20 Year Anniversary

So, that happened. 2021 is almost over and I’m back with yet another annual news update. According to my reckoning, it’ll take me at least until 2030 before I stop using my website like it’s 1999.

2021 marked an important milestone in my writing career: 20 years since the publication of my first novel, back in 2001 when common sense was still more or less common. I meant to make some noise about that. Create a graphic for my social media accounts or something, perhaps a YouTube video, do a raffle or book giveaway. Something – anything – to mark the occasion, as it were. But in the end, I never got around to it. Why? Because I was busy writing.

In a way, this was the most fitting way to celebrate my 20-year career. Granted, it was not a social media friendly move (and, therefore, invisible to the eyes of the modern world) but I’m perfectly content with it. After all, 20 years in writer years is barely what it takes to start warming up to the craft. It’s not a time to blow one’s own horn but the ideal moment to double down and get some serious work done.

2021 has been one of my most productive years in terms of writing, especially when considering the circumstances of my daily life which, to put it mildly, suck time and creativity out of me like hellbent succubi in some infernal orgy.

Do I have anything solid to show for it? No. Not yet. At least, nothing I can share with the world. Even though contracts have been signed, hands have been shaken, and deals have been made, I consider it bad luck – not to mention bad form as well – to talk publicly about ongoing projects before their official release.

What I can tell you, though, is that I managed to finish an 80K word original MS in a little less than two months. Perhaps to some of you that might not seem very impressive, but to me it’s a bloody record. I really didn’t know I could something like that while holding down a nine-to-five job and wading through the deep end of writing my PhD thesis. What can I say? The Muses have been kind to me, and I am deeply grateful.

All in all, it’s been a very eventful year. One which brought the far horizon just a little bit closer. At this point, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all my discerning readers; my wonderful associates with whom we collaborate on a thrilling variety of projects; those who have done me the honor of allowing me to read their work, and all those lovely folks with whom we shared more than a few drinks as well as the stimulating conversations which inevitably went along with them.

A very merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.