A lot can happen in a year.

I know most people use New Year’s Eve to do their reflections on the past twelve months and to make resolutions about what they plan for the coming year. I’ve decided to do my reflections and resolutions in the middle of the year instead. That’s because one of the most wonderful things in my life happened a year ago. Let’s flash back to the fourth of July 2008. That was the day I received an email that started out with…

Dear Sandy,
Thank you for sending your wonderful book, Turning Thirty-Twelve (also, what a great title!). We would love to publish your book at BookStrand!

So a year later, where is that book? Turning Thirty-Twelve currently sits at #2 on the BookStrand Mainstream Bestsellers List. It was a finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence Contest. And it has received several beautiful reviews.

What else has happened in that year? BookStrand contracted and released all four of the books in my Damaged Heroes series. If someone would have told me on that very warm fourth of July that a year later I would have released five books, I would have laughed. But that was exactly what happened. I survived an intense school year while simultaneously editing five books. I’m amazed I lived to tell the tale.

Publishing in ebook and trade paperback has been a great experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’ve learned so much about how to handle anything from cover art to rewrites. I’m very grateful to BookStrand for all they’ve done for me.

That being said, there is one other event I consider the highlight of this last year. I found a person who I know will take my writing to the next level. I signed to be represented by the fantabulous Maureen Walters. With her help — and the help of her equally fantabulous assistant Katie Arathoon — I’m ready to make this year as productive as the last.

I’m looking forward to what the next twelve months will bring because I plan to make each and every day count.