Happy 2013

So that was 2012 – wow.

It was a year of ups and downs for me, with lots of pain and anxiety on the personal side. But that was balanced by wonderful support and success on the professional side. The very best part was finding all the friends, readers, reviewers, authors, and other folk whom I met online in the past year. I’m going to start and end by saying:

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and friendship throughout the year. You really made all the good times possible.

I won’t discuss the personal stuff other than to say 2012 was a tough year for family and friends, and my seatbelt is buckled for 2013.

On the professional side, I published 4 novels and 10 short stories, including the Kira Harp stories. I received some wonderful reviews that I have tucked away to reread when I start doubting myself again. I had an interview on Reviews by Jessewave, and some touching fan mail that made me believe my writing really had worth. Into Deep Waters in particular seemed to touch people in ways I hadn’t expected. Winning a 4th in the Rainbow Awards Best Historical M/M for that book was a bonus.

I’ve been nominated in a whole bunch of categories for the 2012 M/M Romance Group’s Member Choice Awards. We’ll see soon how that turns out, since voting ends tonight. But even if I don’t win anything – (and seriously there are sooo many good books in the field I don’t have expectations) – even so, seeing my name pop up on those lists was such an affirmation. A big congratulations and thanks to Enny Kraft, whose gorgeous (and mostly donated) covers graced many of my free stories, and who was also nominated for the Show Me Yours cover she gave me.

The Young Adult LGBT Books group on Goodreads invited me to be a moderator, and opened up a new place to play, frequented by some of the nicest people around. Working with that group has been a privilege and a pleasure. In the couple of months this fall when I battled with self-doubts as a writer, and I couldn’t write anything else, I could still do short stories for that group. And got only support and reassurance back – fellow YA LGBTers, I am so glad to know you – thank you all.

Gay Rom Lit in October was… an amazing experience. I managed to interact with crowds of strangers (Thank you Edmond) and met favorite authors, (Amy Lane hugged me 🙂 ) I met people who loved my books, real people whose days were just a bit brighter because I shared my guys with them, and that made me feel like a real author, coming out into the light. (Thank you Chris, Cris, Amanda, Helen, Jess, Anke, Jenn, Debbie, TJ, CJ, Dianne, Sue, Archie, Karen, Gennie, Lucy, Wave… and a dozen other people; Special thanks to author K-lee Klein for hanging out with me when I really wanted the company.) I won an award for ebook sales. (Thank you Laura and MLR.) I got people to pronounce my name right (like “cage”.) It was supportive and fun and it was family, and it was something I’ll definitely try to repeat next year.

So many good things happened in my writing world…

I’m looking ahead with hope to 2013. I’m writing more, after that slump in the fall. Life Lessons 4 is about 1/3 done and my new Samhain book is in edits. I have several sequels and a couple of stand-alones planned. Hidden Wolves 3 has one chapter done, as a promise and a place-holder. And dammit, I’m going to give Jamie and Toller from Full Circle their book. Lots of plans.

So as New Year’s Eve approaches in this part of the word, I wish you all a 2013 with days of fun, with joy and growth, with family and friends around you, and good books in hand. And chocolate. May the new year bring you wishes fulfilled and ambitions to pursue. And thank you all, again, for your support and friendship in 2012. It has meant so much to me. See you next year.

-Kaje Harper