Was 2023 your year or are you ready for a fresh start?
For me, 2023 was my year. There were so many highs (and mini lows) such as:
(-) Selling our home in VA was a hot mess in Jan, waiting on contracts (but hey publishing is slow), & getting Covid.
(+) Moving to LA, meeting Musa friends in CA, getting an agent (YAY), releasing my board books this year, went to a Highlights retreat, seeing family in PR/AL, and of course having my baby boy.
2023 was the release year for the 123 Baila Board book series and SLJ had some kind words to say:
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Thank you all who’ve supported the books! If you have a moment, I would so appreciate a (hopefully positive) review on Goodreads/Amazon to get the word out about the series. Oh and please request these titles from your local library so others can have access :)
2023 was also the year I was awarded the best title: mom. I am overjoyed each time I look into my son’s face and see life’s greatest gift. I will say I had a wonderful pregnancy and a crazy labor experience of 53 hours of induction only to turn into an emergency C-section and a trip to the NICU for 3 days. I learned that sometimes life doesn’t go as planned (even with a very detailed birth plan) but I’m glad we’re both healthy. Also, let’s just say I don’t want to step into a hospital for a good while after spending almost a week there.
Thank you to friends/family who dropped off food and checked in. So far baby Ruiz is doing great. He’s a relatively easy baby and we’re catching on to his cues pretty quickly. He loves to eat and smiles all the time. We hope to share photos soon but for now, here’s some happy feet!
So what’s in store for 2024? The honest answer: I’m not sure 🙃. Being a new mom, everyday looks a little different. I’m also adjusting to getting work done in between ( I work as a freelancer so “maternity leave” = no pay). I have two writing deadlines in January for book projects (hope to announce soon) but being brain foggy hasn’t helped. I’m adjusting to a new life while also trying to meet my writing goals and hopefully sell a project this year. For now, I’m enjoying this new role of being a mom and living each day in the present. My word for 2024 is: Balance.
Until next time! ✌🏽 I hope to get this newsletter bimonthly in 2024.
Other News:
Check out my website for picture book critiques, how to self publish, getting into traditional publishing, educator guides, shop my stickers, and much more! Check it out here:
Looking for diverse books? Check out my AMAZON or BOOKSHOP store front. Using my affiliate links helps support my work at no extra cost to you. Looking for a specific book? Send me a message for the book link. I recently added more to these lists: Latinx spooky books, Books en español, Bilingual board books, and new releases HERE.
P.S. Excuse the typos, I promise there’s a human behind the screen and not a 🤖.
-Delia Ruiz @Aventuras.En.ESL
Sooo happy for you!!! Blessings!