What does success look like?
I'm still trying to figure it out. Plus, lots of cool stuff coming up.
Hey, pals!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about success, and as an author, what that looks like. I remember when I first set out on this adventure of trying to become a writer. What did that look like for me? Writing full-time? Earning a living at my craft?
Making it big?
Getting an agent?
Awards lists?
Well… some of this may be pie-in-the-sky dreams (which I’m always a firm advocate of dreaming big), the idea of success as an author is a shifting, moving thing. Always.
Finish a manuscript? Great! Success!
Get an agent? Amazing! Success!
Sell the book? Woohoo! Success!
What next?
There are so many milestones that constantly linger, piling on top of each previous success until those long-sought after goals suddenly seem… small.
What is my success? What’s yours?
I’ve started to wonder where it stops, ya know? At what point can one really sit back and say, ah, yes, this is success. I’m good now.
So, for 2025, I’ve been trying to iterate my own version of success; one that is uniquely tailored to me. Because let’s be real, success for most of us is simply just saying, I’m proud of myself.
In that vein, I’ve endeavoured to immerse myself in all those writerly-adjacent things that bring me joy.
My Author Live Series is going so well and getting a chance to chat with incredible authors is… well, that’s success.
I’m now in my second semester of an MFA program and I’m working as a teaching assistant. Success? Hells yes!
I also took a bangers trip to the UK (I even drove… I know, bananas).
I’ve also brought back my ‘Writing the Memoir: From Pen to Published’ webinar and honestly, I love doing stuff like that. I love building a community, seeing other writers flourish, and sharing (what little) wisdom I’ve learned along the way.
Interested? Send me an email at contact@kjaiello.ca. (Save the Eventbrite fees 😉)
David Robertson Joins the Author Live Series
The Instagram Live Author Series is going strong and I’ve got some really cool chats lined up!
This month, I got to chat with David Robertson and let me tell you, what a dream that was! David is one of those authors and community builders who just… cares, ya know? Not only that, he’s a phenomenal writer and a fierce advocate, he even takes time while he’s driving across states to chat with the little ‘uns like me.
Check out his latest book, All The Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live With Anxiety.
Next month, I’m so excited to be chatting with fantasy author M.K. Lobb about her latest novel, To Steal From Thieves, which is filled with morally grey characters, the coolest magic system, and a heist (obviously).
Lobb is the author of the Disciples of Chaos duology which happens to be one of my favourite series of all time. No hyperbole here. Seriously. It’s awesome.
Happening on January 20th, 7:30 pm ET.
Make sure you follow to catch upcoming authors. (I’ve got some exciting things in the works!)
The Monster and the Mirror Included in CBC Books Best Nonfiction 2024!
Wut?! I know… I still can’t breathe! And look at the company my little book is in!
Excuse me while I lie down.
Check out all the books here.
Andrew Pyper
Last, but never least, I was heartbroken to hear about Andrew’s passing. He was too young, too filled with life and a huge community-builder. Andrew was a huge inspiration to me. I took a few of his workshops, and he was so generous with his wisdom and insight when I was writing my book.
A piece of writing advice he gave me that I will never forget. Make it big. Maybe your character is bad at thier job. Make them the worst. Maybe they’re gifted, make them the best. Whatever it is, make it big.
So, I took that as go-big-or-go-home, and I sort of feel like this was his generosity towards other writers, particularly those of us struggling to break into the industry.
I don’t think any of us will be able to reconcile with this loss. My thoughts are with his family. I can’t imagine.
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Want to be a guest on KJ’s IG Live Author Series? Send me an email: contact@kjaiello.ca
Until next time, kiddos.
KJ