Winter moods are for reflecting. For me, this liminal season illuminates more than December holidays and the change in year. It’s an entire period of introspection, and while it took me time to put my thoughts together, I hope you’re ready for my 2025 update.

Let me start with a confession: 2024 was the first year I haven’t released a book since I began publishing, and honestly, I have no regrets.

2024 was more than my lack of publications. It was the year I dove into my why for writing, developed my voice, and cultivated a path toward my goals. Externally, 2024 might look like a pause at best (and a failure at worst) but I’m eager to show how I’ve grown behind the scenes.

Bound by Thrones (my fae trilogy) is in great shape. I’m kicking off 2025 by editing Book 2 (Secrets and Starlight, available June 21) into a publishable manuscript. I’ve also drafted Book 3, and it’s next-up for editing. In 2025, you’ll see the completion of this series.

Beyond 2025? There are more plans brewing, and I’ll share a few details with my newsletter crew on Tuesday, Jan 14. So if you would like to know more, be sure to sign up.

Just in case you needed further reason to join my monthly newsletter, this MerMay I’ll send out a free copy of The Wild Mermaid to all my subscribers. The Wild Mermaid is a thrilling story of self-discovery that I can’t wait to give a new home. I’ll share this and more over (like long-term plans for Illiam) over this next year.

All of that to say, please be gentle with yourself in this season of reflections and goal setting. What the world might see as a failed year might be the time you needed to ensure a magical future.

With all my best,

Mel Braxton