Setting my 2026 Author Goals
Writing resolutions and manifestations
I saw a fun post by John Marrs around New Year in which he made some 2026 author goals, ranging from growing his social media followings to having one of his books pictured with a Beckham on their yacht (we can but dream!).
I started to map some out for myself and quickly drew a distinction between goals I could effect and goals I have no control over and can only wish for. So I made two lists: resolutions and manifestations.
It was heartening to realise there were more goals I could actively work towards and less that were out of my hands. So much of an author’s career and success is beyond their control but this small step, setting out my resolutions and manifestations, has helped me to start the new year with a positive mindset.
SMART Targets
I realised I’d missed something from my former career as a lawyer: setting SMART targets (though I didn’t feel that way at the time!) and reaching them (that bit was always fun). So for each resolution I’ve set a SMART target.
If you’re new to SMART targets they’re essentially a toolkit for ensuring you can meet a specific goal and a framework to get there.
Goals that are SMART are:
Specific – state exactly what will need to be done (Example: Instead of ‘read more books’, try ‘read two books a month’).
Measurable – clear what success will look like, including criteria to track progress (Example: set aside 10 minutes each day to read, adjust if needed at the end of the first month; keep a reading journal.)
Achievable – goal should be realistic, not impossible (Example: ten minutes a day is possible if I stop scrolling earlier).
Relevant – goal should align with your business or purpose (Example: to improve as a writer or to relax/for pleasure/to aid sleep – benefits of reading are endless!).
Time bound – state when it will be achieved (Example: by the end of the calendar year, with monthly check-ins to make sure you’re on target).
When I was a lawyer I would set my SMART targets with my manager and have a Mid-Year Review to check-in on them. I believe accountability is important for motivation so in the absence of a manager I’ve roped in a friend, the writer Clare Mackintosh. We discussed our initial ideas for our SMART targets on New Year’s Day (up and at ‘em!) and set a date (today!) to send them to each other. We’re going to check in with each other for a Mid-Year review in July (and for extra accountability I will be sure to update my progress on here too!).
So here they are… My 2026 Author Goals…
Writing Resolutions
SMART GOAL #1: Write my next book.
Measurable? Yes, in c.90,000 words.
Achievable? I’ve done it before, I can do it again. Right?
Relevant? Yes. I am under contract to write it.
Timeframe? End of the year long-stop as this one is impacted by my publisher’s too.
SMART GOAL #2: Find Cat Fight in a bookstore in the US.
Measurable? Yes. I want to hold a copy in my hands. Even if that means bringing a spare copy with me and putting it on a bookstore shelf myself!
Achievable? Yes. Flights to New York are booked.
Relevant? Yes. It’s important to celebrate the wins and being published in the US was huge for me.
Timeframe? I’m attending my first ThrillerFest in New York in May so I’m going to put mid-May for this one: 15/05/26.
SMART GOAL #3: Re-publish my Nicole Kennedy books (via self-publishing).
Measurable? Yes. Once they’re live on KDP.
Achievable? Yes. Last year I got my rights reverted for my first two books. Steps are: an edit of each draft, send to a typesetter (already identified), confirm new covers and hit publish.
Relevant? Yes. Relevant to generating additional writing income however small.
Timeframe? Going in earlier with this one as the sooner they’re up and available for sale the better so 12/04/26.
I’ll also be documenting my progress on this one over on Bad Track.
SMART GOAL #4: Record and launch my podcast, The Write Moment.
Measurable? Yes. One season of ten 20-30 minute episodes.
Achievable? Yes. I have a draft script, I’ve lined up my first few guests, but I’m struggling to hit record. This is an Imposter Syndrome problem (who would ever want to listen to me? What if I am bumbling fool?) so I’m hoping a SMART target will help me push this over the line.
Relevant? Yes. A platform is increasingly relevant for writers and most importantly I think I’ll enjoy it and find the responses motivating (more info on the podcast coming soon!).
Timeframe? Episodes to be recorded by the Mid-Year Review.
SMART GOAL #5: Reach 10k followers on Instagram (via building community, not paying for bots or following, and then when accounts follow back, unfollowing).
Measurable? At the time of setting this target (1 January 2026) I had 3001 followers on Instagram. To increase my following to 10,000 I need to grow my following roughly by 19 accounts a day.
Achievable? I think so. I plan to do this via an increase in content and actively seeking out accounts with similar interests to build community. I’ll be honest, I’m nervous about this one from a SMART perspective (6999 is a lot) so I’m going to be doing a check-in with myself at the end of the first few months to ensure I’m on track and maybe adjust this goal if needed.
Relevant? Yes, like the podcast to build a platform/raise my profile.
Timeframe? End of year but monthly check-in.
SMART GOAL #6: Send a newsletter each month in 2026 via my mailing list.
Measurable? Yes. Proof will be in your inbox.
Achievable? In theory, but this has been on my to-do list for c.5 years! Hoping having a SMART target will help me out with this one.
Relevant? Yes. This will be my primary means to communicate with my readers and grow a bookish community. Full scale bribery planned with giveaways of signed books every month (clues will be whichever book launches I’ve attended!).
Timeframe? Every month.
That’s it! Easy, huh?
What are yours? Can you set a SMART target for each? If not, shift them into manifestations!
Writing Manifestations
The fun part! For obvious reasons these are long-term, not time-sensitive manifestations! Happy for any of these to happen at any time!
See Cat Fight stocked in a supermarket.
Cat Fight TV adaptation to be green lit for production.
Be a Waterstones or Barnes & Noble Book of the Month.
Be selected for a major book club.
Be a Sunday Times or New York Times bestseller.
I would love to hear yours?
Here’s to a productive 2026!
Kit x
Great idea!! Love the sound of the podcast. You’ve got this. X
This is great! I will definitely use this to make some goals for myself. Thank you!