2023 is drawing to an end, and it’s time for that tradition of looking back on where I’ve been, and pondering what’s next.

Winter can't quite make up its mind whether it's here to stay yet. We've had waves of warm weather, cold weather, rainy weather, and one proper dusting of snow. Still, it’s the season for curling up with a cup of tea and a good book, perhaps with a cat if you find yourself so lucky. I hope your year is easing to a cozy and calming close.

Year in Review

2023 was, overwhelmingly, a book-focused year for me. It turns out that publishing a book is hard work? (I know, who would've thought?) It's been fantastic, but the downside is that I’ve had little time for writing or submitting short stories. I had six stories published this year, half of which were sold in 2022, and the rest in the early part of this year. I completed a few new stories, also in the early part of the year, but not much since. No regrets! As I said above, the novels have taken priority.

In case you missed any, here’s a list of everything I’ve published this year. If you read one story of mine this year, I hope you’ll check out "A Catalog of Gifts from a Crow," a story about loneliness and connection at a high alpine science station.

What I've been up to

This weekend, I had the opportunity to part of at the Takoma Park Book Fair. It was a great crowd, and a fun chance to meet some readers, see old friends, and connect with other local authors.

The previous week, I joined the Charm City Spec series in Baltimore, reading from Dissonant State alongside the delightful Marie Croke, Leah Ning, and David Levine as they read from their own latest work. And earlier that day, I had the pleasure of joining Scott Edelman for Indian food and a chat about writing for an episode of his podcast, Eating the Fantastic. I’ll let you know when the episode is out, probably in a couple months.

On the home front, Ravenous State—the third book of the trilogy, and the final of the series (for now)—is out of my hands and getting its final touches before it comes out in the early part of 2024. My day-job work is its usual sprint to the finish, but as that wraps up and holiday travels get closer, I’m starting to noodle what I’m going to work on next. So far it’s a lot of nebulous, cool ideas—“no plot, just vibes,” as we say—but this is one of my favorite phases of a project, just playing and exploring what’s possible. I may play with some new short stories, too, which have fallen by the wayside this year as I focused on the trilogy, and I have at least one neglected project in need of some love and revision.

A few folks have asked me whether "end of the trilogy" means this is the end of the series, and the answer is... we'll have to see! Ravenous State is solidly an end to the story for the challenge these characters are facing, but a number of them have more stories to tell, and this universe has more places I'd like to explore. That depends on how the trilogy sells, though--so if you've enjoyed it so far and want more, please tell your friends! 

What's cooking

It was raining this weekend, and I wanted to bake, so I finally got around to make this Apple & Honey Challah that’s been rattling around my brain for literally months. Did I mean to make this for Rosh Hashanah, when it would’ve been seasonally appropriate? Sure. Did it take me until Hanukkah to actually do it? Yup. Was it delicious anyway? Absolutely!

What I’m reading and watching

The Doctor Who specials. I won’t spoil anything, but the three specials with David Tennant and Catherine Tate were a delight. It was very fun to see them again. They have great chemistry on-screen, as always, and I’m glad Donna got another chance after her previous unhappy and unfair ending. I’m excited to see Ncuti Gatwa take over as the Doctor—I think he’s going to be great.

Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow. I love when a book’s description sounds like, eh, not really my thing, but then I love it anyway because it’s so well done. That’s the case for this one: Gothic fantasy isn’t usually my jam, but Alix Harrow absolutely is, and Starling House didn’t disappoint. It weaves together fantasy and history, family secrets and power abuse and environmental justice, in a way that blurs the borders between the fiction and the reality, with characters I adored. Highly recommend.
 

And in the department of cats being weirdos, this is Charlie's new favorite place to hang out. I have no idea why, but quite a few times I've heard him saying hi and didn't see him anywhere... until I looked under the table:

Thank you all for being here this year, for reading my work, for sharing your excitement and support. It means the world to me. Happy new year to all of you!

Until next time,

Jo Miles