When it happens...

This post provides transparency into my journey as an author. I recently had a budding author ask me if I write for the money. I immediately said, no. I write because I have a story to tell, and I have the means to tell it.

2025 was an incredible year. I hit dozens of first-time milestones. I ended last year with 71/100 rejections from literary agents. By now, I must have 150. Toward the end, the agents said they "don't know how to market or position this book." With nudges and pushes from family, friends, and fellow authors in the local independent writing community, I began publishing and marketing my work.

32 blog posts
10 podcast episodes
1 children's book
1 YA mythological fantasy novel
7,257 Social Media follows from LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, Threads, Medium, Facebook, and this Newsletter!

Book Sales

Ninety-four (94) of my books entered circulation this year. While with my first children's book, I gave away many for free, with the subsequent two, I have tried to keep free giveaways to a minimum (<30%). I earned a net $444.00 CAD for in-person sales. This does not account for the costs of market tables, my editor, or printing/shipping. The efforts will surely pay off—but slowly.

• Which Feeling - 17 copies (since March)
• Best Friends - 33 copies (since March)
• A Lion's Head - 44 copies (since Sept.)

Highlights

• February—the move from medium to having my site hosted on ghost.org
• March—my first convention, Comicon!
• April—I published my children's books for mass distribution with Ingram Spark
• May—hosting my first podcast, Myths & Samsara
• July—featured by Canadian Indie Authors' Spotlight
• July—designing my book covers
• September—my first book event at a bookstore, Indigo-Newmarket
• September—release of the first book of the Pawn of Samsara Duology, A Lion's Head
• October—my first Ad campaign
• November—my first book launch

What does 2026 hold?

More blog posts
More podcast episodes
1 Free Love Story
1 Middle Grade Novella
2nd YA mythological fantasy novel

Please stay subscribed for more, better yet, tell a friend!

I wish all of you the very best of the holiday season. May your efforts be fruitful, your plates be full, and may you all find peace and happiness in this coming year.

As always, a HUGE thank you to YOU my supporter and all of the people who have helped me on this journey. The list grows longer with every month.

-D.M. De Alwis