June 11, 2025
Book cover for ShapeShifter: Demo Tapes (Year 3)
Book birthday or not, it’s going to be a quiet day around here, with nothing on the calendar. I SO need this, maybe even more than yesterday’s massage.
I’ll be finishing this series starter today. It’s the author’s third series and it’s fantastic. This woman can WRITE, my friends.
I can’t say too much, but when this comes out, I’ll definitely ask permission to let yinz and y’all know so you can pick it up.
Once I’m done, I’ll type up my notes and my letter to her, and then get it back to her. And then… invoice the next and, depending on the time, get started on the next one.
This is how I love it. When one project rolls into the next.
Because I work on Send When Ready, I almost always have space for new clients. If you need me, I’m here…
I wrote almost 2k words last night on Authentically Alyssa! Go me! I still am at a deficit for where I ought to be, given a 1k a day pace, but… we’re catching up.
Tomorrow is the first appearance of the West of Mars Author Group (as we’re slowly starting to be known) at the Block Northway Farmer’s Market. I’m super excited for this one, so if you’re in town, stop by to visit!
And of course, it’s Demo Tapes 3’s book birthday. I only have two print copies left in stock, so if you want one, better ask for it soon! I’m selling them as part of a four-book bundle: The first three Demo Tapes collections and then Trevor’s Song — they are so old, and I’d have redo the covers to bring them up to today’s standards, and it’s not worth the money I’d pay to the awesome artist who did the Demo Tapes covers… In other words, if you want to keep the Trevolution books in print, they need to earn their keep. Even at 99c for the ebooks right now, they’re not doing that (you can say they’re having a quiet day, maybe? But it’s been a lot of quiet days!). You can even get them for less at my direct store!
You’re Ours, by DC Emerson
As always, that’s an affiliate link, so I earn a few pennies when you invest into a new-to-you author. Those pennies, like a portion of my editing fees and all of my book royalties, go back into operational expenses here at West of Mars. And if you just feel like throwing cash at me to say thanks for not paywalling this daily fun content, here’s my ko-fi.
My thanks to everyone who’s booking my services, buying my books, using my affiliate link, and just slipping me a few bucks. As we all know right now, with the world on fire, this is the sort of mutual aid that’s going to pull us all through together.
Hope you have a quiet day too!
June 10, 2025
There’s a lot of settling in that needs to happen in Saving Sima. Not sure what that means? Pick up a copy! It’s best read after Populated, just so you know people and their histories, but if you’re willing to go with it until it all becomes clear, then… read it first! It’s one of my favorites in the series, but I’m biased and will say that about all of them.
It’s weird. Tomorrow will mark a week since I got home from the big trip, and I still haven’t regained all my rhythms. Partly that’s because I’ve had a million interruptions and things to get done, and today’s no exception (it’s monthly massage day).
I kind of miss my quiet. And at the same time, it’s time to set a new normal, one with a few more disruptions. Just not this many!
Wow, did I exceed expectations yesterday! The second read-through always goes faster than the first, but this was beyond. This book is going to light so many of you up. It’s so damn good.
This means I’ll be able to start the next one this week. The question is which day. I’m betting on Friday, because Thursday is full of interruptions. What was that about settling in? Never gonna happen.
Another spot I’m struggling with settling in. I only wrote 900 words last night of Authentically Alyssa, and they’re kind of deranged words but sometimes, you gotta puke on the page — and the first draft is the place for that. This book has been so damn hard already that yeah, I’m going with it, so long as I end up where I want to go. This is why writing’s a craft, after all. Get the basic story down. Craft it, sculpt it into the proper shape once you have something concrete to work with.
Things are quiet on the bookselling front, but I’ll be with my buddy Doug Solter this Thursday at the Block Northway Farmer’s Market. If you’re local, come out and at least shoot the breeze with us. The market runs from 3-7, so we hope to see you there!
Love in Focus, by Lyla Lee
As always, this is an affiliate link! Your purchase via this link, along with the royalties from any books you buy and a chunk of my editing fees all go to operational expenses around here at West of Mars. That’s three easy ways to support the cause over here, or, if you’re so inclined, my Ko-fi is always open and glad to be there for your support-showing needs.
That’s all I’ve got. Got a Book of the Day suggestion? Just want to say hi? Need a review copy of any of my 14 books? Reach out. I’m still settling in, but I’m here.
June 6, 2025
Doesn’t feel like Friday? Doesn’t feel like much of anything for the narrator of one of the two title stories of Broken but Undaunted.
Bet you didn’t know the title of Broken but Undaunted is made up of the titles of two different stories! Broken is a story I’d once sold for 99c. Undaunted — the story I’m referring to above — was included in the Running Wild Anthology of Stories Volume 2, which is the ONLY Running Wild anthology not listed on Bookshop.org. Like, what? It’s the best!
I spent the day catching up on things — and I’m not caught up yet! — so I didn’t start the second read-through of this project I’m working on. The client’s in no hurry; they have become a good friend over the years. But even though I have more to do to catch up today, I’ll be starting the second readthrough and the rest can wait a bit.
Another edit also arrived, so that’s next in the queue.
Reminder: If you need me, you CAN afford me; we’ll work it out.
After my first home-cooked dinner in over a week, I did some rearranging of the basement, getting ready for the influx of 95 copies of my books that I’ve ordered in preparation for the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage festival. (They have not updated the site for 2025 yet; it should be soon. We’ll be in the artist marketplace, not the individual author booths.)
And after that? The trip exhaustion hit me and I collapsed onto the couch with Netflix and that was my day. I’ll be catching up this weekend and we’ll see how much I can get done then, but today still doesn’t feel like Friday, so who knows when I’ll get caught up… to the day of the week, on sleep, on this draft of a novel.
Cage of Nightingales, by Elizabeth Hopkinson
(affiliate link)
And that’s it! Be sure to say thanks by buying my own books, hiring me for an edit, or just stuffing cash in my ko-fi. I’m doing it this way instead of a Patreon-like model because paywalls make me nuts. Why should I inflict the same on you?
Enjoy the day and the weekend, even if it doesn’t feel like Friday to you, either.
June 5, 2025
In Saving Sima, Vassily and Meter help Sima come home again. So that’s our picture today. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for? Reminder to read Populated first, mostly so you meet Delia and Meter, who are important characters in Saving Sima.
I’m not sure what to say about the past week. Me and girl. Didn’t fight once, I can tell you that! We’ve learned, over the years, to know when to back off and give each other space, when to listen, when to push, when to let go… all that. It hasn’t been easy to get here, but it’s so worth it. We went to the kid’s new place of employment to scope it out and it’s just going to be a great gig for her, and every person we met was wonderful. Quirky, so you know I want to go move there and be quirky too.
I have a ton of catch-up work to do, including getting in touch with a couple clients, and going to the grocery, of course — gotta feed the awesome editor. Mixed in there is the need to start the second readthrough of this client’s manuscript. I think I’m expecting two imminently, but that’s part of what I need to catch up on.
I got home to a check from Blythe Books, where my books are on consignment. I’m grateful for the new readers, for the exposure, for the community that this bookseller is creating. Makes coming home again worth it!
I’ve been accepted to another library event, so stay tuned for more details about that one. This one was a bit surprising, in that it’s more LGBTQ friendly than some of my friends and I were expecting, but YES. We are HERE for this. (Come buy Safe House!)
One week from today (June 12) will be our first appearance at the Block Northway Farmer’s Market! I’ll be there with my good buddy Doug Solter, whose book I’m reading right now. I needed something I knew I could count on for the airplane and what better time to read a friend’s book?
I am pleased to day I got words written on the six-day road trip. Not six thousand words, but enough to be happy and have had fun. I was pretty exhausted through most of the trip, so I did a lot of playing with other works in progress, and that was fun, too. I have new good thoughts about the standalone… I’ve mentioned that, right? The standalone? That is very much a book about coming home again, but not in the way you may expect from me. I’m stretching my wings a bit with this book. Hopefully it’ll turn out great.
Saddlehill Academy Elite Collection (box set), by Jessica Burkhart
(Affiliate link, and disclosure: I know Jessica via social media.)
That’s it. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know where I’ve been and what’s been going on. If you missed it, I’m home again after a six-day road trip, moving my youngest to her first official post-college job, after interning for the past year. It wasn’t a cheap trip by any means, since we had to furnish her apartment from scratch (right now, she’s got an inflatable bed and two dressers that were refurbished and are simply lovely), so your support in any means is hugely appreciated. This is the age of mutual aid, after all, so if filling my ko-fi isn’t your thing and you don’t need me as your editor, go and grab a book or two. It all adds up, and mutual aid, right? You support me financially by buying my book and I support you by giving you a great read.
Have a great day everyone, and feel free to remind that it’s Thursday and not Monday. Coming home again in the middle of the week is a definite mindfuck.
May 29, 2025
What’s with all the Sheep Farm books?
Well… Amazon’s selling the Large Print editions of the first four at a HUGE discount. Up to 70% off! Go get ’em while you can:
Maybe the Bird Will Rise
Populated
Safe House
Saving Sima
Otherwise, yes, this is the last day before a break here on the blog; I’m taking the next week off to move my kid across the country. It hasn’t hit me yet that this is it, that she won’t be popping home every few months between gigs as she works her way up to a permanent position. This is it. This is us going to the permanent position.
I’m still absolutely gobsmacked by this edit I’m in the middle of. I’m letting it sit until I get back, so I can do the second readthrough all at once like I usually do. This is where I catch inconsistencies, so I need things as fresh as possible in my brain. I’ll be spending a lot of time checking my notes for things I know I need to address and scrolling and searching so I can refer back to page numbers and stuff.
In other words, I’ve taken two days off as I get ready for this trip. Call this a gift before a break; a gift to myself!
I don’t know what made me check Amazon’s Large Print prices when I sat down last night to write — I know they often do smaller discounts, but not big ones like this! But there were these HUGE discounts and I kinda had to tell the world because hello? Between 65 and 70% off? Y’all gotta know about THAT deal!
In other words, my last writing session before a break was… not much to talk about.
However, I did get two royalty reports last night! One was from my Large Print editions (hmm. Maybe that’s why I checked Amazon?) and one from Hoopla. I’m sending thanks to all of you who are buying and borrowing my books! I know you’re having fun with them, but if you’d like to see the rest of my books back on Hoopla, please request them!
I’ll have the tent out tonight at the Greensburg Night Market, so if you’re local to Greensburg, PA, come on out and visit us! I’ll be with authors Mary Walsh, Maryann Parfitt, and Doug Solter, for your reading needs. (I do have a Large Print copy of Populated with me, if you can’t wait for Amazon to deliver yours, but that’s the only one. And I’m asking $20 for it, not the $8-and-change that you can get online.)
I Did Something Bad, by Pyae Moe Thet War
(affiliate link)
And come ON! How perfect is that for the last Book of the Day before a break?
I’ll be back once the kid’s moved in and I’m home safe. Be good, stuff my ko-fi ’cause this has been an expensive move for me, not just the kid, buy my books, book my editing services (well, I’ll have limited email, so catch me soon!), and all that!
May 28, 2025
ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes (Year 1)” width=”270″ height=”400″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-113″ />There’s a flash piece in here that’s all about a rainy night.
Of course, if you’d prefer the Complete Demo Tapes so you have all the flash and short pieces I refer to, have at it!
We’ve gone from having a real winter to a super rainy spring, and today’s looking to be gray and wet again. It actually started while the kid and I were out doing some shopping before the big move.
At any rate, I think all the dust and hay are finally off the kid’s car.
I finished the first readthrough of my edit yesterday and was able to say to the author that their greatest fears — that it is a dumpster fire, of course — weren’t realized.
In fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about this ending. It’s not a twist so much as it’s an escalation of what we know is coming, and it’s so deep and multi-layered and really complex. It goes well beyond the usual, even as the story hits all the right beats (and yet it never feels like formula when reading, only when you look back and think about it).
This is some masterful stuff, friends. I can’t wait for you to read it.
There’s actually a lot to say today! I didn’t get a lot of writing done, between shopping and my monthly group who meets in the evening, which is prime writing time.
BUT after looking at what will be my 2026 newsletter freebie (also called a magnet), I’ve decided that yes, I need a sensitivity reader, as the main character is a young Black woman. So I started asking around for recs. If you know someone, drop their name! And once that’s done, I’ll probably send it out to my betas and see what input they have.
This is going to be a very expensive freebie! But I think you’ll really like it, so be sure you’re on my newsletter now, in order to catch the story’s debut in January. Don’t wait, so you don’t forget.
And, of course, catch me and Mary Walsh and Maryann Parfitt and Doug Solter under the West of Mars tent at the Greensburg (PA) Night Market tomorrow night! Hopefully the rainy skies will have passed us by.
Sorcerer to the Crown, by Zen Cho
(affiliate link; as always, funds raised via affiliate links will go to operational costs here at West of Mars. Business insurance, professional subscriptions; that sort of thing… if you ever wondered what an editor’s overhead is like.)
And now for your daily reminder that I chose not to paywall this content via Patreon or a paid Substack, but that doesn’t mean your support isn’t appreciated and needed! We totally live in a world of mutual aid these days, don’t we?
Best of all, there are lots of ways to support me instead of a subscription. Buy my books! That’s a great way! If you have, and you’ve read them, feel free to leave an online review wherever you’re so moved to do so. There are so many places; wouldn’t it be great if readers had one central hub for reviews, that were then picked up by all the different review places?
If you’re a writer, booking my editorial services is another awesome means of supporting the cause — and getting an experienced eye on your books. This is my 14th year of professional freelance editing for authors of fiction (before, I didn’t do it for money), and I have a nice client list of writers who’ve quit their day jobs and are making six figures a year… and more. My authors do the hard work, sure, but I give ’em an extra push. It pays off.
And, of course, there’s my ko-fi. Feel free to stuff that one with whatever spare change you’ve got, and of course, help yourself to the goodies in the shop for it, too. The Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
That’s it from over here… hope your skies aren’t rainy, but if they are, I hope you can curl up with a good book — feel free to let me know what you’re reading. Maybe it’ll be a former Book of the Day? A future one?
May 26, 2025
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
Populated was my bestseller this Memorial Day weekend, up at the Butler City Farmer’s Market
It’s Memorial Day here in the States, and yes, the political situation we’re in gives it an entirely new feel.
I’m actually at my desk today; I took yesterday off (yay!) and had dinner with friends, but Friday’s coming, and on Friday, I am moving my youngest over a thousand miles away from home, to her new job. Excited, proud, nervous, terrified… that’s both of us right now.
Like I said, I’m at my desk today. The goal this week is to finish this first readthrough of this manuscript, which won’t be hard. The question will be if I start the second readthrough or let it sit until I get back. We’ll have to see how much packing the kid gets done and how much I’m needed to help, as we decide what goes in the car with us and what gets shipped.
Another longtime client was in touch, also, so the queue is beginning to fill again. Yay!
Remember if you’re an author and you need me, now’s the perfect time to reach out. I try to make the onboarding and paying and all the business stuff as easy as possible because edits can be hard, especially if you are new to working with an editor, or have had a bad editor (or more than one bad one) in the past. I’m here to help, in whatever way you need.
I’ve been hitting and exceeding my word goals every day for a number of days now. It feels great and I’m having fun. Messy lives are so much fun to write!
A group of four of us will be at the Greensburg Night Market this upcoming Thursday night (Yes, mere hours before I hit the road!). It’ll be me, Mary Walsh, Doug Solter, and Maryann Parfitt. Come say hi and empty out my stock… I have one copy of Permission to Enter and one copy of Legacy left until I restock.
The Pomegranate Gate, by Ariel Kaplan
(affiliate link)
As always, thanks to those of you who’ve been filling my ko-fi, even a little bit! It adds up and helps; there are always things a business needs. Two goals I have my eyes on: an overhaul of this here website (it’s overdue!) and getting the books into audio. I’m itching to get them both in motion, and I have a list of smaller things (city of Pittsburgh-approved shopping bags!) as well.
Pick up one of my books; max out your Hoopla or Libby borrows with my books — and request the rest of my catalog be added back to Hoopla! It all helps me reach the goals that much faster.
If you’ve read something good this Memorial Day or otherwise, always drop into my comments and tell me about it!
May 23, 2025
Not so bad after all? That’s how I think of this collection of my older short fiction–when I’m being hard on myself. It was all previously published elsewhere before I put it into this collection, and it encapsulates that time in my life. It’s not so bad… it’s not bad at all. It’s just not where I am now as a writer… and a person.
But honestly, the utter goofiness of Pink Snowbunnies In Hell continues to crack me up. And “The Ghost of the Dresser” is a story I still think about regularly. Since it’s a small collection, those two stories take up a nice-sized chunk of the book!
Not so bad after all!
I edit a lot of fantasy. I’m not sure why fantasy authors gravitate toward me — well, in part I am. It’s because of the business name. West of Mars was the name of an episode of the original TV show, Lost in Space. Regardless of the WHY, I love my fantasy authors. (I love all my authors, but that’s another thing.) I love the fantasy genre, and I particularly love when my authors are doing new and different things within it. This edit so far has been great fun. A new series from an established author.
I spent yesterday thinking what I’d written Wednesday night was terrible. I vowed I’d fix it today. And I sat down in the afternoon, the cat keeping the kid company and not me, and… it was not so bad! Definite first draft, but I didn’t need to fix as much as I’d expected to.
I also woke up yesterday to sales reports, which is great, except… they were for April sales, and the book they were for had been removed from the platform in March. I’m hoping there’s not an issue there.
The Duke who Didn’t, by Courtney Milan
(affiliate link)
Know what your ko-fi donations are going to buy me? A new key cap for my keyboard. I bought new caps two years ago and for some reason, the right shift key broke and I had to go back to using the old one and… I mean, it’s fine. But I want a new shift key. So that’s the vague “operational expenses here at West of Mars” that I keep referring to. Because I know you’re all wondering.
May 22, 2025
As I look back at the Trevolution and the Demo Tapes short pieces in particular, all I can think is, “Yeah, Trevor played hookie. Again and again and again. It was part of his charm.”
I will never create a character like Trevor Wolff again. I just won’t. I’m too old now, too jaded, too… I don’t know what. Different.
Grab your own copy of The Complete Demo Tapes and compare it to the Tales from the Sheep Farm series and see what I mean.
I finished off what I was working on in the morning, and right after I asked the kid if playing hookie and going on a pre-moving adventure was about to happen, I opened my new edit from an established client. Big mistake.
I was immediately sucked in.
And it felt SO GOOD.
Which is weird, because it’s not like I’ve been without editing work. Maybe it was the confluence of a familiar author’s voice and the job required of me… I don’t know. All I know is that pigs in mud, tigers in pools, and bison in dirt wallows had NOTHING on me right then.
And then I walked away from my desk and took my kid to buy plates, which yes, qualifies as playing hookie for a number of reasons. And let me tell you, the colors that kid chose are gorgeous. Where I’m a hot mess and one of absolutely everything, the kid was artistic and thoughtful.
I got my words in, but it felt more like I was trying to figure out what I was trying to say, which isn’t like me, but is very much the way this project has been–and I started working on it a year ago, if not more! It’s been THAT hard.
But I have a plan for tonight, so that’s good.
A Free Man of Color, by Barbara Hambly
Affiliate link, as almost always. And as absolutely always, any monies raised go to operational expenses here at West of Mars.
I’m at my desk today, unless the kid wants another pre-move adventure. (I kinda hope stuff will start to be sorted, but it’s on the kid and I know from experience to let it go and trust my kid’s process because it’ll all get done.)
Reminder to support me however you’d like: Buying Books of the Day via my affiliate link (I’ve got most of them in a list you can check out here.)
You can borrow my books via Hoopla or Libby or whatever ebook system your library uses (I get paid when you do!) — and remember to request them if they’re not there. Looking at you, certain Libby subscriptions and you, Hoopla, who only lists the first three Sheep Farm books.
If you have Kobo Plus (YAY!), I’m there, too. A lot of you like this option, and I am grateful!
You can buy my books, either in ebook or physical form. (Reminder that when you “buy” through the retailers, you’re buying a license to read the book, and they can yank it off your reader whenever they’d like. Buy direct from me if you’d like to actually own and control it.)
And, of course, you can fill my ko-fi, either as a straight-up donation or by paying what you’d like for either my Beta Reader’s Guide and/or my Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
If you too are playing hookie, I want to hear about your adventures!
May 20, 2025
I’m thinking of the short piece called “Trevor in Tree,” which is in Demo Tapes: Year 2! (You can also pick up a copy or a bundle at my direct store!)
Yeah… the landscaper was supposed to be here yesterday. Or today. He wasn’t sure which. I’m fine with that, by and large, because the bulk of the house work is done. And yet I’d also like to, you know, be all the way done. This is the last piece, and I am waiting on a tree.
Are we ever all the way done with our homes? Isn’t there always something to tweak?
It’s election day here, so the kids are off school and my neighbors just packed up their four kids and all their bikes and are headed out for an adventure. Wish I could tag along!
I’m going to finish the actual edit today, and then start on the cleanup work. Yay!
The next edit has also arrived, and I’m waiting on the imminent arrival of one, maybe two more. One’s from a potential new client who said they were on vacation, so I’m not sure if I even have the job, let alone if I should be saving space for them.
It all works out in the end.
Somehow, I got my words in, in between everything, including baking my kid’s favorite banana chocolate chip muffins. I felt an obligation to, since the kid brought a banana the whole way home with her. Almost 700 miles, that banana traveled from her home to mine. What else was I supposed to do with it?
Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng
(Affiliate link)
As always, I’m not paywalling my daily fun, so as I wait for my new tree to arrive, go and fill my ko-fi with some goodness. If you are so inclined, help yourself to either the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Events, too. Name your price; fill my ko-fi or just pay it forward by being that much more excellent in all you do.
May 13, 2025
Be sure to head over to my Instagram and see today’s post. It’s a mood. And, of course follow me.
So what’s on fire and what am I yowling “Burn it down” about?
Honestly, nothing important and everything stupid. Enough said. Let’s move on to the important stuff.
Today’s editing goal is to finish this edit today and get it back to the client and start the next, even before I type up my notes about this one.
On second thought, that’s not real wise. I like to do the notes as soon as possible, so I can catch any remaining inconsistencies and let the author know before they start on their revisions.
Really, what I need to do is start taking the time to type ’em up before I return the manuscript. Now THERE’s an idea.
(And you ask why I’m all “Burn it down” today?)
I set a writing goal last night that I wasn’t sure I was going to hit.
I blew past it.
That’s one good way to burn it down. I’m not arguing. And, as always when the words come easily, it’s great fun.
Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhha Lai, Nguyen Quang, and Kim Lien
(affiliate link)
Not gonna lie. Your stuffing my Ko-fi will improve my mood. It’s rainy here and there’s stuff going on in the background and just UGH. Burn it down, friends. Burn. It. Down.
May 12, 2025
My most feminist collection is today’s book cover, of COURSE.
I’m not the world’s fastest thinker. I tend to marinate, sleep on things, let my subconscious do the work. And it’s rarely wrong. It’s when I ignore it, or tell it, “It won’t be like that. It’ll be FINE” that shit goes sideways.
So now, with new clarity, I put Mother’s Day 2025 behind me and move on to better things, and better places. Hopefully there will be no more shitstorm holiday celebrations in my future.
Like this weekend’s book signing at Blythe Books, the first of three in the area between now and the end of the month! The other two are the Butler City Farmer’s Market on Saturday the 24th, and the Greensburg Night Market on the 29th. Please don’t let printing costs rise until after that because I’ll be placing an order to restock. I may be featuring Permission to Enter here today, but I only have one print copy left until that restock… we’ll see when it sells.
I’m going to finish this edit either today or tomorrow, depending on how today goes.
I still have room for new clients, even though my next edit has arrived! Whee, and thanks for trusting me with your works in progress.
I set a weekend word count goal of hitting 6500 in this new version of Absolutely Alyssa, and I overachieved by a few hundred words. It helped that I went and hung on Saturday with my friends at Umber Chocolates during a pop-up event they were doing, and I got almost a thousand words down in between our chatting.
I KNOW. 6500 is nothing, especially when you consider it’s a little bit under 10% of what I’d cut last weekend. But I cut even more new stuff, and so to be standing where I am at this point in time feels good. Plus I’m having fun and the manuscript has that energy I feel when what I’m working on is right.
Tofu Takes Time, by Helen H Wu and Julie Jarema, illustrator
(As always, it’s an affiliate link)
That’s it. May you not have any shitstorm holiday events, and if yesterday was one for you, too, well, you’re not alone and I wish for you the mental clarity that hit me at three this morning. Better days lie ahead. They have to.
If you’re feeling sorry for me this morning, or just simply appreciate me, my ko-fi is always open for donations. Be sure to pick up the Beta Reader’s Guide and the Writer’s Guide to Library Events — pick your price includes FREE.
May 7, 2025
Settle in with a short read, and Broken but Undaunted is really perfect for that.
Yesterday was monthly massage day, and since the location near me closed and I have to go to the farther one — now the only one — and it’s by the library, I stopped to pick up a book I reserved. And two others. And then there were free books in the new open space and I had to stop and look but walk out without any, thankfully. The idea is to have FEWER books, not more.
Also, my library’s construction project is coming along and it looks GREAT and I can hardly wait to spend more time there. They’re even putting in a cafe!
Which means I was pretty discombobulated yesterday and it took forever to settle into the day’s work. As a result, I worked late.
I started the second readthrough of this current edit.
Still waiting on the six… Send When Ready, my friends! Having the best book possible is more important than a date on my calendar. (That said, a client may have to wait longer for me than they’d like. It’s all about compromise.)
And I’m chatting with a couple potential clients. Hopefully they come through; their projects look wonderful!
I sat down and realized I had almost 5k words in this newest, latest version of Absolutely Alyssa. I told myself my goal was to cross the 6k mark…
…and then I started deleting and rewriting and the manuscript is now over… 2k words again…
But I LOVE it and it’s finally come into focus and Alyssa comes out swinging and so we’ve got yet another strong woman running through my fiction and who is surprised by that? If it’s you, you haven’t been reading my books!
This World is Not Yours, by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Help me settle into my own work day by not stressing about operational expenses! Buy my books, hire me to be your editor, and/or fill my ko-fi. Don’t want to just give me money for nothing? Pick up the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or the Writer’s Guide to Library Programs. Both are pay what you want, and as I’ve said before, the goal is to get them out into the world, and picking them up for free is also a way to support me. I appreciate it, the cats appreciate it, and the amount of trouble I do not cause because I am happily editing and playing with words also appreciates it.
April 25, 2025
While I had a late night on the deck, y’all were busy buying copies of Safe House. I hope you found a comfortable place to read it!
Yeah… I was working outside again last night so late, I was able to turn on the pergola’s lights. I’ll have to upload the pictures; they are very cool. (VERY cool.) They are, unfortunately, not completely what I wanted, as I’d wanted lights bright enough to read by. That’s not going to be the case. But they’re cool!
I did spoil myself a bit, but after almost 30 years of wanting to have that part of the deck covered so the deck was actually usable… I figure it’s okay. I waited a very long time and spent a lot of time wishing I could actually get outside on my deck. I love to be outside, and if I can figure out how to get my desktop computer out there so I can edit under the pergola? I’m there.
Yeah, I was writing last night. A lot of friends wanted to chat, too, so maybe I didn’t write as much as I’d wanted, but I also spent less time on social media and playing solitaire, so there’s that. The writing I got done pleased me, so that’s another win.
Five more days for you to get your copy of Safe House while it’s still on sale! If you’re in Pittsburgh, you can also get your copies from Blythe Books (at full price; sorry) or from me at the kickoff Bad Bitch Bazaar. First of the season, and I’ll be there with Mary Walsh and Paige N. Staudt. When you catch me in person, I do discount slightly (mostly so I’m not drowning in ones and change!). And, of course, my ebooks are ALWAYS cheaper at my online store.
When it rains, it pours. That’s the mantra of the freelance editor (even those of us who spend a late night on the deck). Another of the eight manuscripts I’ve been waiting on arrived, so now I’m waiting on six, am about to start working on one, and have one in the queue. I love being a busy editor; it lets me sink into the work and forget about life. Total stress reliever. Not to mention how much fun it is, and how gratifying. I love helping my client list be successful. It’s fun to watch, too!
Just for Show, by Jae
(Affiliate link; as always, any money I make goes toward operational costs here at West of Mars)
That’s it! It probably won’t be another late night on the deck because first, it’s Reggae Shabbat night at temple, and this metal head thinks that sounds like fun (and folk Shabbat was getting old and yes, I still am pushing for a Heavy Metal Shabbat), but also? It’s a rainy day here, with storms predicted for later. The pergola is only an overhead cover, so even if I sit out there to dig the thunderstorm (what could go wrong when you sit under a metal structure?), there’s still a chance the furniture and/or I can get wet. Nothing worse than a soggy ass. Plus, it’s hard to write when it’s wet; computers and rain don’t mix. Go figure.
Have a great weekend and I’ll be back with fresh content on Monday. Don’t forget that tomorrow (Saturday) is Independent Bookstore Day! Go support and indie. Keep 37% of your purchase price in your local community, help a local business stay open, and more. There’s never a bad reason to choose to shop local.
Don’t forget to fill my ko-fi and help cover operational expenses! You can grab either the Beta Reader’s Guide and/or A Writer’s Guide to Library Events.
April 23, 2025
It’s just after eight in the morning and my house is 63 degrees right now. I left select windows and the skylights open all night, so all that nice cold air could flood in. It’s called cold trapping, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. The windows and skylights are closed and the house’s improved insulation should retain the cool, easing demand on my AC.
The next door neighbors really ought to learn this trick. I swear, they keep their house at 63, if not colder, all summer.
Their AC unit is right outside my bedroom window. So I get to listen to it all night long.
I worked outside yesterday afternoon again. More on Absolutely Alyssa, Book Seven in the Tales from the Sheep Farm series. Better use that link in the header and catch up! I’m on Book Seven and you’re on book… Which one again?
Speaking of catching up, I switched how my book is distributed to Kobo and get a report from the old distributor for Kobo Plus reads and… well, that was a year’s worth of reads. Thanks to everyone who’s been reading my books via Kobo Plus! That’s a nice chunk of change.
It’s a nice way to warm up after this cold trapping! 63 is a bit chilly!
Safe House is, yes, still on sale! Only seven more days, so you’re running out of time to take advantage of the sale price. As (almost) always, there’s a discount at my direct store!
Since the end of the month is in sight, it’s time to remind you to max out your loans at Libby and/or Hoopla. I know a number of indie writers who’d love for you to borrow their books from the library. I’m one of them.
But it’s a win-win-win. You get to try a new author for free, although I’m not a new author to you.
The author gets paid for the borrow. (Not every author!)
The library gets to brag about their circulation numbers. With libraries under fire by the government, it’s up to us to use them and protect them.
Hey! One of those eight manuscripts arrived!
Now to finish up what I’m working on and start that one… it’s nice to see these manuscripts arriving.
The Body in the Paddy Field by Nadishka Aloysius
(As always, this is an affiliate link)
Not cold trapping your house? Not one of those wonderful people reading my books via Kobo Plus? Maxed out your library loans? You can still support me by donating directly to my ko-fi. Easier than a monthly Patreon (or not, since you can’t set it and forget it), and all money goes to operational costs here at West of Mars. Lots of us small businesses are hurting right now, and I hate to say it, but I’m not immune.
April 22, 2025
It’s boring around here, and I’m struggling to bring you something pithy.
I ain’t got nothin’. Let’s get to it.
I guess I broke my writing into three sessions yesterday; it wasn’t intentional. The first, done on the back deck (I love the back deck), focused on a short I was challenged to write a year ago. I’ve been not struggling with it, but not giving it the time it needs and deserves, either.
The second and third writing sessions, one done on the back deck and the last inside, went back to what’ll be Tales from the Sheep Farm 7.
Safe House is still on sale! Grab it before the end of the month; you’ll see Taylor in future books. They also make appearances in the first two; they’re pretty important to things in my world, so spend some time with them.
Nothing new here, either. I’ve been keeping busy and, as always, learning new things that should make me a better editor.
I wasn’t kidding when I told you things around here were boring!
I Need a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan and illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
(Affiliate link)
Talk to yinz and y’all tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have something to say; there’s plenty to look forward to: the Bad Bitch Bazaar opens for the year on Sunday, and I’ll be there with the tent and authors Mary Walsh and Paige Staudt. If you’re local, stop in to see us!
And as always, if you’ve maxed out your book buying budget AND your loans at Hoopla, Libby, or whatever library app but still want to support the cause, buy me a bottle of fountain pen ink.
April 21, 2025
The Monday after the Bash…
The whole weekend adventure to Ashtabula was a lot of fun. From lunch with two author buddies to jumping in the car and heading up, picking a spot in the crowded room (I love crowded rooms because it means lots of authors and lots of readers), to getting to know some really awesome writers, and then driving home afterward… The Indie Author Bash was a fantastic time.
This was also the second time now I’ve had a tie for bestselling book, which means… time to set my sights on a three-way tie.
This weekend, I’ll be at the Bad Bitch Bazaar in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. C’mon out and do your part! Three-way tie!
I’m still doing bits and pieces here and there. Part of it is because the long day Friday and then going out on Saturday with a different group of friends wiped me out.
Safe House is still on sale! Nine days left, and thanks to everyone who’s picked up a copy. I can’t wait to hear what you think. Do you agree with the review that “this is a book for our times” or not?
We’re now up to eight manuscripts I’m waiting on, and I’ve already had my first projected arrival date of the time when I’ll be moving my youngest.
If you’d like to stay abreast of my openings and anticipated bottlenecks, be sure to get on my editing newsletter. That’s about all I use it for. You’ll want the “West of Mars” newsletter, not the author one… for this purpose, anyway. I think I write great author newsletters. I give a lot of stuff away!
Something Cheeky, by Thien-Kim Lam
(affiliate link)
I’m glad to have a quiet week of editing work ahead of me. I’ll tell ya that; Monday after the Bash… I’m too young to be this tired!
Like what you see? Go and fill my ko-fi and help me cover operational expenses here at West of Mars. Be sure to pick up your copies of the Beta Readers Guides and the Writer’s Guide to Libraries!
April 20, 2025
It’s Sunday! Time to curl up with a good book.
And take a walk. Or go for a bike ride. Whatever you choose, get your body moving.
Here’s more Books of the Day you may have missed. It’s the last set, too! Now I need more weekend content. Or do I?
Ginny Myers Sain, When the Bones Sing
Vanessa Le, The Last Bloodcarver
Judy I Lin, A Magic Steeped in Poison
Zoraida Cordova, The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina
Synithia Williams, Frenemies with Benefits
April 19, 2025
We’re just trucking through April. I hope your weather’s been good and you’ve been able to get out and breathe some fresh air. It’s good for the body and the mind. And the soul.
We’re almost, but not quite, caught up with the Book of the Day that I’d posted at Facebook before doing it over here (with working links! I’m still aggravated about that).
Here’s our next group of five:
Abby Collette, Body and Soul Food
Nalo Hopkinson, The New Moon’s Arms
Aiden Thomas, The Sunbearer Trials
Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Virtue and Vengeance
Be sure to tell me if you’re reading any of these books, and if you are, what you think of them!
April 18, 2025
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I am STOKED about today. (I’m also considering pre-napping.)
Lunch with a couple of good author friends, and then I’m hitting the road to Ashtabula, Ohio for the Indie Author Bash, hosted by author Chelsea Banning and Pretty Good Books. I was a late addition to the roster of 50 authors, and grateful they had room to include me. And I get to meet Chelsea! We’ve been buddies on Threads for a bit now, and if you open a copy of her Of Crowns and Legends, you might see my name in it, depending on which edition you get. Might. Maybe. Go look for yourself.
So that brings us to the daily updates:
Not much to report. I’m talking to other editors, and we’re all agreeing that right now requires flexibility in our pricing and billing practices. The times are what they are, so let’s survive them together.
(And remember: Editors deserve living wages, just like every other person out there.)
I’m still waiting on those seven manuscripts… three have been promised imminently, so let’s see which arrives first. My money’s on the longest one.
Not much to say here, either. I got a bit of work done, but also was fighting a migraine. Spring allergies? The lovely scent of mushroom manure left by the landscapers as they correct the damage done by the contractors? I’m not sure, but it did go away quickly.
Safe House is still on sale! Grab your copy, and remember there’s a further discount if you buy it at my shop.
Island Queen, by Vanessa Riley
As always, links to Bookshop.org are affiliate links, and any pennies earn there go to operational expenses here at West of Mars.
If you like what you see and want to be more directly involved in that “editors deserve living wages” part, here’s my ko-fi. Or send a friend over for an edit.
And if you’re at the Indie Author Bash tonight, be sure to say hi!
