How Far Did We Go in 2025?

The End of the Year Accounting

It’s that time of year when I can look back over the months behind me and take stock of how far I’ve come on this writing adventure. Besides giving perspective to the business of my writing, it helps me decide where I want to focus my efforts for the coming year.

2025 was an incredibly good year for me and my writing, far exceeding my expectations.

Disclaimer: I do not compare these stats to anyone else or to any “standard” that might be proposed by others. This is just for my own analysis and motivation.

Short Stories

I read an article several years ago that suggested setting a goal of 100 submissions for a year. This made the writer become aware of and familiar with a wide range of magazines, journals, podcasts, publishers, etc. and what the varied submission guidelines might require. It also required the writer to put themselves out there, sending their stories out into the big wide world where somebody else would read it. The more you submit, the easier it gets.

Most important, for me anyway, was that it transformed my perspective on rejections: from a judgement to a challenge. That email with an apology was no longer a reflection of the inadequacy of my work. It dared me to move on and find that one editor who liked and wanted my story enough to publish it.

This mantra has served me well over the past five years, and I stand by the 100-submission goal.

During 2025, as in previous years since 2020, I submitted short stories to various submission calls from anthologies and podcasts as well as literary and genre magazines. Statistics as follows:

Total Submissions 154

            Anthologies 7

            Magazines 140

            Podcasts 7

Total Acceptances 10 – 6.5%  

            Anthologies 6

            Magazines 3

            Podcasts 1

Of these ten stories accepted, five were actually published in 2025. Three of the ten are scheduled for publication in 2026. One anthology was cancelled before publication. One podcast was postponed.

This is the highest number and percentage of acceptances I’ve had in one year. That feels very exciting for me. In 2024, I submitted 171 stories and had an acceptance rate of 5.8%.

Eight of these paid to publish my story, or will pay in 2026. As I’ve said before, the total payment is not significant, but it’s an indication that my work is valued. The competition for short story publication is fierce, to put it mildly. There are an incredible number of magazines and publishers who pay their contributors nothing, and consider “Exposure” as payment for their work.

At this point in my writing career, I rarely submit to these and only had two on my list this year. What choice others make is up to them, but I choose not to participate. However, when payment is involved, obviously the stakes, and the competition, are greater.

Books

For publishing my books, 2025 was beyond my wildest dreams. Three in total, all with independent presses.

* Death in the Cards – a second edition was published by Twisted Dreams Press and released on April 1.

* The One-in-the-Noose – published by Twisted Dreams Press and released on September 23.

* Haunted in Paradise – published by Grendel Press and released on October 13.

All three books are available on Amazon and other on-line outlets.

Another exciting and valuable accomplishment this year is that I have my books shelved in two local bookstores, for sale on consignment in both. Although this happened late in the year, I know that there have been sales in both places so far. So, if you’re in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida area, check these out.

The Book Lounge, 631 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

The Book Rescuers, 8325 Ulmerton Rd., Largo

Looking Forward

I expect 2026 will hold a lot of surprises and good news.

I already know I’ve been selected to attend the Writers in Paradise writing conference at Eckerd College in January, in workshop with the extremely talented Michael Koryta. The keynote guest speaker this year is Michael Connelly! This will be my third time at Writers in Paradise and I’m thoroughly prepared for an awesome experience, learning craft and networking with other writers.

I’ll also be attending the Florida Authors and Publishers Association annual conference in Orlando on July 31-Aug 1. I’m a member or FAPA, but haven’t attended one of their conferences before.

For my writing, I’m working on a historical horror novel that should be ready to submit early in 2026. Here’s my pitch: Imagine if Herman Melville invited H.P. Lovecraft to have dinner on the whaleship Essex and Homer joined them so all three could collaborate on a novel. Epic? I think so, and I think you will too!

I also anticipate self-publishing a third book in my non-fiction True Ghost Story series. I Am Somebody is the true story of Carrie Markham – daughter, granddaughter, teacher – who lived in the era when women were expected to obey, not choose. Her story – and that of the women who shaped her – offers a powerful message for modern readers: Never take independence for granted.

Watch for more of my short stories to be published in anthologies and magazines. Follow my social media pages on Facebook, BlueSky, and Goodreads to keep up with the latest news. You can follow my author page on Amazon. And, please, if you’ve read one of my books, consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

What’s Next?

The publishing path for Haunted in Paradise