23 Comments
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Nancy Bogue's avatar

Wow, Val! You moxied it up - that's for sure. Congratulations and thank you for all the wonderful work.

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Thanks, Nan.

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GP Gottlieb's avatar

You get more done in one year than most people get done in a lifetime!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

I'll bet if you made a list of what you do in a year, it'd be pretty darn impressive! You are a busy woman, accomplishing a ton of things!

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Katie Pierce's avatar

Monthly theme and yearly themes - love it! I also like the Word OF The Year. So inspired by all that you accomplished! Carry On!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Thanks, Katie. I'm leaning toward 'tangible' as my 2025 word of the year.

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Katie Pierce's avatar

I love that. All I know is that you & TK Sheffield have lit an inspirational fire and I'm working to get my Wellness non-profit up and running. When I had the coffee shop, I always had monthly themes and a Yearly theme. Going back to that is good.

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Saralyn Richard's avatar

Great recap of an important year in your writing life. Thank you for sharing so much along the way. I, among many, value your lessons and opinions like gold!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

And I rely on you and our great group of Blackbird Writers for the team we need to keep us sane in this crazy writing / publishing world!!

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Sherrill Joseph's avatar

Val, in 2024, you earned the right to turn "moxie" into a verb. You go, Girl! What amazing accomplishments. If I had done all you did in 2024, my 2025 word would be "collapse." This year, I hope to get Book 7 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series out on track for Fall. Keep up the great work! I look forward to your next Circle of Nine book. Isn't it great to be back in your characters' sphere?

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Valerie Biel's avatar

It really is fun to hang out with these characters again--I rather forgot how much I like them. :) And I am looking forward to your Book 7 too!

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Joyce P. Uglow's avatar

Valerie, the Queen of All Things Moxie! I look forward to 2025 with you and your productive process. I have a nonfiction picture book releasing on March 4. Never mind the first and second pub dates of Nov. 5 (GAH... what a date) and January 7, I'm crossing my fingers for STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits to be unearthed on March 4. YAY!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

I love that title! It's perfect. Can't wait to read that--let me know how I can be helpful!

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

You amaze me, Val! You are one of the writers i continually look up to for all your support of other writers, for your books, for your independence from the toxic industry. Have you chosen a word for 2025? I was thinking about doing this this year and haven't landed on anything yet. hmm...

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Valerie Biel's avatar

I haven't picked a word either--I should probably choose the phrase 'butt in chair' for this year. Cuz that's what I need to be doing!! (And not butt in chair and aimlessly scrolling through home remodeling videos.) I need to give this some thought!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Okay - maybe I'm getting closer to picking a word of the year for 2025. I'm leaning toward 'tangible.' I need to let that marinate a little bit before I commit. :)

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Laurie Buchanan's avatar

Way to kick butt and take names!

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Valerie Biel's avatar

ha ha -- yes -- I may or may not have taken names this year. Too funny!!

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Ryan R. Campbell's avatar

What a year! Congrats on moxying your way to a fun, fruitful run in publishing and beyond. 👏

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Thanks, Ryan! Now I've got to keep it up and get that next book written!

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Ryan R. Campbell's avatar

One word at a time, as always. 💪

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Nick Chiarkas's avatar

I think you need to add a 4th sign to your office “I am better than I think I am,” because you are, my friend.

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Valerie Biel's avatar

Aww -- thanks for that. It's kind of funny how those signs came about--mainly wrangling with the traditional publishing industry which can be so slow that it is ridiculous.

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