Apparently, I’ve reached the point in my writing life where my own friends and family can no longer keep up with what I’m creating. And to be fair, they’re not wrong. I thought I didn’t have that much in the hopper… but after taking inventory, it turns out I actually do. So today, I’m here to help everyone get up to speed before they stage an intervention involving color-coded spreadsheets. Check out these author updates on what’s in the works!
Let’s begin with the Starting Over Trilogy, my flagship series of contemporary romance:
- Emily’s Next Chapter (2025) Book one sets the tone: heartfelt, hopeful, and centered on second chances. Think love, family, and courage wrapped into one uplifting story.
- Jessica’s New Beginning (pre-sales open now; official release March 3, 2026) Book two turns up the emotional depth as Jessica navigates rediscovery and fresh passion. And yes, some early readers will be able to buy advanced copies at the Valentine’s Grown-Up Book Fair at Forgotten Star Brew Co on February 15, 2026, and at the Romance Boozy Book Fair in Eau Claire on February 21, 2026.
- Liz’s Forever After (June 9, 2026) Book three brings the trilogy home with new love, intimacy, and the unexpected paths life can take. A true finale for readers who have followed these women from the beginning.
And let’s not forget The House Always Wins, my spicy modern-day Deadwood romance. This one will arrive in two versions: the edition included in the 2026 Wild Deadwood Reads anthology and a standalone release with bonus scenes on June 2, 2026. Think tension, temptation, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
But Wait—What Was That Mysterious Manuscript I Posted Back in October?
Ah yes. The binder. The questions. The DMs: “Ann… what is THIS?”
Of course, this is all referring to that Instagram post from October. That was about The Beachcomber, my first suspense/thriller.
I wasn’t originally planning to share much about this one. I wanted to keep it close while I queried agents… but then I thought: why not talk about it? If anything, maybe the right eyes will land on this post and help me get the book into readers’ hands someday.
The Beachcomber follows Claire Montgomery, a bestselling crime novelist who suddenly finds herself living inside a story she can’t rewrite. When her ex-husband and his mistress vanish after a mistrial, Claire retreats to the Minnesota–Canada border for safety, only to step deeper into a maze of surveillance, shifting identities, and people who know more about her past than they should.
Eli, a quiet carpenter with shadows of his own, becomes her reluctant protector. Gabriel, part storyteller and part executioner, believes Claire is crafting her last confession. And the places the story takes them, including border towns, remote motels, Caribbean shores, and the silent pull of the sea, blur the line between truth, danger, and obsession.
To date, I’ve sent out roughly 145 queries to literary agents. I’ve received my fair share of passes, but I’ve also gotten two requests for additional pages. These are promising steps in the long road toward traditional publication. I’m hoping for updates between now and early March. And yes, the title might change, but for now, The Beachcomber is sticking.
And Because I Can’t Sit Still… Here Comes a Spicy Rom-Com
My newest project is One Night Stand, a spicy romantic comedy with plenty of heat and heart.
I won’t give away too many details here, but the premise follows Trina, a 37-year-old ER nurse newly divorced and finally ready for a real, no-pretending, bucket-list one-night stand. I’m about 8,000 words in, and while the book will be spicier than the work I publish under Ann Schreiber, this blog will remain PG. Let’s just say Trina is done settling and ready to rewrite her own rules.
I plan to finish the manuscript by February and then begin querying agents in March 2026.
Other Ideas Brewing…
There’s a Christmas romance simmering in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment to step forward. Once the current projects settle into their next stages, that story will get its turn.
But I might take a unique approach with this idea: a choose-your-own-adventure style Christmas duet, told through two separate books. One would be perfect for readers who love a sweeter, cleaner holiday romance. The other? For those who say, “Go ahead and turn up the heat.”
That’s what’s swirling around in my head right now… and we’ll see if I can shape it into something that actually works on the page.
For those eyeing the calendar, though, you won’t be holding either version by Christmas 2026. Realistically, we’re looking at Christmas 2027 at the earliest. But anything can happen between now and then.
Last but not least, I do have some early sparks for a second suspense/thriller. Whether it comes to life will depend a bit on what happens with The Beachcomber. I’m keeping this one close for now, mostly because I need to clear the other stories out of my head before I give it real space.
For the moment, I’ll leave you with three clues: lost in the woods, girl power, and a female heroine who refuses to back down.
In Short?
2026 and 2027 are shaping up to be packed with books, events, characters, and stories I’m thrilled to bring into the world. And for everyone trying to keep track of what’s coming out when, consider this your handy cheat sheet.
And yes, Copywriting For You is still going strong. I’ll be celebrating my company’s third anniversary in March 2026, and the only word that fits is abundance. So if you’re looking for business writing for your website (blogs included), I’ve got you covered. The author’s life is busy, but the copywriter in me isn’t going anywhere.
More updates to come… because of course, there’s always more.