My Writing Year in Review (2014)

As 2014 comes to an end, I found myself thinking about the goals I set for myself for this year, and I’d like to share what I’ve learned with all of you since my readers have been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals.

Goal #1–Write 240,000 Words

This was a goal I managed to meet and exceed in 2014.

Here is the breakdown:

  • When Love Gets Hairy. The third book in the Provincetown series, this novel came in at 78,000 words
  • When Love Comes to TownAt 78,000 words, this novel was the fourth and final book of the Provincetown Series
  • Being True. My first coming of age novel came it at 81,000 words.
  • Please Remember Me. A contemporary gay romance that will release February 6, 2015. It was complete at 85,000 words.
  • Spell Bound. This represents the first book of my new paranormal series titled The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge. It has been accepted for publication and will release later in 2015.
  • Blood Tied. Currently at 12,000 words, this novel is the second book of The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge series. This novel is my current WIP.

All together, I have written 397,000 words in 2014. Wow!

I can’t tell you how happy I am to see that number, especially when there are times when I doubt that I’m making any progress. After looking back, I realize I have, and that just feels amazing!

Goal #2–Increase Social Media Presence

This was another goal that was difficult because I had so many different social media sites–Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Tumblr, and Google+. It had become extremely overwhelming. So here is what I did to meet this goal:

  • I focused on Facebook. Instead of trying to take on all the social media options and do them poorly, I concentrated my efforts on one to make a difference. I created Jacob’s Junkies, a secret Facebook group, that allows fans to more intimately interact with me than in the regular FB feed. I share excerpts, giveaways, tours, and upcoming releases to my Junkies prior to releasing it anywhere else. Right now, I’m at almost 200 members, and we are still going strong. If you want to be a member, just click on the link above and ask to join. We’d be glad to have you.

Goal #3–Expand Into the Audiobook and Foreign Market

This is a goal that I could not meet on my own. Dreamspinner, my publisher, selects books for these markets based on sales. So though I set this as a goal, it wasn’t up to me to be able to meet it. Only readers like you could determine if I met this goal, and you know what? I did!

Thank you to all you wonderful readers who made it possible to meet this goal!

Goal #4–Actively Maintain My Blog

This is a goal that I, unfortunately, did not meet. 🙁

In fact, I have hardly kept up with my blog for this entire year. I could cite may reasons as to why I have neglected my blog, but they would only be excuses. Instead, I will definitely  rectify this in 2015.

Overall, after looking at this year in review, I think 2014 has been a success, and I’m extremely pleased with what I have accomplished. Still, I don’t plan to rest on my laurels in 2015. I’m  planning my goals for next year right now, which I will share with you all in a future post.

I hope you will join me. 🙂

So what were your goals for 2014? Did you achieve all you wanted to? What was your greatest accomplishment this year? I’d love to hear from you.

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stop #7–The Novel Approach

The When Love Comes to Town blog tour is coming to the end of the line. How is that possible? I’ve been having so much fun that I just don’t want this tour to end! But let’s not think about that right now. Let’s talk about today’s stop.

I’m over at The Novel Approach today. I just love all the reviewers over there. They are some great people, and that Lisa, she’s just yummy and bite-sized to boot! What am I doing today at TNA? Well, I sit down for an interview with my characters from When Love Comes to Town. If you’re interested in reading the shenanigans, then click here and Scotty will beam you up and over to TNA.

Don’t forget to leave a comment. One lucky winner at each of my stops will win a free copy of my latest. I hope to see you all there. <3

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stops #5 & #6 Top2Bottom and Mama Kitty

It’s a busy day for the When Love Comes to Town tour today. I stop over for an interview at Top2Bottom and for a spotlight at Mama Kitty Reviews. If you’d like to be a part of the shenanigans then click here for Top2Bottom and here for Mama Kitty.

Don’t forget to leave a comment; one lucky winner at each stop will get a free copy of my latest. 🙂

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stop #4–It’s Raining Men

It’s hard to believe the When Love Comes to Town blog tour is at the half way mark. Time sure does fly when you’re having a blast, and that’s just what I had over at It’s Raining Men, which is the next stop on my tour.

Since my latest book is a part of the Provincetown Series, I blog today about my favorite places in Provincetown, which also show up in the series. So if you’ve wanted to learn more about the various locales in the books, then click here and a thunderstorm of hot men will blow you over to where you need to be.

Don’t forget about the giveaway; I’m giving out a free copy of When Love Comes to Town to one lucky winner at each stop. I hope to see you all there!

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stop #3–Sid Love

The When Love Comes to Town tour has stopped today at Sid Love, the fantastic blog with some truly great folks. They’ve always been super nice to me, and I just love them to pieces.

So what am I doing at Sid Love besides drinking all their alcohol? Well, I sat down with the gorgeous Dani for an interview. We talk about the Provincetown Series, what’s up and coming, and which character in the series is most like me. If you want to read the interview, click here and Sid Love has promised to send over a limo to take all you fine readers over to his place.

The giveaway is still going on, so don’t forget to enter! See you all at Sid’s. We’re playing naked Twister and drinking margaritas. WHOOHOO!

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stop #2–MM Good Book Reviews

The When Love Comes to Town blog tour rolls on today over to MM Good Book Reviews, where I blog about why I chose the gorgeous cover for my book. As you may know, Michael Breyette’s artwork graces the covers of all the books in the Provincetown Series, and I’ve saved my absolute favorite for last. If you’d like to know why I chose the image I did, then click here.

Don’t forget about the giveaway. I’m handing out a copy of my latest at each stop on my blog tour. I hope to see you all there. 🙂

 

When Love Comes to Town Blog Tour: Stop #1–Literary Nymphs

It has begun! The When Love Comes to Town blog tour officially starts today over at Literary Nymphs, where I’m featured for an author spotlight.

I’m doing a giveaway of my latest at each stop on my tour, so if you’re interested in stopping by and entering the contest, then click here and a fairy will magically appear to whoosh you over to the place of nymphs.

When Love Comes to Town–Release & Blog Tour

It’s hard to believe, but it’s finally here! The fourth and final book of The Provincetown Series, When Love Comes to Town is now available from Dreamspinner Press! SQUEAL!

When Love Comes to Town

When Love Comes to Town

The When Love Comes to Town blog tour starts this week as well, and I have a special giveaway for this tour. At each stop on my tour, I plan on giving away a free copy of When Love Comes to Town. Since this IS the last book of the series, I figured I’d go all out this time! What do you think about that?

I’ve included the graphic below provided by the awesome Annette Stone from the Author’s Assistant Agency so that you all know where I’ll be for my tour. I hope to see you all there!

Jacob Flores when love comes to town blog tour copy

When Love Gets Hairy Blog Tour: The Final Stop–Sid Love

I’m over at Sid Love’s today for the final stop on my two-week long When Love Gets Hairy tour. The folks over at Sid Love have been so kind to me, and I’m glad to be ending my tour with them. What did I blog about? We’ll, since When Love Gets Hairy features bears, I decided to write about my top 3 bears from the celebrity world. If you’re interested in learning who made the list, then click here and a bear will magically appear, sweep you in his big arms, and carry you over to Sid Love.

Today’s also the last chance you have to enter the giveaway. Prizes include books from my backlist, an Amazon/B&N gift card, or author swag. I hope to see everyone over at Sid’s!

When Love Gets Hairy Blog Tour: Stop #8–Long and Short Reviews

Today is the penultimate stop on the When Love Gets Hairy blog tour, and I’m over at Long and Short Reviews today. I’m blogging about my top 3 reasons why gay men love their dogs. And by dogs, I mean the four-legged variety not the, well, you know. If you’d like to read what I have to say, then click here and an adorable pooch will leap out of your computer and lead you over to the Long and Short Reviews site.

Also, the giveaway for books from my backlist, author swag, and Amazon/B&N gift card is drawing to an end. It’s not too late to enter to win!