Year-End Review Checklist for Romance Authors (Free printable)

I’ll admit, my eyes are always looking forward when it comes to my writing business. There’s nothing wrong with that, except that without reviewing what’s behind me, it’s possible I’ll repeat tasks that don’t work in the future.

An end-of-year review allows you to celebrate your achievements, learn from challenges, and identify what’s working—and what’s not—in your writing, publishing, and marketing efforts.

For romance authors especially, where storytelling trends, reader engagement, and marketing strategies evolve rapidly, a clear snapshot of your progress can help you stay ahead in a competitive market. Whether you’ve published one book or ten, grown your readership, or explored new strategies, an intentional review will give you clarity on how to move forward with purpose.

By evaluating key areas like writing productivity, finances, marketing performance, and reader relationships, you set yourself up for a more focused, organized, and successful year ahead. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about using those insights to plan smarter, work more efficiently, and continue building the author career of your dreams.

Below is a list of nine areas to assess your romance writing business, each with specific items to review. You can download this list as a 3-page checklist from the Members’ Freebie page (you need to be logged in). Not a member? Join FREE here.

End-of-Year Checklist for Romance Authors

Wrap up your year with this comprehensive checklist to assess your writing business, celebrate achievements, and prepare for a successful new year.

1. Writing and Publishing Review

Take stock of what you accomplished creatively this year. From word counts to completed and published works, this section helps you see how far you’ve come and plan for what’s next.

• Total Word Count: Track the total words written across drafts, revisions, and published works.
• Completed Projects: List all books, novellas, or short stories completed this year.
• Published Books: Record the titles, formats (eBook, print, audio), and release dates.
• Work in Progress: Note the status of current projects and projected completion timelines.
• Dropped Projects: Evaluate unfinished or shelved projects to decide if they’re worth revisiting.

2. Sales and Marketing Performance

Analyze how your books performed and how well your marketing efforts paid off. This section highlights what worked, what didn’t, and where you can improve your discoverability.

• Book Sales Analysis:
  • Which titles performed best?
  • Which platforms (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, etc.) drove the most sales?
• Promotional Success: Review effectiveness of discounts, newsletter swaps, group promos, and giveaways.
• Email Marketing:
  • List growth and engagement (open rates, click rates).
  • Review performance of automated sequences and newsletters.
• Social Media Engagement:
  • Which platforms brought the most engagement and conversions?
  • Analyze follower growth and trends (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.).
• Ad Campaigns: Evaluate the success of paid ads (CTR, CPC, conversions).
• Reader Magnet Performance: Did free downloads lead to email list growth and sales?

3. Financial Overview

Review your income, expenses, and profitability. Understanding where your money came from and where it went will help you make smarter financial decisions next year.

• Revenue and Expenses:
  • Total income from book sales, KU page reads, audiobooks, foreign rights, etc.
  • Total expenses, including editing, covers, ads, subscriptions, and software.
• Profit & Loss: Assess net profits and areas for cost control.
• ROI on Ads: Analyze ad spend (Facebook, AMS, TikTok) vs. revenue earned.
• Tax Preparation: Gather receipts, invoices, and royalty statements for tax filings.

4. Author Branding and Platform

Ensure your author brand is polished and consistent across platforms. This includes updating websites, social media, and author bios while reflecting on reader feedback.

• Author Website: Is it up-to-date with book links, newsletters, and author bios?
• Social Media Presence: Review content strategy, branding, and performance.
• Author Bio and Brand: Update bios across platforms to reflect current works and awards.
• Reader Reviews:
  • Check reviews for insights on reader reception.
  • Identify areas for improvement based on reader feedback.

5. Reader Relationships

Your readers are at the heart of your business. Reflect on how you engaged with your audience through newsletters, reader groups, and ARC teams to strengthen those connections.

• Newsletter Growth: Assess success in engaging subscribers.
• Reader Groups/Communities: Evaluate growth and participation in Facebook groups or Patreon.
• Reader Engagement: Reflect on giveaways, surveys, or direct interactions that resonated.
• ARC Teams and Street Teams: Evaluate how well these teams supported your releases.

6. Craft Development

Celebrate your growth as a writer. Assess the skills you’ve developed, the trends you’ve observed in the romance genre, and the feedback you’ve implemented to level up your craft.

• Writing Skills Growth: Did you take courses, read craft books, or practice new techniques?
• Genre Trends: Review trends in the romance market (e.g., tropes, subgenres).
• Beta Reader & Editor Feedback: Reflect on constructive feedback received this year.

7. Tools and Systems Audit

Evaluate the tools, software, and systems you use to run your business. Eliminate unnecessary subscriptions, improve organization, and ensure your work is safely backed up.

• Software & Tools:
  • Assess writing tools (Scrivener, ProWritingAid, etc.), email providers, and ad tools.
  • Cancel subscriptions you don’t need.
• Backup Systems: Ensure your manuscripts and assets are safely backed up.
• Time Management Tools: Evaluate productivity strategies for improving efficiency.

8. Mindset and Well-being

Take a moment to focus on you. Celebrate wins, acknowledge challenges, and reflect on your work-life balance to set yourself up for a more balanced and fulfilling year ahead.

• Burnout Check: Reflect on work-life balance and mental health throughout the year.
• Wins & Celebrations: Document accomplishments, both big and small.
• Lessons Learned: Note key challenges and how you can overcome them next year.

9. Long-Term Goals and Planning

Plan your publishing schedule, revenue targets, and marketing strategies for the new year. Use this section to set a clear and actionable roadmap for your writing business.

• Publishing Schedule: Set clear goals for next year’s releases, including preorders.
• Series Continuation: Plan upcoming books in existing series or decide if new series are needed.
• Revenue Goals: Outline targets for income, expenses, and profit.
• Marketing Goals: Identify key strategies to improve discoverability (ads, SEO, collaborations).
• Professional Development: Plan to attend conferences, workshops, or retreats.

Download this checklist FREE!

Visit the Members’ Freebie page (you need to be logged in) to get your free end-of-the-year checklist. Not a member? Join FREE here.