2024 in Books (My Clients' and Others!)
Highlights and A Year-End Wrap Up
When you’re a writer, the holidays land a bit differently. While many people enjoy well-deserved time off, for a writer, the holidays can mean more than just avoiding the flu while gathering together with friends and loved ones.
For me, and many writer friends, the slower pace of the holidays allow us to read a little more, find a few extra minutes to write, and invest time just connecting with what inspires us.
Writing is a lonely process, and publishing—while amazing—is a difficult, slow process. As a business, publishing can be filled with setbacks, unexpected changes, disappointments and challenges. But to highlight what I love most about this business, I’d like to share some of the things I’ll be reflecting on as we ease out of 2024 and into a brand new year.
My favorite read(s) of the 2024
It’s almost impossible to pick just one favorite read of the year, but I’ve made a short list of the books that moved me, changed me, and delighted me this year.
Fire Keeper’s Daughter has all those stickers on the cover for good reason. Angeline Boulley’s debut novel is exceptional. A gripping mystery, an introspective journey, and an imaginative romance all in one, this book—written by a Native author about a Native protagonist—is one of my favorite reads of the year. If you can listen to the audiobook, you’ll hear some of the native words pronounced, and that beautifully enhances the reading experience.
Not only is the book wonderful, the author published for the first time after a very long career. Anyone who worries their publishing journey is starting too late or launching too slowly needs to look no farther than this for inspiration.
All The Dangerous Things
This thriller crafted such a poignant and complex picture of love, grief, and loss. I didn’t see the twists and turns coming and I devoured this thriller about a woman whose infant son goes missing—and who suspects she may have had something to do with his disappearance.
Murder Road by Simone St. James
I’m very picky about paranormal reads. I’m not into anything too dark or demonic, but Murder Road takes a complicated protagonist, ghosts of both the horrifying and healing variety , and a twisty decades-old mystery to deliver a fantastic edge-of-your seat read. I still think about this book months after I read it, and recommend it as a masterclass in pacing for anyone who wants to write a thriller.
Persuasion and Recipe for Persuasion
Romance authors tend to adore Jane Austen, and there’s a special place in my heart for Persuasion. I re-read the book this year and shortly thereafter re-read Sonali Dev’s contemporary reimagining of Recipe for Persuasion, and I have to say these books together might have been some of the most satisfying reads of the year.
As classic literature, Persuasion is unbelievably timely and relevant, and I’m sorry, but the gold standard of Grand Gestures in romance has to be Captain Wentworth’s letter to Anne.
Sonali Dev’s homage to Persuasion is not a retelling as such, but that’s what makes the story so perfect and so brilliantly positioned alongside Austen. Dev’s Ashna and the complicated family dynamics that play out create a story within a story—to heartbreaking (and healing) effects. And thank you, Sonali Dev, for including a letter at the end as a lovely wink to Austen.
These are not *easy* reads, but whether it’s your first time reading Austen or your thousandth, I had an absolutely brilliant time with these books this year.
The Wedding People
Last but not least, the read that surprised me, moved me, and challenged me most this year was The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I did not know what the book’s true premise was before I started reading it, and I was surprised when the narrator revealed her intentions. When editors say they are looking for strong voice, authors like Alison Espach (and Emily Henry, Tia Williams, just to name a few) are exactly what they mean.
This book made me laugh out loud (apologies to the neighbors who likely heard my gasp and guffaw) and cry real tears. The truth of the experience in this book is so brutal, so raw, I felt seen and understood in ways that I don’t think I’ve experienced with such specificity before.
The Wedding People won’t be for every reader. Don’t be misled by the cover or the topic. Weddings bring out both the best and the worst in us—family truths, beliefs, sins, selfishness, and dreams. This was a powerful, moving, shocking, and healing read that I’ll treasure and re-read many times over.
Next year is going to be an amazing year in books
No matter your political preference, 2025 is going to be an interesting year. One thing we can count on is a heck of a lot of great books. Here are just a few releases (many releasing from Book Genie clients!) that I cannot wait to see in 2025:
February 2025:
Working with Tod on this book was truly one of the highlights of my career. And I’m not the only one. Check out this pre-pub blurb:
"This powerful, heart-wrenching novel follows a young Polish Jew through his incredible journey to escape the Nazis. Reuven’s story typifies that of millions of others experiencing the horrors and deprivations suffered by Jews in WWII and those who tried to help them. And yet, it is also an ultimately uplifting and inspiring tale of one man’s coming of age in horrific times."—Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
I pre-ordered this one and cannot wait until this story is released into the world. It’s gorgeous, complicated, and lovely in a way that I truly cannot convey. (But Tod does!!)
July 2025:
I am not a betting woman, but I would be willing to bet that Critters (fans of Critical Role) make this book an instant bestseller. Have I pre-ordered it? Have I stalked Thea Guanzon’s socials for every little tidbit I can find about this book? Yes and yes. The epic Campaign 2 of Critical role brought this spicy romance novel to the attention of the party. This summer, we can read the tale ourselves! Mollymauk Tealeaf will forever be one of my favorite fictional characters, but I am so in love with Campaign 2 and fantasy romance, that I literally couldn’t be more excited—well, if Jester, Fjord, Caleb, Beau, Cadeuces, Yasha, and Nott hand-delivered this to my door, I would be able to singlehandedly fly to the moon fueled by joy alone.
Release Date TBD: Domestic Suspense tentatively named The Baby Nurse
The author of this book came to me as a referral, and I have to tell you, right from my first read of it, I knew it was special. The book was labelled women’s fiction, but the premise and the complexity of the journey made this a genre-bender to be sure. The critical rules of traditional publishing are know your genre, know your audience, write what the publisher knows they can sell. This author had an uphill battle with this book. But she did not give up. She queried, she accepted the process for what it was, and she’s now with a publisher who values her voice and this work. I can’t wait to celebrate her success in 2025 as soon as the release date is firm!
Believe in the process and the timing
If 2024 taught me anything, it was patience. In a year that included setbacks and challenges, hopes as well as fears, I learned new technologies, worked with talented new clients, developed new projects, and built really strong relationships with new partners.
In 2025, I’ll be teaching creative writing and editing courses at Stanford Continuing Studies, UCLA, and if we can line up our calendars, Writers.com. I have my ghostwriting schedule (both fiction and nonfiction) under contract and fully committed.
My winter Stanford courses are sold out (romance writing, Novel IV, and Query/Submissions prep), and Copyediting I at UCLA is full, but there are a few spots still open in Freelancing for Editors. This spring I will teach a brand new romantasy writing course and will be hosting the in-person Focus on Craft book club at The Ripped Bodice starting in January.
I’ll be working on releasing all 284,00+ words of my zombie serial, a new fantasy romance series, and some new online options for course delivery. I have a full editing calendar through the end of March, but I can take on a few editorial projects after that and I have a few openings for coaching clients starting about that same time. (I run coaching like one-one editing and instruction but in hour-long Zoom increments as you’re writing or revising a book.)
Whether 2024 was the year you started or just another year you’re trying to make traction in your author business, please trust me when I say this: it’s never, ever too late. You’re not too old. The world does need your words and your stories—never more than now.
I wish you and your families and loved ones a safe and healthy holiday season. Pick up a book. Read a little. (Or a lot.) Write a little. (Or a lot.) Make an author buddy. Start an accountability group. Study the bestselling books. Read something quirky, new-to-you. Read more diverse authors. Support an indie bookstore.
And please, believe in the process. Believe in you. I have seen so many goals smashed and shattered this year in my practice alone—students with agents, clients with book deals—and I want all of this for you.
It’s out there. All of it, and it’s there for you.
Not because it’s easy, but because it means so much to you that failing, giving up, and not continuing are simply not options.
From Michael and Jeanne, the Book Genie team, we wish you happy holidays and thank you for being part of the beautiful, creative, and inspiring work we do every day.