★ Scarlett’s Banter ★

Sexy as Sin Filthy Rich Book Boyfriends.

Red-Hot Passion.

2023 was a year of blessings and hard work

By the time you read this banter, you’ll be in full Christmas mode.

Peace, happiness, health, and wealth to you and your family. Merry Christmas and many blessings. I hope over the next few days, you’ll be surrounded by your favorite people and your favorite things. I also hope Santa Claus will be good to you.

Here we are in December.

I can’t believe it. It always behooves me how September to December seems to whiz by.

Thank you for making 2023 an incredible year for me as an indie author.

I didn’t send as many newsletters this year, because I spent most of it in my deep editing cave.

I hope it was a great year for you. If it was a challenging year or a heartbreaking one, I send you a virtual hug.

I read a quote yesterday, I wish I had known about during challenging, if not bleak, years. Being an indie author isn’t easy.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Henry Ford.

That made me pause and brought a tear to my eye.

I decided to post this banter on my website just in case you want to leave a comment on your big accomplishments or successes of the year. If you want to share anything you’ve struggled with during the year, go ahead.

Here are a few of my proud highlights of the year!

1. Published a new series. The Very New York Billionaires clocks in at 339,319 words published.

Thank you so much for loving this new series. I’m thrilled my loyal readers loved it and I’m tickled pink so many new readers discovered me thanks to Xavier, Zane, and Hudson.

2. I dipped my toes, for the first time, in the arena of discreet covers. The first round of discreet covers for the Very New York Billionaires was good, but the second round was jaw-dropping. I can’t stop looking at those covers.

You’ll find all the discreet covers / special edition covers on my website as well as on Amazon: https://scarlettavery.com/special-edition-print/

3. Twelve books from my backlist have undergone some deep editing. Five more to go.

My proofreader Chrissy asked me why I had trimmed down so many words from the Summerville, Texas series and why all my books were undergoing deep editing. I explained that once I get the books converted to audiobooks, I won’t be able to change the ebooks or paperbacks. The books have to sync. Also, the more words, the more expensive the audiobook.

Deep editing was a bitch because it’s intense and demanding, but at the same time, it was an amazing opportunity to bring my backlist to the same writing quality/standards as my more current releases. When you’re a baby author, you just don’t write the same way as you do 20+ books later. You learn stuff. A lot of stuff. And you find your author voice.

4. Three books from my backlist (the Chasing series) were rewritten and will be republished in early 2024.

 

5. A CEO collection published.

6. An avalanche of private messages on Instagram and Facebook, and a plethora of TikTok comments from new readers who discovered my books and loved them so much, they had to come back and tell me.

 

7. Until Beckett, I had never had any book past 1,000 reviews. 2023 blew my mind. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving my books.

In the midst of all that work, I listened to a bazillion audiobooks. I hesitated, but I can’t tell you how much I cherish that membership. I would never be able to read that many books. I’m not a fast reader, so Audible is a Godsend.

I wanted to publish more books this year (because I’m a AAA personality), but deep editing is no joke, y’all. In the end, all this hard work will pay off. I already have an appointment in January to start talking audiobooks with a production company. I’m super excited.

Since we’re on the subject of deep editing, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without John, my editor or my six kickass proofreaders. A huge thank you to Jamie Betts, Chrissy Becker, Melody Fuhrman, Angela Tyler, Lisa Fearday, and Jacqueline (Jacks) Larson.

Deep editing means reformatting. A huge thank you to China, my assistant, who is the maven responsible for making my books look so amazing. We worked hard this year to get the books standardized for audiobooks and translations, down the road.

2023 was a stellar year! One I’m proud of.

2024 will be my busiest publishing year to date

Hang on tight.

I’m kicking things off with the discreet covers for the Moguls in January. You’re going to love, love, love those covers.

Then, I’ll be publishing a series of new books and you’ll get new book boyfriends to fall in love with.

So much to look forward to.

It’s a message I have in all my books, but it bears repeating.

‘I keep writing because of your hunger for my stories. Thank you for your fervor, love, and loyalty.’

What about such and such character?

I’ve received several messages about Collin, Shane, Noah, and Larkin. Their stories are coming. I purchased photos for a series that will feature Collin, Shane, Noah, and Roark (Rod’s big brother). I have yet to decide if Larkin is going to be part of it or if he’ll have a standalone book.

Before I jump into that series, I plan on writing a pallet cleanser. Instead of making it Book 4 of the Very New York Billionaires series, it will be a standalone. The hero is a new character, but you already know the heroine. She was introduced in one of the first books I ever wrote. Her story is well overdue. Stay tuned!

Help a girl out.

In closing, and on a different note, I’m looking for a new series to watch.

I finished watching Downton Abbey (AMAZING!!!), and then I watched both movies. I really like the first one. I wasn’t as enthralled by the second one. I didn’t like the love interest for Mr. Barrow and how it all played out. Also, I really didn’t like who Daisy married. And I wasn’t keen on Mrs. Patmore’s love storyline. It felt like a cop out. I would’ve much preferred her with that shopkeeper that was introduced in the first movie.

I jumped right into The Gilded Age, also written by Julian Fellowes. It’s the American version of Downton Abbey. The acting fell flat for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I tried three episodes, and since I kept falling asleep each and every time, I gave up.

I’ve already watched Yellowstone, which I loved, loved, loved. I tried the first two prequel series, but I couldn’t make it through the first three episodes of the first one.

Since October, I’ve started and stopped multiple series, unable to find one that grips me.

Hit me with your suggestions for best TV shows to binge watch in the comments. If there’s a movie you loved, loved, loved, share it as well.

A lot of misbehaving has been happening inside my Facebook group

Proofreader Jamie Betts, who moonlights as the incredible cheerleader of my Facebook group, is a bad influence. She’s taken it upon herself to turn Christmas into a salacious affair.

Forget about Santa Claus’s merry HO! HO! HO! It’s all HO! HO! HO!

I’m not sure if she bought the dolls and put them in a compromising situation or if those photos are from the internet, but I got to tell you, Santa Claus, Rudolf, the Elves, Gingerbread Man, Barbie, and other characters I’m unable to identify have been caught in compromising situations.

That negative influence permeates in the group, and now, other VIP Squad members are also posting dirty Christmas posts, featuring beloved Christmas characters getting down and dirty.

It’s hilarious.

If you aren’t in my Facebook group, you’re missing out.

Come on over and join the fun: Scarlett Avery’s VIP Squad

Well, that’s it for me.

Merry Christmas and enjoy this special time of the year with your family and friends.

Chat soon!

XOXOXO