A Festive December Hello

Hello! Not sure how we got here, but here we are: the last month of 2024 (with snow on the ground where I live)! How has your year been? I hope it was everything you wanted.

Mine’s been a bit all over the place. Some high highs and low lows, but I’m here ending it in a better place emotionally/physically/spiritually than I started it. I haven’t felt this hopeful or excited for the future in a couple of years. It feels good!

I’ve been working a lot of overtime in the day job lately and while things feel hopeful for next year, right now I have a bit of the ol’ burnout. Reminder to self not to work overtime! I’ve been wrestling with my brain that maybe I should just spend less money than work more to compensate. But doesn’t it seem like everything is way too expensive these days? Though I am proud of myself that I didn’t go crazy on holiday sales this year.

Which is related to my recent decluttering project. I’m a constantly aspiring minimalist (though I’ll never be a proper one lolol) and about every quarter or so, I do a major purge and re-organize. I finished my office! It looks great. And my dresser. Somehow I have so many clothes?! All that to say: it’s really helped me not bring new stuff into the house this time of year.

I got a Peloton, which is amazing. I love it so much and the exercises are entertaining and fun. It honestly doesn’t even feel like “exercise,” more like a fun new hobby (which is a startling mindset shift for me re exercise).

My spouse renovated our shower! It’s now all tile and open and stunning. I don’t hate showering so much anymore.

We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in this home (been here 6.5 years!). Honestly huge freaking shoutout to my spouse because he rocked the entire goddamn meal from prep to dishes and wouldn’t allow anyone to help out. I love him so much!

We’re still going to Red Wings game (it’s been so fun even though they aren’t great atm) and hopefully will get to go snowmobiling (in Northern Michigan) soon!

You may or may not have noticed my absence from social media. It’s hard to convey exactly how awful a place Instagram can be for someone trying to sell their art (unless you, too, sell your art online). I try really hard not to buy into the comparison game and to ignore all the other books people are constantly talking about… But, turns out, I can only access that i don’t care space for so long before I actually do start caring.

Self publishing has been a wild trip. I’m so, so, so happy that my books are out there! That folks have read them! That I’ve connected with some core readers! But the fact of the matter is, I haven’t gone viral (some level of which is necessary for success these days) and there isn’t much interest in my books.

This is the point where I’d usually shrug and say “and that’s okay!” but it’s not really. I mean, in the general scheme of existence, yeah it’s fine. But it doesn’t really get me excited to keep trudging along this path.

And here’s the thing: publishing is not writing. And I love writing. I don’t ever want to not love writing. I refuse to muscle through, push myself to tears, or hate the process for the sake of getting a book out and promoting it. What’s the point then?!

So I’m going to keep writing but next year is going to look a bit different around Alaina Rose Books. I don’t even really know what that may look like yet. I still really want to release my (free) sexy Christmas novelette before the holiday. I want to keep writing, loving the craft, and promoting my already-published books. Will I self publish more? Will I query? Will I write in a different genre? Who knows. I hope you stick around for the ride!

Trust me I know how annoying these kind of posts can be (which is why I’m only sharing these thots here), but I wanted to share some honest, transparent thoughts with y’all today not matter how cringey.

…there is some cool stuff coming up for my books!

I’m so happy to announce that I will be featured in select Reveal Book Boxes this winter! How it works is paperback copies of one of my books will be sent out to box subscribers based on the tropes they love! Part of the excitement with this box is the surprise element, so I can’t share much about which book or when they will start arriving. But once that starts happening…all bets are off! Can’t wait to see my book in the hands of new readers!

I’m doing my first author event! It’s a local event—A Novel Event: Romance Edition—on February 1st! Omg this is nerve-wracking but so awesome. Anyone have any cool tips or tricks for tabling an event?! Ahhhh! If you attend, pleaseeee come say hi!!!

I think that’s all for now! How are you feeling about the end of the year? Holiday sales? Burnout? Or anything else??? Hit reply and we can chat.

Hope you have a lovely December and remember to stay hydrated out there, bestie!

Cheers,

Alaina