Hello, 2025! We’ve got work to do.
Adeus, 2024. Olá, 2025.
Writing Update: What’s Baking in My Writing World?
Hey there, lovely readers! It’s been a whirlwind of words and magic over here, and I’ve got some exciting news that I couldn’t wait to share. Grab a cozy blanket (or your favorite fuzzy socks), get comfy, and let’s catch up on what’s been happening in my writing world!
“A Billionaire for Christmas” is Live!
First up, I’m thrilled to share that A Billionaire for Christmas is officially out in the world! 🎉 Opal and Thiago’s holiday romance is now available, and I couldn’t be more excited for you to read it. If you haven’t picked it up yet, now’s your chance to dive into their fake-dating-turned-real love story full of snark, sugar and spice. I mean, have you read the epilogue yet? If you haven’t, no spoilers, but I’ll give you two words: bondage & buttercream.
Yep. I’ll just leave it at that.
If you've already read it—thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your support means everything, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of Opal and Thiago's story. But now that the holidays are over, it’s time to start on the next exciting project!
Guess What? I’m Expanding My Cozy Fantasy Romance!
But wait, there’s more (promise no infomercial vibes here)! After finishing A Billionaire for Christmas, I’ve been feeling the pull of something a little more magical… and cozy… and romantic.
I’m officially expanding my cozy fantasy romance short into a full-length novel! Release date to be determined but editors are booked and I’m hoping for late summer of 2025!
If you loved The Inn & Its Keeper’s cozy magic, slow-burn romance, and whimsical vibes, get ready for so much more! I’m diving deep into this magical world, adding new twists, more character development, and plenty of dreamy moments.
That project is my sole focus now so stay tuned in the newsletter, here and on social media for fun updates and reveals!
Challenges, Wins, and All the In-Between
Writing isn’t all cupcakes and unicorns (though that would be lovely, wouldn’t it?). In fact, I’m going to have a deep dive blog post into what it was like to publish for the first time, but let me say that it was… stressful. But… more on that later!
Aside from the (unfortunate) fiasco that was my first self-published novella, writing has been great (so far) and incredibly insightful. I’ve discovered that a zero/first draft is my least favorite part of the process. I much prefer editing, because I’m shaping something that reads like hot garbage into something palatable, then into something magical. But getting to the point of editing a full, finished draft is impossible. The amount of times I write the first chapter of any work-in-progress is truly ungodly, and it leaves little room for me to continue writing the story because I’m constantly changing the course in which the story will take place like the goddamn butterfly effect.
As for wins, delving into my fantasy world of Phillin has been a breath of fresh air. Contemporary romance isn’t my baby, not as much as fantasy. Give me MAGIC. I need all the world-building and escapism that fantasy delivers, and I love the challenge of creating it myself even more. Phillin is whimsical and cozy and the perfect place for readers like you and me to play in a high fantasy, low stakes world where anything is possible. I like to refer to it as my imagination’s playground. I think most romantasy readers might agree.
2025 Goals
As we’re still in the first month of 2025, I’m going to use this opportunity to set some goals for the year!
Reach 2,000 follows on Instagram. (Currently at 510!)
Finish my polished draft of the cozy fantasy expansion for developmental edits by March 24, 2025.
Commission character art for the next book.
Keep up on newsletters and blog posts (at least one each per month minimum.)
Get a new Macbook! (I desperately need one - mine is 11 years old…)
Okay, there are probably so many more goals that I should shoot for, but we’ll start with these. It’s time to put in the work and not be so passive. Aside from writing, there’s a lot I need to do to make myself an established author, like build a community and market and find my audience. This website is my first step in doing so!
Final Thoughts and Big Hugs
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being with me on this crazy writing journey! Your support, your messages, and your excitement mean the world to me. Honestly, I couldn’t do it without you all, and I’m so grateful for every one of you.
As always, I’d love to hear from you—what’s your favorite cozy fantasy trope? Do you also love stories with a little bit of magic (or a lot of magic)? What are you currently reading and/or writing? Leave a comment below or find me on social media—I promise, I’m not just there for Twilight memes and cake pics (though I do love those too!).
Until next time,
Adeline J. McLeod
