Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

2025 Goals

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I’m back! Recharged (ha) and ready (haha) to take on the new year with some exciting new projects. This break has given me the opportunity to take stock on how things have been going the last year and see what I can do to make things… let’s say, less stressful. Take a peek at my 2025 goals below:

2025 Goals

Writing

Looking back on 2024, I realize I spent the majority of my time reworking books already set. In terms of drafts, there were only three new projects completed, two of which were short stories for Coventry. That’s not going to cut it in 2025.

This year, I’m diving into the end of Greystone. The last three books in the series will be drafted and set before the calendar changes again. I’ve been reading through the script for Book 8. It’s really good. I’m very excited to bring this book to life. It’s the pinnacle of the series, in my opinion. Key stuff that will send us zooming to the finale.

Beyond Greystone, I have a couple more short story ideas for Coventry to flesh out. There’s also a standalone novel I’ve had sitting on my shelf since 2017 called Lost Outpost. I’m hoping to dust it off and give it a fresh coat of paint for a year-end release.

Knowing Limitations

This is a tough one for me. I want to work. All the time. I love what I do. Life, though, has been diligent about reminding me of other priorities. So, figuring out that balance is key for me this year. It’s the most important goal I have for myself in 2025 because I cannot go through another year like this last one. Self-care really fell apart for me, so taking a step away from the desk will be key to my success going forward.

Audiobooks

I’ve been talking to readers about it for months. This year, I want to focus on getting my books out there in audio. I’ve been stymied by the cost of the endeavor, so I’m taking steps to make this more affordable while improving the quality of what I can offer to my readers. Hoping to get the first ones out by the end of the year.

What would you like to see in 2025?

I make no promises, but I’d love to hear what you want to see this year. There’s the Patreon, of course, and some new releases coming your way, but what else would make your list? Shoot me an email or message me.

New Year, New Goals

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Last year was a great new beginning for me in the writing business. New releases coupled with a revival of the old blog and newsletter really helped me get back to where I was before the world imploded. For 2024, I wanted to push forward and build bigger on a number of fronts, so I have some new goals with this brand-new year.

New Goals

2023 was a year of frustration on the writing front for me. The number of distractions continued to grow to the point where I kept pushing back deadlines and reconsidering my next release rather than digging in with the zeal I typically enjoy.

I took that into account when planning out my schedule for 2024. As of this writing, my releases are set through the end of 2025. Instead of pushing ahead and getting aggravated at life forcing itself in at every turn, I’m easing into what comes next.

There is plenty to keep me busy:

  • Greystone scripts for Book 9 and Book 10.
  • DSA Season Three scripts.

That’s the start. By the end of the year, more drafts will be set (Greystone Book 8 and DSA 3.1, specifically), but rather than fight against the hurricane (the two-year-old is currently screaming at me through the baby monitor to illustrate this point nicely), one of my main new goals is to find different ways to grow my readership.

New Tactics

The marketplace for books continues to evolve with each passing year. If you had asked me five years ago if ads were a necessity to put eyes on your book, I would have said… probably, but not totally necessary. There were still categories and keywords to play with to promote awareness of your title online.

Not anymore.

Amazon is pretty much ad central now. Facebook, Bookbub, and so many more are firmly on the ad bandwagon, squeezing out people like me with limited to no ad budget. It’s a sad state of affairs, but it doesn’t have to be the only avenue of success.

In-person events

In-person events are a huge part in building an audience. I attended close to a dozen shows last year. This time around, I’m hoping to be a regular presence in a few local marketplaces while also expanding my reach to some new venues as the year goes on. I dread these events from a social anxiety standpoint but love them for the chance to share the books with new and interesting people.

Amazon Ads for DSA

Beyond in-person events, I am going to enter the ad machine on Amazon. I know, I know. Then they win! However, I think it has its place when trying to cultivate a readership. So, there will be some fun re-learning how to do all that business.

Newsletter Building

Building the newsletter is priority number one. Having people getting my regular updates is absolutely critical to any long-term success in this business. That’s where my focus will be for 2024, with a constant stream of releases throughout the year to help garner attention.

Exclusive Content

To build it and make the newsletter sustainable, I am working to create a subscription model for new releases and exclusive content. You’ll be hearing more about this in the coming months, including where to find it since Substack is no longer an option, in my opinion. I hope you find the prospect as intriguing as I do. A new Greystone adventure will premiere through this model, as will Coventry by the end of 2024, if I plan things right.

Excited? Terrified? Join the club. Either way, 2024 is going to be a year to remember.

Happy reading.

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