A new year is always a good time for reflecting on the previous year. And let me tell you, at this exact time last year I had no idea at all what 2022 would bring. I was in a pretty sad state. I wasn't happy at all in my day job, I was receiving rejections … Continue reading A Year of No Resolutions
Author: dianebillas
YA author, avid reader, musician, and travel junkie.
When Imposter Syndrome Strikes
It's inevitable, like death and taxes, the dreaded writer imposter syndrome. You never know when it's going to strike, and sometimes it can be crippling. All writers go through this, and it's been sneaking around my home recently at the worst possible time. I have a deadline for myself to finish the following by December … Continue reading When Imposter Syndrome Strikes
Deadline Driven
It's been hard to juggle all the various commitments I've had lately, between starting a new day job that's very writing based, editing my book that's being published, marketing for my book and all that it entails (social media, answering Q&A's, creating a newsletter, updating my website, creating business cards etc.), and trying to write/edit … Continue reading Deadline Driven
Music: A Way to the Soul
I come from a musical family, and am a musician myself, so it only made sense to incorporate music into my LGBTQ+ fiction young adult debut book, DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? My main character, Sam “Shorty” Daniels plays the trumpet (I play the French horn and piano), so I was able to pull from some … Continue reading Music: A Way to the Soul
Breaking the Silence
For the longest time I was vague about the book I was writing, even on my blog and social media. I kept saying 'oh, it's a young adult novel set in high school.' When someone pressed for more, I'd add in, 'well the main character is in marching band, there's some romance, and lots and … Continue reading Breaking the Silence
Book Updates
Being a signed author is exciting, but also very busy! My to-do list keeps growing. Not only am I working on edits from my editor, but I'm also trying to secure book launch venues, doing upkeep on my social media, and designing some creative marketing tools, all while writing a new book. Luckily I have … Continue reading Book Updates
What’s Next?
It's been a couple months now since I signed the contract with my publishing company and it's finally starting to sink in that I'm going to be a published author! DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? will be out June 2023 for everyone to read! Some days I still don't believe it, but most days I'm on … Continue reading What’s Next?
Exciting News!
Guess what!?!?! My young adult contemporary novel DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? is being published by Creative James Media in June 2023! This is the book I've been querying on and off for the past two years, and it's finally happening. I honestly can't believe it; my lifelong dream is coming true! It's all been such … Continue reading Exciting News!
Taking a Break?
Photo by Ann H from Pexels This past snowy weekend I typed the last two words of the first draft of my newest manuscript...THE END. Yep, I did it. I finally finished my first draft! It took me approximately seven months to write the first draft, which I think is pretty good considering I also have a full-time … Continue reading Taking a Break?
The End or a New Beginning?
Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels It’s the time of year where everyone takes stock of their goals for the year ending and setting new ones for the year upcoming. But this year has been difficult for everyone, including myself, and you know what I’m going to do instead? Be compassionate and not beat myself up for not … Continue reading The End or a New Beginning?
Diane Billas 