My Goals for 2026

Firstly, Happy New Year, everyone!

With Through the Darkness almost out of my hands and in the world, it is time for me to look at my other works in more detail. There were several mistakes that I made with Through the Darkness, and I do not want to repeat them.

However, now without education for the first time in what? Twenty years? I aim to really set myself small, achievable goals so I can meet my 2026 writing milestones.

This, of course, starts with the release of Through the Darkness on the 26th of February. You can preorder on Kobo if you wish. Otherwise, it will be available through me and paperbacks on Amazon (I am hoping online bookstores, as I am with IngramSpark).

I have got some pretty exciting things happening this year, and I will be planning ARCs and a cover reveal later this month for Through the Darkness. There are a few things left to do in terms of housekeeping and setting everything up.

Also, for my Australian readers, I have signed my book up into the National Library of Australia, and I have to provide a physical deposit to them and my State Library (QLD). I am hoping for both versions (paperback and ebook) to be listed in their catalogues. Once I have a cover, I'll also notify my local libraries as well.

But now, without the stress of uni, I have more time to work on my novels and other hobbies, so this'll be a much more fun year. So let's talk my author and writing goals of 2026:

My Goals:

1. Upping My Social Media Presence

Are we surprised by this?

Marketing has been my kryptonite since I started writing Through the Darkness back in 2024.

Before 2025 finished, I did a couple of short courses on SEO and content marketing, etc., to educate myself on what I actually need to do. I also watched YouTube videos from long-term content creators, and they've sparked some inspiration for content ideas.

I now have a marketing & content creation plan, so now whether or not I stick to it ... well, that is future Astrid's problem.

It's why I started a bujo (bullet journal) this year. I will be tracking my YouTube channel for about a quarter, and if I grow, I'll continue. If not, I'll reevaluate and maybe stop altogether, as this would be maybe the fourth time I'd have tried to start a channel.

Though I won't be leaving the site entirely, I'm still on YouTube.

2. Finish "Like the Tide"

If you've checked out my website recently, you'd know that I have a release schedule that I try to keep updated.

I'm aiming to have Like the Tide ready for March 2027. This is likely to change as I am still unhappy with the current revision ... It's going to my editor in April, btw ... I'm so screwed.

That said, I do have an influx of inspiration coming, and things are moving along smoothly.

Many will be happy to know that this is a romance.

It isn't clean, but it is free from smut.

The characters' ages range from 26 to 32. No third-act breakups or crappy communication that is actually gaslighting or some other form of emotional abuse.

This will be a depiction of a healthy relationship that will contain swearing and mentions of sex (they are adults). If you are looking for a closed-door romance, this series will be for you.

The reason why I call it a lit-rom-com is that it is a book that focuses more on the struggle of women's health (endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia), not the relationship. As I get further into the series, I will talk more about all three novels. But book one is the only one that is basically complete.

3. Finish "The Fate of Liat"

This has been a fun and stressful first draft. I'm still very much going, and it's changed from a gothic horror to a straight psychological horror (for now).

If you hate jumpscares but love the unsettling horror, like that of The Shining, this'll be for you.

As a fan of Stephen King, one of my favourite things about his books is his ability to write the unsettling. Yes, his books still have some jumpscares, but his descriptions (albeit a little overdone at times ... IT) are immaculate and really set the scene.

I've taken inspiration from The Shining as a great insight into how to take a very welcoming setting and turn it into a psychological minefield that you don't know when it will go off. How the characters interact in said setting comes down to the author.

I cannot wait to share more about it.

4. Stay committed to a Bujo

My 2026 Bujo from The Quirky Cup Collective

Journaling has been a fun experience over the years, but something I struggle with keeping up with daily.

I have set up a monthly outlook of miniature goals and weekly reflections, rather than trying to keep a daily journal.

I may do monthly YouTube videos once I get deeper into it. As of right now, I want to ease myself into the new habit and hobby without falling into the "TikTok" and "YouTube" trap.

Will it be pretty? Yes, obviously.

I live for washi tape, and the reason why I kept up my journaling as much as I have this year. However, I also live by KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). So, I'll only be tracking my goals for the month and nothing else, considering I also have a diary and a calendar, both of which I swear by.

This is just a personal thing, and one where I can hit milestones more efficiently.

5. More writing chats & engagement

One thing that I suck at, and no, it isn't marketing per se, but it's my overall engagement.

I hate talking to a camera.

Trying to start my YouTube channel has been stressful, and so have those 30-second IG reels/TikToks.

From looking at other creators, I've noticed that my approach is completely off. I decided to do some research and learn how to better engage. Hopefully, next year, I can right my wrongs in my online approach.

I swear I'm approachable.

6. Book Signings

My book will be in libraries ... well, the NLA (National Library of Australia) and QSL (Queensland State Library) at least. I've sent in my application or whatever it is, so yay. Just need to send both libraries a copy of the physical.

I aim to start getting in contact with bookstores and my local libraries once I have the physical copy in my hands. Something, I fear, I should've done sooner, but anyway. If it won't be for Through the Darkness, it will be for Like the Tide.

It'll be a matter of trying to find someone who possibly could interview me for a conversation, etc. But I'll let that be future me's problem, and would likely be, again, for Like the Tide.

It's going to be a busy year, that's for sure, but now without the stress of university, so it should be more chill. My goal is to find ways to reduce the risk of burnout as well, considering how many stories I have in the pipeline.