Hi Reader,

"Finish my book" tops so many resolutions lists this year—mine included. I have at least five more books to write, and 2026 is the year I finish and publish two of them. I have accountability partners, the know-how, and I'm "in residence" on my parents' property in Morgan Hill. No major travels planned. My motorcycling days are behind me (though a big scooter may be in my future), and I'm rediscovering the joy of mountain biking that sustained me before my career in motorcycle adventure travel writing took over.

What are your 2026 plans? I always love hearing from you, so hit REPLY and let me know where you are in your life, your projects, your travels—whatever you want to share.

Join me January 13 to talk about the one publishing workshop I'm running this year. It starts January 20th and includes:

• Six live 90-minute sessions over six weeks (nine hours of live instruction and coaching)
• A private discussion group that stays open for months
• Full access to recordings, worksheets, and bonuses for one complete year

Got Questions? Free Live Q&A on January 13

Since many of you have emailed me with questions about the Publishing 101 master course, I've scheduled a free, live Q&A about the program on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET.

>> Register here to join live and get the replay. <<

A bit more about the program

What's different about this program? I do not separate publishing, marketing, and promotion. Why? Because they are inextricably entwined as an integrated process. So you will not only learn how to publish (and choose or hire out publishing tasks), but start publishing early—in journals, anthologies, on your email list, blog, Substack, or Medium—because that's how book marketing actually works.

Publishing early is marketing, as it helps you test your fiction and nonfiction in public. For memoirists, some of the challenges are exposure: revealing the wild times, the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll years, the hard decision moments and getting unstuck moments (abortions, abusive relationships, career shifts), the accidents and losses, and the joys and the triumphs that nobody saw coming—all the moments that shaped who you are today, whether you're writing memoir, transforming your experience into fiction, or crafting creative nonfiction.

So don't get stressed out and waste time, energy, and money on endless siloed courses on publishing, marketing, publicity, launch, blogging, and on and on. This program provides all you need to empower yourself to take the next steps.

The cost is $597—less than two hours of one-on-one consulting with me. (Nine hours privately would run $2,700.) This workshop will help you finish your book, create a book proposal and business plan, choose the right tools, hire the right people, publish early, plan for book launch and publicity, and save yourself so much time, money, and frustration. Plus, you get access to the materials and connection to the community for a full year.

The rest of 2026, I'll be writing my own travel stories and books, updating my publishing workbook, and collaborating on a craft book. I'll also take on a limited number of editorial and publishing consulting projects—but this workshop is your only chance to learn and do in an affordable and structured group setting this year. Join now and start immediately—review materials, resources, and videos from last year's course before the live sessions even begin.

Read every detail and join here: https://carlaking.com/publishing101​

If you're not ready yet, I understand completely. I hope the right thing finds you when the moment arrives.

But if you don't want to watch another year slip by with your book still unfinished and unpublished, let 2026 be the year we finally change that. Together. With structure, community, kindness, and momentum.

Happy New Year!

— Carla

P.S. Register here to join the live Q&A, on January 13th, get your questions answered, and begin your 2026 with real action that results in finishing and publishing your book.