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?

New Book Deal!

book wrapped in brown paper with a post it saying Unraveling Caro Dunn

I've been keeping it under wraps but a while ago, I signed a contract with Blydyn Square Books for the publication of my next contemporary novel, which is called Unraveling Caro Dunn. Ever wonder how publishers and authors choose book titles? I explain, and share some of the funny titles that were rejected, below. But … Continue reading New Book Deal!

The Best Kiss, Holiday Gifts & Best Books of 2025

black and white dog holding Beautiful & Terrible Things, in front of a Christmas tree

Newsflash: Amazon, literally yesterday, lowered the paperback price for my 7-time award-winning novel Beautiful and Terrible Things, to $14.50. They do this sometimes, and don't bother telling us authors how long the sale will last. But click here if you're interested in grabbing a copy at the low sale price. (And if you prefer to … Continue reading The Best Kiss, Holiday Gifts & Best Books of 2025

True Crime Memoir Update & Book Deals

Blonde woman from the back, with the words "Stories from the Stage"

Work-in-Progress Update I've mentioned before that I am helping two friends write their true crime memoir. It's an incredibly compelling story -- so compelling that Michelle was asked to tell it on the PBS show "Stories from the Stage." Check out her 7-minute story here; it will whet your appetite for the full book, which … Continue reading True Crime Memoir Update & Book Deals

Win a Newly Released Novel, DARE

Iโ€™m excited to offer you the chance to win a free copy of the new novel DARE, a psychological thriller from Mimi Wahlfeldt, in either paperback or ebook format. I met Mimi through our publisher, and have read and loved both her books. Who is Mimi Wahlfeldt and What Does She Write? You know how … Continue reading Win a Newly Released Novel, DARE

Are There Only 2 Kinds of People in the World? / AI Reality Check

People seem to like this image, which had nearly a thousand likes on my TikTok, so I thought I'd share it with you. Buwan, or "Bu" as he's known to his friends, is the somewhat goofy guy in Beautiful & Terrible Things who nonetheless spouts nuggets of wisdom on important issues like coping with depression, … Continue reading Are There Only 2 Kinds of People in the World? / AI Reality Check