As the calendar closes on the eleventh year of Ouroborus Book Services, we take a look back on the year that was. There were ups and downs – professional, personal and creative – and some really big moments – debut book launches, new team members, new directions, even an engagement! Our goal to keep our blog consistent and regular was met (go team!) and we conquered two Supanovas. Best of all, we added FIVE NEW BOOKS to our range. It’s been our biggest year yet, but don’t think we’re slowing down now. Keep reading: we sat down together to reflect and get excited about all the things we’ve got coming in 2019!
What was the highlight of 2018 for you as an author?
Danica: It was the first time in almost ten years that I wrote anything about Arya. She’s the main character in my second book, Colours Within. But every book I’ve started writing since I was younger, she has been a main role, not always leading character but she has always been present. I was starting to get to attached and fixated on her that I haven’t been able to write her an ending because I don’t know what my ending is, for some reason I feel like the two endings are tied together, linked.
Josh: The highlight for me (which happened today) is when an author overseas is going to check out my book!!!
Mitchell: For me it was finishing two books. One that took five years to write and releasing my first young adult horror book.
Sabrina: Releasing my first solo novel. Although I have two cowritten books, releasing Blank was a great sense of achievement. I don’t get to work on my own books as much as I’d like to because I’m getting everyone else’s books ready to publish, so it was my pride and joy this year.
Shayla: Writing again. I didn’t publish, because I’m working on my PhD, but as a result I’ve left full-time work and it’s given me my Sunday and holiday writing time back. This was the highlight for me as an author.
How did 2018 change you?
Sabrina: I think I became more stubborn. A lot of trying stuff happened but I refuse to let it beat me.
Mitchell: It started off as a bad year but got better. I learnt things can go from bad to good in the space of a few weeks.
Who released a new book with Ouroborus in 2018? (and tell us a little about that experience!)
Annalise: I finally released my first book, Reflection of Fire, or RoF for short. The night itself wasn’t what I was expecting, especially since I sprained my ankle after tripping over a step. While I don’t think of it as special as the remainder of my stories have yet to be released, my new experience would be reminding myself that I’ll always be on the quest to write something afterwards.
Rob: The Spinning Sister, follow up to The Laughing Man is my real sink or swim. The success or failure of this will inform the rest of the series.
Mitchell: Skellington Key was released. Looks great. Lots of positive feedback.
What goals do you have for 2019?
Josh: To have a majority or all of book 2 written.
Shayla: Book 4. Plus, you know, the other 80 things on my plate. But book 4!
Danica: I want to have first drafts completed for all my unfinished works. Until then I won’t start any more new ideas.
Annalise: I need to finally finish Pride of the Light, the last instalment of the series and go back to editing Eye of the Storm. Also to build up the hashtag for Shifter Squad!
New Years’ Resolutions?
Mitchell: Write more books.
Sabrina: Yes, more books! I’d like to get the sequel to Blank at least written and the final book in the Everdark Trilogy. Apart from that, aim for happiness.
Antonia: My new year resolution is to walk as much as I write. For example, if I write 1,000 words I will need to walk 1km. One metre will be one word I put down on paper. This is a good new year resolution for me because I need to improve my fitness and increase how many words I write in a day.
Best book you read in 2018?
Josh: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken.
Shayla: Geekerella by Ashley Poston or Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman.
Mitchell: Tranny by Laura Jana Grace.
Rob: I can narrow it down to a series. The Murderbot Diaries. Giving a killer robot social anxiety? I mean what’s not to love?
What TV show, book series, game, hobby or idea did you spend the most time obsessing over in 2018?
Annalise: This is tough. This year was actually the year where I didn’t pick up any shows that I would obsess over. The Originals and New Girl finished, Lucifer and Brooklyn Nine Nine were cancelled for what seemed like for an eternity only to be revived. I guess I would have to say Smash Brothers Ultimate for my obsession. I’ve been actively avoiding spoilers which is hard by the way.
Josh: The TV show I obsessed over is The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Mitchell: Titans, or Making a Murderer.
Shayla: My year can be cleanly cut into three phases of televisual obsession – Battlestar Galactica at the start, then The 100 once I recovered from Starbuck and Apollo, and most recently Killjoys. So it was a space-themed year… much like every year.
Advice you wish someone had given you in 2017 for dealing with 2018.
Rob: It’s going to be a tough one. Take every opportunity offered, because they’ll make the bad things worth it.
Shayla: It’ll be okay. You’re making the right decision.
When alien archaeologists arrive on sun-scorched future Earth and dig up an ancient copy of your book and tell each other in hushed, reverent voices, “It dates back to 2018!” what inferences or assumptions will they make about our society in their reports?
Sabrina: Oh dear… that will not be good. Blank is dystopian fiction and doesn’t show humans in the best light. But it will also show that love can win.
Rob: That we let our imagination carry us away to greater things. That the world that is and can be wasn’t always enough to explain how we feel.
Important question: what was the best thing you cooked or ate in 2018?
Annalise: Caramelised pork and anything chip themed. No regrets.
Antonia: Thai green curry with pork because the spices helped to clear up my sinuses. For the majority of 2018, I was battling a virus that just wouldn’t go away unless I overloaded my body with spicy food and chilli.
Sabrina: I’ve had heaps of yummy food this year. The dinner I ate at Sky Tower in Auckland was pretty amazing. I had some great gyoza at a tiny Japanese restaurant near my house, plus bacon, banana and maple pancakes and tomato soup ramen in Wellington.
SO HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY, WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE, FROM THE OUROBORUS TEAM!
Sabrina , Shayla , Mitchell , Danica , Robert, Annalise , Josh (J.J.) , Antonia, Amanda and Mel
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