Hello, 2025!
Hello, and happy new year, dear reader!
I thought now would be a great time to do a little update on the blog. I usually do these sorts of updates in my monthly newsletter, often along with fun freebies for subscribers, so be sure to sign up for that while you’re here. But today, I’m popping on here because so many good things are happening and I just have to share.
Reflecting on 2024
Wow, was 2024 ever a year. It was difficult in many ways, but also incredibly beautiful. One of my favorite days of the year was in April, when I got to witness a total solar eclipse with my family from our own backyard. I released two new books into the world, attended several local author fairs and events, and joined a wonderful women’s writing community. In many ways, 2024 was the year I finally gave myself the author life I’ve always wished to have. I am so thankful for the experiences of the past year.
Looking into 2025
After releasing Little Orphant Allie in October, I found myself in a transition period. I’d been working on that book for over three years, and I didn’t really have any other big projects in the works. It was time to explore and experiment. It took a bit, but two stories have bubbled up to the surface as my main works-in-progress. Both are middle-grade historical fiction novels. One is now nearly a third of the way complete, and the other is in the earliest ideation stages.
So, here’s a little sneak peek into my vision for 2025:
New Book Project 1:
Based around the true story of a witch trial in Vincennes, Indiana in 1907: told from the point of view of Tessa, a young girl who befriends the accused witch and learns how to step into her own strength and power to stand up for what is right, mending a community riddled with bigotry, hate, and fear.
New Book Project 2:
Set in the early 1900s in a lighthouse on Lake Michigan: Freddie, the young daughter of a lighthouse keeper must learn to see her own worth after a lifetime of being shamed for her disability.
Reading 25 Middle-Grade Novels in 2025
As I am mainly writing middle-grade now, I have set a new goal for this year to read twenty-five middle-grade novels in 2025. And I already finished a book on January 1, so I am counting it! Follow my progress (and add me as a friend) on Goodreads!
Writer’s Residency in October 2025
I was granted a two-week writer’s residency with the nonprofit organization Write On, Door County in Door County, Wisconsin in October. Door County is the peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, and one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. There are many historic lighthouses there, so it is the perfect location to research and work on my second book project. As part of my residency, I’ll be doing a community engagement project in a local middle school, too. I am honored to be granted such an opportunity, and so excited to visit in my favorite season, too.
Here’s to a great year!
I will be at a few local author fairs again this year, so if you are in Central Indiana, I would love to see you there. I keep my calendar updated with those events, and share more in my monthly newsletter. When you subscribe, you automatically receive a free short story for middle-grade readers and a kids’ writing activity.
I will be a fewer events this year, due to my health and schedule, but I am working on some ideas to connect with the community in other ways. I would love to start a sort of free “pen pal” program with local students, so if you are a parent or teacher who might be interested in that, please feel free to reach out!
In 2025, I am looking forward so much more: hiking and camping trips with my family, expanding my backyard garden, and fun things like the second half of Wicked! (Fun fact, I’ve been a Wicked fan since its debut on Broadway in 2003. I got to see it in Chicago in 2005 with my sister. So the new movie was a dream come true for me!) How about you, dear reader— what are you looking forward to this year? Please share with me in the comments!
Well, thank you for stopping by the blog. I am wishing you a wonderful new year!
Katie
