I write this in the last waning hours of 2020. I don’t have to say what this year has been. You know. But I want to take a moment to reflect on what I did get done, and how lucky I have been to have done so.
At the beginning of the year, I set myself certain goals. Some of them were derailed by the pandemic and would not come back again. I did not go to ReaderCon. I did not add many people to my mailing list, because I find the best way to do that is to ask them in person if they want to be added, and since my family already knows what I do, they weren’t interested. I want to thank the people who did accept my invitation by email and through this website, and remind you that it’s never too late to join their august company.
Some of my goals I met despite the crummy year. I attended several virtual open-mic nights and book launches, way more than I ever managed to in person. I wrote a couple of stories and a poem. And my submission stats beat all of last year’s records. To wit:
2019: 78 submissions, 66 rejections, and 2 acceptances.
2020: 81 submissions, 74 rejections, and 4 acceptances!
I had set myself a goal of 75 rejections. Two weeks ago, I kissed it goodbye, content to have beaten last year’s record. There are still 8 hours in which I might make it, but I’m not worried. I’m good. And like last year, I made a paper chain of my responses, and that’s both satisfying AND pretty.
This year I also had four works see publication (check out my last post or writing page for the links). Next year will be better. It has to be, right? My novella, The Night Library of Sternendach, is going to be available for pre-order in less than 6 weeks. I have a publication coming out tomorrow at Cossmass Infinities.
And I will, seriously, totally, finish the current draft of my next novel so I can sell that, too.
Happy New Year!
Jessica Lévai, Writer 