As this year draws to a close, I’m planning my writing aspirations for 2023.

This year has been very much focused on short fiction, but I’m determined to make 2023 the year I work on my longer fiction projects = the fantasy trilogy and my contemporary women’s fiction series set in Cornwall.

I have a few housekeeping issues that need addressing too, so I’ll list them first in the hopes of getting those tasks out of the way asap.

To Do List 2023

Publish all three short story collections as Large Print Editions – this is an experiment to hopefully make the books more appealing to libraries.

Consider whether it is worth producing all books in hardback format. They look beautiful but it costs more. Will libraries be more willing to stock hardback versions?

Approach libraries to stock my books.

Get the audiobook of Fantasy Short Stories produced.

Update all books with details of my new releases in 2022. This will involve updating the format of the books with the new style table of contents Amazon now requires.

Ensure all ARC copies I have to offer reviewers are updated versions as per above.

Contact more reviewers for both ebooks and audiobooks.

Attempt to join the RNA when the New Writers Scheme opens in January.

Writing Plans 2023

The Mermaid Hotel Series

Book 1 is pretty much complete and a much stronger book than it was this time last year. I’ve decided to approach agents and publishers direct to see what the feedback is like before deciding on the self publishing route. Once I make my decision it will be full steam ahead!

I need to develop the drafts of books 2 and 3 and hope to publish them in 2023 if that is the path I choose.

Work on the series bible, complete a series timeline, work out the arc of the series and draft the other novels asap.

Starlight Prophecy Trilogy

If I could just get over the block in my planning I could finish the first two books in 2023 and start planning book 3. I would also love to start publishing this series in 2023.

To achieve my goal, I need to strip the idea back to its basic premise and work out the series arc as well as for each individual novel. I also need to brainstorm the books with my husband as that usually helps me figure out plot issues.

Other writing

Short fantasy series – I have a couple of characters that arrived on the paper some years ago and I really want to get their story written. It feels like a strong contender for a short series, perhaps around 50k per book.

Silent Sea Chronicles – I’d love to revisit this world in 2023. Whether that is with short stories or longer works, I won’t know until I write them. I do know that I want to finish the prequel and I have ideas for future stories that need exploring.

Later in the year I may decide to write some more short stories for publication too. Another Christmas themed one, or paranormal stories maybe. I have a few romance ideas that need developing as well, though what length they’ll turn out to be I’m not sure yet.

For the start of the year I want to focus on just the two series, but everything else can still simmer at the back of my mind until I’m ready to get on with them.

Other Plans

Get a part time job. The cost of living crisis is taking its toll so at some point it looks like I’ll have to take the plunge into the workplace again. It’s a big decision for me as it will take away from my writing time. Somehow, I’ll have to be more organised. That, or we need to win the lottery!

That about sums up my plans for 2023, though no doubt something else will come along and distract me.

Whatever the new year brings, let’s start positive and have fun!

See you again soon for some of my favourite reads of 2022.

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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories

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