Pushing Past Procrastination + publication, submissions sources & new year, new cover

Why we take so long to do things (aka this newsletter); tips for tackling procrastination; my upcoming publication; submission & writer resources; new anthology cover + award; toasty green tea

Dear readers and writers,

For the past several years I’ve been “working” on my second novel. I know I just need to write past the first major turning point. Instead, I keep re-writing those first chapters or writing short stories or pecking at other novel ideas. I just need to really figure out where the book starts, I keep telling myself. Or pin down the antagonist. Or add-subtract-multiply the number of POVs. I’m sure I’ll feel like finishing this book tomorrow. Or the next day.

There is a joke among writers, maybe you’ve heard it, that a writer’s house is never so clean as when they have a manuscript due. I’ve talked before about jealousy, imposter syndrome, validation, and the shape of success. But clearly we need to talk about procrastination.

Procrastination, it turns out, is about more than just putting things off. It’s actually “delaying a task even though you expect that delay to come at a cost.” {The New York Times}. A lot of the research agrees (and of course, I dug into the research because, see above, procrastination) that the kind of delay tactics that result in a clean house but a blank page, are less about time management, and more about emotional regulation.

Dr. Tim Pychyl, who’s studied procrastination and mindfulness, talks about how procrastinators go for the quick hit of relief we get from postponing an unpleasant or anxiety-producing task, even if it means our future self will bear the brunt of the consequences. We like to hope we will “feel like” doing the task tomorrow, without taking into account how the circumstances making our present-selves reluctant to engage will likely still be present later. Dr. Ruchi Sinha talks about many of the reasons we might procrastinate our work: fear, decision paralysis, overwhelm, perfectionism, resistance, even boredom. Procrastination can be a self full-filling prophecy—the more an action is delayed, the harder it becomes to complete, whether out of changing circumstances, guilt, or embarrassment (or all three, as was the case for the long delay on this newsletter!)

I used to think procrastination was part of my process and, often, my success. That I “worked best under pressure.” But that’s a falsehood many of us over-achievers have been sold. Studies have shown that procrastination actually tends to worsen results, even if the individual procrastinators think they did great. But really, the anxiety of the time pressure just supersedes the anxiety that’s causing the procrastination. The work only happens under pressure because I am, in fact, working, and not delaying.

So at this beginning of a new year, I’m working. On my novel, on this newsletter, and on techniques to help me manage or work around my procrastination tendencies. Here’s how:

• Identifying the root of the resistance. Sometimes just acknowledging what makes the work feel difficult is enough to break through the procrastination inertia. With this newsletter, once I admitted to myself it was more about embarrassment and all the things I “should” be doing, I realized I could write my next post specifically about this struggle.

• Disconnecting from social media. Social media feeds off our attention, which is a finite resource these days. I know I’m really procrastinating when I keep compulsively checking my email or switching to my Bluesky tab. My attention is too precious for that. That’s when I close out my browser and go full-focus mode.

• Seeking support. When procrastination turns to paralysis, the only thing that really works for me is asking for help. Sometimes it’s talking through a problem with my spouse; other times it’s seeking accountability in one of my writing or friend groups. I’ve found “body doubling” or co-working (virtual or IRL) to be super helpful too.

• Making it feel more manageable. Last year I started color-coding my weekly to-do tasks to different days of the week, based on priority and deadlines. For big projects, I break them down into the smallest steps I reasonably can. That way, even if my daily to-do list looks long, it consists of smaller, more approachable bits that allow me to progress on the big things while still spreading out the work. I’m not always on top of this, but when I am, it helps. Similar strategies include the pomodoro or the swiss-cheese methods.

• Taking breaks and treating yo’ self. Take a walk or meditate for ten minutes. Make yourself a cup of tea. Call a friend. Go to the gym. Have a handful of M&Ms. Any of these can be much needed breaks or small rewards you map out for yourself throughout the day or a project. There’s definitely the satisfaction of a completed task, but sometimes we need little boosts (or breaks) to get us there.

This January, I’ve roped some fellow writers into an accountability group as we each, in our own way, slog through wherever we are in our noveling process. Knowing I’m reporting to and supporting them means that I’m actually building an outline, slowly but surely. I’ve figured out some important character motivations. And maybe this book has three antagonists. Look, I don’t know yet. And that’s ok. The point is I’m working on it. Now, not someday. Well, ok, after, I hit send on this newsletter.

Which I’m doing. Right now. Despite the fact that it’s so so late and has not been revamped at all and I’m releasing it on a random Friday morning. Sometimes you can’t wait for all the stars to align; you just have to do the damned thing.

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How do you handle work that you’ve put off? Share you favorite strategies!

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Second Star on the Right and Straight on to Publication!

I am beyond thrilled to share that my novelette, “Mother, Darling” will be published online by the award-winning speculative magazine Strange Horizons in early February, and in audio later this year. A grown-up Wendy Darling returns to Neverland to drag back her recalcitrant daughter while contending with memories of childhood, magic, war, and mothering. An earlier draft of this story is what got me into Viable Paradise in 2023 and it’s one I’m super proud of. You’re the first to officially hear about it’s upcoming release! Stay tuned!

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Short Story Submission Resources

I sent out 31 short story submissions in 2025, a record for me! These (free! but worth supporting!) sites and newsletters have become indispensable in my quest to publish short fiction:

• Authortunities (listing includes seminars, classes, and open calls!)

• The Practicing Writer 2.0: A Newsletter from Erika Dreifus (extensive monthly list of free-to-sub opportunities that includes residencies & contests)

• Writing & Selling Stories with Angelique Fawns (spec fic focused; love that she includes her own experience with subbing to the magazines she lists!)

• Published to Death (exhaustive list of upcoming calls for short fiction, novels, contests, anthologies, everything. Bookmark if you haven’t already!)

• Sub Club (one monthly free listing, rest behind a paywall, includes job & volunteer opportunities)

• Chill Subs (new, hip submission tracker that sends newsletters with listings & tips)

• The Submission Grinder(the OG submission tracker, esp for spec fic!)

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New Year, New Cover

January is the very best time to pick up a copy of our now award-winning anthology New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention with it’s gorgeous new cover (designed by yours truly!) Available in ebook and paperback!

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Writing/ Marketing Resources

If you aren’t already subscribed to Book Riot’s Literary Activism newsletter, I highly recommend it to stay on top of censorship issues facing books, libraries, and publishing. Check out their Top Literary Activism Stories from 2025.

Kathleen Schmidt has a great Media Guide for Authors where she assesses the way different forms of media cover books.

In late 2025, it came to light that many publishers had gotten lax at filing for copyright on behalf of their authors. Writers Beware has a lot of great resources at that link and you can check your own book’s copyright here.

If you’re looking to create a regular, simple writing practice, fan of the newsletter, Rebecca, recommends 750words.com. “The idea is just getting in the habit of putting words on paper/screen to ease the flow of ideas out of our brains. They offer a few prompts or fun badges if you get into streaks, but really keep it as simple as possible.”

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Tea Recommendation: Gleam’s Glow

One of the great tragedies of falling behind on my newsletter posts is I have discovered tea purveyors that I haven’t gotten to squee about to you yet. Friday Afternoon Tea is a small, geeky, LGBTQ+ tea company based out of Seattle. I’ve been really into low-caffeine green tea options lately, and Gleam’s Glow (thanks mom!) fits the bill: a delightful blend of toasty roasted green tea and nutty rooibos, with the subtle sweetness of ginger. It’s also a fandom blend based off of one of my favorite middle-grade books, Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland series!

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Pick a small task from that burden of a to-do list and do it. Right now. Swap the laundry. Write that email. Wash the dishes. Eat a piece of fruit. Open your novel document. Know that I’m cheering you on and plunging in along side you!

~Allison

speculative fiction writer & marketing coach
Bluesky | Facebook | Newsletter | Website | Anthology

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Like what you read? Thanks so much for your support! Continue to show the love by hitting that heart button, subscribing, leaving a comment, and/or passing it along!

Want to read more by me? Find my fiction in Trollbreath Magazine, New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention, and forthcoming in Strange Horizons.