An author's year in review: 2025

I honestly still feel like it's January. Somehow a whole year has gone by, and my brain hasn't managed to catch up at any point. But, in an effort to remember where the time has gone (and to actually celebrate the wins), why don't we take a little trip down memory lane?

It's been an exciting - if full - year in all the areas!

As an author, I...

Published 1 book

Seiber released in paperback June 25th and hardcover December 5th, and I am so so thankful to all of you for such warm reception!

Dystopian is a tough market right now, but I couldn't be prouder of this little story.

Participated in 3 book promo events

I partnered with Stuff with Fantasy a few times this year. (Also, thank you if you snagged a digital copy of any of my books at any of these.) I always love doing these because it's such a great way to find amazing new reads, especially other indie authors. Sometimes it can be hard to connect, but there's no shortage of friends!

It's also just thrilling to see the reception to my books. Even though I've been officially published for a year and a half, it's still strange to me that people I don't even know will read about the characters I randomly thought up one day. XD

And, as a cherry on top, these were the numerical results:

• A Thief Among Liars landed on the Top 100 Bestseller list twice

  • 6 in Teen & YA

  • 6 in Science Fiction & Fantasy

  • 6 in Fantasy

  • 10 in Sword & Sorcery

• Seiber dominated in its genre-specific categories

  • 2 in Cyberpunk Science Fiction

  • 5 in Teen & Young Adult Dystopian

  • 5 in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy

So, again, that's all thanks to all of you!

Attended my first in-person author event

You'd think as someone who grew up on stage as a singer, I'd be much more comfortable with attended events. As it turns out, I'm also an awkward human who doesn't love small talk. (Ha.) But! I did manage to push through the anxiety of being perceived to pop over to London, ON as a panelist at The Fantasy Forum.

And I had so much fun.

I got to meet fellow authors I'd connected with online but never had the chance to see live. (You're all fabulous, btw.) There's just something about the author community that really makes me feel so welcomed.

Was featured with Canadian Indie Authors

It's still wild to me that there are people out there who want to interview me. Like, yeah sure, I guess I have some books out, but I'm just lil ole me. (Speaks to the imposter syndrome, doesn't it?)

It was really cool to have that newsletter go out, though, and to see my name front and centre.

Celebrated A Thief Among Liars becoming a finalist!

It was just last month I heard ATAL had been voted a finalist in the YA category with The Canadian Book Club Awards. (I'm still reeling, if we're honest.) The fact that people read my book and thought it was good enough to move on makes my writing heart so happy. And though I try not to put pressure on external validation - because I love my stories - it is always nice to hear that someone likes the art I've created.

As an editor, I...

Completed 4 developmental edits

Dev edits are probably my favourite because there's such variety and the stories are often still forming. It's the place where I get to help authors form the story they want to tell into the clearest version of itself. (And I also just get to work with really cool people.)

This year my edits were in the genres of:

• Adult fantasy

• Adult tragic romantasy

• YA fantasy

• Adult general fiction

Completed 2 line/copy edits

If dev edits make the story what it is, then line/copy edits are like the polish. They make the story shine. (And I also re-teach myself how to use commas.)

These are also really fun if I've been able to do the dev edit first, and then I get to see how the story has changed over time when I go back in.

Completed 3 beta reads

While I don't offer beta reads as a service, I do the occasional read for friends here and there. And man, was it a year for good betas. I wish I could tell you more, but well, I guess you'll find out in the coming years. 😉

Shared 13 blog posts

It truly is a passion project of mine to share knowledge, and this blog is such a great outlet for that. While I wish I had more time to just write and share every month, I'm so happy that even these little snippets are out there for free.

And there will be plenty more in the new year!

Thanks for tagging along with me in this journey and taking a look back with me at this author's year in review. I can't wait to see where 2026 takes us.

Cheers to fresh starts and new stories,

Erin