Well, it was one for the books. The year kicked off with a two-week stint in Barbados (had wanted to go since I was a kid) followed by the release of my second book, It Came From the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations.
While my sophomore release didn't sell as well as my novella Wolf at the Door, I've been pleased with its minor (extremely minor) reception and performance. In fact, only this week I learned it earned a bronze medal in the short story collection category from the Global Book Awards. That makes it the second book of mine to get a nod from those fine folks who focus on us self-published types. And the local bookstore here in Prince George called while I was typing this looking for more copies to sell.
Anyway, the bugger (by which I mean full of bugs, yes there are bugs) had some positive reviews and remains on sale at a decent price.
Here's a review: https://www.rbwriting.ca/2024/10/15/review-it-came-from-the-trees-and-other-violent-aberrations-by-joel-mckay/
Here's a link to go buy it: https://shorturl.at/TILBm
And, what the hell, here's a link to go buy Wolf at the Door (buy one for your friends, start 2025 off right).
Elsewhere, I was able to finish the draft of my new novel The Forest Bleeds Black, coming in at 120,000 words. It's the subject of my thesis for an English/Creative Writing MA I'm working on at UNBC so won't be available for public consumption for some time. Still, always feels good to finish a project.
Early in the year, I was also contacted by Black Cat Books to submit a story for their That Witch Whispers anthology, which was a ton of fun. It was an honor to be asked to write a story for pay instead of pitching what I've already written hoping to find a market. The anthology came out in September and it looks great! You can get a copy here: https://shorturl.at/4Oo4Q
Otherwise, I was able to finish two courses toward my MA, launch this website and newsletter, do all the usual promotion and publicity for my most recent release, edit a novel for a client and get deep into second draft edits for an adventure fantasy novel I wrote in 2021 called The Dungeoneers and The Treasure of Roan. Title might yet change, but I kind of like the pulpy 1930s serial-esque ring that title has to it.
Good news is I'm not likely to wait four years to find a publisher for it and am thinking seriously about releasing it chapter by chapter via Substack or a similar medium, followed by a complete book release later in 2025. Still letting that roll around in my head as it's quite interesting to me to serialize a novel in this day and age, though it's a lot of work. But fun work. Right? Right?!?
Personally, it was a heck of a year. Mid-life does that, I've learned. It was a year of time with my daughters, partner, family, extended family, friends. Lots of lake swimming, beach days, fishing, a few hikes, gorgeous weather here in Northern B.C. (sunny, warm, hardly any bugs). I needed it. And was able to finally tackle some physical and mental health challenges head on and am better for it.
Oh, and I bought a sports car and changed careers. Not a mid-life crisis at all!
In all seriousness, it will go down as one of the more meaningful years I've ever had. What I'm truly thankful for is the time I had with my daughters and our strengthened relationship, friends and family who supported me, and, frankly, my own courage to start making some changes. This writing journey I've been on since 2018/19 is all part of it, a desire to spend more of my time as I get older doing the things that truly fulfil me, even if they don't generate a ton of income.
So, to 2025. New career in a new town, better mental and physical health and keep building on what I've been churning away at this past year, and, in terms of writing, the last number of years. More to come.
Some links to recent stuff:
Podcast with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randi-lee-bowslaugh5/episodes/It-Came-From-the-Trees-and-Other-Violent-Aberrations-e2pnkfv
On Southside Broadcasting with Alex Lewczuk: Joel Mckay, Alethea Lyons, James L Hill Halloween Special, The Opportunity Effect & Heat Pumps | southsidebroadcasting
An article I wrote for Books & Buzz Magazine: To make money in self-publishing, conjure the entrepreneur, not the artist – Books & Buzz Magazine
Discussing my day job running a funding organization on Time We Discuss: GET FREE Government Funding NOW! | Funders
Scribble's Worth press release for It Came From the Trees: It Came From the Trees by Joel McKay Press Release – Scribble's Worth
TEA Timne with Miss Liz: Spice Up Your Life With Miss Liz: Impactful Messages With Joel Mckay On Various Topics!
Also, some reads that stood out for me this year (in no particular order):
The Republic of Pirates, Colin Woodard
Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero, David A Leeming
Take Joy: The Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft, Jane Yolen
The Fisherman, John Langan
Day of the Door, Laurel Hightower
Island of the Dead, Brian Keene
Koko, Peter Straub
Crypt of the Spider Moon, Nathan Ballingrud
The Hellbound Heart, Clive Barker
The Shadow Rising, Robert Jordan
HMS Surprise, Patrick O'Brian
One last thing, 2024 started with the loss of my beloved pet and friend, Mulder. We were roommates for 17 years from Port Coquitlam to St. Albert, Coquitlam, Vancouver and Prince George. We traveled far and wide, Mr. Mulder and I. I was an absolute wreck when he passed. I'm pleased to report he passed peacefully, had a good long life, spent a ton of time outdoors, was briefly the King Cat of the neighborhood and loved his soft food and cuddles. He is missed.
Comments