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 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 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 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.
July 7, 2025
A 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.
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.
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.
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.
July 1, 2025
You’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.
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.
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!
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.
May 16, 2025
So there’s this thing happening with the Bird. It was SUPPOSED to be free today and tomorrow, as part of a promo with a really awesome group of folk. But Amazon’s a total pain in the ass, especially when you’re trying to set a book free, I totally muffed it, and so the organizer and I scrambled and put the book on sale for 99c. Except Kobo didn’t let me change it. And I forgot to change it up in my newsletter because yikes, I’m distracted.
But in other news, I found it! My missing mojo! It’s back!
We’ll see for how long, as I’m super distracted. Focused on my kid coming home tomorrow, on my signing at Blythe Books on Sunday as a closing activity of the Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl, on getting my last print copy of King Trevor in the mail to a long-time fan. Plus I’m getting ready to move the same kid across the country in a few weeks…
Good thing I have editing to keep me busy! Let’s start there…
I made TRACKS through my edit yesterday. And I have a client who has to deal with some life stuff and then is going to send their manuscript on… this is one of the many I’ve been waiting for, and it’s the second in a duology or trilogy. Bring it! This is one of my favorite clients, and one of the few who’s become a friend.
Like I said, I found it. My writing mojo.
I also moved out onto the back deck, even though it was hot and when I opened the pergola’s louvers for some air, I got a bad eye full of sunshine. Later, as dusk approached, I turned the lights on — green this time. I found it lovely, although I did consider searching for a blue to match the sky.
But I got 1600 words done on Absolutely Alyssa and while that doesn’t make up for Wednesday’s nothing, it’s still above my average of 1200.
And I was able to add a couple hundred words to what I’m now calling Shattered (what is it with me and Sheep Farm books that start with the letter S?) before I ran out of time.
Grab your copy of Maybe the Bird Will Rise! Like I said, it’s 99c instead of free and I apologize for that and if it matters that much, holler and I’ll send you a link so you can have it for free.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon, by Kimberly Lemming
(NOT an affiliate link; the affiliate link isn’t working for some reason and refused to play nice, so here’s one that does work instead.)
Thanks for the support, as always. Tell a friend, send an author to my editing self, come out and see me on Sunday at Blythe Books, and use my ko-fi to show your appreciation since I’m not paywalling any of this information.
And let’s keep celebrating. I found it. My writing mojo took a day off and now it’s back. Hopefully it’ll stick around.
April 16, 2025
Let’s just dive in.
Shortened work day for me today, as I’ve got a meeting in the city. It’ll be a fabulous meeting of the minds, I’m sure, but I’d still rather be at my desk, editing away. Lots to do… and yes, still waiting on that pile of manuscripts.
Worked on a couple different first drafts last night, one that shouldn’t be a first draft. It even has a title! For you who are keeping score, it’ll be Tales from the Sheep Farm 7, and hopefully a good entry point to the series. It’ll also feature a female protagonist again, and it’s someone you’ve already met (again).
Today’s the last day for the $1.99 sale of Populated at Kobo. Grab that before it’s gone!
Safe House remains $1.99 across all platforms except my store, where it’s cheaper. The link at the start of the line here will take you to the UBL; look for the Payhip logo, a blue background with a white heart with some designs on it.
The Collected Demo Tapes is still available only at my store! Grab your copy and experience all the stories, in order, uninterrupted.
Love in Bloom, by Lucy Eden
(This is an affiliate link, so your purchase will earn me a few pennies, all of which go to operating expenses around here.)
That’s it!
If you’re having a good time with the book of the day or the rest of these posts, buy my books, support my editing endeavors, or simply donate to my Ko-fi. Be sure to check out the guides at my shop, too. One’s the Beta Readers Guide, for authors and readers, and the other is the Writer’s Guide to Library Events. Pay what you will for those; even free is fine!
Now, excuse me while I go enjoy today’s meeting of the minds. It’s good to step away from one’s desk every now and then. Just wish it didn’t have to happen in the middle of a great edit!
April 15, 2025
Who expected to wake up to a stealth book publication? Not me!
But things came together yesterday — at last! — and I couldn’t see a reason to not put the Complete Demo Tapes out into the world, making it my 14th book publication. This completes the Trevolution series, although plenty of you actually have asked me what happens next in Trevor’s world. Sorry, gang. Time to close that chapter and move ahead. I will always love the covers Lakota Phillips made me for the Demo Tapes books, and watching her soar in her own painting career has been amazing, so I turned to the wonderful Rachel Bowdler for her help.
As a result, The Complete Demo Tapes will only be available at my online store. If I sell out the rest of the Trevolution print copies (right now, there’s one six-book set, one four-book set, and random numbers of Demo Tapes 1, Demo Tapes 2, and Trevor’s Song left) and y’all ask, I’ll put it into print and sell it in person.
Wasn’t a stealth book publication enough?
Populated is still on sale at Kobo! Tomorrow’s the last day, so get on that, if you haven’t already.
Safe House is also still on sale. All month long, as part of this promotion. (That’s two individual links, so click ’em both!)
Nothing new here. Waiting on seven different manuscripts. I take first in, first served but always save space if a client has a hard deadline.
The Scarlet Alchemist, by Kylie Lee Baker
(This is an affiliate link, so if you use it, I’ll get a few pennies.)
Reminder that if you’re having fun here, fill my ko-fi, hire me as your editor, buy and read (and, if you like, review) my books. I even gave you a stealth book publication to entice you! (No, that’s not why I did it; I did it to close out the project.)
April 14, 2025
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
This is why, as an editor, I don’t work on books that glorify abuse.
It’s a dream I’m living. Good times.
In situations like this, you learn to look for silver linings. An online friend taking a selfie with the copy of Maybe the Bird Will Rise, which they were about to go buy while at Blythe Books. A Sunday spent on my new back deck, sitting on my new porch furniture, debating opening the louvers on my new louvered roof.
Purring cats.
Reaching the end of one of my manuscripts in progress (the standalone!) and putting it aside to sit some more as I work on something else.
But also!
Populated is still on sale at Kobo for another two days. Grab it while it’s cheap!
Safe House is still on sale across all retailers. Grab that one while it’s cheap, too.
Not much new to say here… The number of manuscripts I’m waiting on hasn’t changed.
If you need me, I’m here. Come prepared to do the hard work. Or come already having done the hard work!
The Three Little Tardigrades, by Sandra Fay
That’s all I’ve got. Hope your weekend was better than mine, Chag Passover Sameach to those who aren’t sickened by matzah, and check back tomorrow for another book of the day.
Remember, if you’re jamming this series I’m doing, filling my ko-fi jar is always a great way to say thanks, if you don’t simply pick up one of my books. Anything you contribute to the jar goes to operational costs around here.
April 9, 2025
The week leading up to your birthday’s supposed to be nice and fun and full of expectation, right?
Yeah. This year seems to have yeeted that memo. Yesterday and this morning have been full of mounting frustrations.
Anyway… Time to brush it off and get busy.
Not much to say. I had a meeting last night, so only got a short bit of work done. Still, even a few paragraphs are… a few paragraphs. I’m in tonight, so I should get more done.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo for $1.99 until the 17th.
Safe House is still on sale across all retailers for $1.99 until the end of the month.
Well, it’s actually cheaper at my store.
Lots to do! Clients are starting to realize I won’t be around much in the back half of May. We’re gonna have logjams in about ten minutes.
I also have to finish up my short story for the Books Books Books event anthology. Books cubed, as I often call it, is held every September in Lancaster. This will be my third year there, so be sure to come out and say hi and pick up autographed books — my own, or belonging to any of the other authors there. This show is HUGE. Over 120 of us, so I’m thrilled to have been included in the first-ever anthology. It’ll be given to VIP ticket holders, and proceeds from the event will be directed to the Making Headway Foundation, in honor of Josh Cappello, who is related to one of the event’s anchor authors.
Want to avoid some of your own mounting frustrations? I’ve got a new guide up at my ko-fi! This one was written in conjunction with the program director at my local library, and it’s all about working with your local library. Like with my beta reader’s guide, it’s pay what you will, and zero shame in not paying anything. It’s about making us all better, savvier writers and beta readers and members of our library communities, not making me rich. But, of course, if you don’t want either guide but do want to support a small business, I take donations, too.
April 8, 2025
It’s Tuesday. My editor self actually really likes Tuesdays because Mondays are always so hard to focus. But Tuesdays? Tuesday are the day when it clicks and it’s a day of plugging along, getting pages done and all the editing stuff. (Reminder: editing isn’t only looking for typos!)
Despite how tired I still was from the weekend — and sore. What’s that about? — I had a fantastic writing session last night, working on the standalone.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo!
Safe House is still on sale all month, at all retailers.
Plugging along here too! Now up to seven manuscripts that I’m waiting on. Seven!
Echoes and Embers, by Pedro Iniguez
I’m still having fun with this daily check-in and Book of the Day. If you are too, why not say thanks? Pick up a copy of one of my books. Check them out from your local library, even! (Ebooks only) Or buy me a figurative bottle of fountain pen ink via my Ko-fi.
In the meantime, keep on plugging along!
April 7, 2025
I’m back from my very long drive to see the youngest. She’s great, and I was privileged to be granted a tour of an otherwise not-open-to-the-public facility. It gave me a lot of food for thought, especially as (spoiler alert!) I’m working on a book set in a sanctuary. No idea when I’ll even do more than gather ideas and play with the character and actually write the story, so don’t be all frothy at the mouth in anticipation.
Anyway, I’m tired today, as one is when they’ve spent a few days in the middle of tornado watches and floods and deluges of rain (and you forgot your raincoat), and drove 10 hours each way. Even Sheetz surprisingly didn’t make it easy, holding me up for an unwanted and unappreciated 20-minute break while the very slow and understaffed folk made me a smoothie. And then they gave me the wrong size, but at least it was a large instead of a small. Of course, being too large, it made me sick by the time I got home.
Just more to add to the files for research and future books, I suppose… I mean, “You gave me more food than I asked for” is hardly something to burn Sheetz down for, right?
Writing: I got next to nothing done over the four-day weekend, and I’m 100% fine with that. I was there to soak up what I could learn, to enjoy the road trip and explore the small town she’s living in, to be with my kid — and my cousin, who came down to join us. I don’t spend nearly enough time with my cousins.
Safe House is still on sale for $1.99
Populated is on sale at Kobo through the 17th.
Grab the sales while you can!
Editing: Much to do today, although I’m still waiting on those five manuscripts! Actually, looking over my queue, it’s now up to six. And a dear friend reached out to ask if I’d do my How to Work with a Freelance Editor workshop for her group. Yay!
Book of the Day: These are chosen randomly, so I don’t have anything related to the road trip, but here you go:
Felicia Grossman, Marry Me by Midnight
Reminder that if you’re enjoying these updates, buy one of my books, borrow it via Hoopla or Libby (or the other library apps)–although Hoopla STILL refuses to restore Saving Sima, Broken but Undaunted, and Permission to Enter, and they won’t list Legacy at all.
And, of course, buy me a virtual bottle of fountain pen ink via my Ko-fi. Book royalties and my ko-fi go to support operational costs here at West of Mars (including book production expenses), not my addiction to road trips, even when I come home with new, rich material.
Mule races, anyone? I went to mule races! You KNOW that’s gotta appear in a book at some point!
