If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, I’m sure you could have guessed this one. I was still writing and editing “My Letter to Fear: Essays on Life, Love and the Search for Prince Charming” through 2013, so the notion of it actually being published and available to readers in early 2014 seemed like a dream (or is that delusion). But it was true! Depending on where you bought it, the book became available at the beginning of February/end of January. It seemed like quite an auspicious way to begin the year.

I’ve learned so much about the process. For instance, even if the book looks great on paper, when it coverts to electronic publishing, not all those codes transfer. That was a fun one. But I also learned that actually being able to give someone a physical copy of something I’ve created is a pretty fantastic feeling.

Also fantastic? Having terrific actresses believe in the material enough to donate their time to do a reading of it to help spread the word about the work. I can never express my gratitude enough to them, and that reading in September definitely counts among the best moments of my year.

I’ve also spent some time commiserating with fellow authors about the marketing process of books in this new world of publishing. The rumors are true – marketing the book can be harder than writing it. Social media is not the answer (though it can be a vital component). Getting through the noise can be an incredible challenge for any writer – no matter how good the reviews.

Would I do it again? Yes. I might have tried to do it earlier when I had more money to push into marketing, etc. But perhaps it wouldn’t have been as well-received because I don’t know that the material would have been ready. Perhaps, in this case, things happened when they happened for a reason.

How about you? How did creativity play a part in your 2014?