This Time of Year for Authors: Honouring the Journey, Not Just the Deadline
- Justine Martin
- Dec 24, 2025
- 2 min read
This time of year often carries a quieter energy in the publishing world. The pace slows. Inboxes soften. Deadlines stretch or pause. For authors, this can feel both relieving and unsettling. When the noise fades, you are left with your thoughts, your manuscript, and the journey you have been on.
At Morpheus Publishing, we see this season not as a stopping point, but as a meaningful pause. A moment to reflect, rest, and reconnect with your story.
Writing Is Not Linear
Many writers judge themselves harshly at this point in the year.
Did I write enough
Did I finish the manuscript
Did I make progress fast enough
But writing is not a straight line. It moves in seasons. Some months are productive. Others are for thinking, processing, and letting ideas settle.
If your manuscript did not move as quickly as you hoped, that does not mean it did not grow.
Reflection Without Self-Criticism
This time of year invites reflection, but reflection does not need to become self-judgement.
Instead of focusing on what did not happen, take a moment to acknowledge what did.
Perhaps you found your voice.
Perhaps you rewrote a chapter that finally feels right.
Perhaps you stayed connected to a story that matters deeply to you.
These moments count.
A Natural Time to Revisit Your Why
When deadlines fade, purpose becomes clearer. This is an ideal time to reconnect with why you started writing in the first place.
Why does this story matter to you
Who do you hope it might help
What truth are you trying to share
Publishing is not just about producing a book. It is about honouring the story that chose you.
Rest Is Part of the Publishing Process
Rest is often overlooked in creative work, yet it is essential. A rested mind edits more clearly, writes more honestly, and makes stronger decisions.
Stepping back from your manuscript for a short time can actually improve it. Distance creates perspective, and perspective strengthens storytelling.
You are not abandoning your book by resting. You are preparing yourself to return to it with clarity.
Looking Ahead Without Pressure
You do not need to make big publishing decisions right now.
You do not need to lock in timelines or commit to outcomes.
Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is allow your story to breathe and trust that the next step will become clear when the time is right.
Publishing is a journey, not a race.
Final Thoughts
This time of year is not about finishing everything. It is about acknowledging how far you have come.
Every word written
Every idea explored
Every pause taken
It all matters.
Your book is not behind.
Your voice is not lost.
Your story is still unfolding.
And when you are ready to take the next step, Morpheus Publishing will be here to walk beside you.
Supporting authors through every season of their publishing journey.
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