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.

writing

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.

editing

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.

Book of the Day

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.)

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.

writing

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.

editing

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!

Book of the Day

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.

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.