Victoria Noe

I’m kind of tired of those year-end review articles and blog posts.

I’ve always considered Labor Day the start of a new year. That’s when school starts, and in the performing arts, when the new season begins. Other than changing calendars and getting ready to do taxes, I guess living on a school year timeline still rules my life. That’s why I decided I wanted to take this opportunity to look forward to 2022, not back to 2021.

One skill I’ve improved the past two years is the willingness to pivot. I’m not perfect at this: there are still times I rage against changing plans. But flexibility is more important than ever, and that’s why I’ve made plans for 2022 (and beyond) that are fairly easy to adapt. What’s in the works, you ask?

• My crowdfunding campaign for Friend Grief and COVID: Pandemic Stories runs through Jan. 9. It hit the expected snag because of Christmas, but I expect it to pick up again once the presents are opened. Making that goal is important.

• Research and interviews for this book will take me through February. If you or someone you know has a story that would make a great addition to the book, here’s the link with more information. The manuscript will go to my editor in March.

• That project is stirring a surprising amount of renewed interest in the original Friend Grief series, which I hope to update and rework next year.

• I’m on track to publish the new book in July, just in time for my milestone birthday. 

• My last book - Fag Hags, Divas and Moms: The Legacy of Straight Women in the AIDS Community - is the gift that keeps on giving. I have two interviews about it already scheduled at the beginning of 2022, and expect more in March for Women’s History Month.

• That book will become an online course on Teachable, offering bonus content, including new stories of women who are not in the book. Look for that in the spring. 

• There will also be some fun new swag associated with the book. 

• The jury is still out on whether I’ll turn the Friend Grief books into an online course. It’s not a priority at the moment, but I’m open to it.

• I have several freelance articles that have been gathering dust, so I’ll polish those. No more excuses for not hitting ‘submit’.

• I’m committed to learning new skills and updating current ones - especially tech-related. I’m not afraid to say ‘I don’t know how to do that’, which makes getting help a lot easier. This is part of my determination to upgrade and streamline my writing business.

• I’m taking some pretty big risks in 2022: the things listed above and others that I’m not ready to share yet. I may wind up looking like an idiot, but at least I’ll know I gave them my best.

• And as always, I will make sure the people who help and support me, both personally and professionally, know how much I appreciate them every day.

 As an indie author, I set all of my deadlines. That doesn’t mean they aren’t important, so I’ll be frustrated if I have to delay anything. I’m pretty confident that I can meet them on schedule. And if I can’t? I’ll make another cup of tea and get back to work. 

So if you’ve read this far, thank you. My wish for you is what I wish for everyone: that 2022 finds you happier, healthier, more creative, more peaceful, and more hopeful than you’ve ever been.

And as the 9th Doctor Who always said, “Allons-y!”