Cover Reveal: Unraveling Caro Dunn

huge white flower over a book cover, with the words "Cover Reveal"

I know I just posted a few days ago, but I couldn't wait to reveal the final cover design for Unraveling Caro Dunn! Plus, I can now share the book's official description from the back cover. And, if you're interested in being an "early reader" you can find the book in AuthorsXP--details below. Now, here's … Continue reading Cover Reveal: Unraveling Caro Dunn

How a Book Comes to Life

page 1 of Unraveling Caro Dunn and cover, covered up

In book publishing, you sign a contract, wait and do nothing for over a year, and then suddenly everything happens at once! In the past few weeks, production of Unraveling Caro Dunn has shot forward, with the "galley" or interior file now finalized after multiple proofs, and the cover design begun. I am SO excited … Continue reading How a Book Comes to Life

Free Short Story if You Like Tall, Dark, and Dark…

Text: "Sue's Slapdash Stream of Consciousness Book Reviews" and the cover of "Class Reunion"

I am ridiculously happy to have attained another milestone in my writing career...I am the "cover blurber" on another author's new novel! This happens fairly often for New York Times bestselling authors. They are inundated with requests to comment on someone else's book. But for the rest of us, the vast majority of authors, it's … Continue reading Free Short Story if You Like Tall, Dark, and Dark…

How I Finally Became An Audiobook Listener

The words "Win a free audiobook" with a picture of Beautiful & Terrible Things, and confetti

I write to you this month as a fellow reader more than an author. Call me late to the game, but I have finally discovered the joy of audiobooks, even though my friends who only do audiobooks have been on me about this for ages. I usually read hard copy or ebooks, and am not … Continue reading How I Finally Became An Audiobook Listener

2 People Who Inspire Me

photo of the poet Susan Roney-O'Brien and artist Natalie Simone

Book Update: I met recently with my new publisher, Blydyn Square Books, to kick off the production phase for my next novel, Unraveling Caro Dunn, which is due to be published in January 2027. Things start happening pretty quickly now (or "quickly" by publishing standards, anyway!). The book's interior will be created and formatted, the … Continue reading 2 People Who Inspire Me

An Inside Look at What Contest Judges Really Think

Quote from The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

Today, I get to share information with you that isn't usually available to authors or readers. But I'm burying the lead... My contemporary novel Beautiful and Terrible Things has won it's eighth award! Eighth! I am overwhelmed and grateful. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards out of the United Kingdom gave my book a Bronze in … Continue reading An Inside Look at What Contest Judges Really Think

Your Book Cover Votes Are In!

2 book covers with banner text reading The Votes Are In!

Two quick items before I share the results of last month's book cover voting, and offer my slapdash review of new murder mystery The Bone Nest: #1 - Those of you who are aspiring authors might enjoy this Q&A I did recently with Publication Coach. It's a two-minute read max, and covers how I write, … Continue reading Your Book Cover Votes Are In!

Vote for a Book Cover, Win a Prize

covers of 2 versions of Bit Players books

I would love your input on a potential re-design of one of my book covers. Please help me decide if the new direction I'm considering is the right one! (And keep reading for a very fun way to decide if a book is something you want to read or not, in The Book Hook.) Why … Continue reading Vote for a Book Cover, Win a Prize

Where the Heck Have I Been?

collage of tropical island vacation photos

I know you don't sit around waiting for my next newsletter to appear in your inbox. But still, you may have noticed it's been a minute - about two months actually - since we've talked. My hiatus was for 2 reasons. First, I've been eyeball-deep in my works-in-progress: getting advance "blurbs" for Unraveling Caro Dunn, … Continue reading Where the Heck Have I Been?

What’s Your BookDNA?

One humble brag, two new podcast interviews and one opportunity for avid readers to take part in developing the next great reading app, all coming to you today. Wallace House of Pain Recognized...Again Taking deleted scenes from the full-length novel Beautiful and Terrible Things and turning them into a novelette called The Wallace House of … Continue reading What’s Your BookDNA?