Subject: ❤️ I like planning. Do you?

Plus, End‑of‑Year sales + Ep. 185. How to Find a Literary Agent



❤️ I like planning. Do you?



🎙️ Plus, today I answer a question from a listener on Ep. 185. How to Find a Literary Agent on How To Write The Future podcast.


❤️

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Hi Friend,

2026 is almost here so I'm getting reaady.


I like planning. Yes, I do.


Sometimes I joke that I plan to plan.


I'm in good company.


Athletes plan. The military plans. Scientists plan.


And artists plan.


That includes us creative writers.


Have you started your 2026 planning?


I have! (Instagram link)


If you need some tips, here are my 3 steps:

  1. Brainstorm what you want for 2026 with self and.or others - I like to hand write in my journal and also use prompts from others.

  2. Write it down or collage it or both. I'll being doing a digital collage in Canva soon.

  3. Display it! When we have visual reminders of our goals, we can reconnect to them more easily when we've forgotten. I like those reminders because I need them!

If you do other forms of planning, hit reply and let me know. I love hearing from you!


❤️

🌟 Get expert writing coaching! 🌟


I'm excited to share with you my 30-minute Next Step Writing Coaching Session on sale now through the end of the year.

I normally work with writers over the long term - 3, 6 and 12-month timeframes -- and often longer.


So believe me when I saw I've never offered this before. And I don't know if I will again. It's an experiment!


Here's the thing - I love helping writers get unstuck and gain clarity to take their next steps.


I specialize in seeing the whole person, honoring what is, and holding space for what could be.


Plus, in designing a practical, doable-for-you plan of action unique to your creativity.


In our session, with some advance work (I have a questionnaire for you to fill out), we can:

  • Cut through story knots fast.

  • Clarify genre concerns.

  • Reconnect to your creative heart and motivation.

All so you walk away with your next three concrete moves.


Is this right for you?


If so, go here: https://bethbarany.com/sale2025


Or use the button below.


Your price: $99


Sale ends: Dec. 31, 2025, 8:59pm PT/11;:59pm ET.


Only 10 spots available.


PLUS: Bonuses for End of Year 2025: 6 books and 5 writing guides




Q: When do we schedule the calls?


A: Once you pay, I'll send you the questionnaire and the request to send me your availability. It's best if we can schedule you for the 1st three months of the year. But there's isn't an expiry date on this offer because I know that you may need to time to line your ducks in a row.



"The most transformative part of working with Beth was the guidance and encouragement I needed to move forward. What I valued most about her personalized approach was not only her knowledge and experience, but the steady compassion she has for her students individually."

-- Keri Kruspe, Science Fiction Romance Novelist

Happy Writing!



Best,

Beth



P.S. Fiction on sale here!


PPS. Donate to our film!



🌟 If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too. Thanks!



Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
bethbarany.com


I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too! 


*Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure* author.bethbarany.com



Including the award-winning, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer (Book 1), and Into The Black, about Janey McCallister space station investigator (Book 1)



__________________________


How to Write The Future podcast. Latest episodes here.


❤️ - Here to empower you with core principles, mindset tools, and doable roadmaps to build your sustainable, thriving creative career on your own terms.


🐲 🚀 - Passionate about supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers; and creative entrepreneurs serving writers.



🎬 - Filmmaker with a BIG mission: to celebrate warrior women!

Support This Creative Entrepreneur


My mission is to support your adventure as a creative and step into your next best self.


If you want to support my mission, I invite you to:


📚 buy my books: Fiction | Nonfiction


☕️ buy me a coffee


Or share my work with your friends. Thanks!

Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.


She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers. 

Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links to trusted partners. Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese.

live in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County, in Oakland, California, the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Hemisphere. Earth.


The Solar System. → Carina–Sagittarius Arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe.


*

I stand with people of Ukraine and all peoples 🎗️ in their fight for freedom from oppression and the right to self-determine. Yes, all peoples. Not just some.



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