And now…what’s next?

Early 2020 before the Chinese Covid-19 destroyed the year. This photo is at Master the Possibilities.

One of the finest documentaries of its time (1952-53) was “Victory at Sea.” Much of the WWII footage shown on the History Channel and other media sources today are a re-plow of this twenty-six episode program. The beginning of each show began with Leonard Graves’s commanding voice saying, “And now…” He heralded what we’d see with those title page words with Richard Rodgers stirring score playing in the background. It sparked anticipation for what we would see. We need Leonard to announce, “And now, 2021…” to lift our expectations for the coming year.
I’m looking at 2021 with restrained optimism. Why the optimism; why the restraint? My optimism stems from what I see as the populace’s relief. Relief that the Covid-19 crisis is nearing resolution. Relief that the stench of politics, manufactured issues that magnified real ones, and senseless violence will fade into the background. People will have a better outlook with the Sword of Damocles removed from above their necks. If the idiots in Washington will allow it, the economy will recover.
Personally, I’m super encouraged by the increasing number of people seeking my next book! At every venue I’ve visited, most of my sales are to readers of my previous novels, asking, “What do you have new?” They buy them! And, since an important portion of my effort to increase my reader base is personal touch, the inventiveness of the organizations staging of events in a social distancing environment has increased. Back to business! Plus, I’ve become skilled at virtual presentations and that increases my ability to reach more people. 

Signing a book for a fan. Reoccurring sales to readers of my work is gratifying.

The single greatest reason for my rose-colored view is the writing I’ve completed this year. My agent is optimistic about placing my three book “Finder” mystery series. Titles, “Finding the Calusa Queen,” “The Grave with Greener Grass,” and “Finding the Nancy Lynn,” all feature Sly Harrell as their protagonist. He’s a kind of redneck-light Sherlock Holmes.
I won’t dwell on the negatives, but I have to mention them. There are two threats: The specter of monopoly destroying publishing as a whole, and the increasing (horrible) threat of censorship infecting our ability to write, to publish, and most importantly to think as we please. That said, welcome 2021. Our honest hope and prayers are for you to be better than 2020. See you all next year!

 

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