Goodbye, 2022. Hello, 2023 ✨

Looking back on the best year of my life 💛

I didn’t think, going into 2022, that this would be a great year. Or good, even. 2020 and 2021 had been shit. My first book “died” on sub and I parted ways with my former agent, only to drown in agent rejections when I returned to the query trenches. Not to mention I was lonelier and sadder than ever.

So the only good thing I had going for me in early 2022 was a very new relationship with my best friend—my biggest cheerleader and the best guy I know—but as for my author career? Pfft. Sure. Like that would ever work out.

I remained cynical up until the middle of the year, when I got offers of representation from two literary agents. I signed with my amazing agent, Rachel Beck, in June 2022.

And then it was all upwards from there. Two months into submission, we got a 2-book deal with my dream publisher, Penguin Random House. I was finally signing clients consistently in my editorial/coaching biz. My relationship was thriving. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but despite a few lows, in the end things just got better and better and better.

10 incredible things 2022 brought me

1: A wonderful relationship with my best friend turned boyfriend.

2: The most supportive literary agent ever who has read and loved TWO of my full manuscripts (and sold both to my publisher) and at least THREE partial manuscripts (all in under 7 months!!!) You’re the best, Rachel!

3: A 2-book deal with my dream publisher and the coolest editors to champion my writing.

4: Crossing 600 followers on my editorial biz Instagram and working with over 30 authors on their manuscripts and query letters.

5: Buying a ton of scented candles and making full use of Bath & Body Works’ end-of-the-year sale. Pictured: my favorite candle!

6: My sister’s cats, Mizu and Sake, moving into my parents’ house, which means I get to see them almost every day!

7: More author friends who I can love and trust with my whole heart.

8: My debut rom-com being listed on Goodreads with over 150 people adding it to their shelves!!! And also receiving my first payment from my publisher and finally making money off my books.

9: Hosting a free author mentorship and receiving more applications than I’d hoped for.

10: Watching new seasons of my favorite series, like Love, Victor, Never Have I Ever, Love is Blind, One of Us is Lying, and more.

That’s all I can think of, off the top of my head. I’m sure more amazing things happened, though! 2022 had its fair share of lows, too, but I either overcame them or I’m consciously working towards overcoming them.

So… what do I want 2023 to look like?

My word for 2023

I always have a word for every year. My word for 2022 was FAITH. Trusting in the process and the Universe and knowing that my hard work will pay off in divine timing—and it did. For 2023, my word is COMMUNITY. I want to find my people and strengthen the friendships and relationships I already have.

Goals for 2023

I’ll be working on edits for MATCH ME IF YOU CAN, obviously, but I also want to finish drafting my queer YA romcom, revise it, and go on submission with it in 2023.

As for my non-author goals? I want to exercise consistently and improve my strength and stamina. I want to have a better relationship with money and become more financially aware. I want to double my income from my editorial biz and impact even more authors. And, most importantly, I want to continue working on my mindset and mental health and treat myself with kindness and love, even if I don’t achieve my goals.

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Hit ‘reply’ or comment below and tell me: how was 2022 for you, and what’s your word for 2023? Who do you want to become in this new year? How will you care for yourself in the months to come?

Until next year (lol)!

Love hard & dream big,

Swati 💛