Finally Ahead — Tuesday, July 22, 2025

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Populated (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 2)

Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried

Populated is all about Delia Ford, getting ahead… of the art thief.

Well, I’ve gone from struggling to flying, and I’ll take it. I’m head on the Absolutely Alyssa word count. Yee haw. May this draft be the one that the novel shapes itself around.

editing

I had a pretty impressive editing day yesterday, as I put my head down and just worked. It was in response to too many texts wanting to chat during my work day… I swear, I try to be available when I’m truly needed, but at the same time, the generic you has to respect the fact that yes, I run a business. Editing is my day job. People have paid me money to perform a service (a specialized service, mind you) for them. They take priority over your need to chat.

Now, if it’s an emergency, or it’s related to something we’re working on together? That’s one thing. I’m not totally heartless.

But I am asking for some consideration, the same you’d show to any other friend who works in a bigger office, with more people around, that is not in their home. Especially because editing work is intensive, and when you interrupt me to tell me you’ve found something you think I’d like… well, thanks for the consideration, but you’ve also derailed my concentration and now I have to shake off the interruption and settle back into the job.

writing

As I said, I’m ahead of my projections, and I’ll take it. If I keep this up, I’ll be able to start the short story for the Authors in the Steel City 2026 anthology.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale for 99c at Kobo. I’m honestly surprised it’s not selling better, as I do very well at Kobo. And, of course, it’s free to read through Plus, so hopefully those numbers will show up in the July reporting.

And the Smashwords July summer/winter sale continues!
Get the Trevolution for FREE and my newer fiction for 50% off. Reminder that those are two different links and I hate it too but there’s nothing to be done about it.

Those of you who aren’t put off by it and are taking advantage are making my month. Thank you.

Book of the Day

Black Foam, by Haji Jabir
That’s an affiliate link, and I can’t tell you how my reading lists have changed since I’ve been doing this series. Hope yours has, too.

Reminder that since I’m not paywalling this like so many others are doing these days, booking my editing skills, buying my books and talking about them via reviews or to friends, and simply stuffing my ko-fi with cash is greatly appreciated, especially if you’re in the “I want to talk to you whenever” camp. See how that works? More income means I don’t have to work quite so hard.

Also, remember to pay your editor and cover artist and audio book narrator and PA and everyone else a living wage. It shouldn’t be this hard to stay afloat, let alone get ahead, but somehow, it is.

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Caught Up Monday — July 21, 2025

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ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes (Year 3)

Book cover for ShapeShifter: Demo Tapes (Year 3)

Are you caught up on the Trevolution books yet? I know… they’re old. They’re time capsules of an era of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. But they are also FREE THIS MONTH AT SMASHWORDS, and if you’ve never used Smashwords for your retail buying needs (why not?), know that you can download books for any ereader. Kobo? Amazon? No problem, no problem.

Same for my direct store, if you’d like to see me gain a few pennies (it’s a GREAT way to show your support!). Each book is 79c, but there are all sorts of bundles available and you can save even more.

So, yeah. I’m finally caught up on my word count for this fourth version of Absolutely Alyssa. I owe a lot of that to an hour spent at my public library; I had to pick up a book anyway, so I figured why not spend some time there and get words down? Maybe the change of scenery would be good for me… and it was.

Go. Me.

editing

I’m about a third of the way through this edit, which is super, considering that I just started it two work days ago.

Still waiting on three more to arrive… Always.

If you need my editorial skills (and a reminder that my clients are high-achievers who make a lot of money), I’m here. Let’s talk.

writing

Like I said, I’m finally caught up on my word count, and this week’s looking pretty quiet, thankfully. I’d like to get outside a bit and get some weeding done… I’m overdue, and they’re BAD this year.

And like I said, the Trevolution remains FREE AT SMASHWORDS THIS MONTH. Yes, you should pick up all six books, with a reminder that the Complete Demo Tapes is only available at my online shop.

Need the newer books? The short story twins and the Tales from the Sheep Farm novels are also on sale, but at 50% off.

And for you Kobo readers, check out the sale on Maybe the Bird Will Rise.

Go get yourself some cheap books. And remember that an online review, a word to a friend encouraging them to read, and/or more purchases is the right way to thank an author for their hard work. Because as you’ve seen since I launched this series, writing books is HARD work.

Book of the Day

The Seers, by Sulaiman Addonia
That’s an affiliate link, and any funds you help me raise go toward operational expenses here at West of Mars.

That’s a wrap for today! I’ve got a lot to do, as always, so I’m diving in and hoping to remain caught up. (Someone remind me to order new contacts once the office opens!)
I’ll be back tomorrow with another Book of the Day for you. Keep reading; it’s a form of resistance, after all. And if you have ideas for good titles for the Book of the Day, I’m all ears!

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Resting Friday

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Cover for Susan Helene Gottfried's Maybe the Bird Will RiseI’m told my books are great escapism, and that’s helpful when you want to be resting, right?

Yeah, I’m flipping into resting mode for a bit over here. This will be good because I’m running a bit ragged and I need to get this draft of Absolutely Alyssa in gear. But I’m also not good at staying home — it’s one of my favorite parts about in-person selling — because I think I stay at home a bit too much.

Balance. It ain’t for the faint of heart.

But for now, I am resting. When I get restless, I’ll go explore my city a bit more. I’m overdue.

editing

I had a short day yesterday, between the Block Northway Farmers Market and the cat’s adventure at the vet, but still got a stupid amount edited. This client makes it easy, and the fact that this is the eighth book in the series helps, too. I have to spend less time making notes. They’re there. They’re established.

And yes, my notes are 26 typed pages long for this series!

writing

The nice thing about being experienced at vending is that setting up and taking down goes quickly. Good thing because I was barely set up (but still waiting on Lydia and Cristina to arrive) when someone walked up, wanting a copy of Maybe the Bird Will Rise. It was like she had scouted me out and wanted that book. It was super flattering, and set a tone for the evening, which I’m always grateful for.

And since tearing down goes smoothly, I was home just after seven thirty, had the day’s dishes washed and the car unloaded and the event’s accounting handled just after eight, and had a little less than an hour to settle in and write. Now, settling in isn’t just a nice way of saying… anything. It’s true. I have to recapture the mindset (I read somewhere a number of years ago that creatives need about 20 minutes to settle into their work… after every interruption! … and I believe that.)

So I got about 500 words down, but it was 500 more than I’d been expecting to do. I’ll take it as a win!

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is, in fact, still for sale at Kobo! It’s 99c, or if you have Plus, it’s free.

Want more of the Sheep Farm books? They are on sale this month at Smashwords. So are the short story twins!

And of course, since it’s a Smashwords sale, the Trevolution books are FREE.

Hey, want more free reads? Here are two…
Here’s a collection of women’s fiction
And here’s a collection of Sand, Sun, and Free Summer Reads.

Both of these feature my free newsletter story, Origins: Delia and Meter.

And looking to add to your bookshelves? Try this one! Poolside Picks and Hot Deals

If you’re asking why I need to be resting, maybe this is some enlightenment. It’s been a BUSY month!

Book of the Day

Your Body is War, by Mahtem Shiferraw
Yes, this is an affiliate link to this book of poetry, and I appreciate every click and every penny these affiliate links earn me. A website design, moving the books into audio… These are all my plans for the future, and your help’s appreciated. Be it help via booking my editorial skills, buying my books (leaving reviews, or talking them up to friends counts too!), or just stuffing my ko-fi, I appreciate it ALL.

Talk to you Monday, and may it be restful for us both.

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So Much Water — Thursday, July 17, 2025

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Cover for Pink Snowbunnies in Hell, an out-of-print short story anthology The only writing of mine that I can think of with significant water is the short story, “The Taste of Pink Snow.” It’s now available in the Broken but Undaunted collection, so if you’ve never read this bit of literary mayhem and fun, what’s stopping you?

Storms rolled through yet again yesterday afternoon and evening, but the one that came through after 8 was a DOOZY. So much water. SO. MUCH.

And… problems with my electric as a result, including a light fixture that stopped working.

I have word in to my contractor, since it’s one of the lights that was affected by my recent renovation.

editing

One of the manuscripts I’ve been waiting for showed up yesterday! Last night, actually.

I can put aside the project I’ve been working on for a few days and start this… but tomorrow. I’m having an “away from my desk” day, and I hope it doesn’t involve more storms, let alone storms with so much water to drop on my house. Or my head.

writing

I didn’t make a huge dent in my word count deficit, but I didn’t fall behind, either. Slow and steady, drips and drabs… it’s how I’ve built my newsletter, how I make sales at all the shows and farmers markets. Little pieces add up.

Today’s the farmers market at the Block Northway, so if you’re in Pittsburgh, come out and say hi.

Kobo’s still got Maybe the Bird Will Rise on sale for 99c. And of course it’s free with Plus (ebook only).

And then there’s the Smashwords summer/winter July sale! All month!
Click here for the Trevolution, which is FREE this month.
Click here for the short story twins and the Tales from the Sheep Farm.

Book of the Day

Shadows of Your Black Memory, by Donato Ndongo and Michael Ugarte (translator)
This is an affiliate link, and any purchase you make with an affiliate link will go to operational costs here at West of Mars. I’ve got my business insurance covered now (whew) so we’re working on saving up for a website overhaul and the day-to-day costs of West of Mars. Which… yay! It’s nice to be getting even a tiny bit ahead again.

Other ways to support me include booking my editorial services, buying my books, leaving an online review or just telling my books about a friend of yours, and of course stuffing my ko-fi, whether or not you pick up The Beta Reader’s Guide and/or An Author’s Guide to Library Events.

That’s it. Remember if you’re out and encounter so much water, turn around; don’t drown!

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Gross outside — Wednesday, July 16, 2025

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Safe House (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 3)The weather can be gross during Safe House. Grab your copy — did you know the main character is nonbinary? If you’ve read either Maybe the Bird Will Rise or Populated, you’ve met them already!

I went outside last night after dinner. It was still in the mid-80s, but the shade made it bearable. And I opened the louvers, to shake loose more dried leaves — and got quite the shower; I need to remember to do that before I go out — and had some extra light. Funny how now that we’re past the solstice, I’m wanting the natural light and not the pergola’s LEDs.

editing

One thing I’ve noticed, over and over again, in my life is that when I say something that includes the word “never,” it comes to be. In this case, it was “I hope I never have to give up editing.”

Sigh.

I’m still waiting on those four manuscripts to arrive. Two are overdue. One was here and withdrawn. One’s not due until next week.

I’m editing my own book as I wait. May as well, right? Y’all are waiting for it…

And yes, I’m doing it inside, not in the gross outside. That’s for the actual writing part!

writing

Which brings me to my writing. Not much to say. Slowly catching up on the word deficit around here… and I’ll be adding to it again tomorrow night, since we’ll be at The Block Northway’s Farmer’s Market. I’ll be with Cristina Rouvalis and Lydia Wayman, who have written a wonderful middle grade book about a young woman with autism. And cats! Stop in if you’re in Pittsburgh and say hi.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale at Kobo (US and Canada only) until the end of July. It’s of course free with Plus (ebook only!), but if you aren’t a Plus person, 99c is a great price to start the series.

Or you can pay $1.99 and get it at the Smashwords Summer/Winter July sale. The rest of the Sheep Farm books are the price, so for just under ten bucks, you can have all five. Add in another $2.48 and you can have ALL my recent releases!

Want more books for that under ten-dollar price? The Trevolution is ALWAYS free during the Smashwords sales. That’s six more books!

Thirteen books. Twelve-plus bucks. C’mon. THAT is a deal.

Book of the Day

The Gurugu Pledge, by Juan Tomas Avila Laurel and Jethro Soutar (Translator)
Like usual, this is an affiliate link.

Reminder! The best ways to support me and keep the Book of the Day coming to you (and for free) is to support me in other ways. Book my editing services. Buy my books. Leave a review online, talk about my books to your friends, read via Hoopla or Libby and your library. And, of course, stuff my Ko-fi, either with cash or grab a copy of the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events.

Keep it cool, friends, and avoid the gross outside if you can. Or… wait for the shade to take over the spot you want to occupy. That’s what I’ve been doing.

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Another Late Day — Tuesday, July 15, 2025

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Cover for The Complete Demo Tapes, by Susan Helene GottfriedI have been very late bringing you the Complete Demo Tapes! It’s available only at my online store, with a reminder that it’s cheap, and it’s better than a box set because it has more than the mere contents of the first four Demo Tapes collections.

Yesterday was a day at the mechanic. Today it was my monthly massage. Guess this week is just going to be a late week, overall.

So let’s get right to it.

editing

I’d had an edit in hand, and the author had a chance to have their dev editor look at it, so now I’m not working on that project. This is why I began, after my bike accident, to use a Send When Ready schedule. I can pivot — and I do! And it’s so much less stress for me. I hope it is for my clients, too!

writing

I got in a couple hundred words yesterday afternoon, but it was time for my bimonthly dinner group, so I went and had dinner and relaxed with friends and listened to their great stories and now I have more fodder for a future Sheep Farm book or two…

Seriously!

Maybe the Bird Will Rise remains on sale at Kobo (US and Canada only) for 99c this month.
The Trevolution is free this month at Smashwords!
And my newer fiction is 50% off all month, but only at Smashwords!

My thanks to everyone who’s picked up copies (including the print copies that have been flying out of my personal stash!), and a reminder that if you’re so inclined, leave a review online. That helps others find me and your favorite fictional crew.

Book of the Day

La Bastarda, by Trifonia Melibea Obono and Lawrence Schimel (translator)
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so have at it and earn me a few pennies, why don’tcha?

Alternatively, supporting me can come in the form of booking my editorial skills, buying my books, talking about my books to others (including leaving online reviews), and stuffing my ko-fi, either with cash or by using my Beta Reader’s Guide and/or Writer’s Guide to Library Events.

Thanks in advance and tomorrow, I’ll try not to be so late!

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Real Quick — Monday, July 14, 2025

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Broken but Undaunted: Collected StoriesWant a real quick read? Broken but Undaunted. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’s a good introduction to the Trevolution, as there are a couple of stories in there from that series. Let it be your real quick entry to a time capsule back to the age of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

The two title stories — Broken, and Undaunted — are my two favorites in this collection. Not enough of you have laid eyes on them.

If you have aversions to buying it in my online store (the link above), here’s the link to any retailer… even though it’ll cost you more at any other retailer!

Anyhow…

Real quick today because I had to take the car for an oil change and I love my mechanic, but being there sets me back for the day, and I have a dinner with friends planned for tonight.

editing

I’m hoping to finish this edit today and get it back to its author. Yay! It’s been a lot of fun to work on and I can’t wait to see it do well once it’s for sale.

writing

I got a LOT of words in over the weekend, but am still behind where I should be. Being out tonight isn’t helping!

I should be back on track by the end of the week, at the latest.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale at Kobo. Still 99c. Still going to last to the end of the month.

The Smashwords Summer/Winter July sale is still going on, too! Also all month long, here are the links you’ll need:
For the Trevolution, which are always free during these events, use this link.
For the short story collections and the Tales from the Sheep Farm series, use this link.

The weekend’s top seller was Populated. Grab a copy and see why!

Book of the Day

A History of Disappearance, by Sarah Lubala
Want real quick? This is a poetry collection!
And of course, it’s an affiliate link, so your purchase nets me a few pennies I can put toward overhead here at West of Mars.

Other ways to support the cause… book my editing skills. Buy my books. Stuff my ko-fi like you would for any other subscription-based plan.

That’s it! I told you it would be real quick!

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Things I Need — Friday, July 11, 2025

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Permission to EnterThings I need? There’s a lot of women needing things in Permission to Enter. This small collection of short stories and a novella is a popular seller at in-person events. Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself and see why! It’s half-off at Smashwords this month and always even cheaper at my online store!

I snuck out last night and went to the book launch for my friend Lainey Davis. Held at Blythe Books, it was like going and hanging out with friends… because it was. But I’ll tell you, if you haven’t talked writing and marketing with Lainey, you’re missing out on an entire education in a conversation. Wow. If only I could convince her to run my career while I do nothing but write!

Speaking of which…

writing

I’m okay with not getting any words down last night. Talk about things I need? Not feeling guilty about not writing… even though yes, I just took four days off to focus on the selling part.

Know a couple more things I need? The weekend! I need down time in which I’m doing nothing. Unfortunately, we’re scheduled to be at the Aspinwall Farmer’s Market… hopefully more people will be there this time than last.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale at Kobo, for you Kobo fans. And of course it’s always free with Plus.

The Smashwords summer/winter July sale continues!
Use this link for the Trevolution (they’re free! As always during Smashwords sales)
And this link for the short story twins and the Tales from the Sheep Farm. They are only (only!) half off this month, so grab those deals while you can.

If you’ve never used Smashwords before, yes, you can get versions of the books that are compatible with your ereader, no matter which you use. And they pay some of the highest royalties in the business, so that makes it worth shopping at YET ANOTHER storefront. (Plus, not owned by billionaires!)

editing

I’m only putting this second today because one of the things I need is good flow in my post! (Do you buy that?)

But also, there’s not much to say here. I’m chugging away, hunting down those inconsistencies and making sure I caught everything I should have caught the first time through. I won’t finish today, but that’s okay.

Book of the Day

Black Moses by Alain Mabanckou
That’s the affiliate link!

As always, booking my editing skills, buying my books — talking about my books (three different people yesterday told me they’re reading my books!) too! — and stuffing my ko-fi are the best ways to support me and what’s really the heart of this project, the Book of the Day. That remains my mission; the rest is fluff to keep the SEO spiders happy.

If you haven’t figured out the how or why of the Book of the Day project, you’re not paying close enough attention…

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Running Late Again — Thursday, July 10, 2025

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Broken but Undaunted: Collected StoriesI’m not sure if anyone in Broken but Undaunted is running late, per se, but I felt like making it today’s featured Susan Book. As always, the Book of the Day is at the bottom!

So. I put it out to my group of authors that I’m going to get us a booth at next year’s Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival and three authors in the group immediately saved their spots. I’m excited and flattered… and of course a bit wary. Outdoor shows can ruin a tent full of books! But if the weather will hold again for us, I’m confident we’ll have fun and put books into readers’ hands.

That’s not why I’m running late today, though. Every fiber of my being wants me to treat today like a Saturday and you know what? I just might. I need some time to be lazy; I haven’t had a break in almost two weeks. It’s been worth it, but a lazy day will also be worth it.

editing

Second read-through, so lots of scrolling.

The client whose manuscript I was going to work on next has asked me to hold off while more changes are made. That was all that was in the queue, so we’ll see what next week looks like when we get to next week.

writing

I got words in last night. Some inside while my watch charged, some outside. Nothing really exciting to write home about. I’m still running late on my word count, but closing the gap daily, even if only a little bit.

Tonight, though, I’m going to the release party for my friend Lainey Davis‘s new book. Gotta support your friends, right?

Sale reminders!
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is 99c at Kobo all month. Always free with your Plus subscription.
Not your retailer yet?
Well, the Smashwords summer/winter July sale is still going on.
Get the short story twins and the Sheep Farm books here. They’re half-off, so still a bargain.
And the Trevolution here — it’s FREE.

And if you already have them, go read them!

Book of the Day

Life and a Half, Sony Labou Tansi (Author), Alison Dundy (Translator), Dominic Thomas (Introduction by)
That’s an affiliate link and I have two big goals in sight now that I’ve earned enough to cover my business insurance this year: moving into audio books and a website redo. Your help, in the form of booking my editing skills, buying my books, or just stuffing my ko-fi will help me get there.

The sky’s the limit. Let’s get there together. No more running late to my own party.

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Working Wednesday

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Saving Sima (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 4)Most of my characters work, of course, being in their late 20s and early 30s, but my favorite is Vassily. You meet him in Populated, and I do recommend reading that one first, but Saving Sima is where he shines. Grab a copy (half off in the Smashwords July sale!) and see why.

I swear I was more tired yesterday than Monday, and I wound up out on the back deck last night, both for dinner and after I’d cleaned up the kitchen. The nice thing about first drafting is that I can write garbage and so long as the plot points are there, it’s all good.

So… I wrote garbage. More on that in a minute.

editing

Yep, as expected, so far, the second read-through is going faster than the first, even with all the scrolling and finding details that don’t match up. This is truly fun for me. Don’t ask; I don’t get it, either, but it doesn’t feel like I’m working, so much as… well, fine. Working. But not drudgery!

writing

I got probably 1500 words in last night, which leaves me only about two thousand words behind my goals. Not bad for having missed working for four days!

The sale on Populated ended, and so did the giveaway for it, so now we’ve got:
A sale on Maybe the Bird Will Rise, at Kobo only. But at 99c, it’s the cheapest you’ll find it.
The Trevolution books are free this month at Smashwords. Did I say FREE? I did!
And my newer fiction — the short story twins and the Tales from the Sheep Farm books — is all 50% off, again at Smashwords and again all month long.

It’s been a great month so far, but you can help make it better.

Book of the Day

The Villain’s Dance, by Fiston Mwanza Mujila and Roland Glasser (translator)
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so if you use it, I’ll get a few pennies from your purchase. That helps me keep the lights on around here.

Other ways to support me, since I’m not paywalling any of this fun stuff: book my editing skills. Buy my books (sale links are above!). Stuff my Ko-fi full of green cash goodness.

Thanks, and see you tomorrow!

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Still Tired from the Festival — Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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Trevor’s SongTrevor goes through something that leaves him very tired. In a way that’s different from how I am tired today. Grab your copy of this time capsule story of sex, drugs, rock and roll, friends, and secrets that must be kept at all costs.

I am working my day down my To Do list, so that’s good. I’ve gotten almost all the accounting from the weekend done — all those bundle deals that you all love so much create quite the headache when I’m trying to figure out how to break that down among the books. But there’s still plenty more to do — including repacking my stuff for this weekend’s appearance in Aspinwall on Sunday.

editing

Right on schedule, I finished the first read-through of this new series. Great stuff! And I even remembered to type my notes in, since I take them longhand. I’ll be starting the second read-through today. It should go pretty fast — I hope. Gotta look for those inconsistencies that always creep in.

And then the next manuscript is waiting for me, too! With three more set to arrive imminently.

I’m busy.

Bring it. This is not the sort of thing that makes me tired. If anything, it’s the opposite. I get such a charge out of the books I edit, I can’t tell you.

writing

I sat down last night and… started to catch up on this latest version of Authentically Alyssa. It feels so much better — but I’ve said this before, too. So we’ll see how we do once we’re into the meat of the story.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still for sale on Kobo. Grab a copy and see why it was my #1 bestseller over the weekend.

And Populated remains on sale — through tomorrow only, though!

Is that not enough? Then how about the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale?
Go here for the Trevolution — they are free!
Go here for the short stories and the Tales from the Sheep farm — they are half off!

That’s a LOT of books on sale. In fact, it’s every book EXCEPT The Complete Demo Tapes, which is still available only at my direct store.

WHEW.

And you ask why I’m still tired?

Book of the Day

The Stone Breakers, by Emmanuel Dongala and Sara Hanaburgh
Like usual, this is an affiliate link, so your purchase will earn me a few pennies, which I’ll put to operational expenses here at West of Mars.

Other ways to support me? Buy books! Book my editing services! And if neither of those appeal to you, stuff my ko-fi with cash.

It’s easy, and your support means the world.

But excuse me while I go take a nap. I’m still tired.

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Transformative — Monday, July 7, 2025

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Maybe the Bird Will RiseA lot of my books — okay, almost all — feature transformative moments. But when I think of the word transformation, I think of the cover of Maybe the Bird Will Rise. That’s Tess. And this cover art makes my heart sing. Thanks, as always, to Frauke at Croco Designs for her amazing work.

Speaking of Frauke’s covers, I can’t tell you how many people stopped at our tent at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage festival, drawn in by the cover for Legacy. I even sold quite a few of them, just as standalone books! (I am glad they can be read that way!)

Anyway, I’m exhausted — it was around 90 degrees (32 Celsius) all weekend, and when it gets that hot, I can’t eat, and then I get weak and feel crummy and wind up sprawled in unglamorous positions and it’s not fun. But I did not pass out, and I’m on my third glass of water so far today.

It’s all good.

It’s all transformative. And so the weekend was for me. I realized a LOT of things, let go of a LOT of baggage, and even did something I haven’t been able to do since before my bike accident. It’s no big deal: I hopped up onto a card table chair and adjusted the tent walls/sides and stepped down without hesitation. First time in almost ten years.

Transformative, friends.

writing

Yeah, I got some words written on Thursday and Friday, back when I had energy and it wasn’t so hot. Nothing since. We’ll fix that. I know the cats miss me.

Maybe the Bird Will Rise, my weekend top seller, is on sale at Kobo this month for 99c. If you’re a Kobo reader, grab it at that price! If you’re a Plus reader, just get busy. It’s always free with your subscription.

Populated remains on sale across ALL platforms (and thank you to those of you who are buying it), so pick up a copy of that while it’s half off.

And the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale continues!
Go here for the Trevolution
Go here for the newer (2023-onward) books, including the Sheep Farm and Permission to Enter. I’d love for you to spend time with Broken but Undaunted!

Talk about transformative… take a look at how I recycle themes but do new things with them in the two series.

editing

I’m excited to be back at my desk, despite my exhaustion and dehydration. I get to finish this first read-through today! I’m super stoked; it’s been a great book so far.

Book of the Day

Aimé Césaire: No to Humiliation, Nimrod (Author), Emma Ramadan (Translator)
This is an affiliate link, and I encourage you to use it.

Instead of my usual spiel about how I’m not paywalling this fun stuff, including the book of the day, just either book my editing services or buy my books. Or leave a review online for them. Or find a way to support me.

I’m flying high today, despite the exhaustion. It was a fabulous weekend. Truly transformative.

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The Day Between — Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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Cover for The Complete Demo Tapes, by Susan Helene Gottfried What else is between? The Demo Tapes collections! Shorts designed to fit between the moments of the novel, giving the reader a more rounded, better enriched experience when they read Trevor’s Song.

Reminder that the Complete Demo Tapes is available only at my store.
Another reminder that Trevor’s Song and the rest of the Trevolution (well, except the Collected Demo Tapes) is FREE this month, but only at Smashwords. Grab your copies, or just pay the $1.99 for the Complete Demo Tapes.

editing

Oh, wow.

That’s all I’ve got to say.

And yeah, I know I say this about every book I edit. Know why? My clients come to me having done the super hard work. They are working hard and writing books that get better with each one. I’m so thankful to be their editor.

I will not finish this read-through today. Which… AARGH. Now I have to spend four days in the woods at a huge craft festival, wondering what happens and how it all resolves.

writing

Although we got home from the festival site later than I’d anticipated, I still managed to get my words in and I’m still ahead of schedule. The bad news is that the festival’s going to interrupt that and come Monday, I’ll be at a deficit again. But I’m so much happier with the story.

It’s not always write what you know. It’s write what your gut tells you is the right thing.

Also, don’t forget that the Tales from the Sheep Farm books are part of the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale, as well. They are all 50% off during the entire month of July, so go grab some deals.

Not steep enough of a discount? Get over to Kobo, where the ebook of Maybe the Bird Will Rise is 99c.

Is that not enough? Well, stay tuned… today’s the day between, after all! There might be (there will be) something else on sale tomorrow, but for only a quick six days. Don’t blink; you don’t want to miss it.

And a reminder, if you’re in Western PA, to come on out to the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, where we’ll be hanging out and selling books. Our books. We’re right by a food truck court and a bunch of picnic tables, and across from the bathroom, and does it GET any better than that? Oh, yes it does — the trees right there are pretty tall and we might be in shade most of the day!

Stop in and make the long days fly past for us. We’re looking at 12-hour days the first three, and only nine on Sunday. Only.

So. Ready for the Book of the Day?

Book of the Day

My Nemesis, by Charmaine Craig

There ya go! That link, of course, is an affiliate link, and I’d love it if you’d use it. Any funds I get — from book sales, from editing fees, from affiliate links, and from when you simply stuff my ko-fi with cash, or a thank you for picking up the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events — all goes to operational expenses here at West of Mars. With over a hundred miles round trip a day for the Festival, that includes my gas tank this week!

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Setup! — Tuesday, July 1, 2025

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Maybe the Bird Will RiseYou’re going to be seeing a lot of Maybe the Bird Will Rise this month; it’s on sale at Kobo for the entire month (US and Canada only; sorry–but it’s always free with Kobo Plus!).

It’s also part of the Smashwords Summer Sale, where ALL of my titles are discounted, from 50% to free.
Use this link to get to the recent titles. They are all 50% off.
Use this link to get to the Trevolution books. They are, as always, free!

I do not know why you still need two links to get to my entire catalog. They were supposed to have fixed that. Maybe by the next Smashwords sale?

Anyway, yeah. Setup is today’s word, and that’s because Mary Walsh and I are going to set up for the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival. It starts Thursday, so come see us and check out our awesome setup.

editing

I said yesterday I was hoping to finish this read-through before the Festival, but that’s not going to happen. I’m still taking copious notes (I’m on page 7!); there’s a lot going on in this manuscript.
Thankfully, none of the promised other manuscripts have shown up yet.

writing

I crossed the 4k mark last night, headed to 5k, which puts me way ahead of schedule for once. Good thing; I won’t be writing the four days of the Festival.

Lots of other stuff going on… There’s a Festival of Books group at Facebook, and I have four books being featured in the current Beach Reads sale–and I’m taking over the site tomorrow, from 2-4. Join the group and meet some new-to-you authors. This one’s all genre, which is my favorite pool to play in, so don’t be shy. There’s something for everyone here.

I’m right now anticipating going dark for Thursday and Friday so I can focus on the Festival, but if you need a copy of Populated, it’s going to be on sale at Kobo (again; me and Kobo. Can you tell Kobo readers and I like each other?) from July 3-9. Mark your calendars!

Book of the Day

The Pearl that Broke its Shell, by Nadia Hashimi
Like usual, that’s an affiliate link, and if you use it, you’ll help me cover operational expenses here at West of Mars.

Other ways to support me: Book my editing services. Buy my books. Stuff my ko-fi with wild abandon and glee.

You’re supporting a small business, of course, when you do any of these things, and even when you simply talk up my books and/or editing services. (and/or the Book of the Day, too!)

But things I’ve got my eye on… a website redesign here at West of Mars. I’ve got the ideas, just not the funds. And a move into audio for the Sheep Farm books. And some swag for when we sell in person — shopping bags, for example!

Mutual aid comes in many forms. So does resistance.

You know what I’m saying.

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A Litany of Disasters

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Trevor’s SongTrevor’s Song is about disasters in the titular character’s life, and not just because his best friend commits an act of monogamy.

So… what went wrong?

My garage freezer has finally died. It’s about to be 25, or maybe it already is. So you know, it had a good run. But I am now eating a lot of stuff I’d stuck in there for a rainy day. Thankfully I didn’t lose that much; a well-packed freezer maintains its cold even after the condenser dies!

I had a chip in my windshield repaired last Tuesday, and after being parked outside all day at the Bad Bitch Bazaar, the repair… showed it wasn’t worth what the insurance company paid them. Thankfully I have glass coverage on my policy, but now I have to drive around for a week — including back and forth to the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival five out of the next seven days (counting today) — with a nice crack right in my field of vision.

And… I chucked ANOTHER 50k words of Absolutely Alyssa, but now I know what didn’t work about it, so yay and let’s go getting this ship right. I only started writing it 20 months ago.

Yep. 20.

I’m telling ya. Litany of disasters.

Y’all better like this damn book once I get done with it!

On a happier note…

editing

I worked on Saturday for a bit and am hoping I can get the first read-through done over the next three days. Then it’ll be a break for the Festival, and then the second read-through. If I’m so lucky.

I’m still waiting on more manuscripts to arrive here. I’m expecting a LOT. I think I’m okay if they don’t show up within days of each other.

writing

Yesterday was the Bad Bitch Bazaar and I had someone come by the show just to get the next book in the Sheep Farm series and WOO HOO! My three friends (, Lainey Davis, and Paige N. Regan and forgive the lack of links; it’s not that I don’t love my friends — I really do! — but I’m running SUPER late here and feeling very stressed) sold INCREDIBLY well. The queers were out, the romance lovers were out, and we were THERE for them. I got compliments on my t-shirt, we got compliments on the vibe in our tent, I had a reader (hello!) come to the show just to get the second book in my series! Woo hoo! So while my friends sold more than I did — which in and of itself is always worth cheering for — I had a heck of a great day.

But yes, I did chuck yet another verison of Authentically Alyssa. Sigh. This BOOK, y’all. DISASTERS. It’s one book. It’s multiple disasters.

The good news is that I figured out what’s bothering me about those earlier attempts, and I’ve fixed that. The first five books? Are all about relationships. This was focusing too much on the job at hand (if you’ve read Legacy, you know what that is, and if you haven’t, why not?), and so I moved the timeline up just a few weeks, got the sticking point out of the way and bam! It feels so much better.

I know. I said that last time.

This book had better be the one that breaks this series open and makes the world sit up and take notice.

Oh, and Populated was the best selling book of the weekend! Woo hoo!

I’m confident Delia Ford will make an appearance in Absolutely Alyssa.

Book of the Day

Ugliness, by Moshtari Hilal and Elisabeth Lauffer
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so help a girl afford her business insurance so I am covered when I take a group to a vendor affair like the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage festival.

Other ways to support me, since I’m not paywalling the daily fun: Book my editing services. Buy my books. Stuff my ko-fi full of yummy cash.

Because, yeah. I’ve still got two disasters to pay for… the new windshield and the new garage freezer. Mutual aid. It’s a thing.

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looking to the weekend — Friday, June 27, 2025

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Saving Sima (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 4)Because he owns a jewelry shop, Vass often works through the weekend. That’s going to be me… for the foreseeable future, it seems! Pick up a copy of Saving Sima at all the usual retailers, and at my direct shop for the best price!

I did a volunteer edit of a short story for an anthology, and it was SO beautiful, so beautifully written, so well considered and conceived… totally blew me away.

And then I went to my monthly writer’s meeting and… well, it was interesting. I have to say, it was the first time in all the years I’ve been going that I didn’t leave with a smile on my face. My kid says that’s a pretty good track record.

editing

Okay, ready to laugh at me? On Wednesday, I wrote the client letter and the email and thought I’d sent it back to the client. You know where this is heading…

I sat down yesterday morning, opened my mail and… there it was, waiting for me to hit send. Which I did. Unfortunately, with lousy timing; yesterday just wasn’t a great day for me, it seems.

Today, I get to start on the next client manuscript… a new series from an established author… I say that SO MUCH. But my clients and I are loyal to each other; what can I say?

This is one of the things I’ll be working on over the weekend.

writing

Despite all that, I got my average of 1200 words down on Authentically Alyssa. I’ll take that as a win, of course.

I had been invited to be a vendor at a nearby cat cafe’s yard sale day, but when I asked if we could meet — it’s about five minutes from here — to discuss details, the woman running it apparently decided I was too high-maintenance for her.

I simply don’t like discussing business over Meta platforms. That’s all. And since they’re so close, an in-person meeting so I (with a slight disability and post-concussion syndrome) can get the lay of the land is helpful.

Ahh, well. I still have the Bad Bitch Bazaar on Sunday, and the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival at the end of next week and into the weekend. It may not be at my desk, but vendor shows are still ways in which I work over the weekend.

Book of the Day

Good Girl, by Aria Aber
That’s, as most of you know by now, an affiliate link and I’ll get a few pennies to put toward operational expenses here at West of Mars.

Other ways to show your support of me: Buy my books (especially from my direct store) Talk me up on social media — that one’s huge. Request Saving Sima and Legacy on Hoopla. Book my editing services.

Or just stuff my ko-fi. Because mutual aid is a thing and yeah, even I need it from time to time.

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Being Productive — Thursday, June 26, 2025

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Populated (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 2)

Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried

Delia is always being productive. Sometimes, too much so. Pick up a copy of Populated and see what I mean.

Yeah, yesterday saw me being SUPER productive. Like, wow.

What all happened? Well, I finished the edit I’d been working on. (and then promptly forgot to send it back to the author. Way to go, Sooz!)
I made a no-bake cheesecake, thanks to King Arthur Baking. (It took a lot longer than it was supposed to.)
I wrote almost 2k words.

That’s me being productive, all right!

editing

I’m feeling the pressure of the deluge I know is about to hit me. The plan right now is simple: keep being as productive as possible, at every minute of my editing day. That includes weekends until things slow down again.

This is the freelancer’s life, though. Huge feasts that remind you of a Monty Python movie, and then famine that’s so severe, you think you’re a crappy editor (you are not) and don’t know what to do with yourself (yes you do).

writing

Yep, almost 2k words last night! We have Tess being the Tess we met in the Bird, Chad up to no good again, Mack not sure what to make of any of this, and whoo boy, some things I did not see coming but now that they are here, they are right and natural and perfect and… honestly? When my friend called my books “the right kind of silly,” this is why I took it as a compliment.

I woke up to both royalties from Hoopla (thank you, Hoopla readers!) and word that Demo Tapes 4 is now available on the platform as well. So now all the Trevolution books are there, but only the first three Sheep Farm books, which are newer (and, frankly, better), and I don’t understand, but that’s probably okay.

Remember to request the last two Tales from the Sheep Farm books, Saving Sima and Legacy, when you’re browsing the platform.

And if you’re in Pittsburgh, on Sunday, I’ll be joined by Beck Grey, Lainey Davis, and Paige N. Regan at the Bad Bitch Bazaar! We’ll be there from 2-7, hanging out, selling books, and having a great time.

Book of the Day

Octobers, by Sahar Muradi
This is, as usual, an affiliate link. And yes, it’s a book of poetry! I don’t usually post poetry collections, but this one crossed my radar and why NOT? The criteria is the criteria and I never said I couldn’t include poetry. I’m the one who chose the criteria, after all.

Reminder that your support helps me keep on being productive like this! Be it booking my editing services, buying my books, stuffing my ko-fi, or even just talking me up and/or visiting me when I’m at a craft show, it all adds up.

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Releasing — Wednesday, June 25, 2025

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Cover for Susan Helene Gottfried's Maybe the Bird Will RiseSo many of my books are about releasing… the past, preconceived notions, relationships that don’t work for them. Start the journey with Maybe the Bird Will Rise.

Lots of releasing happening here… the weather’s supposed to be releasing some of the extreme heat we’ve been dealing with since Sunday. Monday’s migraine has been teasing me with promises that it’ll do a total releasing thing… and mostly has. And of course, my friends are releasing so much, as they deal with the death of a family member.

I went and paid a shiva call last night, since I’d missed the funeral and shiva on Monday, and as I was leaving, I said to my friend, “Let me know if you need anything.”

Her response?

“Do you have a new book?”

She has read all of the Tales from the Sheep Farm novels while keeping vigil at her son’s bedside when he’s been hospitalized over the past two years. She calls my books perfect because they keep her mind occupied, don’t demand too much from her, and are perfectly silly — although she immediately paused and told me that wasn’t meant to give offense.

I put Chad in a dumpster. I think of that as high praise,” I told her.

I’ll be sending over a draft version of Stray for her as soon as I can get it roughly formatted for her Kindle.

editing

This migraine has been just problematic enough to slow my editing work done, but thankfully not problematic enough to stop it.

This is huge on two fronts. First is that I’m trying to get this done and back to its author.

But second? I have yet another client ready to send me manuscripts. Yep, plural.

I always say that when it rains, it pours around here. I’ll be working as many weekends as possible, in between all the bookselling I’ve got going on.

The good news is that hey! I’ll be able to pay my business insurance!

writing

I did get words in before leaving for the evening shiva call, so that’s a win! I’m not sure how many, but I think the gap is widening rather than closing. With my evenings free the rest of the week, I should fix that.

Book of the Day

Brewed with Love, by Shelly Page
Yes, this is an affiliate link but HEY! Bookshop.org is having a sale on romance right now, and this book qualifies for that sale code. Go check it. (If you are reading this after June 25, I can’t make promises that it’s still an ongoing sale!)

As always, your support through the Book of the Day links, stuffing my ko-fi, booking my editing skills (Uhh… September? Yeah, that sounds right.), and buying my books helps keep West of Mars open and running. And you know what else it goes? Goes toward releasing my anxiety that I can’t pay my bills, let alone start to save up for things I need (website redesign) and want, like branded shopping bags for in-person bookselling.

You releasing anything good? Let’s hear about it.

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Migraine — Tuesday, June 24, 2025

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Trevor’s SongI wasn’t yet experiencing the particular fun of a migraine when I wrote Trevor’s Song, but if I had, I’m sure Trevor would have claimed he had those, too. Anything to hide the truth.

So… we’re in the heatwave over here, like millions of others. Sunday night into Monday, my upstairs was HOT and I was mourning the loss of my attic fan, which is something that’s no longer up to code or used in modern roofing. And, of course, I got a new roof over the winter. Last night, I adjusted a few vents down here, just a tweak, but it made a difference.

Still, the combination of heat plus not sleeping left me in a world of hurt yesterday. I was supposed to go hold a friend up at her son’s funeral, and then pay a shiva call on the family in the evening. Nope. I hid on the couch and tried not to whimper so loudly, I disturbed the cats.

Fun times.

editing

Despite the pain in my head, I was able to focus and work. I needed my reading glasses, which I only need sometimes (don’t ask; brains are weird and just wear your eye protection, okay?), and I’m sure the fact that this was a second read-through helped. I’ve got a short story and another novel waiting for me — and another one’s set to arrive soon — so it’s not like I could take more time off. Not with the disruption that the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival is going to bring.

writing

Another thing I did to help my brain was to spend about half an hour outside. Maybe more. By then, the sun was blocked by the neighbor’s house and although the temperatures hadn’t come down that much, it was manageable out there. I got my thousand words in, but not too much more than that. At least I’m not falling farther behind in my goals.

Book of the Day

The Undetectables, by Courtney Smyth
As always, that’s an affiliate link, and I appreciate it when you use it. Every little bit helps, and as I’ve been saying lately, I’ve got big goals over here. (Read: I’ve got expensive goals, but worthwhile ones.)

Pick up the Book of the Day, past or present, via my affiliate links, book my editing services, buy the books I’ve written, or just donate to my ko-fi. It all helps add up to get my books into audio, covers expenses, and more. Plus, it makes me feel good, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Take care of yourselves if you’re in this heat… or if you’re not! Having a migraine SUCKS.

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Sleepless — Monday, June 23, 2025

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Populated (Tales from the Sheep Farm Book 2)

Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried

Delia’s my most sleepless character, and if you haven’t read Populated, you don’t know how that factors into the story. Grab a copy; it’s a moment that I particularly love because of how it changes everything for her.

Like a huge chunk of the country, I’m caught in the heat wave. The house has been cool, I don’t have a lot of reasons to go out, and it’s all been good until…

Okay, lemme put it this way. My old roof had an attic fan in it. You know the kind: The attic temperatures would hit 100, the fan would turn on and suck the hot air out. But when I put the new roof on, they told me that a well-constructed roof would make that attic fan unnecessary.

They lied.

I spent a sleepless night, the first of what I’m sure will be four or five. Because my upstairs? It’s better than it was before I put the attic fan in, but it’s not as cool as it was with that fan. And that makes sleeping damn near impossible.

Going sleepless tends to leave me with migraines. And I have a busy day today, of course.

editing

I was at my desk yesterday, working; Friday turned into a not-great editing day for me. So I have about 100 pages left in this second read-through, and I’m eager to start collecting my thoughts. I’ll finish this in a day or two and get started on the next.

writing

Doug and I were at the Butler City Farmer’s Market on Saturday, and he was on FIRE. It was wonderful to see; Doug’s a fabulous writer and just a good friend. I’m super grateful to have him in my life.

And speaking of Populated, it may or may not be related, but I was talking to a reader at the market, and they took my postcard, saying they wanted to buy the book on Kindle. Okay; works for me. But also, I have these conversations a lot. But when I checked my dashboard, yep, there was the sale!

Now, maybe it was coincidence. But I’m choosing to believe it wasn’t.

In terms of Authentically Alyssa, I’m still not caught up to my goal, but I cut 2k more words, and I’m narrowing the gap. Slowly. Very slowly. But… slow and steady wins the race, right? I sell books in drips and drabs, and gain newsletter subscribers in drips and drabs and… when I look at the overall gains, they’re not insubstantial.

Book of the Day

The Island of Forgotten Gods, by Victor Pineiro
That’s an affiliate link — the drips and drabs of the pennies I get from your purchases all go toward operational expenses here at West of Mars. One thing I’m saving up for? A website redesign.

So when you book my editing services, buy my books, or just stuff my ko-fi, that’s what you’re helping with. The monthly costs, my annual business insurance, moving the books into audio, and yes, a long overdue website redesign. And that’s just some of my wishlist! I also want bags to use at vendor shows, and I need to pay my cover artist and proofreader and my developmental editor…

Wishing no sleepless nights for yinz and y’all. I’ll be back tomorrow with another Book of the Day.

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