17 Comments
User's avatar
Shawn's avatar

Sis, you are amazing. This post is a work of art in itself. Breena the human <3

Breena Bard's avatar

The inspiration is mutual, for sure bro :)

Mercedes Campos López's avatar

Thanks for sharing this! I've had a lot of setbacks this year and it made me feel a little lost. I really appreciate when others share their experiences, and it's nice seeing the positive takeaways too. Cant wait to read what 2026 has in store for you!

Breena Bard's avatar

You know, it's vulnerable but it's strangely refreshing to share! I know the setbacks are no fun, but hopefully in the bigger picture it all points to the story of you finding your way (I know it will happen!)

Kelly's avatar

Thanks for sharing this, glad you are seeing some positives! Man, MAYDAY76 made my days so much brighter back then, sorry that it isn't (yet) getting the green light it deserves but surely in time.

Breena Bard's avatar

Oh my gosh, this comment warms my heart. MAYDAY76 was a lifesaver for me during covid, and the fact that anyone else read it, let alone enjoyed it, means so much to me. Thank you!

Laura Alston's avatar

Breena, Wow! Thanks for sharing, always fun to see & hear what you are up to! We love you!

Breena Bard's avatar

Thank you Laura! Love you too!

Andrea Bell's avatar

I really enjoyed your transparency here and how you balanced off the post with the 5 silver linings. Your experiences are shared and are tough hurdles. I’m ready to say SEE YA to 2025.

Breena Bard's avatar

Yeah, we've all gotta deal with the hurdles, right? But hopefully in the end they just set us up with killer legs running into 2026! (Wait, does that metaphor hold? Anyway, on to better things!)

Jen de Oliveira's avatar

Thanks for sharing the reality of creative work -- but what I admire about you is you're always creating and trying new things! (Like composing a video game soundtrack!) I'm sure glad you got a summer break, because getting to hang with you IRL was a highlight of my 2025. (And could edible floam be a contender for Disappointment #10??? I'd say yes!)

Breena Bard's avatar

And the video game soundtrack likely wouldn't have happened without the space created by the book-push, so really, maybe it was a gift in disguise! Hanging in IRL was a highlight for me too, for sure! Let's do it again in 2026!! Edible floam hahaha ahhh

Nidhi Chanani's avatar

This was heartening to read as I have also struggled majorly this year. Yet, we keep showing up and doing the work! Plus I got to see you and the PDX crew this year and that weekend felt like a huge hug I sorely needed. ALSO your inks for the new book look GORGEOUS and I'm ready to buy it right now but I will wait til 2028 even though I don't wanna ;)

Breena Bard's avatar

Slow to reply but thanks so much for reading this! Seeing you in PDX and on zoom was definitely a 2025 highlight Nidhi! Sorry to hear this year was a tough one for you too, but you're so right, we keep showing up, it means too much to quit! ♡

Mike Dawson's avatar

Thanks for posting this, I think it's great to share how slow-paced and often frustrating a career in publishing can be. Endless weeks/months of waiting to hear back on proposals... it's tough and can do a number on your ego, for sure. Your work is great! Wishing you a happy new year and a wonderful 2026!

Breena Bard's avatar

It's so slow, I had no idea when I started down this path haha... thanks Mike, and hoping 2026 is a great year for you too! Can't wait for Geordie!!

Rachelle Meyer's avatar

Life is weird. Thanks for sharing your frustrations. It’s very relatable and human!