A lot of people are excited to see 2021 end. Yes, it was another year of pandemic, with social and political unrest but there were a lot of positive things that happened, too.
As I reflect on the wonderful things I experienced this year as an author, I am overwhelmed. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to achieve so many things in one year. I am blessed, humble and grateful. Thank you to everyone – my family, my friends, my agent, publisher, fellow authors and everyone who as read and reviewed my books. You helped make everything listed here possible and I am grateful.
My 2021 Bookish Accomplishments
My hometown paper The Palisadian Post ran an interview with me. My grandmother was so excited!
My amazing local bookstore in San Clemente, CA Beachtown Books started carrying Rising Star!
I signed a contract with Rand-Smith to publish Burning Bright
Romance University named Rising Star one of the Best Rising Star Books Reviewed and Top-Rated of 2021. (Update – though I beat out Barack Obama’s biography also named Rising Star, for a few weeks, sadly I am back in the #2 slot. Unless a flurry of reviews comes through between now and midnight of December 31st, I will be honored to hold the #2 position.)
AllAuthor ran a wonderful interview on their website. If you’re an author and need help marketing and connecting with readers, this website is amazing.
https://allauthor.com/interview/michelekwasniewski/
Booksellers like Laguna Beach Books, Powells, Blackwells, Target, Walmart and Waterstones started carrying my book on their websites.
Libraries around the country started adding Rising Star to their catalog of books. I am currently in over twenty libraries across the country – four right here in Orange County!
Rising Star was made into an audiobook and started reaching even more readers!
Reviews from around the world started coming in for Rising Star thanks to the many wonderful book bloggers I reached out to on my own as well as through book blog tours. With 37 reviews on Amazon, I am thrilled with the feedback the book is receiving and it’s current five star rating!
I had my first book signing event in South Carolina thanks to The Bookwarehouse in Bluffton. Thank you store manager, Nadine, for welcoming me into your store and making my first author event a wonderful experience.
I was included in The Weekend with Ed Kalegi’s Best of 2021 radio show. I also had the honor of being interviewed by Ed again for Burning Bright! Thank you, Ed!
Rising Star received reviews from honored literary organizations such as BookLife, Publisher’s Weekly Review, Reader’s Favorite (a five star rating).
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781950544165
Rising Star was awarded Finalist in YA Category for Best Book Awards hosted by American Book Fest.
Burning Bright was published and is already racking up great reviews.
My 2022 Bookish Dreams
Falling Star will be published later this year.
New Writing Projects (exciting news regarding The Rise And Fall of Dani Truehartseries plus a new project)
Hopefully there will be more reviews and awards for my books and I can reach more readers around the world.
TV series?
I hope all your dreams come true in 2022.
Happy New Year!🎉🥂