My dog Misty on our first hike of 2026. In keeping with my prevailing spirit of tardiness, we made it out January 2nd instead of the 1st.

The dust of the holidays has finally settled, and it’s back to our usual programming here at the start of 2026. I say finally, because it’s taken me a full two weeks after January 1st to begin to feel routine and normalcy! Maybe you’re there, too— and maybe I’m late enough on the New Year posts to get you all interested in what’s coming :) Regardless, here’s where I’ve been, and here’s where I’m headed.

2025: A Year in Review

In a lot of ways, 2025 was a good year for stories. Tower of Cortico published at the end of June, a brand new fantasy tale in a brand new world— a world in which I got to write about new fantasy peoples, unique magic, and adventures on the high seas. The only story I had more fun writing than this one was Grandpa Got Run Over by A Bane Deer. I was also able to get the rights to republish on Kindle the first book I ever wrote, a biography on Corrie ten Boom, and finally, I published A Time to Embrace as a standalone— a serious contender in the Realm Awards of 2024, among others from that fantastic anthology, A Time for Everything.

2025 also saw me settle into my groove as managing editor of Christian History Magazine— we released 4 regular issues of CH (many of them extended issues) as well as a bonus guide. My work at CHI is rewarding, inspirational, and educational, but also takes much of my emotional and creative energy. On top of this, I have been teaching writing classes for my children’s homeschool co-op— another worthy endeavor in which I get to guide a new generation of writers and introduce them to just a small piece of the literary wealth that’s out there— but again, we are busy!

Recognizing this, in November I took a dedicated writing retreat for the final book of The Elmnas Chronicles— progress has been made, but not as much as I would have liked. However, I am encouraged and spurred on by your continued requests of WHEN! I am working on balancing work, homeschooling, and ministry as I focus on giving you a final and satisfying conclusion to a story a decade in the making.

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Hopes for the New Year

“Resolutions” is too strong of word, don’t you think? I am wary of resolving to do anything, and thus binding my conscience, but I am happy to share all my hopes for 2026 with you! Here they are:

I hope to internet less, write more

I started monitoring my phone use through a digital well-being app, and boy, was that sobering. Social media (just scrolling and sending stupid videos to my friends and family) took waaaay too much of time in 2025. My hope for 2026 is to spend significantly less time scrolling, and invest that energy instead into writing. This includes drafting story ideas and posting more quality content here on Substack.

I hope to submit Book IV of The Elmnas Chronicles for publication

Unlike George R.R. Martin, I plan on wrapping up this epic dystopian adventure within the next century! Ideally, this year I’ll finish final drafting and editing and submit for publication. That likely means a 2027 release date at the earliest. However, I also hope to write TEC short stories to fill the gaps before release— these would likely make it to print in the in-between.

I hope to make it more events and meet more potential readers

I attended significantly less events in 2025 than I had in 2024, which was a shame, but also a simple inevitability due to some medical issues. I’ve entered 2026 with a much cleaner bill of health and a release to do more of the things I love. This includes some more ambitious author events— perhaps even a road trip to a certain expo? I also hope to make it to more online events. I already have one exciting interview lined up this month with the potential for a few more. Looking forward to chatting with amazing authors and experts in the writing world and meeting more readers, both in person and online!

I hope to win a little

I submitted Tower of Cortico to a few awards contests. I want to win. I like winning. If you know of any contests worth entering (and if you’re an author, don’t mind more competition), let me know!

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A Murky Picture, but a Clear Stance

If you’ve been following the industry scene at all in 2026, you’ll note there is a lot of uncertainty about the future of publishing. The explosion of generative AI, already on top of the indie disruption to traditional publishing, makes for strange times and difficult navigation for the little people in the writing world. (To read a truly helpful take specific to the writing industry, see Janeen’s post on Substack, DRM Opt-Ins, AI Bots Reading Your Ebooks, and Options for the Future.)

I have had to ask myself many questions about where my art and creative integrity fits into this murky picture of the future. In an ocean of content, does what I write matter? How should I feel about generative AI and the proliferation of AI tools? What are the ethics behind using AI and/or AI tools, and if I want to opt out, is it even possible?

As I’ve thought deeply about the matter, one problem I continue to come back to is the consequences of outsourcing the work of thinking. This work, done in the abstract and often without a direct and immediate economic yield, has been reduced to a frustration and annoyance in the writing process. If I could only get words on the page, then I could sell this novel.

Generative AI solves this problem. It can organize your ideas and plot points for you. It can offer ideas to fill in plot holes and to move you to the next chapter. It can even write a full-length novel in your own voice and style. But it can’t be human.

I have a lot of thoughts, but I’ll leave it at this: outsourcing the work of thinking outsources the work of being human. Yes, it is hard, but I believe doing what is hard is necessary for creating anything of lasting worth and value.

For these reasons, I have come up with this personal commitment:

I am committed to never using generative AI for the writing of works I submit for publication, which includes ideas, outlining, and revising

Because of this, I may not write quickly or efficiently. I will not be a content mill— you won’t be able to come to my Substack or my body of published works and find something new every day. You’ll have to wait. I will also likely produce works that are flawed, perhaps not even as “good” as something I could make with the use of generative AI.

But rest assured, the work will be mine.

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