August 4, 2025
How can you resist that sunny cover?
Also, Maybe the Bird Will Rise was, again, my weekend bestseller. Go figure!
It was a good, laid-back weekend, including a few hours spent at Blythe Books — and people thinking I work there! That’s a compliment — and something I turned to my advantage and hand-sold a copy of Maybe the Bird Will Rise to a very excited patron. A few doors opened for me this weekend, too, so we’ll see which ones I choose to walk through. More on that later… I have plans to lay!
I did NOT work over the weekend. Mostly. A client needed a bit of help via email, and that was easy enough, fix a turn of phrase, insert a comma… and we’re good to go.
I’m looking forward to getting back into the manuscript at hand, however.
I can not write a word until Thursday, and I will be ahead of schedule.
So now I am switching gears. Got my thousand, twelve hundred words in? Go play for a bit with a different project. It’s good to play!
And now the big news: Blythe Books is doing a fundraiser for our local PBS station, WQED. If you don’t know, this is the station that Mr. Rogers was directly affiliated with. It’s got history. And while it’s maybe not as threatened as other PBS stations, it’s still a gem we can’t afford to lose.
So I’ve pledged to donate a dollar from every sale Blythe makes of my books — be it online sales or in-person sales, or what. Any one of my books — and right now, the entire Tales from the Sheep Farm series is in stock. I’ll make sure those shelves remain stocked this month, but you’ve got to make it hard for me! I want to make a donation of around $50!
Print books make great gifts, and it’s getting to be time to think about gifting… all the books are autographed.
Go on. Let’s support public broadcasting AND put books in your hands.
Backhanded Compliments, by Katie Chandler
As always, that’s an affiliate link, and it’s an easy way to keep the lights on around here.
Since I’m not paywalling this weekday Book of the Day, remember that I appreciate it when you book my editing skills, buy my books — or leave a review online and/or talk ’em up to your friends! — and of course, you’re free to simply stuff my ko-fi with cash, or pick up my Beta Reader’s Guide and/or Writer’s Guide to Library Events. Don’t forget the fundraiser at Blythe!
Enjoy the sunny day; I grew up here in cloudy Pittsburgh but I’m not tired of the sun yet. YET.
August 1, 2025
A spontaneous road trip spurs the actions of Saving Sima–at least for Vassily.
Remember, if you’re a Hoopla user, or if your library’s Libby service doesn’t include Saving Sima, request it!
Spontaneous is really the best word for yesterday because I went to bed on Wednesday, thinking the window had closed and it wasn’t going to happen.
But a few minutes before ten yesterday morning, my phone rang. It was my partner in crime and in-person shows, Mary Walsh and as soon as I saw her name pop up, I knew what was up. We’d been offered a last-minute booth at the Greensburg Night Market.
If you were here yesterday, you saw that I was developing a migraine as I was typing. I didn’t let that stop me; I said yes to Mary, got hold of Doug Solter, and went to get caffeine, gas, cash, and clear plastic drop cloths, just in case it rained. Which it did not.
The caffeine banished the migraine (and promptly made me sick!), and we were off to the Night Market.
Just as I was leaving the house, I got the application for the 2026 Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival. It’s going out in today’s mail.
I’m thinking there’s a love affair going between West of Mars®, LLC and Westmoreland County and despite the hour-long drive, I’ll TAKE it.
Between the running errands, the migraine, the not feeling well, and the leaving early for the Night Market, I didn’t get nearly enough done on this edit. I’ll be working tomorrow, that’s for sure!
Yeah… the Night Market… no words got written, since the day job comes first, and the day job is editing, and even that got co-opted by some spontaneous errand-running.
But this is why I like to work ahead of my goals. I have the cushion for things like this, and there’s no thoughts of, “I should be home writing, not out on a spontaneous book-selling excursion.”
Slithery Heat, by Roe Horvat
Yep, that’s an affiliate link! Use it to my benefit, and thanks for doing so.
Another reminder! The link in the subject header now takes you to the full list of Books of the Day. So you can see them in one place and hopefully find new, exciting reads.
And now for my totally not spontaneous reminder that your support, either via booking my editing services, buying my books and leaving reviews online and/or talking them up to friends, or stuffing my ko-fi with cold hard cash is a great way to thank me for the daily effort that’s this series, especially since I’m not otherwise paywalling it. My bank account and I thank you in advance!
I leave you with one last reminder… even if you’re certain you haven’t used the tent light since the last time you charged it, charge it again anyway… Just saying…
Go forth this weekend and be spontaneous. It’s fun!
July 31, 2025
I suppose it’s safe to say I’ve got chronic insomnia. Or something like that; I have horrible sleep habits despite following the experts’ so-called rules. A lifetime of trauma and abuse… So it makes sense that I write characters who aren’t good at sleeping. Write what you know, right?
In Trevor’s Song, I’ve created another character who doesn’t sleep well, but his reasons are different from mine. Grab a copy, remember it’s a time capsule of a bygone era, and have some fun. Trevor does grow on you!
Although I have a meeting scheduled for today, it’s not mandatory and this new edit? Last in a long-running series. I am SO at my desk today because I need to know how it ends! Plus, there’s that whole “I didn’t sleep much last night and am exhausted and migrainey already” thing happening.
My new garage freezer arrived on Tuesday, so yesterday, I began stocking it with everything I saved when the compressor in the old one died. I’m doing it slowly, trying to be organized about it. But I’m also doing it in spurts, which wound up meaning a lot of up and down the stairs. My Garmin counted 17 but it doesn’t record them all, so I’ll let you imagine how many flights I managed yesterday. Hope to repeat those numbers today and maybe finish up the move. Also, it’s nice to see my kitchen freezer’s light again…
I had a few odds and ends to take care of yesterday (yay! New client!) and then it was time to start this final book in the long-running series. Chapter 1 had me laughing out loud on page 4 and doubled over on page 5, so we’re off to a good start, although editor me already has comments. That’s what my clients pay me for, after all!
Also, yesterday, I made an editor’s rant on Threads and had an author express surprise I’m an editor. Guess I need to talk about that more often? Because chances are that if one person’s saying it, others are thinking it.
I wasn’t super motivated last night and got a scant thousand words in, which is my daily minimum goal, so that was good, I guess. Maybe it was a clue that I’d be having a sleepless night.
Last day for these sales!
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is 99c at Kobo (US and Canada only)
All the Tales from the Sheep Farm books and the short story twins are half off at Smashwords as part of their July sale.
And it’s a Smashwords sale, so the Trevolution books are FREE.
Go get ’em before they’re gone. And if you have them, I’d love it if you’d read them and review them online and/or talk ’em up to your friends. Word of mouth is truly the best sales and advertising.
Hexbreaker, by Jordan L Hawk
As always, that’s an affiliate link, and if you use it, I’ll earn a few pennies. You’ll also notice that the heading is now a link! I’m not sure I’ll remember to include it daily, but when I do, you can see ALL the books in one spot, if you need to see them that way in order to figure out my criteria for a Book of the Day. And of course, since it’s my shop, any purchases will get credited to me and again, it helps keep the lights on over here. I have big plans for cool things, but need the funds to achieve that, so… your purchases help.
Same for when you book my editing services, buy my books (and review them online and/or talk them up to your friends), or stuff my ko-fi full of cash, or a thanks because you’re snagging a copy of the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events, which I wrote and had approved by my local librarian.
That’s it! I’ve got a migraine rolling in after my sleepless night, so I’m out of here for the day. Do something good for the planet today!
July 30, 2025
Demo Tapes 2 features one of my favorite flash pieces of the Trevolution. It’s a night out for Trevor… sort of.
Our boy puts himself in a tree. And hijinks (yes, this is an approved use) ensue.
I can’t say the same for my night out last night. It was mellow, it was good. I met interesting people, and got to spend time with people who I’m glad to have in my world. Are they friends? Not yet. But they can be.
And I almost won Scrabble, losing only on my last turn. GO, ME. (I suck at Scrabble, which is funny for a wordsmith, no?)
I did finish my edit yesterday! I got it back to the client… she makes it so easy.
I love my clients who do the hard work. If that’s not you, I’m not your ideal editor. I expect you to work at least as hard as I do… and I work HARD for you.
I have some chapters to look over for a friend and a short story for a charity anthology (I love doing charity work, both as reader and editor!), and then it’s time to start a really big one. The end of a twenty-some series. I’m both excited and dreading it, but the author’s promised me no tissues are needed.
For REASONS, I walked away from my desk earlier than I usually do. And so I sat and gave myself the gift of some words — not quite my thousand, but this is why I’m ahead of schedule — before I left for my night out.
Two days left for these sales!
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is 99c at Kobo (US and Canada only; sorry everyone else. Their rules, not mine.)
It’s the Smashwords July sale!
Click here for the Trevolution (They’re FREE!)
Click here for the short story twins and the Tales from the Sheep Farm novels — all the books at this link are 50% off.
Trouble, by Lex Croucher
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so do your affiliate thing for me. Every bit helps.
And while we’re on the subject, before you leave for a night out of your own, remember that your support keeps the lights on around here. You can book my editing skills, buy my books and then leave a review online and/or talk ’em up in real life to your friends, or you can stuff my ko-fi. All work. All leave me grateful and leaving lines in my gratitude journal.
Have a good one, friends. No night out for me tonight; I’ll be laying down more words.
July 29, 2025
Well, I mean, if we’re going to talk about cats, let’s talk about the show-stopping cat, Sir Ginger himself. While not a character in Legacy, he still plays a very important role.
Yeah, so Lucy Cat was crawling on me last night, something she only does when I’m sitting in one particular chair at one particular time of day.
Except last night, she slipped off my leg. And she apparently has one really sharp toenail, which left me with a two-inch-long scratch down my thigh. And so far, my shorts are rubbing against it.
Fun times.
It’s busy over here again!
I’m going to (I hope) finish this edit and get it back to its author today.
I have a short story and some sample chapters to look over.
And one of the manuscripts I’ve been waiting on for a month arrived! This is the last chapter in a very long-running series and even though the author’s said I won’t need tissues, I’m not so sure. I mean… long-running series, friends!
Gonna be bittersweet, that’s for sure. At least there’s good news in the form of “They’re writing more.” There’s more in the arsenal than this one series. (Whew, but we knew that because there’s already two other trilogies out there, as well as other side projects.)
I wrote a lot again. Notice a trend? I can now not write a word until Saturday and be caught up.
Last night, though, I went back to the start — I know; I’m a third of the way through, so what am I doing? Get the damn thing done — and reworked the opening chapter, to get Tess’s mission on the page. Right there. Up front. Page 1. This is what she wants Alyssa to do.
The question is… well, there are a lot of questions. As always, with my books.
Just a few days left for Maybe the Bird to Rise to be on sale at Kobo!
Or get it half off, with the rest of the Tales from the Sheep Farm series, as well as the short story twins. Only at Smashwords, and only through the end of the month.
The Trevolution, as always, is free. Smashwords only!
Ornamental, by EM Lindsey
That’s another affiliate link. Your support goes to operational expenses around here at West of Mars.
I want to take a second, though, before I launch into my usual closing. The Book of the Day needs to fit a specific criteria. I’m being contacted again by writers hoping for some free promo. That’s not what this is, and if you’ve been reading the posts either here or on Facebook, you should know this. And if you’re not reading the posts? Why are you asking me to list your book?
Okay, that said, a reminder that I’m not paywalling this content at all — so that you CAN follow along and expose yourself to the Book of the Day and all it offers, because it’s THAT important for all of us to read widely and diversely — so the best ways to support me/this project are to book my editing services, buy my books or borrow them from the library and/or talk ’em up in person or online, and stuff my ko-fi, whether or not you help yourself to the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
Help keep the lights on around here, will ya?
And remember to trim your cat’s back toenails, not just the front. Oh, my poor leg!
July 28, 2025
The title story of Permission to Enter involves a woman who needs her dreams before she gets the message. That’s sort of like being all foggy, right? Dream fog?
From the first line of the story “Permission to Enter” to the last, I absolutely love this story.
Mellow weekend over here. Dinner with old friends, which was wonderful. Got stuff done around the house. Took the spin bike for a ride. Lots of words written.
You know… kinda normal.
The thing that’s not so normal is that it’s SUPER foggy this morning. Friends, we really do need to take better care of our planet.
I should finish this edit tomorrow — it’s a proofread — and right now, there’s not a lot in the queue. A short story and a look at chapters for a friend. This is a really good time if you need me, especially because I am waiting on a LOT of manuscripts.
I’m now days and days ahead of my thousand-word-a-day schedule. This draft is going to need a lot of work, but it’s coming along, and it’s coming fast, and it’s kind of fun, even as I have to be careful that I’m not repeating ideas I used in Stray, which is hopefully coming to you next spring.
And in a win — all you authors will understand — I managed to not check my sales dashboards at all yesterday. It was a gift to myself that I need to gift more often.
The problem is that there’s a real dopamine hit from checking, even when the numbers don’t move. It’s like a bit of clarity in the fog that is bookselling.
Help me get that fix, why don’t you?
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale at Kobo for only a few more days. 99c and it can be yours! (It’s always free with Plus.)
The Smashwords July sale is winding down, as well!
The Trevolution is, as always, FREE via this link.
Tales from the Sheep Farm and the short story twins are half-off via this link.
That’s our fun for the day! I’ve got an appointment to cancel; I think I was in a fog when I made it because I cannot be here AND there at the same time. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately and I’m over myself for it.
Remember to show your support for the Book of the Day project by booking my editing skills, buying my books, talking them up in real life or online, and/or stuffing my ko-fi. Your support helps keep the lights on and a roof over my head, which is keeping me out of today’s foggy Monday morning.
July 25, 2025
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
Grab your copy of Populated from all the usual retailers, Kobo Plus, Hoopla, Libby… and of course from my direct store (link is to ebook, but you can get it in print, too). Bundles in my store let you have more books for your buck!
Nothing to say, other than I’m glad it’s Friday. I know… I own the business. I can set my own hours. But it’s easier if I maintain more traditional office hours… the idea is that my friends and family know when I’m working and are hopefully less inclined to call and text, wanting to chat.
I should get over that, I know. I’m in my fourteenth year of business and…
Sigh.
I started the second read-through yesterday and got through 80 pages, which wasn’t bad. I was hoping for closer to 100, but stuff kept pulling at me. As it does.
Got 1200 words in on this new draft… I guess I was just overall distracted yesterday, come to think of it. Glad it’s Friday; I only have to get through today and then I can sleep in a bit.
I’ll be donating swag to the tote bags that will be part of Authors and Dancers Against Cancer in Perrysburg, OH in 2026, so that was a nice request to get. I’m always glad to donate things… be it postcards and/or bookmarks, a charity edit, or even write a story for a charity anthology! I love doing these sorts of things.
And now, the sales… they’re the same as they’ve been all month, but here are the links again!
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is for sale at Kobo (US and Canada only) for 99c.
The Tales from the Sheep Farm series and the short story twins are half price at Smashwords this month!
And finally but definitely not last, the Trevolution is FREE this month at Smashwords, for all you rockers at heart. Reminder that this time capsule look at the music biz is based on my own years working in it.
While I’m at it, and since I’m glad it’s Friday, here are this month’s group promotions. Not gonna lie; the clicks you make are counted, and I could use some clicks to all these! They’re WAY below my usual averages.
July women’s fiction
Poolside Picks and Hot Deals: Dive into this Summer Sale!
Sun, Sand, and FREE Summer Reads Await!
And finally… The thing you’re all actually here for:
Strength Check, by Katherine McIntyre
*Affiliate link
Now, I usually don’t say much, if anything, about the Book of the Day, but I want to let yinz and y’all know that I met Katherine McIntyre last year at Books Books Books in Lancaster; our tables were almost back to back. And can I tell you what a lovely, delightful person Katherine is??? So when this crossed my radar, you bet I was eager to stick it in the queue for a Book of the Day.
That’s it this Friday morning. Like always, the best way to say thanks for the daily work that goes into these posts is to book my editing skills, buy my books and/or simply talk them up online or to friends, and of course, stuff my ko-fi, whether or not you pick up the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
See ya on Monday.
July 24, 2025
There’s a flash piece in Demo Tapes, Year 2 that’s simply titled “Hot.” I wrote it as an exercise to show heat, not simply to say, “He was hot.” You can pick up Demo Tapes 2 at your favorite retailer, or from my direct store, where it’s only 79c.
It’s also $1.99 if you opt for the Complete Demo Tapes, which contains all four Demo Tapes anthologies, plus some short work that never made it into the first four. Better than a box set, I call it!
So… yeah, it’s hot again around here. I was still able to spend a couple hours on the deck, working, and I’m over two days ahead of schedule now. I’m not complaining! My goal remains at least a thousand words a day on this manuscript before I flip and work on something else, but last night, I was on a roll and just kept writing, coming in somewhere around 1500 words.
Right on schedule, I finished the first read-through of the current edit, and then worked on my notes for the rest of the afternoon, trying to make better sense of them. After eight books and a number of short stories, things needed to be reorganized–I like to have the information about the most important players at the top, so I can get to it faster. So that’s what I did.
Today, I’ll dive back in for the second read-through. It should go very fast; the manuscript is super clean.
Well, I spoiled the big news of the day. So let’s get to the sales! They’re running out of time, so get them while they’re hot!
Maybe the Bird Will Rise remains on sale at Kobo for 99c (US and Canada only; I keep forgetting to mention that!).
(Reminder that if you’ve bought or downloaded it already, please give it a read and I’d love pictures, reviews, chatter… however you’d like to help spread word.)
And the Smashwords Summer Sale continues!
Click here for the Tales from the Sheep Farm and the two short story collections (Broken but Undaunted and Permission to Enter). They’re on sale for 50% off!
And click here for the Trevolution, which is FREE. So YES, you can have DT2, as I call it, for FREE instead of as low as 79c (or even lower in an ebook bundle!)
And for those of you who ask, yes, I do still have a few copies of DT2 left in print. They are the old covers, though. But drop me a note and I’ll take care of you. I also have three copies of Trevor’s Song, if you’re interested…
Enough about the Trevolution. Sheesh. I do like to talk about it, don’t I? It was a really important time in my life, and the stories (most of them) hold up. Especially “Hot.”
American Street, by Ibi Zoboi
Yep, that’s an affiliate link, I especially urge you to click through to see how many awards this book has garnered! WOW! Sounds like this one is a must-read.
And of course, since I don’t paywall any of this, I encourage you to support me via a couple different options:
Book my editing services
Buy my books — and once you have, talk about them! Share them, via a review, pictures on social media (go and tag me), talk about them to your friends, or pick up another copy for a specific friend.
Stuff my Ko-fi, either with a straight donation, or pick up either of my guides: The Beta Reader’s Guide and/or The Writer’s Guide to Library Events. You can also grab the guides and use them without a donation; I truly want to see them be used, even if I don’t make another penny from them! (That said, if you throw 50c into the pot, know it’s all going to PayPal and none to me. Fun, huh?)
That’s it! Keep reading; it’s the easiest form of resistance there is!
July 23, 2025
In “Undaunted,” one of the two title stories of Broken but Undaunted, the narrator feels like she has nothing… at first.
It’s one of my favorite stories in the collection, and one that definitely deserves more eyes on it. Grab a copy; it’s cheap at my store and half price at Smashwords, but only until the end of the month!
I probably should have finished the first read-through of this edit yesterday. I don’t know why I didn’t; I had to run out early for an errand and I think that just threw my concentration off for the day. I didn’t come up with nothin’ in terms of progress, but… it wasn’t what I’d been hoping for.
I also have a couple chapters to look at for a friend and colleague… I now have multiple clients with brain fog from various medical issues and you know what? That’s kind of terrifying.
But it’s also gratifying because now I can say I have experience with clients with brain fog.
I’m not sure that’s something to brag about. “I have your back” shouldn’t need to be.
Productive night on the deck, and a murder of crows has organized and was doing its thing in the neighborhood.
I’m now well over a day ahead of schedule, and I started the short story for the Authors in the Steel City anthology, but a bit of research showed I have to pivot because the story I want to tell isn’t the story that I can tell and be true to history. Just UGH.
But at least I know.
Sometimes, it’s okay to have nothin’.
Maybe the Bird Will Rise is still on sale at Kobo for 99c! Go grab it while you can!
I got my June report from Kobo Plus, and a huge thank you to everyone who’s been reading me that way. “Thank you” isn’t enough… I’ll have another book in April 2026! How’s that?
And of course, the Smashwords July sale continues. I hate that I need two links to steer you to my catalog, but it is what it is.
The Trevolution is still free until the sale’s end!
And my newer works — the Tales from the Sheep Farm series and the two short story collections — are half-price until the sale’s end.
That’s 13 books for a ridiculously small amount of money — and those royalties help me keep the lights on around here.
Ayiti, by Roxanne Gay
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so do your thing!
And again, let me remind you that there’s no paywall here, so your support via booking my editorial services, buying my books, talking them up — online or off — in any form, including requesting them at Hoopla and, if your library’s Libby subscription doesn’t carry them, there too, or just stuffing my ko-fi, with or without the Beta Reader’s Guide or A Writer’s Guide to Library Events… it all helps, and it’s all appreciated. Don’t leave me with nothin’!
July 22, 2025
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
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.
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.
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.
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.
July 21, 2025
Book cover for ShapeShifter: Demo Tapes (Year 3)
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.
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.
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.
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!
July 18, 2025
I’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.
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!
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!
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.
July 17, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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!
July 16, 2025
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.
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!
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.
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.
July 15, 2025
I 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.
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!
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.
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!
July 14, 2025
Want 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.
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.
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!
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!
July 11, 2025
Things 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…
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!)
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.
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…
July 10, 2025
I’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.
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.
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!
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.
July 9, 2025
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.
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!
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.
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!
July 8, 2025
Trevor 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.
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.
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?
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.
