Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, success is the result of hard work and does not happen overnight. I wrote my first novel in 1991 and twenty-nine short years later, in 2020, it was my first traditionally published book. I am Cuba. Last August, my eighteenth book was published. Three historical fiction novels, thirteen mysteries, and two that combine historical and mystery. That takes sitting in the chair and getting the work done. This dedication also requires organization and goals.

What are my writing goals for 2026?

I plan on publishing three books this year. EveryThing vs Max Creed, Book 2 of the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed is out on May 21^st and 1955, Book 1 in the Jazz Jones & January Queen will pub on October 13^th. I’m hoping also to have an August release of Mainely Iced, the 7^th in the Mainely Mystery series. Although the inspiration, the writing, and the editing is done for these books (except Mainely Iced), there is plenty of work left to be done.

EveryThing vs Max Creed:

EveryThing vs Max Creed is a modern-day Robin Hood thriller where Creed and his band of people try to bring justice to those wronged by the ultra-wealthy in a world where the law overwhelmingly favors those with money and power. He is bound only by the laws of humanity and not those of the legal system. It is the second book in the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed where Max and his band take on a social media mogul who is trying to enact chaos to grab the reins of world power.

A breathless thrill ride that will keep your heart pounding long after the last page is turned.

I have begun the marketing phase by emailing libraries offering four different kinds of presentations.

COST TALK

Matt Cost will talk about the process of writing a book with emphasis on his latest, EveryThing vs Max Creed, the second book in the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed. He will talk about where ideas come from, the research process, the writing itself, and of course, editing. Cost will read a short excerpt from the book and field questions.

 Two Authors in Conversation (TAC)

Matt Cost will share the stage with another author, and they will discuss their writing process and latest books. A nod will be given to the IREAD national library summer theme touching on how writing and reading is like how farmers nourish crops, sparks imagination, and grows the culture.

 Writers on Writing (WOW!)

Mat Cost will moderate a panel of authors speaking about the writing process with an emphasis on their latest books. A nod will be given to the IREAD national library summer theme touching on how writing and reading is like how farmers nourish crops, sparks imagination, and grows the culture.

Mystery Making Panel

The final possibility would be a panel of authors doing a Mystery Making event with audience participation where they take suggestions and make a mystery right in front of your eyes.

I am in the process of sending these options out to over a hundred libraries. If you would like for your library or organization to feature one of these events, please reach out to me. Once EveryThing vs Max Creed is available for purchase (with an ISBN), I will start reaching out to bookstores to do signings and talks.

I hope to do more book clubs this year and will actively be pursuing that option as well. Next month, I have my first of the year at Illume in Newburyport, Massachusetts. I only have one other book club set up at this point, at the Richmond Public Library in May.

Last year I did sixty-two various events and hope to do more this year.

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My writing goals will be to finish Mainely Iced, write the third Jazz Jones & January Queen Mystery, and write my second Bob Chicago Mystery. That is if I can get a contract for a three-book series with the first one, Bob Chicago Investigates. I also hope to sign a contract for three more of the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed. Maybe a couple of short stories.

Those are my goals for 2026. Library events, podcasts, bookstore signings, sign two contracts, and write and edit three books. Write on!

AND DON’T FORGET! One lucky Maine Crime Writers’ reader who leaves a comment on the blog this month will win a bundle of books!

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Matt Cost Bio:

Cost has written six books in the Mainely Mystery series starting with “Mainely Power”, six books in the Clay Wolfe Trap series starting with “Wolfe Trap”, and two books in the Brooklyn 8 Ballo series starting with “Velma Gone Awry”. “EveryThing vs Max Creed” will be his second in the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed. A few historical fiction pieces fill out the shelves. He lives in Brunswick, Maine.