By Desirae Gracyn | Written: February 13th, 2026. Ongoing Updates Until End of March

In January, things started to look up. My mental health was doing way better. I had gotten a lot of things off my plate. I felt organized again. And a lot of positive things had been happening.

In January, I also started applying to jobs much more intensely. I was ready to go back into the workforce. And I wanted a hospital position. I had several in-person interviews, 2nd interviews, walk-throughs, and promising possibilities. Well, before the month was out, my dream hospital, in my dream department, offered me a job. I was so thrilled. Nervous, but thrilled. I started mid February!

At the very end of February, I finally tried to write a new story. Before this, I had been feeling like I had nothing left in me. I didn’t think I could write anything new. But then… there was this anthology that had a pretty cover on it. I wanted to be in that anthology. So… I wrote a story, edited it, sent it to beta readers, and submitted the story all within five hours. I’m happy to say it was accepted and well-liked. My energy had been restored. I no longer felt like a failure. Since then, I wrote another short story, two drabbles, and three microfiction pieces. So far, one drabble got accepted.

By the beginning of March, one of the microfiction pieces I wrote was accepted into Bunker Squirrel. This was the first time writing for them, and I was honored that the owner accepted one of my pieces.

In March I had also decided to take a step back from the writing world in order to focus more on my nursing career. I am supposed to finish training by May 17th and at that point slowly start to write more. Hopefully, I'll even write a new book or sequel to my favorite novel that I wrote but haven't released yet.

I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve finally joined the bandwagon and am in the process of getting character art for all my books!

One of the things I regret (well, not regret, but learned) from publishing my first book is that character art would’ve probably helped. When I first started the process toward publishing my own book, character art was a thing, but not as huge as it is now. By the time my debut novel came out, my bank account was wiped. I had no chance of getting character art. So, I’ve been twiddling my thumbs and praying that soon I’d get the opportunity. In mid January, with that lovely tax return, I more than got the opportunity. Now, I’m working with three incredible artists. Every one of my books will have artwork. I can’t even begin to express just how happy this makes me. And I’m so thankful for the people who have introduced me to these artists. I wouldn’t have found Nebraska if it weren’t for Mickey. I wouldn’t have discovered Isabelle if it weren’t for Demi. And I wouldn’t have discovered Artorias if it weren’t for the Hive (a Facebook group). I am blessed to be working with these talented artists. If you’re looking for anyone, check out my artists tab, which will detail their information and things about them.

Pieces Sent:

During January

1. Flash Fiction Romance Piece

During February

1. Flash Fiction Mystery Piece

2. Drabble Mystery

3. Drabble Romance

4. Three Microfiction Mystery/Adventure Pieces

5. Fairy Retelling Short Story

6. New Adult Paranormal Romance Short Story

7. Three Poems (They were rejected. But I tried and that's all that matters)

During March

1. nothing sent

In regard to acceptances:

During January

No acceptances yet.

During February

1. KissMet Quarterly accepted my flash fiction piece, “Bluebonnet Luck,” a romance story for publication in their spring anthology called, Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me. This story is what got me back into writing. :) I’ll be posting the summary here once the book releases.

2. Micromance Magazine accepted my first-ever drabble, “Cheesecake Valentine,” a romance story for publication. I’ll be posting the summary here once it releases.

3. Micromance Magazine accepted my flash fiction piece, “The Little Mermaid Reversal,” a paranormal romance story for publication in their Saltwater and Ash anthology. I’ll be posting the summary here once it releases.

4. Can't announce.

During March

1. Dragon Soul Press accepted my short story, “A Romantic Ocean Breakthrough,” a paranormal romance story for publication in their anthology called, Splash. This story is a spinoff of The Little Mermaid Reversal accepted by Micromance Magazine. :) I’ll be posting the summary here once the book releases.

2. Bunker Squirrel accepted my microfiction piece, "Fairy Belief," a paranormal story for publication in their Behind the Fairy Door Volume 5 Issue 3. I’ll be posting the summary here once the book releases. This was also published under my pen name Beatrice Crews.

In regard to publications: 

During January

“Falling Like Snowflakes,” under Desirae Gracyn was published in KissMet Quarterly I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm anthology. If you’d like to read more about the story, click here.

During February

“Cheesecake Valentine,” under Desirae Gracyn was published in Micromance Magazine. If you’d like to read more about the story, click here. Want to read it for free? Click here.

During March

“Flying Free,” under Desirae Gracyn was published in Wild Ink Press's Kaleidoscopic Quill anthology. If you’d like to read more about the story, click here.

“Bluebonnet Luck,” under Desirae Gracyn was published in KissMet Quarterly Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me anthology. If you’d like to read more about the story, click here.

“The Little Mermaid Reversal,” under Desirae Gracyn was published in Micromance Magazine Saltwater and Ash anthology. If you’d like to read more about the story, click here.

Everything is going well with my job. I am learning a lot. I have amazing preceptors. :)

Since the last week of September I haven't returned to the gym. I hope to return soon.

As of the end of March, I'm still on the whole 30.

Thank you, everyone, as always, for reading my blog and learning more about me.