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.

writing:

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.

editing:

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.

Book of the day:

Fathomfolk, by Eliza Chan

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.

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!)

Writing:

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.

Editing:

Plugging along here too! Now up to seven manuscripts that I’m waiting on. Seven!

Book of the day:

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!

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!

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!

Good morning, friends!

You’re reading this, but I’m off visiting my youngest and the cat/house sitter is manning the fort. Yes, it’s weird to think of strangers in my home. Have you ever used a cat/house sitter who’s been someone you don’t know?

Let’s catch up on the former books of the day, shall we?

Mellanie Szereto, Comma Kaze

K O’Neill, A Song for You and I

Alex Willan, Unicorns are the Worst

Melanie Conklin, Crushed

Nick Butterworth, Trixie the Witch’s Cat

That’s it! Fun stuff to check out, so get busy reading!

Hey, friends! I’m writing this early, as I’m with my youngest today and we are probably offline, doing stuff together.

Writing: I may have worked on something last night, after I got to my temporary digs. I may not have; it’s a long drive from home to kid! But it’s also great for thinking, and I come up with a lot of plot points and ideas as I drive. I love road trips.

Editing: Nope. Spent the day in the car. I love my clients, but I get to come first a couple times a year, and a good road trip is my method of choice. I am thankful I live in an area where I can road trip so easily.

Book of the Day: You know there is one!
Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retoldby Bolu Babalola

Not gonna lie. You fill my ko-fi today, I’ll put it into my belly or my gas tank!
Reminder that if you’re an author struggling with Beta Readers, or you’re a Beta Reader, my Guide to Beta Reading is at my ko-fi, and you can name your price. Seriously. I just want it to help people, so don’t feel guilty about not making a donation. If I wanted to make it generate income, I’d have put a charge on it. Instead, pay what you’d like and I really don’t care. (Just know that PayPal takes the first 50c in fees, so maybe don’t pick that amount? You’re just paying a billionaire at that point.)

Tomorrow and Wednesday are for catching up on books that so far have only been listed on Facebook, so be sure to check those titles out.

Yes! Populated is being featured at Kobo for the next two weeks. Go grab a copy while the price is low. (This is ebook form only, of course. I WISH I could sell print copies this cheaply!)

I’m headed out to see my youngest, so it’s a long day behind the wheel for me. And last I checked, it was looking like a rainy spring weekend.

Ask me if I care. I don’t. I’m gonna see my kid and spend time with her at this temporary stop on her path. Plus animals!

As always, I have a house sitter, so give up THOSE thoughts. Besides, I don’t have anything of value. I just spent it all on my renovation!

Writing: Still working on the standalone! Yinz and y’all are going to love it. I love Priscilla and Errick and what’s this? I’m giving up details?

Editing: On hold, of course, until Monday, when I’m back from my road trip adventures. Whee!

Book of the Day: Love is a War Song, by Danica Nava

That’s all I got, since I’m not here and scheduled this out. As always, if you appreciate me and the Book of the Day, feel free to buy me a Ko-fi.

And if you’re new around here, join my mailing list! Do it for the freebies.

I’m getting ready for the housesitter, which means focused, intense work on my To Do List today, including a short edit. And at some point, I’ve got to pack, since I’m leaving the house early, early, early tomorrow. Like, before breakfast early.

I should probably do more than give the route a cursory look.

Writing: More progress on the standalone. I had just hit a groove last night when a family member called. Like… aaah! NOW??? We hung up with ten minutes left in my nightly writing time. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done in those final ten minutes.
Oh! Hey! Safe House is on sale this month. Ebook only, and across all retailers.

Editing: As I mentioned, I’ve got a short editing project. Yes, I’ll edit your newsletters and their magnets. Of course! I take care of my clients, which to me means including back cover copy in the cost of your overall edit. Hell, yesterday one of my clients texted me for help with verbage for her website… her non-writing website.

I take care of my clients.

Book of the Day: Does Blake Keep the Secret, by Lindsay Anne Priest, Tacom Creative Studio, and Amanda Boyers

Still digging the Book of the Day? Just appreciate me in general? Buy me a figurative bottle of fountain pen ink!

It’s my birthday month! And like always, I only want one thing… book royalties! Be they from Hoopla or Libby or online sales or in-person sales, I don’t care. Buy my books.

Okay, I won’t say no to Umber Chocolates, either.

Editing: Still waiting on five manuscripts, still working on other stuff. But I found out yesterday in a pretty unprofessional way that a job I’d been asked to do was yanked out from under me. That was hurtful and sad, and please don’t treat others this way.
I’m writing it off as “when people show you who they are, believe them” moment and moving forward with a reminder that this is why editing samples are VITAL to a good author-editor relationship.

Writing: Still focused on the standalone! I hit a moment yesterday that I hadn’t seen coming — just one of those small one-liners that make me laugh, not a huge plot point. It was pretty glorious.

And now, the moment you’re all waiting for… The Book of the Day.
No one’s chimed in yet and said, “Hey, I know what the common theme is!” so keep thinking, and keep checking back for every day’s book of the day, with weekends continuing to be catch-up from when I was posting exclusively at Facebook.
Out on a Limb, by Hannah Bonam-Young

Having fun with this new series? Want to wish me a happy birthday and some chocolate of my own choosing? I have a ko-fi for that and I appreciate everyone for everything they contribute to it. Be sure to check out my Beta Readers Guide, too! Pay what you will… seriously.

Didn’t see this one coming, but I am NOT going to complain…
Legacy was my best-selling book over the weekend!

I moderated a panel at my local library over the weekend and while it wasn’t an event designed to sell books, and while most people in the audience thanked us and then left, a couple of us had sales. And I was lucky enough to encounter readers who needed the latest installment of the Tales from the Sheep Farm. Thanks, friends!

Writing: Over the weekend, the standalone got the most attention. I’m having to do more than tweaks but less than significant rewrites, but that’s why I delayed the release; I’d originally been hoping to have this book ready to put in readers’ hands at Books Books Books in September, but some books can’t be rushed. Either this one or the next Tale from the Sheep Farm will be out in April 2026. You read this here first.

Oh! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter! April is my birthday month, and that always means goodies for my newsletter subscribers!

Editing: Nothing to say. I’m still waiting on clients to send their manuscripts. This is the downside to telling authors to Send When Ready!

Book of the Day: Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

End of the month reminder if you use Hoopla or Libby! If you haven’t maxed out your borrows, check out an indie author’s book! Mine or someone else’s… it doesn’t matter. The point is to use your library to help give them circulation numbers, to expose yourself to something new and wonderful, and the reason you want an indie author’s book is because many of us get paid for each check-out. Everyone wins.

And, of course, if you’re jamming on the Book of the Day and these short updates and would like to say thanks but don’t need a book to read (WHAT???), my ko-fi remains open so you can buy me a (figurative) bottle of fountain pen ink. I’ll actually use it for operational expenses around here, in interests of full transparency. But also? I use my fountain pens (I’m up to 11) when I edit, so that ink is an operational expense!

I’m looking at my media files and WOW there’s a lot. I could add extra books of the day, just by recycling those old book covers. And that’s only the books I’m confident fit the criteria!

As I’m writing this, in advance, there’s nothing on my calendar. I might be settling in for a day of writing, but I’m definitely doing my accounting, since we sold books yesterday at the end of the panel discussion. Not gonna lie, I always wish I’d sold more, convinced more readers to give my books a try. Hopefully more will take advantage of Hoopla and Libby and do just that!

On to the catch-up list of Books of the Day!

Ali Hazelwood, Love, Theoretically

AJ Sass, Ana on the Edge

Walter Dean Myers, Street Love

Regina Sage, Ocean’s Embrace

Mariah Ankenman, Perfect Imperfections

There you go! There’s the next five!

Go forth and read! Remember that libraries are treasures that need to be used in order to keep their luster. There’s zero shame in not buying books and borrowing them instead — in fact, it’s good for you, it’s good for your library’s circulation numbers, and it’s good for your community.

It’s March 29, Saturday, and although I’m scheduling this post in advance, I can tell you that I’m at Northland Library, in the Pittsburgh area, today to moderate a panel with a bunch of writers. Our topic is Talking Flirty, and I’m leading the group through a discussion about how what we write — genre and category, both — affects the sexytimes we put in our books.

Now, to catch up on more Books of the Day from the past…

CK Chau, Good Fortune

Millie Belizaire, Black Girls are not Allowed to Kill Themselves

KJ Charles, An Unsuitable Heir

Grace Draven, Phoenix Unbound

Jessica Love, Julian is a Mermaid

Interesting list, huh? What I’m up to should be coming clearer… If not, holler and I’ll tell ya!

I got a call to restock copies of Maybe the Bird Will Rise at Blythe Books, the Pittsburgh-based used bookstore that also champions local authors.

I shouldn’t be so surprised. I wrote a really good book. One thing I’ve noticed at in-person events is the way the right readers gravitate toward my covers. It’s cool to watch.

In a way, it’s cooler to get restock messages. And one day, I will be in the store when someone gravitates toward the book and decides to buy it without talking to me about it first!

Editing: Still waiting on five edits. Five!
But at least this gives me the time today to run out to Blythe Books for the restock. Pittsburgh book lovers! Might I be leaving other titles too?

Writing: I got a lot done yesterday on the standalone. The storyline has changed subtly, so I’ve got to deal with that.
I’ve also been working on another typo check of Safe House, along with a reader’s group guide. Look for those when I can afford a website refresh. Another reason I hate waiting on manuscripts!

Book of the Day:
I know this is what you come here for, so here it is!
Darius the Great is Not Okay, by Adib Khorram

Having fun with the Book of the Day? Buy me a bottle of fountain pen ink!

I don’t know why, but Thursday is the hardest day of my week. I’m always draggy and content to eat leftovers from the freezer rather than cook.

Same for you? Let me know!

Writing: Before dinner, I worked on the short piece I’ve mentioned. It’ll be for sale in my online Payhip store ONLY once it’s done and ready. After dinner, I kept working on the standalone. I’m really pleased with it and how it’s coming together. It’s a complex story, with growth for both main characters, although very very differently.

Editing: STILL between edits. I’m climbing walls. I’m an editor, and I’m waiting on at least four manuscripts. But I want my clients to send their manuscripts when they are ready, not on some artificial schedule that they’ve rushed to meet. So it’s usually overindulge or famine over here.

Book of the Day: Nainai’s Mountain by Livia Blackburne and Joey Chou

Want to say thanks for this? Show some support? Buy my books or a bottle of fountain pen ink!

I truly hate being between edits. Y’all can fix that, I’m sure.

Writing: I had a meeting last night at the temple, so I only got a bit of writing in, but I worked on a short piece that’ll be available only at my direct store.

Book of the Day: Pardon my Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

That’s it! No real plans for the day — I need a good tea ball and some ice trays, so if you have recs, I’m all ears! — and am hoping for some serious writing today/tonight.

Last December — because construction takes twice as long as they promise it will — I started a massive construction project on my house. New siding, new roof, new deck. No pictures for privacy’s sake.

Today’s the second scheduled day of punch list items. The end is in sight!

By the way, they’d promised me 11 weeks, and last time I worked with this contractor, they’d come in ahead of schedule, so I’m not stressed about the delays. They’ve all been justified and I’ve been very taken care of.

Writing: I developed a horrific migraine around noon, so no writing happened. That’s not common.

Editing: I’m still between edits, gosh darn it. Whenever the economy slows and book sales tank, authors stop using editors — and sometimes stop writing entirely because they need that income.
I promise you, authors, you’ll be glad you coughed up the cost for an edit, and not just because you’re helping support someone else’s small business.

And since I know this is actually what you’re here for…
Book of the Day:
We Could be So Good, by Cat Sebastian

Like what you see? Instead of a subscription Patreon, just buy me a bottle of fountain pen ink.

WHAT a weekend event!

It was the first ever adult book fair at Lolev Brewery, brought to us by Eeeek Creative and what an awesome time. I hit a few milestones: I sold out of a title! (I’d only had three, so maybe this doesn’t count?)
It was my highest earning show, but the second-highest number of books sold. (That’s because I’m selling the Trevolution books cheap… be sure you get yours before they are gone! No more print copies!)

Planning a book fair? I work with a group of authors and am glad to connect you not only to myself, but to the group as well.

Writing:
I’m working on a couple different manuscripts right now, just kind of skipping from one to the next as I’m inspired. I need to pull up a short story I’d written and get it ready to be my 2026 newsletter magnet. (If you’re not on my author newsletter, why not? You get a free story that’s only available via my newsletter, and only for one calendar year.)

Editing:
I’m writing this Sunday afternoon and still waiting for manuscripts to land in my inbox. So I’m working on my To Do list instead.

Book of the Day:
Their Just Desserts by Alechia Dow and Tracy Badua

Having fun with this new series of posts? Instead of a Patreon or subscription, I invite you to buy me a bottle of ink.

I feel like I should be making notes about editing (I take weekends off) and writing (I’m probably doing some), but at the same time, I’m scheduling these out so I have no idea what I’m up to. Something writerly!

Here’s five more past Books of the Day for you:
CJ Sansom, Sovereign

Raquel V. Reyes, Mambo, Mayhem, and Murder

Marisa J. Taylor, Shari Last (Editor), Fernanda Monteiro (Illustrator), DIVERSITY to Me

Jennifer L Armentrout, From Blood and Ash

Robin Feiner and Beck Feiner, Clyde the Greyhound

The general intent is to take weekends off, since I like to sleep in on Saturdays, if I’m not at a book event, and just have down time on the weekends.
Speaking of book events! I’m at Lolev Brewery here in Pittsburgh today for an Adult Book Fair. Making new fans, networking with other authors, hanging out, and checking out the beer and other crafters. Gonna be a good time.

But I want to catch up on the Book of the Day that I’ve been posting up to now, since these books deserve more attention. So I’ll be listing them, oldest to newest, a few each weekend until we’re caught up. Check them out!

Jaye Wells, Dirty Magic

Susan Helene Gottfried (hey, that’s me!), ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes (Year 1)

Beverly Jenkins, To Catch a Raven

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow and Jodie Patterson, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

Poncho Bosque, Chronicles of Heroes

Let me know if you can figure out what all these books have in common, and if you have suggestions for future Books of the Day!

I’m trying to think of why we moved away from blogging and over to content sites like Substack and Medium and every other site that’s come before and will come after. And for me, I think it’s the STUFF that goes with it.

Title
Tags
Categories
SEO
Readability
Meta description
focus keyphrase

Like everything else, we’ve enshittified blogging, this time in the name of visibility and making ourselves into influencers.

I’m over it. Because the kind of influencer that I want to be is the kind who influences through her books.

So I’m playing with this new idea. Just simple blog posts, usually daily. (I’m, as Brian Goulet says, unreliably committing to this idea, but I also think it’s worthwhile.) The book of the day, cross-posted from the West of Mars Fans page at FB, because I want to own my own content. A word about editing, a word about writing.

Kind of a daily journal, but… maybe not.

I don’t know. We’ll see how this goes.

So…

Today’s Book of the Day:
The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

Editing: I’m between edits and of course immediately bored. I’m waiting on four different manuscripts right now, so if you need me, better get in touch FAST, since I work first in-first out.
Writing: Cut 4k out of the standalone last night. (What? You haven’t heard I’m working on a standalone? Well, I am.) Still not sure if I can center it fully enough on the couple to make it a romance and not a love story.

And that’s it. Sunny but cold today, here at West of Mars.

Have a good one, and if you’ve got a Book of the Day for me, let me hear it.