Everyone Craps on New Year’s Resolutions, But Really…

Days before 2017, I whipped out my gigantic wad of sketch paper. I debated with various people on whether I should make New Year’s resolutions or not. Most responded that they didn’t even bother making any, because, well, they all fall through.

Really?

Well, yes, if you say you want to lose 50 pounds and you're clinically addicted to Ben and Jerry’s and hate the gym, that goal may be easily side tracked. (I certainly will NOT part with my pistachio ice cream, thank you very much).

But this post isn’t going to be a super-chipper go-get-em motivational speech. I just wanted to share my story. So, pay attention, especially if you dreamed of publishing a book but always found an excuse not to.....

When I pulled out my large sketchbook, I asked myself, What do I want to achieve in 2017?
I figured I would call them goals, rather than resolutions. Some were:

• Travel to AZ
• See a waterfall
• PUBLISH A NOVEL

The last one was my most passionate goal. I’ve been writing and editing for years, and I decided that enough was enough. 2017 will be the year that I will publish my debut novel! Granted, publishing isn’t always a guaranteed thing, so I added an asterisk: *or at least submit to have my novel published.

Let me keep this brief- I did publish my debut novel, “The Aeonians”. I did it. I made my resolution/goal come true. 

But publishing “The Aeonians” wasn’t magic, nor was it easy. I’m not a sophisticated hasher of words, and I’m no literary genius. All I had was a dusty manuscript, a laptop, and a die-hard motivation.

So, how did I follow through with a New Year’s resolution? I scoured my old copy of Writer Digest’s “Writer’s Market” for publishers that accept fantasy novels and didn’t require an agent. After educating myself on the high rejection rate, I carefully selected about a dozen publishers that I felt best suited my work. I crafted query letters, asked a few people to review it, and sent my submissions in February without looking back. I had to shove the thoughts “It’s not good enough”, “I’ll never get accepted”, and “I should’ve read my manuscript over one more time”. Then, I documented all my submissions and the approximate date that I may hear from them (or not hear from them at all).

Responses trickled in over the month. Rejection after rejection. However, it didn’t sting as badly as I thought because I mentally prepared myself for this...And they were pretty nice about it too.
Here's proof:
(PS: Names removed; for educational purposes only, and above all else, I appreciated their time reviewing my manuscript)

Thank you for giving me a chance, Silver Leaf Books!

Remember:
Rejection doesn’t mean you are a failure or not good enough

One misty day, I strode to my mailbox after work and saw a letter from Silver Leaf Books. I opened the letter with shaking hands, and screamed at the top of my lungs that I have been accepted into Phase One. Mind you, Phase One meant they liked my first three chapters and were willing to look at the whole manuscript.

The rest is history- “The Aeonians” was accepted, edited, and published in November 2017.

For my fellow writers out there, amateur or professional, New Year’s resolutions aren’t crap. Make them reasonable and only jot down ones you’re passionate about to see through to the end.

It will happen.

You have no idea how many people approached me during the first two events I attended after my novel was released and asked “How did you do it? I/my daughter/son/friend etc likes to write but doesn’t think I/he/she can publish.”

If you have a story, write it. If you have a manuscript, edit the crap out of it until you’re sick of reading it. If you have a final draft, do your research about how you want to publish. When you’ve decided…what are you waiting for?

My logo is Dream. Write. Share. This has expanded beyond my wildest dreams. I want to inspire any willing writer to get his or her ideas expressed. I want “The Aeonians” to be proof that you can publish a book if you pour your heart and soul into it.

The whole publication process from start to finish was like having a baby. And you should treat your work as such- with utmost love and care.

---

So, what will be your resolutions for 2018? I’ll share mine (writing and non-writing related):

********************J.E. KLIMOV’s 2018 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS********************

• Publish the sequel to “The Aeonians”, “The Shadow Warrior”, fall 2018
• Be featured in 1 to 2 JL anthologies. (One is another volume of fairy tale re-tellings!)
• Strengthen my author brand/platform, including attending 2+ public events
• Decide and start my next writing project
• Run a 10k
• Take better care of my health
• Stay sane. Really.

Please share your New Year resolutions! I'd love to hear 'em :)

​*Peace* -J.E.

"The Aeonians" on SLB Web Page!

Silver Leaf Books