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 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 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 1, 2025
Speaking of the cleanup, putting out the Complete Demo Tapes was a sort of cleaning activity for me, bringing this project to a close at last. It feels good to have the Better than a Box Set out in the world, so go pick up a copy!
Big parts of my region are still without power. Trees are down everywhere. My contractor told me yesterday that on another of his job sites, 11 trees were down and his crew spent the morning clearing them. (Now that’s service — and kindness.)
All systems go over here, though.
Just more work with Authentically Alyssa. Nothing exciting, although the work itself actually sort of is. I mean, the story’s taking shape and I’m getting to know Alyssa better. That’s pretty exciting.
I am making good progress on this new edit, exceeding my page count nicely. We’ll see if that continues, but right now, I’m pleased.
And yes, I’m still waiting on those other six manuscripts.
It’s always a good time to talk to me if you need my services.
American Posse, by Mary Walsh
(affiliate link)
Have you figured out the theme yet?
And that’s it over here. I’m in need of a good long nap; the painters were here at last over the last two days. Super men, super attentive to detail, as you’d want in a painter. Two more items on the list to go now that this is done. (Note to contractors: wait until ALL this is done before sending the window washers!)
If you feel like saying thanks for the daily Book of the Day and the overall update, I’d love it if you’d buy me a figurative bottle of fountain pen ink via my Ko-fi. Stop and pick up the Beta Reader’s Guide and the Writer’s Guide to Library Events, too!
Before I go, I want to say thanks to everyone who’s been involved in the cleanup in the region. Pittsburgh got hit HARD the other day, and I know it’s been hard and trying. A lot of my friends and colleagues are without power still, and I’m feeling them — and feeling very lucky. Tonight, it could be me who gets hit. (Yes, we are expecting more storms.)
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 25, 2024
Cover for Populated, written by Susan Helene Gottfried
What? More about Populated??? AGAIN????
Well, first of all, this might be my favorite book of the three published so far. MIGHT BE. I’m not going to swear one way or the other. Maybe the Bird Will Rise and Safe House hold huge chunks of my heart, as well. Don’t miss either one.
Secondly, read on and you’ll see why it’s our feature picture of the day.
You see, when I decided to return to publishing, my thought wasn’t far off from what it had been when I started with the Trevolution books: I’d put them out and not think too much about it.
Except in the decade since I put the Trevolution books out, publishing got expensive, yo. And at the same time, it also got a hell of a lot more fun, although maybe that’s just because I’m in a better mental place.
It’s also allowed me to meet a lot of neat people, and to develop friendships. It’s been a gift (again, my life is a lot like Delia Ford’s, so grab Populated and you can see what I mean. Reach out directly if you want an autographed print copy.)
When I got an email from my friend Mary Walsh that she was going to be in town, turning the Other Shadyside Arts Festival into a book show with fine art, I told her I’d go hang with her for a few hours. Somehow, that turned into “Hey, meet me at seven and we’ll set up” and then that turned into “Hey, clear off a corner of the table and throw your books on it.”
Let me tell you, it was a ton of fun to learn about Mary’s books and handsell them to people we (usually me; I can extrovert pretty well, but it does take a toll) enticed to come under Mary’s tent. It was fun to people watch in a neighborhood I used to hang out in and drop a ton of money in, almost always on clothing. (Sigh. I miss those days, I say as I look down at my sweatshirt and joggers. Or maybe not; I’m comfy.)
Now, one thing among the authors on the book show circuit that I’ve noticed is that we tend to talk about the success of the day based on whether or not we earn out our table fees. And for this show, the fees were STEEP.
It took work. Not gonna lie.
But we did it! We earned back Mary’s table fee! And let me tell you, I’m a fan of her books, not just her, now. She’s got a unique vision and puts in the hard work to bring her fictional visions to life. I know a bunch of my friends would love her books.
So… what’s this got to do with Populated?
Well, see up above, where I say that on Sunday, Mary encouraged me to set up the three Sheep Farm books? Populated was the day’s hit and top seller. I shouldn’t have been surprised. People really respond to, “When someone breaks into the Woolslayer Gallery and steals ALL and ONLY the art by street photographer Delia Ford…” A lot of times, that’s all it takes.
I’m thrilled. I’m over the moon, really. As you know, I’m so proud of this project and these books. I believe in the message I’m putting out into the world with them — People are treasures too.
So grab some books.
And if you’re in the Pittsburgh area, keep an eye out for me. I’m hoping to pop up in odd places with an impromptu book show, with authors and books and books and books. You’re going to want to keep an eye out for me.