2022 was a whirlwind in both my writing world and normal life. I added much of the social/ internet things to my author life by creating my Instagram account, launching an official author website, keeping up with social media stuff and blogging more regularly. I also designed bookmarks to go with my first 2 books and will be designing new ones to go with the 3rd and 4th books once the 4th one comes out. So many new things to add on the business side of my author life this year.
I published my second book, Beauty Redeemed, in the spring and got to host my launch during the actual spring equinox. I had lots of support for that and was so encouraged by those who came and read my book!
Writing started immediately on my 3rd book Beauty Reborn after the launch and my brain definitely felt like a tidal pool waiting to be poured out on the page. Finished writing and publishing my third book and it released before Christmas, so two books released in one year(yes, I’m crazy 😊).
My 3rd fairy tale was not my only project in the last few months. My brain very rarely turns off and has been a fountain of ideas this past year and started thinking of a whole new series I could write (thank you so much, brain, lol) that was also anxious to pour out on the page, so while finishing book 3 and starting the editing process, my brain decided it was a good idea to get most of a first draft written for the first book in this new series. (Yes, very crazy). This new series is going to be an adventure series kind of like National Treasure. I don’t have a set number of books for this series yet, so I guess I’ll write until the ideas run out. This series will follow Selah Cross who works to find biblical artifacts that will prove the existence of God, but also must learn what treasure lies within her own heart as she faces trials and adventures that will test her faith. I am already in the editing process and am hoping to get the first one, Heart of God, released early summer of this year!
In the midst of all my writing, editing, and author things this year, I had the privilege of having a friend from college visit in the early spring and enjoyed our time of adventures exploring and doing things in Colorado. While he was here, we went to a gift store at a mall that sells gifts and things made by local Colorado artisans. They had a display from the Colorado Author’s League with books from local authors, I found out how to join and have my first 2 books on display there! I did sell my first one just before Christmas and am hoping it went to a good home where that story was needed 😊
My mom and I took a much anticipated trip to Iowa in May where we explored a lot of my mom’s old haunts from growing up as well as some places I had been in college and had so much fun taking in the beautiful Iowa landscapes and unique spots most people probably don’t know about. One beautiful spot she used to go to for church and family events was Strawberry Point which was a beautiful state park. We also made the mandatory stop in Amana Colonies(if you’ve never been, you are missing out) and got our fix of amazing homemade food(we literally crave their cottage cheese and bread and have thought about taking trips out there just for that. Not to mention dessert!), cute unique shopping, and a blessed time seeing her aunt and uncle. We also stopped at the Music Man museum in Mason City, IA which was so fun! Music Man was one of the first professional shows I saw at an outdoor amphitheater in Kansas City when I was little and Music Man had always been one of my favorites(I still want to be Shirley Jones/Marian Paroo because of it), so it was fun to see Meredith Wilson’s boyhood home and walk thru the Music Man square they built to look like the town from the musical. Along the way, we met up with friends from high school and college and had a blessed time catching up and spending time with them! Our trip culminated in the Pella tulip festival which words can’t even describe the amount of tulips and beauty our eyes beheld! It’s been on our bucket list for years and we finally got to go!
We also got to go to Kansas City for my aunt’s wedding reception, plus a side trip to Branson to see Jesus at Sight and Sound. Both were wonderful events. Later in the year we went to Lancaster, PA to see David live at Sight and Sound and it was so amazing. I’m so glad and blessed by the travel opportunities we had this year and the many things we got to see and the people we got to catch up with!
In addition to my new series, I’m also looking forward to writing and releasing the fourth and final book in my Solstice Chronicles. They’ve all followed the seasons and this final one, Beauty Revealed, will be taking place in the fall realm and will be the final installment in this series. I will be sad to see this series end but I’m excited to see where this 4th story goes to complete it. I’m looking to release my 4th book during the fall equinox which will make it that much more magical. I am also working on putting together a devotional to coincide with this series as a way to dive deeper into these characters and worlds that have become so dear to me and share my heart behind these stories and hopefully show a more applicable way that these stories can be used in our walks with Christ. I am hoping to have it ready to release at the end of this year.
Lots going on, but I am so thankful to even be in this position and able to write and share these stories with you! I always appreciate people’s feedback, so please share with me what you thought of my books or moments that worked or didn’t work. It helps my continued growth as an author and also encourages me to Leo writing.
If you ever wonder how you can help, sharing is the best form of caring! Share on your social media, share with your friends, share with strangers 😊 My dad is definitely the best at sharing with everyone he talks to and always has a bookmark to hand out and get the word out about my books. I can always order bookmarks, so if you would like some to hand out to people, I will gladly send you some 😊. Another way to help is requesting my books at your local library. And, any time you leave a review, it always helps.
It has been a crazy, busy year, but I can’t help but be grateful for the experiences and journeys I’ve been on and I look forward to seeing how this year unfolds.
Check out my website:https://beautyrestored.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautyrestored18
Ashley Beach-Author and Storyteller 