Well, I’m taking inventory of what needs to be done (professionally) and what goals I want to achieve, would like to achieve, and MUST achieve. BTW, that is a great way to organize your year (in my opinion) because it does two vital things: 1) it curves the over optimistic side of me that wants this and that and those and these and hopefully and maybe and if only and then…. Yeh, I’m that type of person. And 2) it puts down hard, factual, ambitious objectives that you can step-by-step achieve as the year rolls on. And now that the new data is out from the CDC ( https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/3801050-here-are-the-states-with-the-longest-life-expectancy/)… well, I better truly get to it!
If you are a reader of this blog, then you know one of my goals is to “demystify” the publishing process as my latest novel Gods of IMAGO goes from draft to publication. This process is rigid, all about setting benchmarks in time, and those benchmarks are set in stone. So, these concrete benchmarks automatically become my MUST DO’s of my year and creates a structure which everything else must fit around. I am currently in the revision stage of the manuscript. My wonderful editor at Rogue (shout out to Sherry Dear-Wille) has given me notes, and I am now in the “man-I-really-need-to-get-this-book-revised” mode. This will take at least several weeks of concerted effort, and then the manuscript is off to the copyediting stage, galley proofs, advanced copy, etc… Soon, Gods of IMAGO will get an official pub date, and we begin the gathering reviews and marketing, etc….
Now, speaking of would likes and wants…. I’ll just say a few words about some exciting projects that fall into those categories. The first is the publication of my novel Blood Clan. I’ll write about it later when I get the official offer, but it looks very promising that this series (a trilogy) will be picked up in the coming months. The second – and this is in the likes/hopeful category – is the collaborative effort with writer Derek Wade and illustrator (same brilliant artist who did the covers of IMAGO and Gods of IMAGO) David Sladek to create a graphic novel of Blood Clan. And if we are really casting out for the unexpected hit… well, there are two screenplays (TV series pilots) out into the great ocean of Hollywood floating about just for kicks.
What are your goals? What are your Musts, Wants, Would like? visit me on my website (gregorybelliveauwriter.com) or send me an email (gkennethbelliveau@gmail.com). I would love to hear from you.
Until next time.
Have a great New Year. Go Do Be! And remember: You are loved, you are known, so get out there and change the world for the better.
Greg Belliveau 