Thursday, January 5, 2017

A Year to be Remembered

Or forgotten! So much happened in 2016 that I don't want to remember, but there's lots I won't forget.

The wonderful sounds of David Bowie, Prince, Glenn Frey, Isao Tomita... They are gone but the joy they gave to many will live on in their music. What would the sitcom landscape have looked like without Garry Marshall? I grew up with Patty Duke, I laughed with Gene Wilder, and then there was Haprer Lee. Who hasn't read To Kill a Mockingbird?

If the stories I write are remembered by just one person - I have accomplished something!

Ebook publishing took a real pounding this year with the closing of Ellora's Cave, and whether we like it or not, it was one of epublishing's industry giants, a pioneer, the first of its kind. As a beginner I had a goal, and a dream, to be published with EC and it came true. Things may not have gone like me and many others wanted but I'll never be sorry for having reached that goal. I learned so much from editors I worked with at EC, good things that'll I'll always have as part of my arsenal. Do I wish it had ended differently? Yes. But it's time to move on.

In recent weeks All Romance Ebooks closed. The first book I self published was released at ARe and I don't regret that either. Sure, I wish this one had ended differently also. Yet times change, publishers come and go, however...

I AM STILL HERE!

I can't imagine not putting my imagination and stories out there. Will I ever be bigger, will I publish that one story that zooms to the top of someone's Top Ten list? I don't know. One thing I do know is I'll keep telling my stories, I'll keep putting them out there, and I hope fans keep reading them, I hope new fans find me - I hope 2017 is better!

A few of my newest covers with stories coming soon:

Happy New Year to everyone and may your dreams come true.

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

7 comments:

Nancy Gideon said...

If there's one constant in our industry, it's change. And that change comes faster like everything else these days. I've seen hosts of publishing giants fold or merge to survive (remember when Harlequin wasn't the only game in town?). The risks are the same for companies both big and small and it's sad to see them go, especially if you're in their family. All the more reason for us to be ready to adapt quickly to change.

Abigail Owen said...

There is constant change and no guarantee of success. But I LOVE you measurement of it: If one person remembers a story you wrote. That's a fantastic way to think of success as a writer!

Diane Burton said...

2016 can be remembered or forgotten for a lot of things. I'd just put all my books up on ARe's site back in Sept. Very disappointing that they closed, esp. the way they hurt the authors who brought them business. So many artists died last year, performers, producers, etc. Very sad. But as Nancy and Abigail said change is constant. We have to be flexible. Here's hoping 2017 is a better year.

CJ Burright said...

Ooh, nice covers! And what a great attitude you have. We can't control most of the world around us, so keeping on keeping on with our writing, with our stories and putting them out there for others to enjoy is a fabulous legacy.

J Hali Steele said...

Thanks for the comments everyone. Yes, we all have to be ready to adjust to changes, lol, just hope 2017 brings a few less to deal with! Abigail, hope the one tells another, and another. *Smile* Thanks, CJ, I can't wait to write what goes between those covers. Diane, so sorry - they did hurt a lot of authors!

Unknown said...

I like the idea that you aren't going to quit. Writing is our legacy and we have to keep on writing.

Elizabeth Alsobrooks said...

Good luck in 2017!