April 25, 2025
While I had a late night on the deck, y’all were busy buying copies of Safe House. I hope you found a comfortable place to read it!
Yeah… I was working outside again last night so late, I was able to turn on the pergola’s lights. I’ll have to upload the pictures; they are very cool. (VERY cool.) They are, unfortunately, not completely what I wanted, as I’d wanted lights bright enough to read by. That’s not going to be the case. But they’re cool!
I did spoil myself a bit, but after almost 30 years of wanting to have that part of the deck covered so the deck was actually usable… I figure it’s okay. I waited a very long time and spent a lot of time wishing I could actually get outside on my deck. I love to be outside, and if I can figure out how to get my desktop computer out there so I can edit under the pergola? I’m there.
Yeah, I was writing last night. A lot of friends wanted to chat, too, so maybe I didn’t write as much as I’d wanted, but I also spent less time on social media and playing solitaire, so there’s that. The writing I got done pleased me, so that’s another win.
Five more days for you to get your copy of Safe House while it’s still on sale! If you’re in Pittsburgh, you can also get your copies from Blythe Books (at full price; sorry) or from me at the kickoff Bad Bitch Bazaar. First of the season, and I’ll be there with Mary Walsh and Paige N. Staudt. When you catch me in person, I do discount slightly (mostly so I’m not drowning in ones and change!). And, of course, my ebooks are ALWAYS cheaper at my online store.
When it rains, it pours. That’s the mantra of the freelance editor (even those of us who spend a late night on the deck). Another of the eight manuscripts I’ve been waiting on arrived, so now I’m waiting on six, am about to start working on one, and have one in the queue. I love being a busy editor; it lets me sink into the work and forget about life. Total stress reliever. Not to mention how much fun it is, and how gratifying. I love helping my client list be successful. It’s fun to watch, too!
Just for Show, by Jae
(Affiliate link; as always, any money I make goes toward operational costs here at West of Mars)
That’s it! It probably won’t be another late night on the deck because first, it’s Reggae Shabbat night at temple, and this metal head thinks that sounds like fun (and folk Shabbat was getting old and yes, I still am pushing for a Heavy Metal Shabbat), but also? It’s a rainy day here, with storms predicted for later. The pergola is only an overhead cover, so even if I sit out there to dig the thunderstorm (what could go wrong when you sit under a metal structure?), there’s still a chance the furniture and/or I can get wet. Nothing worse than a soggy ass. Plus, it’s hard to write when it’s wet; computers and rain don’t mix. Go figure.
Have a great weekend and I’ll be back with fresh content on Monday. Don’t forget that tomorrow (Saturday) is Independent Bookstore Day! Go support and indie. Keep 37% of your purchase price in your local community, help a local business stay open, and more. There’s never a bad reason to choose to shop local.
Don’t forget to fill my ko-fi and help cover operational expenses! You can grab either the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or A Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
April 24, 2025
I have a super busy day today, and we are starting off with a delightfully chilly morning. (Saving Sima’s here because it’s set in the late fall and there’s a couple times where characters are cold, and what do you mean that’s a lame reason?)
Wow. A lot going on here!
Today’s the monthly Pennwriters meeting, and I am meeting someone before it even begins, on a quick personal matter. All’s good, and the Pennwriters meeting is one of my favorite diversions of the month. I always suggest this type of format to other writers who want to connect — we have no agenda. We just sit and chat and conversation meanders from the personal to the professional, and we swap tips and team up for things and commiserate and it’s just a wonderful vibe.
I got yet more reports from Kobo Plus, and thank you to everyone reading the Sheep Farm books via Kobo Plus! Don’t forget most of the rest of my catalog is available too, and I of course recommend the short story twins, Permission to Enter and Broken but Undaunted. (The “most of” is because the Complete Demo Tapes is only available through my online store.)
And yes! Safe House is still on sale! Again, thanks to everyone who has picked it up so far, and if you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for? Yes, you can start the series here.
And since it’s Indie Bookstore Weekend, I encourage all my Pittsburgh friends to stop by Blythe Books and pick up hard copies of the Tales from the Sheep Farm series. All are pre-autographed. And if you ask, you can get your hands on the only copies of Saving Sima, Legacy, and Permission to Enter that I left there when I did my last restocking run.
OR
Come see me at the Bad Bitch Bazaar on Sunday. Not quite an indie bookstore but a pop-up bookstore, my friends Mary Walsh and Paige Staudt are going to join me on Craig Street and we’ll be glad to put our books directly into your hands.
Wow. Is that enough? It’s more than enough for me!
Like I said, one of the expected edits arrived. I won’t make much of a start on it today, with the Pennwriters meeting and all, but I can’t wait. My roster of authors works very very hard at their craft and I can’t wait to see what this author has come up with.
The Curious Secrets of Yesterday, by Namrata Patel
(As always, it’s an affiliate link!)
How’s that? Lots going on. Wasn’t I just complaining the other day that life was boring?
It’s these chilly mornings. I’m tellin’ ya. It’s the chilly mornings.
And a reminder: If you’re into what I’m doing here, feel free to buy me a bottle of fountain pen ink. Other ways to support me include buying my books, but also reading through services such as Kobo Plus or even your library apps! I get paid if you read that way, too, and it’s always good to support your local library. Plus, your tax money is underwriting the costs, and when else do you get such a great benefit from your tax dollars?
April 23, 2025
It’s just after eight in the morning and my house is 63 degrees right now. I left select windows and the skylights open all night, so all that nice cold air could flood in. It’s called cold trapping, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. The windows and skylights are closed and the house’s improved insulation should retain the cool, easing demand on my AC.
The next door neighbors really ought to learn this trick. I swear, they keep their house at 63, if not colder, all summer.
Their AC unit is right outside my bedroom window. So I get to listen to it all night long.
I worked outside yesterday afternoon again. More on Absolutely Alyssa, Book Seven in the Tales from the Sheep Farm series. Better use that link in the header and catch up! I’m on Book Seven and you’re on book… Which one again?
Speaking of catching up, I switched how my book is distributed to Kobo and get a report from the old distributor for Kobo Plus reads and… well, that was a year’s worth of reads. Thanks to everyone who’s been reading my books via Kobo Plus! That’s a nice chunk of change.
It’s a nice way to warm up after this cold trapping! 63 is a bit chilly!
Safe House is, yes, still on sale! Only seven more days, so you’re running out of time to take advantage of the sale price. As (almost) always, there’s a discount at my direct store!
Since the end of the month is in sight, it’s time to remind you to max out your loans at Libby and/or Hoopla. I know a number of indie writers who’d love for you to borrow their books from the library. I’m one of them.
But it’s a win-win-win. You get to try a new author for free, although I’m not a new author to you.
The author gets paid for the borrow. (Not every author!)
The library gets to brag about their circulation numbers. With libraries under fire by the government, it’s up to us to use them and protect them.
Hey! One of those eight manuscripts arrived!
Now to finish up what I’m working on and start that one… it’s nice to see these manuscripts arriving.
The Body in the Paddy Field by Nadishka Aloysius
(As always, this is an affiliate link)
Not cold trapping your house? Not one of those wonderful people reading my books via Kobo Plus? Maxed out your library loans? You can still support me by donating directly to my ko-fi. Easier than a monthly Patreon (or not, since you can’t set it and forget it), and all money goes to operational costs here at West of Mars. Lots of us small businesses are hurting right now, and I hate to say it, but I’m not immune.
April 22, 2025
It’s boring around here, and I’m struggling to bring you something pithy.
I ain’t got nothin’. Let’s get to it.
I guess I broke my writing into three sessions yesterday; it wasn’t intentional. The first, done on the back deck (I love the back deck), focused on a short I was challenged to write a year ago. I’ve been not struggling with it, but not giving it the time it needs and deserves, either.
The second and third writing sessions, one done on the back deck and the last inside, went back to what’ll be Tales from the Sheep Farm 7.
Safe House is still on sale! Grab it before the end of the month; you’ll see Taylor in future books. They also make appearances in the first two; they’re pretty important to things in my world, so spend some time with them.
Nothing new here, either. I’ve been keeping busy and, as always, learning new things that should make me a better editor.
I wasn’t kidding when I told you things around here were boring!
I Need a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan and illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
(Affiliate link)
Talk to yinz and y’all tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have something to say; there’s plenty to look forward to: the Bad Bitch Bazaar opens for the year on Sunday, and I’ll be there with the tent and authors Mary Walsh and Paige Staudt. If you’re local, stop in to see us!
And as always, if you’ve maxed out your book buying budget AND your loans at Hoopla, Libby, or whatever library app but still want to support the cause, buy me a bottle of fountain pen ink.
April 21, 2025
The Monday after the Bash…
The whole weekend adventure to Ashtabula was a lot of fun. From lunch with two author buddies to jumping in the car and heading up, picking a spot in the crowded room (I love crowded rooms because it means lots of authors and lots of readers), to getting to know some really awesome writers, and then driving home afterward… The Indie Author Bash was a fantastic time.
This was also the second time now I’ve had a tie for bestselling book, which means… time to set my sights on a three-way tie.
This weekend, I’ll be at the Bad Bitch Bazaar in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. C’mon out and do your part! Three-way tie!
I’m still doing bits and pieces here and there. Part of it is because the long day Friday and then going out on Saturday with a different group of friends wiped me out.
Safe House is still on sale! Nine days left, and thanks to everyone who’s picked up a copy. I can’t wait to hear what you think. Do you agree with the review that “this is a book for our times” or not?
We’re now up to eight manuscripts I’m waiting on, and I’ve already had my first projected arrival date of the time when I’ll be moving my youngest.
If you’d like to stay abreast of my openings and anticipated bottlenecks, be sure to get on my editing newsletter. That’s about all I use it for. You’ll want the “West of Mars” newsletter, not the author one… for this purpose, anyway. I think I write great author newsletters. I give a lot of stuff away!
Something Cheeky, by Thien-Kim Lam
(affiliate link)
I’m glad to have a quiet week of editing work ahead of me. I’ll tell ya that; Monday after the Bash… I’m too young to be this tired!
Like what you see? Go and fill my ko-fi and help me cover operational expenses here at West of Mars. Be sure to pick up your copies of the Beta Readers Guides and the Writer’s Guide to Libraries!
April 20, 2025
It’s Sunday! Time to curl up with a good book.
And take a walk. Or go for a bike ride. Whatever you choose, get your body moving.
Here’s more Books of the Day you may have missed. It’s the last set, too! Now I need more weekend content. Or do I?
Ginny Myers Sain, When the Bones Sing
Vanessa Le, The Last Bloodcarver
Judy I Lin, A Magic Steeped in Poison
Zoraida Cordova, The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina
Synithia Williams, Frenemies with Benefits
April 19, 2025
We’re just trucking through April. I hope your weather’s been good and you’ve been able to get out and breathe some fresh air. It’s good for the body and the mind. And the soul.
We’re almost, but not quite, caught up with the Book of the Day that I’d posted at Facebook before doing it over here (with working links! I’m still aggravated about that).
Here’s our next group of five:
Abby Collette, Body and Soul Food
Nalo Hopkinson, The New Moon’s Arms
Aiden Thomas, The Sunbearer Trials
Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Virtue and Vengeance
Be sure to tell me if you’re reading any of these books, and if you are, what you think of them!
April 18, 2025
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I am STOKED about today. (I’m also considering pre-napping.)
Lunch with a couple of good author friends, and then I’m hitting the road to Ashtabula, Ohio for the Indie Author Bash, hosted by author Chelsea Banning and Pretty Good Books. I was a late addition to the roster of 50 authors, and grateful they had room to include me. And I get to meet Chelsea! We’ve been buddies on Threads for a bit now, and if you open a copy of her Of Crowns and Legends, you might see my name in it, depending on which edition you get. Might. Maybe. Go look for yourself.
So that brings us to the daily updates:
Not much to report. I’m talking to other editors, and we’re all agreeing that right now requires flexibility in our pricing and billing practices. The times are what they are, so let’s survive them together.
(And remember: Editors deserve living wages, just like every other person out there.)
I’m still waiting on those seven manuscripts… three have been promised imminently, so let’s see which arrives first. My money’s on the longest one.
Not much to say here, either. I got a bit of work done, but also was fighting a migraine. Spring allergies? The lovely scent of mushroom manure left by the landscapers as they correct the damage done by the contractors? I’m not sure, but it did go away quickly.
Safe House is still on sale! Grab your copy, and remember there’s a further discount if you buy it at my shop.
Island Queen, by Vanessa Riley
As always, links to Bookshop.org are affiliate links, and any pennies earn there go to operational expenses here at West of Mars.
If you like what you see and want to be more directly involved in that “editors deserve living wages” part, here’s my ko-fi. Or send a friend over for an edit.
And if you’re at the Indie Author Bash tonight, be sure to say hi!
April 17, 2025
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It’s just a Thursday over here. I’m not a fan of Thursdays; they are always my hardest day of the week. And as we inch closer to the end of my renovations, an issue has cropped up, making me officially cranky.
Didn’t get a lot of work done yesterday; it was one of those nights. Might be contributing to my construction crankiness, or it might be the other way around.
Safe House is still on sale! $1.99 across all retailers. For those of you who’ve picked it up, I’m excited to hear what you think. It’s the most different book in the series so far.
I know the economics of the moment are catching up to a lot of us. I had a discussion yesterday with a long-time client, and if there was ever a moment for flexibility and grace, this is it, even though I’ve always tried to be flexible for my clients. I’m just needing to be extra bendy right now, but I think it’s the right thing to do. So I’m doing it.
Reach out if you need me.
Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
(Affiliate link… you buy, I get a few pennies to put toward operational expenses.)
That’s it. Like I said, just a Thursday. Not very exciting.
Escape into a good book. We all need that!
April 16, 2025
Let’s just dive in.
Shortened work day for me today, as I’ve got a meeting in the city. It’ll be a fabulous meeting of the minds, I’m sure, but I’d still rather be at my desk, editing away. Lots to do… and yes, still waiting on that pile of manuscripts.
Worked on a couple different first drafts last night, one that shouldn’t be a first draft. It even has a title! For you who are keeping score, it’ll be Tales from the Sheep Farm 7, and hopefully a good entry point to the series. It’ll also feature a female protagonist again, and it’s someone you’ve already met (again).
Today’s the last day for the $1.99 sale of Populated at Kobo. Grab that before it’s gone!
Safe House remains $1.99 across all platforms except my store, where it’s cheaper. The link at the start of the line here will take you to the UBL; look for the Payhip logo, a blue background with a white heart with some designs on it.
The Collected Demo Tapes is still available only at my store! Grab your copy and experience all the stories, in order, uninterrupted.
Love in Bloom, by Lucy Eden
(This is an affiliate link, so your purchase will earn me a few pennies, all of which go to operating expenses around here.)
That’s it!
If you’re having a good time with the book of the day or the rest of these posts, buy my books, support my editing endeavors, or simply donate to my Ko-fi. Be sure to check out the guides at my shop, too. One’s the Beta Readers Guide, for authors and readers, and the other is the Writer’s Guide to Library Events. Pay what you will for those; even free is fine!
Now, excuse me while I go enjoy today’s meeting of the minds. It’s good to step away from one’s desk every now and then. Just wish it didn’t have to happen in the middle of a great edit!
April 15, 2025
Who expected to wake up to a stealth book publication? Not me!
But things came together yesterday — at last! — and I couldn’t see a reason to not put the Complete Demo Tapes out into the world, making it my 14th book publication. This completes the Trevolution series, although plenty of you actually have asked me what happens next in Trevor’s world. Sorry, gang. Time to close that chapter and move ahead. I will always love the covers Lakota Phillips made me for the Demo Tapes books, and watching her soar in her own painting career has been amazing, so I turned to the wonderful Rachel Bowdler for her help.
As a result, The Complete Demo Tapes will only be available at my online store. If I sell out the rest of the Trevolution print copies (right now, there’s one six-book set, one four-book set, and random numbers of Demo Tapes 1, Demo Tapes 2, and Trevor’s Song left) and y’all ask, I’ll put it into print and sell it in person.
Wasn’t a stealth book publication enough?
Populated is still on sale at Kobo! Tomorrow’s the last day, so get on that, if you haven’t already.
Safe House is also still on sale. All month long, as part of this promotion. (That’s two individual links, so click ’em both!)
Nothing new here. Waiting on seven different manuscripts. I take first in, first served but always save space if a client has a hard deadline.
The Scarlet Alchemist, by Kylie Lee Baker
(This is an affiliate link, so if you use it, I’ll get a few pennies.)
Reminder that if you’re having fun here, fill my ko-fi, hire me as your editor, buy and read (and, if you like, review) my books. I even gave you a stealth book publication to entice you! (No, that’s not why I did it; I did it to close out the project.)
April 14, 2025
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
This is why, as an editor, I don’t work on books that glorify abuse.
It’s a dream I’m living. Good times.
In situations like this, you learn to look for silver linings. An online friend taking a selfie with the copy of Maybe the Bird Will Rise, which they were about to go buy while at Blythe Books. A Sunday spent on my new back deck, sitting on my new porch furniture, debating opening the louvers on my new louvered roof.
Purring cats.
Reaching the end of one of my manuscripts in progress (the standalone!) and putting it aside to sit some more as I work on something else.
But also!
Populated is still on sale at Kobo for another two days. Grab it while it’s cheap!
Safe House is still on sale across all retailers. Grab that one while it’s cheap, too.
Not much new to say here… The number of manuscripts I’m waiting on hasn’t changed.
If you need me, I’m here. Come prepared to do the hard work. Or come already having done the hard work!
The Three Little Tardigrades, by Sandra Fay
That’s all I’ve got. Hope your weekend was better than mine, Chag Passover Sameach to those who aren’t sickened by matzah, and check back tomorrow for another book of the day.
Remember, if you’re jamming this series I’m doing, filling my ko-fi jar is always a great way to say thanks, if you don’t simply pick up one of my books. Anything you contribute to the jar goes to operational costs around here.
April 13, 2025
Ahh, let’s get right to the books. I’ve got nothing to say that’s boring, let alone interesting!
Arden Powell, Of Socialites and Prizefights
Penelope Leslye, Daughter of the Merciful Deep
Kristina Forest, The Love Lyric
Chinelo Okparanta, Under the Udala Trees
April 12, 2025
First off, I forgot to mention this, but it’s my birthday month and I have gifties for my newsletter subscribers! Be sure to get on the Susan Helene Gottfried newsletter; the other is my editorial newsletter.
Of course, if you need an editor who sends out a newsletter about her availability and not much else, well, go for that one too. I’m always glad to welcome new friends into my worlds.
Happy Passover to my fellow Jewish friends! May your seders not be boring and the wine good. I’m writing this post in advance, but I’m about 100% certain there’s no seder for me again this year.
Let’s get to the backlog of Books of the Day!
Camryn Garrett, The Forgotten Summer of Seneca
The Global Fund for Children, Global Babies
Sangu Mandanna, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Frances Gilbert, Allison Black (Illustrator), Go, Girls, Go
There you go!
Five more books, previously posted at my Facebook business page, but now with working links — I can’t believe I hadn’t realized the links weren’t live. Ugh — and to Bookshop.org, too, so you’re supporting either the independent bookshop you identify OR you’re benefiting ALL the independent bookstores. Either way, you can’t lose.
Remember that money spent in your local community tends to remain there, so support your local indie bookshops where you can. And if you can’t? That’s the beauty of Bookshop.org. I’m not kidding when I say they put the affiliate money into a pot and pay it out to ALL the stores in its network. Now you’re supporting more than one, including the stores in struggling communities you may not have heard of yet. Now THAT is a good deed!
April 11, 2025
It’s the day before I released this short story… fourteen years ago. If you know why I used to release books on April 12, 412 day here in Pittsburgh, then you know today is the day before something most people view as significant.
On to the fun.
While you can’t buy Broken, featured in the image above, as a standalone story anymore, you CAN buy it in the Broken but Undaunted collection. See how it’s right there in the collection name? (Reminder: It’s cheaper at my direct store!)
I was deep in it last night, working on the standalone, when… my youngest called with a DOOZY of a story for me. That ended my writing for the night.
Yesterday, I wrote the back cover copy for the standalone… and for Book Six in the Tales from the Sheep Farm series. I’m pretty sure you can start the series with it, but if you want the fullest experience, get on my mailing list! That’s a hint.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo! Get your copy while you can.
And Safe House is also still on sale, across all platforms. And still a tiny bit cheaper at my own store.
Oh, wow. SO busy right now y’all. Lots to do, but of course room for new clients. Come prepared to work hard! I don’t work with clients who phone it in. Why? Because I don’t phone it in.
Rainbow Islands, by Devin Harnois
Look for me to be adding an affiliate link to Bookshop.org! Just telling you now…
So that’s it. I’m headed back to doing more Day Before stuff, not that there’s a lot to do. Instead of a cake this year, I’ll probably just make a mug cookie or brownie and call it good. (Nope, no Passover observations here. Something about Passover food makes me deathly ill. Leading theory is the short time matzah is baked, leaving the flour partially uncooked.)
April 10, 2025
My most overlooked collection of short stories is the PERFECT image for all the writing report I have for you!
I got a ton done yesterday; all the writing indeed! From touch-ups on a short story for the Books Books Books Event anthology to more fun with the standalone, yesterday was productive.
Thanks to the gang who stepped up when I put out a call for beta readers. I hope you’ll stick around and beta or ARC read for me in the future!
Populated is still on sale on Kobo for another week, so get it while you can!
Safe House is still on sale across all platforms, including my own store for even less. Buy it there and own it. I love Taylor’s story. It’s about hiding who you are until you can’t anymore; we’ve all been there.
I was working on a couple short stories for folks, and that’s what kicked me into gear with all the writing you saw above. Short work is always fun.
I do still have room this year for new clients! Make sure you have your newsletter magnets edited!
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
I’ve been handing out my Beta Reader’s Guide to my new beta readers… It’s designed to be for both authors, to know what to ask of their betas, and for betas (current or future) who’d like some guidance, so if you’re not using it, why not? Pay what you will; I just want it used. And while you’re there, grab a copy of A Writer’s Guide to Library Events. Again, pay what you will. Or just drop me a present in the form of cash. That works too and helps support operating expenses, including on the author side.
April 9, 2025
The week leading up to your birthday’s supposed to be nice and fun and full of expectation, right?
Yeah. This year seems to have yeeted that memo. Yesterday and this morning have been full of mounting frustrations.
Anyway… Time to brush it off and get busy.
Not much to say. I had a meeting last night, so only got a short bit of work done. Still, even a few paragraphs are… a few paragraphs. I’m in tonight, so I should get more done.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo for $1.99 until the 17th.
Safe House is still on sale across all retailers for $1.99 until the end of the month.
Well, it’s actually cheaper at my store.
Lots to do! Clients are starting to realize I won’t be around much in the back half of May. We’re gonna have logjams in about ten minutes.
I also have to finish up my short story for the Books Books Books event anthology. Books cubed, as I often call it, is held every September in Lancaster. This will be my third year there, so be sure to come out and say hi and pick up autographed books — my own, or belonging to any of the other authors there. This show is HUGE. Over 120 of us, so I’m thrilled to have been included in the first-ever anthology. It’ll be given to VIP ticket holders, and proceeds from the event will be directed to the Making Headway Foundation, in honor of Josh Cappello, who is related to one of the event’s anchor authors.
Want to avoid some of your own mounting frustrations? I’ve got a new guide up at my ko-fi! This one was written in conjunction with the program director at my local library, and it’s all about working with your local library. Like with my beta reader’s guide, it’s pay what you will, and zero shame in not paying anything. It’s about making us all better, savvier writers and beta readers and members of our library communities, not making me rich. But, of course, if you don’t want either guide but do want to support a small business, I take donations, too.
April 8, 2025
It’s Tuesday. My editor self actually really likes Tuesdays because Mondays are always so hard to focus. But Tuesdays? Tuesday are the day when it clicks and it’s a day of plugging along, getting pages done and all the editing stuff. (Reminder: editing isn’t only looking for typos!)
Despite how tired I still was from the weekend — and sore. What’s that about? — I had a fantastic writing session last night, working on the standalone.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo!
Safe House is still on sale all month, at all retailers.
Plugging along here too! Now up to seven manuscripts that I’m waiting on. Seven!
Echoes and Embers, by Pedro Iniguez
I’m still having fun with this daily check-in and Book of the Day. If you are too, why not say thanks? Pick up a copy of one of my books. Check them out from your local library, even! (Ebooks only) Or buy me a figurative bottle of fountain pen ink via my Ko-fi.
In the meantime, keep on plugging along!
April 7, 2025
I’m back from my very long drive to see the youngest. She’s great, and I was privileged to be granted a tour of an otherwise not-open-to-the-public facility. It gave me a lot of food for thought, especially as (spoiler alert!) I’m working on a book set in a sanctuary. No idea when I’ll even do more than gather ideas and play with the character and actually write the story, so don’t be all frothy at the mouth in anticipation.
Anyway, I’m tired today, as one is when they’ve spent a few days in the middle of tornado watches and floods and deluges of rain (and you forgot your raincoat), and drove 10 hours each way. Even Sheetz surprisingly didn’t make it easy, holding me up for an unwanted and unappreciated 20-minute break while the very slow and understaffed folk made me a smoothie. And then they gave me the wrong size, but at least it was a large instead of a small. Of course, being too large, it made me sick by the time I got home.
Just more to add to the files for research and future books, I suppose… I mean, “You gave me more food than I asked for” is hardly something to burn Sheetz down for, right?
Writing: I got next to nothing done over the four-day weekend, and I’m 100% fine with that. I was there to soak up what I could learn, to enjoy the road trip and explore the small town she’s living in, to be with my kid — and my cousin, who came down to join us. I don’t spend nearly enough time with my cousins.
Safe House is still on sale for $1.99
Populated is on sale at Kobo through the 17th.
Grab the sales while you can!
Editing: Much to do today, although I’m still waiting on those five manuscripts! Actually, looking over my queue, it’s now up to six. And a dear friend reached out to ask if I’d do my How to Work with a Freelance Editor workshop for her group. Yay!
Book of the Day: These are chosen randomly, so I don’t have anything related to the road trip, but here you go:
Felicia Grossman, Marry Me by Midnight
Reminder that if you’re enjoying these updates, buy one of my books, borrow it via Hoopla or Libby (or the other library apps)–although Hoopla STILL refuses to restore Saving Sima, Broken but Undaunted, and Permission to Enter, and they won’t list Legacy at all.
And, of course, buy me a virtual bottle of fountain pen ink via my Ko-fi. Book royalties and my ko-fi go to support operational costs here at West of Mars (including book production expenses), not my addiction to road trips, even when I come home with new, rich material.
Mule races, anyone? I went to mule races! You KNOW that’s gotta appear in a book at some point!
April 6, 2025
Good morning friends and book lovers!
I’m headed home today; it’s a ten-hour drive, and there’s also a time change to take into account. Worth it to spend time not only with my kid but my cousins, too.
On to former books of the day!
Elise Kova, A Duel with the Vampire Lord
Gina L Carroll, The Grandest Garden
Myah Ariel, When I Think of You
Kristina Forest, The Love Lyric
Nora Nguyen, Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour
Five more books for you to check out… I hope you’re learning as much as I am about the amazing books out there, and how easy it is to overlook… just so many.
Have a great week, everyone!
