Announcing a New Stack for the New Year

"Sticking the Landing" gets a glow up, plus a flash SALE on book pre-orders

Image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay

First of all, if you’re reading this, it means you’ve survived the cosmic buzzsaw that was 2025. You deserve a gold star, a glass of bubbly, a caramel macchiato with extra whipped cream, and a huge pat on the back.

Second of all, if you’ve subscribed, followed — or, heck, ever read — my “Sticking the Landing with Jan M Flynn” posts, you have my deep and eternal thanks.

And please don’t go anywhere. Just know that, for this writer, 2026 is bound to be a watershed year, and I invite you to stick with me as it unfolds.

“Sticking the Landing” is rebranding as “The Write Life,” as you may have noticed if this post landed in your inbox (if it did, thanks again). That’s because Disney-Hyperion Books is releasing my novel Griffin Speaker on May 5, 2026.

Art by Matt Rockefeller; image courtesy Disney-Hyperion Books

It dawns on me that being a debut novelist at age 72 is not a common experience. It’s one I’m excited to share, and not just because I’m thrilled to see this first-in-a-series book find its way out into the world.

What I also want to share is the journey to get to this point and what happens next. Because if you’ve got a dream that you’ve been incubating for longer than you’d like to admit, I’m here to tell you that — while there’s no guarantee on dreams — please don’t tell yourself that it’s too late; you’ve missed the boat.

It’s not, and you haven’t.

Where “Sticking the Landing” was a sort of clearing house for my personal essays, “The Write Life” will be more focused as an author newsletter. Although I retain the right to consider that a broad umbrella.

Seeing the ins and outs of being a new author in the publishing trenches will, I hope, be worth your time. That is an investment I never, ever take for granted. I also hope you’ll ask questions and post your comments so this Stack can become a helpful community for writers and readers.

And here’s a BIG DEAL! If you’re a writer or a passionate reader, then you know that pre-orders are like a super-powered booster rocket for a new book’s launch. Personally, when I learn of a forthcoming book by an author whose work I enjoy, I’m happy to pre-order it. It means I’ll get my copy as soon as it’s available, and it means I’m part of that book’s success.

Starting today, December 30, Barnes and Noble is offering an exclusive online discount on preorders, including for Griffin Speaker — with 25% off the regular price, and B&N Premium Members get an extra 10% off.

Honestly, it’s a terrific offer. But please don’t wait: the sale is only on through January 1, 2026.

I wish you as rewarding a new year as can be — while I refuse to sugarcoat anything about these Wild Times in which we live, I firmly believe that joy is the radical, life-affirming act we must all embrace. And look for “The Write Life with Jan M Flynn” on a regular monthly basis. Plus extra posts when stuff comes up that I just can’t sit on. Like I said, broad umbrella.

For now, Happy New Year, and may 2026 be good to you.