Looking ahead to the new year
Hello, New Year — And Hello to Everything Ahead
There’s something magical about the start of a new year. Honestly, I had a bit of the holiday blahs, but January got me going!
As a pantser, this year feels like a story that’s about to unfold. I love this quiet pause between what was and what’s coming — a moment to breathe and reflect.
Just to be clear – I don’t make resolutions. But I knew last year that this year would be a bit different. This year feels especially exciting, even though in some ways, I’m slowing down.
I’m stepping into 2026 with more gratitude than ever before. Last year, I finished writing book 3 in my cozy mystery series and a novella! Lots going on, and I’m so grateful for my publishing journey with Scrivenings Press.
This year, well, it’s about releasing, growing, and inviting you even deeper into the worlds I love creating.
So let’s kick off the new year together.
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A Big Year for Books 📚
This is shaping up to be my busiest and most exciting publishing year yet. I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be releasing three books in 2026!
One of those is Finding Ginny (up for preorder now!), a heart-tugging family drama about addiction, forgiveness, and a grandmother’s fight for custody. This story has lived in my heart for a long time, and watching it finally come to life has been incredibly meaningful. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories come from the most painful places — and that hope can grow even in broken soil.
Preorder Finding Ginny now!
In addition to self-publishing Finding Ginny, I’ll also be releasing two more books this year through Scrivenings Press, including the last installment in The Empty-nesters Cozy Mystery series. No Egrets will be up for preorder soon! If you love charming small towns, clever sleuths, and mysteries with heart (and just a hint of danger), you’re in for a treat.
Late in 2026 – October 6th – Bedlam in Bridal Falls will come out! It’s book 2 in the Second Chances: Romance & Mysteries series. (You can find book 1, Trinity Sands Beach Club here.)
And as if that weren’t enough…
A Brand-New Cozy Mystery Series ☕🔍
I’m also deep into developing an entirely new cozy mystery series. I really hadn’t planned to write a new series, but it’s been bubbling in my imagination for months, and I can finally say: it’s happening.
- New characters – mature, older adults
- A brand-new setting – sorta. Still in Pensacola, but a totally different environment.
- Fresh secrets – always!
- Plenty of twists – oh yeah!
There’s something so fun about creating a new fictional world — choosing the setting, dreaming up the residents, planting the seeds for future mysteries. It’s like opening the doors to a place that doesn’t exist yet and slowly watching it come to life.
I can’t wait to introduce you to this new series later this year. If you love puzzles, small-town charm, and sleuths with big hearts, I think you’re going to feel right at home.
Looking Back With Gratitude 💕
Before charging ahead, I want to pause for a moment and say thank you.
To every reader who picked up one of my books.
To everyone who shared a kind message, left a review, or told a friend.
To those of you who have been following along from the beginning.
Writing can be a solitary journey, but readers make it meaningful. You are the reason these stories exist. You are the reason I keep showing up to the blank page day after day.
And I don’t take that lightly.
My Goals for the New Year 🖊
A new year isn’t just about what I want to release — it’s about how I want to live and create. So here are a few of my goals for 2026:
✨ 1. Publish Three Books
This is my biggest professional goal of the year, and I’m committed to making each one the best it can be. That means staying disciplined, honoring my deadlines, and giving every story the care it deserves.
✨ 2. Grow My Cozy Mystery World
With a new series launching, I want to build a world readers can truly escape into — the kind of place you want to visit again and again. My goal is to create characters that feel like old friends and mysteries that keep you guessing.
✨ 3. Write Consistently
Some days, the words flow. Some days, they have to be wrestled onto the page. This year, my goal is consistency over perfection — showing up even when it’s hard, trusting the process, and remembering that every page brings me closer to the finished book.
✨ 4. Connect More With Readers
I want to share more behind-the-scenes peeks, more updates, more glimpses into the writing life. Whether it’s cover reveals, sneak peeks, or progress updates, I want you to feel like you’re part of the journey.
✨ 5. Make Space for Joy
It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines and to-do lists. This year, I’m making it a priority to protect my creative joy — to read more, spend more time with my family, dream more, and remember why I started telling stories in the first place.
Here’s to New Beginnings in the New Year
The start of a new year always feels like a promise.
A promise of fresh stories.
New adventures.
Unexpected twists.
And beautiful moments we can’t yet imagine.
I’m stepping into 2026 with hope, excitement, and a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for being here, for supporting my work, and for loving these stories as much as I do.
Here’s to cozy mysteries, heartfelt fiction, brave characters, and happy endings.
And here’s to a year filled with wonderful reads — together.
Happy New Year. 💫
Read Meet the Characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series, and then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers!
Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for almost 40 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.
Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 2024, and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? released Feb. 2025! My romantic suspense novella, SeaBreeze Obsession in Trinity Sands Beach Club, released June 2025!
When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)
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