IWSG - 2026 Goals, Burnout, 2025 Stats/Accomplishments, & New Releases

Yay, it's time for the first Insecure Writer's Group of 2026! Crud, I have to remember to write that on checks and medical check-in forms now. We'll see how many times I mess that up. Anyway, Happy New Year!


The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh to provide a place for writers to air their insecurities and support each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name above and add your blog to the linky list.

The co-hosts this month are Olga Godim, Jean Davis, Jacqui Murray, and me!

The optional question this month is: Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?

Well, yeah! By virtue of having had a gazillion jobs at the same time in 2025, it was a crap year for me in writing. I've been frozen in burnout from having done that to myself since I finally got out from underneath the extraneous jobs, but this year, that changes. I intend to write more, submit more, to finish editing the current book to submit to agents, to finish the next Myth Stalker book, and to finish one more book for the year (I haven't decided which project will take precedence). I also need to put more energy into marketing, as I've really done pretty much none except some basic posts and a few events.

That brings us to this month's insecurity: what if I can't come back from this burnout? I thought I was coming out of it, even wrote a couple new stories, and then I plunged even deeper. I'm working on trying to figure out how to take it easy on myself while still accomplishing what I want to accomplish. It's a work in progress. I'm sure I'll get there; I just want to do it in a way that doesn't cause more burnout. 

I did a recap of the year on Facebook, and the following were my writing related items:

  • Had 5 short stories come out (3 horror, 1 fantasy, 1 mystery)
  • Released my 7th book
  • Made it into my first "Best of" anthology
  • Taught/paneled/sold books at several conferences/conventions/events
  • Was Toastmaster at MileHiCon
  • Was a guest on several podcasts
  • Was a columnist/reviewer for Rocky Mountain Reader
  • Produced the final year of my podcast, which ended in December
  • Read 47 books


My stats for the year 2025:

31 submissions (bear in mind that some submissions for which I got rejections/acceptances were done the previous year and I only got the responses in 2025)

22 rejections

9 stories in "other," which is where the submission goes if the magazine goes defunct or similar issues

5 acceptances (1 of these comes out this year)

5 publications (1 of these was the Best of Carnage House, which I didn't have to submit for)


My mystery story "None of Your Farbin' Business" came out in The Not So Frail Detective Agency in December. (Little piece of trivia: a Farb is a historical reenactor who is not authentic or is inaccurate (I discovered the term in relation to Civil War reenactments, which is what inspired the story, and that's the setting of the story.)) All the stories in this anthology involve female private investigators. My story is a bit goofy, as my mystery pieces always seem to be.

Available from Amazon


The Killing Tree & Other Afflictions is my fifth collection of dark short stories! This one is a mix of horror, dark fantasy, and even a little horror comedy.

Widely available


I'll be a panelist at COSine January 23 to 26. My schedule is posted on my Appearances tab.

I think that's all for this month! I'm looking forward to seeing what other people are planning in 2026!

Did you set goals for 2026? What are they? Have you ever been burned out? How did you pull yourself out of it? What are your current insecurities?

May you find your Muse.


Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJanuary 7, 2026 at 3:48 AM

    You managed a lot last year. Give yourself a break. And yes, burnout does go away, so don't lose hope.
    Thanks for co-hosting today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelissaJanuary 7, 2026 at 4:56 AM

    I'm impressed by your list of accomplishments. You did a lot while working a job(s).

    Circumstances forced me into a hiatus for years. I finally accepted that life has seasons and just rolled with it (not entirely happily, LOL). Now I'm finally at the empty nest stage and back to part-time status at my regular job, which is giving me much more time to write.

    Thanks for co-hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Toi ThomasJanuary 7, 2026 at 6:02 AM

    Thanks for co-hosting this month. Sorry 2025 was so rough, but you accomplished so much. I'm glad you have so many publishing plans for 2026. I can relate to taking it easy on yourself- it's a struggle for me as well. I think burnout goes away but we don't always go back to our previous status quo afterwards; we change a little.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ronel Janse van VuurenJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:29 AM

    You did so much! Congrats on the publications. For the burnout, try Becca Syme's podcast over on YouTube (Quitcast) or her books -- it made me think about how I spend my time and energy differently and has helped with burnout.

    Ronel visiting for IWSG day An Author’s Goals for 2026

    ReplyDelete
  5. L. Diane WolfeJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:33 AM

    Despite a tough year, you accomplished a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jacqui Murray--Writer-TeacherJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:40 AM

    Maybe the burnout is from doing so dang much! Wow you're busy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Renee ScattergoodJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:49 AM

    Yeah, I used to overwork myself like that, and the burnout can last months sometimes. Now I have no choice but to slow down because of health issues, but I'm finding by slowing down, I'm actually getting more quality work done. So it balances out.

    Thanks for co-hosting!

    Good luck in the new year!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nick WilfordJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:49 AM

    A busy year for sure. Lots of accomplishments but I can see where burnout could creep in. Hope you find a good balance this year!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lynn La VitaJanuary 7, 2026 at 8:11 AM

    Wow, you've accomplished an impressive list of projects. You deserve a break while you nurture yourself with love and appreciation. Thanks for co-hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. cleemckenzieJanuary 7, 2026 at 10:12 AM

    Goodbye Burnout! It's time for that to go away. Besides, look at all that you've done. That should give you the boost you need.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PJ ColandoJanuary 7, 2026 at 10:38 AM

    A year-end review is a great thing to do, and I applaud your accomplishments as well as your commitment to ponder the not-so-great. Thanks for co-hosting and congratulations on the new blog - another writing commitment with good dividends, perhaps to banish burnout!

    ReplyDelete
  12. emaginetteJanuary 7, 2026 at 11:41 AM

    If you find burnout isn't letting go, pamper yourself and seek joy. Eventually, you'll feel better and the writing will begin. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. diedre KnightJanuary 7, 2026 at 12:04 PM

    I love what you've done with the place ;-) I am so impressed by your accomplishments! I don't see burnout as being a problem for you. Thanks for co-hosting, and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Victoria Marie LeesJanuary 7, 2026 at 1:32 PM

    Actually, I think you had a very successful year, Shannon. Bravo! Lots and lots of work there to be able to accomplish so much. Please do take it easy on yourself. You are a productive writer. You will get back to full capacity. You are strong! Thanks for cohosting this month's IWSG question.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Miffie SeidemanJanuary 7, 2026 at 1:59 PM

    Oh, Wow! That was a LOT last year. A little bit of a refresher and self-care may be just the thing for a little while. Thank you so much for hosting this month! Happy new Year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Arlee BirdJanuary 7, 2026 at 2:10 PM

    Your list of accomplishments for the year sound pretty good to me. Wish I could tout half of that! But as I get older it all doesn't have the same significance for me. I'm content where I am for now. Have a great year!

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  17. Olga GodimJanuary 7, 2026 at 2:27 PM

    For the burnout, your stats for 2025 are amazing. Wishing you even better in 2026.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 7, 2026 at 3:36 PM

    I think you managed a lot in 2025, so don't be hard on yourself. I don't have the answers for burn-out, but I'm pretty sure pressure is never helpful :). Here's to a better 2026!

    ReplyDelete
  19. JenniJanuary 7, 2026 at 3:50 PM

    Wow, you accomplished so much last year! I know when I've been burnt out, journaling and setting low expectations helped.

    ReplyDelete
  20. LidyJanuary 7, 2026 at 8:07 PM

    Happy New Year! And thanks for co-hosting today.
    Even with burnout, it looks like you had a good writing and reading year in 2025. Good luck with your upcoming convention!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yvonne VentrescaJanuary 8, 2026 at 6:16 AM

    I love that you keep these statistics! Happy New year!

    ReplyDelete

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