a few pounds and tighten my core back up a bit. It's so hard working several jobs that require sitting. I get in the habit of sitting and not moving around enough. But I know it would not only make me feel better, but also probably help with some anxiety I've been fighting. And lift my mood too.

On the writing side, I plan to write at least one book this year, though I haven't figure out which idea to tackle next. I have about six or seven different stories swimming in my brain. First, I need to move past the beginning of the year that is cram packed. I have two back-to-back edits right away, along with a couple edits for my own stories. So much for scheduling this year better than the last! But once I get past March, things open up a bit for a few months and I should have a little more breathing room--at least in the writing/editing side of things.
My book, Fairest Inn All, releases March 24th. I'm thrilled with how it's all turning out and will be revealing the cover in the next week or two. My second release of the year will come in September. It's a novella collection called Lighting up Christmas, and my story is called 'Duplexicity.' I can't wait for you to enjoy the antics in Holly and Robert's story of living on each side of a duplex during the holidays.
My story Beauty School and the Beast is due in May, so between now and then I get to polish up the draft I finished yesterday(!). It's not exactly how I imagined it would look when I first starting writing, but so many times my characters take over and demand their way of telling things. I look forward to receiving feedback from a few early readers before turning it in for edits to release March 2027.
After that? I have no idea. I have a couple more edits later this year, but I'm not sure what's in store for me to publish next. I'm playing with a few ideas, one of them being possibly stepping back to only one book a year. Would my readers be terribly disappointed? Would it help me feel like I could breathe a little better? I'm not sure right now. But next year marks 20 books in 10 years, which is a lot. Especially with me being a mom and working a couple other jobs too. We'll see.
What's in store for you in 2026? Got any goals you're aiming to achieve this year? Which of my stories are you most looking forward to right now?