The publishing world is as complicated, with as many possible paths and outcomes, as youth sports—and I am ready for new adventures in 2022. It’s going to be a special year, thanks to everything I learned in 2021.

I laid my foundation by:

• Starting my website

• Writing 53 blog posts

• Doubling my blog subscribers

• Starting a Facebook author page

• Writing queries and weighing options

• Learning a lot, fast, about self-publishing

• Having my final draft proofread and prepared for formatting

What’s happening now:

• My daughter has been working on the book cover design. We’ve been testing ideas and finalizing copy. Watch for a cover reveal soon. (I’m shooting for March.) 

• If I hit that target, watch for a book release date as well—hopefully in April!

• My manuscript will be formatted for a print paperback as well as e-book, which means I will have several files to proofread before it is available.  

• I will be working to schedule book talks. Of course, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, so I’m not sure how that will turn out. I’m also looking into scheduling online book talks. I’ll post event news on my website and Facebook author page.

• I’ll be changing my blog frequency from weekly to bi-weekly. I’d love to hear which were your favorite posts from 2021. Let me know if you have ideas for posts or come across interesting youth sports news stories. Email me anytime at hawkinsonchristine@gmail.com.

• The 50th anniversary of Title IX is June 23, 2022. To pay tribute to Title IX pioneers, I will highlight special women in a blog post on the 23rd of each month this year.

Here’s to a happy new year for all of us, filled with new possibilities!

photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash