January 1, 2026
As my aging, Gen-X body passed the half-century mark this year, I set out to complete fifty bookish accomplishments by the end of 2025. Although I did have some goals pushed back to 2026, I did manage to complete fifty accomplishments before the end of the year. I don’t know if I will accomplish that much in 2026, but I have no intention of slowing down. Looking back, these are the goals I was able to attain over the past twelve months:
1. Created my own YouTube page for all book-related video content.
2. Continued Thor Thoughts each month and found ways to enhance.
3. Researched and carried out new marketing techniques throughout the year.
4. Held Quarterly Indie Book of The Quarter tournament for January.
5. Attended Conn’s Hospitality Group Adult Book Fair.
6. Put together various book signing tour dates and locations.
7. Completed edits and cover design for Hell’s Diner.
8. Completed edits and cover design for STOK3BRIDGE: Extinction.
9. Held Quarterly Indie Book of The Quarter tournament for April.
10. Researched new book event advertising and continued evolving our book event presentation (banners, table cloth, book rack).
11. Held Quarterly Indie Book of The Quarter tournament for July.
12. Published Hell’s Diner with author Kerri Jane (June 13).
13. Attended Pack in the Readers Event (Green Bay, WI June 13-15).
14. Went on Scared Silly Bookstore Tour throughout Indiana and Michigan.
15. Had new covers designed for Welcome to Oblivion.
16. Recorded Welcome to Oblivion audiobook.
17. Re-published Welcome to Oblivion with new edits.
18. Wrote first draft of Midnight Rises.
19. Wrote first draft of Midnight Dies.
20. Designed cover for Midnight Rises.
21. Designed cover for Midnight Dies.
22. Began writing short stories for Hell’s Diner II.
23. Attended Area 66 Haunter’s Market (book signing).
24. Attended Fae Folk Art Festival (book signing).
25. Attended Autumn Authors Encounters (book signing).
26. Attended Coffeen Fall Fest (book signing).
27. Held another 99 cent eBook sale for all books.
28. Finalized Publication Plan for 2026 and 2027.
29. Read at least 90 books from both traditional and indie authors (finished with over 100).
30. Reviewed all books and posted on social media and my website.
31. Published STOK3BRIDGE: Extinction (October 3).
32. Recorded audiobook of STOK3BRIDGE: Extinction.
33. Wrote more blogs on website.
34. Prepared nominations and published voting for EW! 2025 Indie Book Awards.
35. Updated website with new look.
36. Appeared on TikTok LIVE “Pitfalls and Plot Holes.”
37. Designed new covers for PUMMELED and PUMMELED: Submission.
38. Attended book signing at The Magic of Books Bookstore.
39. Attended book signing at Witches Night Out in Vandalia.
40. Held Quarterly Indie Book of The Quarter tournament for October.
41. Published first version of CREEPTASTIC BOOK TOUR 2 schedule.
42. Attended book signing at Wildflower and Rose Bookstore in Petersburg IL.
43. Published Power Novel November writing challenge for authors.
44. Wrote first draft of How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp (completed Power Novel November challenge).
45. Attended Dark History and Horror Con event (Champaign, IL November 7-8).
46. Began new edits for Dragon’s Blood .
47. Gathered new authors for monthly Indie Author Feature (2026).
48. Held EW! 2025 Indie Book Awards.
49. Completed Midnight Rises (edits promotions, & ebook upload) for 1/1 release.
50. Prepared The Midnight Trilogy for release in paperback, Spring 2026.
Eric Woods, Author 