Looking Back: 2023 Year in Review
Can you believe 2023 is over?
My daughters are teenagers now, and I thought things would be less busy as they got older. Nope. We’re busier than ever. We’ve even started looking at colleges. It’s all good!
Sometimes I get to the end of a year, full of the frenzy of holiday preparations and all manner of year-end obligations, both personal and professional, and feel like I didn’t accomplish much. A few years back, a writer friend posted her year in review and suggested her readers try it. I did, and found I accomplished much more than I thought. I’ve done it every year since, except for 2021, because I was ill over those holidays.
2023 was an exciting year. Let me count the ways.
Let’s look back at my 2023.
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My 2023 Year in Review
blog posts published: 16
author spotlights: 8
literary columns published in NEO Magazine: 5
feature articles published in NEO Magazine: 2
articles published in Greek City Times: 3
appearances/speaking engagements: 3
blurbs for new books: 3
articles written for clients: 4
newsletters sent: 12
books read: 50
books reviewed: 38
write/edit/query/promo webinars/workshops: I lost count!
queries: 25
rejections: 8
poems written: 6
poems read at open mic events: 1
poetry publications: 2
essays written: 11
short stories written: 1
memoir pieces written: 3
new novel ideas: 2
A poem I wrote about my late mother, called “When Mom Left” appears in this poetry anthology from Moms Who Write. Proceeds benefit the Pacific Birth Collective to assist their efforts to help families displaced by the Maui wildfires. Buy it on Amazon.
Standouts: 2023 Year in Review
I had some wonderful standout (professional) moments this year.
- Started an Author/Book Event series with Hellenic American Women’s Council – Great Lakes Region. We hosted two virtual events (December-Nicholas Gage and August-Sharon Blomfield & Sally Jane Smith)
- Co-hosted with HPSI and led A Conversation with Nektaria Anastasiadou event in Chicago (September)
- Had my first poetry publication on Highland Park Poetry (May)
- My poem, “When Mom Left” was included in The Magic of Us—A Moms Who Write Anthology (November)
- Worked with an editor on my novel submission package (January-March)
- Did 3 more revisions on my novel; cut about 5,000 words
- Submitted poems and a short story to publication and contests
- Entered my manuscript in a two contests
- Wrote blurbs that are included books
- Worked with wonderful Greek and PhilHellene authors on marketing and PR
- Interviewed Renowned Actress, Director, Producer, Writer, and Translator Mimi Denissi
- Participated in December Writing Challenge (20k new words!)
- Began contributing to Greek City Times (Australia)
- Joined TripFiction as a blogger on books set in Greece (I’ve been adding books to their lists and have more blog posts coming soon)
- Attended the Renos Haralambidis Retrospective at New York Greek Film Expo. I did publicity for this year’s expo. (October)
- Connected with so many talented writers
- Started writing a new novel (December)
IMAGE: VIARAMI
Final Thoughts on 2023 Year in Review
Did I accomplish all of my goals? No. Did I accomplish things I didn’t plan on? Absolutely. Did I hone my craft: You bet. Am I psyched for next year? 2024 is my year! Many things are already percolating.
I feel like I’m ‘thisclose’ on getting representation for my novel. The rejections I’m receiving this go-round are very positive. It’s going to happen soon. I just know it!
How did you do? Think back. Share. Let’s cheer each other on in 2024!
Read more:
My Greek Books: Top 10 Reads of 2023
My Greek Books—December 2023 Reads
