A Love Letter to 2025

Chronicles of an indie mama balancing writing, book publishing, family, and big dreams.

Dec 26, 2025

Merry Christmas!

This year has been a mix of many feelings.

In the Camaraderie Street Team group, members asked what they could help with so I could write and publish more books in 2026. They joked about volunteering to babysit if it came to that, and I quickly—emotionally—typed: Bring my mom to the U.S.

We laughed about it.
But really… I’m drowning.

There are lots of good days, and then there are days I’m barely holding on.

I’m blessed to be married and doing parenthood with a man who cares, understands, and shows up.

Yet…

If you’ve ever lived a life far away from family—and even friends—then yeah, you might understand the struggle. That’s why I sometimes weave immigrant experiences into my books.

People say, “Just bring mummy over!”
“Do this!”
“Do that!”

Have you seen the news?
Do you know how many visa denials we’ve received?
The cost of childcare?
That I work a 9–5 because it keeps me sane—and my pockets saner—even with a crazy commute?

Deep sigh, covered with a smile.

This year, I:

Wrote and published three full-length novels (the original plan was four… but life happens.
Co-wrote a four-part series—two are out now, two more are in the pipeline.
Ran zero sponsored ads, but invested deeply in my growing reader community, and this became my best author year yet.
Attended my first in-person event and realized I’ve been ready for this all along. I’m excited for next year and will be sharing two more cities soon!
Started an author–reader business platform… then shut it down because I had to choose between writing books and admin life (sorry, @indienoirpr and the amazing readers and authors who signed up, I just couldn’t).
Shut down my TikTok Shop and moved my direct sales fully to my website: https://margaretadetimehin.com/shop. TikTok Shop expects sellers to go LIVE 24/7 - I can’t. I have a 9 - 5. Maybe later.
Considered hiring a VA, then paused because I wanted stability and wasn’t sure I could promise that long-term.
Outsourced more.
Collaborated more.
Became a daycare mom and dealt with a parade of random sick days.
Cancelled a lot of travel plans and trips.
Went through change management at my 9–5 and am working toward a promotion—I’ll know more by February.
Dream about my dad—a lot! I f***ing miss that grumpy man. Make sure you pick up your parents call and call them like no tomorrow—we’re getting older baby!
Believed in angels, again; and God’s perfect timing.

And somewhere in all of this…

Some of you found me. And you stayed—OGs and newbies.

Thank you for a wonderful 2025, and for giving Yoruba Demon: Tunde such a beautiful release weekend.

Stuff Your Kindle Day 2024: How to score free e-books on Amazon

In conjunction with author L. Leigh’s 12 days of Christmas, and as thank you for a remarkable Yoruba Demon: Tunde release, Yoruba Demon: Femi is free today on Amazon. Grab it, along with other amazing reads, during this annual Stuff Your e-Reader Day via https://www.romancebookworms.com