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Latest News

Creating a Sustainable Writing Career

In October 2021, I appeared on the Kobo Writing Life Podcast to discuss the craft of writing and how to create a sustainable career as a writer. KWL’s Joni and Shayna joined me to chat about my writing process and why discovering the writing process that works for you is so important as an author. I also offer tips that I have used; for example, how I keep myself from reusing storylines, character names, or even specific phrases. The nice KWL folks also included a transcript of our talk.

Appearance on The Creative Penn podcast

I was a guest on Joanna Penn’s The Creative Penn podcast, discussing discovery writing (a.k.a. pantsing), how to write a novel with structure if you don’t plot in advance, and building a writing career for the long-term. Many thanks to Joanna for inviting me, I loved our chat!

New Secret Sleuth release

The latest release in my Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy mystery series is Body Brace, Book 10. A body brace secures the camera and helps stabilize footage. That comes in handy when Elizabeth takes on an assignment for KWMT-TV with Diana involving a kids’ camp and a Cottonwood County historic reenactment. The assignment takes unexpected turns, leaving mysteries to unravel. But a body brace can also provide support as Elizabeth and friends negotiate changing futures … with some surprises. Now available in paperback (including large print) and audiobook!

New Mystery with Romance released

Out now: Book 2 in The Innocence Trilogy. Price of Innocence is a sequel to Proof of Innocence that can also be read as a standalone.

She runs a foundation dedicated to forgiveness. He’s a cop running down the guilty to make them pay. If they don’t work together, people they both love will die. If you love twists and turns, characters who stick with you, and mysteries and romance swirled together, buy today!

Making Christmas, Now Unwrapped

The latest Wyoming Wildflowers romance, released in December 2020, is Making Christmas. Snowbound in a shoddy convenience store with the least hospitable storekeeper in Wyoming, two other stranded travelers, four kids forgotten by Santa – oh, yes, and each other. Can Kiernan and Bexley make the best of this accidental Noël? At least they can make it a real Christmas for the kids–don’t miss the Behind the Scenes section to see how they do that.

I recently joined Jami Albright and Sara Rosett on their Wish I’d Known Then . . .For Writers podcast to discuss the pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing, how I write my books without outlining, and my tips for BookBub ads. (Look for my separate interviews with Jami and Sara on my Authors Love Readers podcasts; links are below.)

In the Wish I’d Known Then podcast episode, you’ll discover:

* How I learned to trust myself and my writing process instead of trying to write like you’re “supposed to”
* Why learning that we are not our audience is essential to marketing
* Advice on how to get rights back from traditional publishers
* Myths around traditional publishing
* Why it’s key to find readers who are looking for new authors

Spotlight Chat

I was a guest on Draft2Digital’s Spotlight live YouTube chat series in April to offer advice for authors looking to make a career out of their writing. Key takeaway: writers starting out should take the long view. Do the things that are sustainable for you as a person so you can continue to have a long career. Thank you to host Dan Wood, D2D’s director of operations and author relations.

To Have and to Hold, More

More good news for paperback lovers! I continue to roll out print editions from my book list, recently adding all four titles of my two small-town romance series, Marry Me and Seasons in a Small Town, and the Wyoming Wildflowers prequels.  And now 10 Caught Dead in Wyoming series books are available in LARGE PRINT.  (Look for the gold badge on the cover.) Next in the large print pipeline are the Secret Sleuth mysteries. Would you like to see this series in your local library? Just ask the librarian to order a copy for their shelves from IngramSpark.

Writer’s Corner: A Discussion on Publishing

I recently gave a talk on trends in book publishing at the Boone County Public Library, Main Library, in Burlington, Ky. It’s a fascinating time to be an author, with opportunities and choices not imagined even a few years ago and change the only constant. All that also brings complications, including balancing the conflicting demands of business and creativity.

Here are handouts from this talk: 

• Publishing terminology
• Step by Step
• Publishing Basics

The Ultimate Wedding Series Bundle

The seven romances of The Wedding Series, plus two prequels and a bonus short story, are now available in an ebook boxed set called The Wedding Series: The Complete Collection, out now at Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Google Play. The bundle is not available on Amazon, but don’t worry, Kindle readers. You can get mobi format versions of The Complete Collection directly at my eBookstore here. 

Workshop to Page

Are you a writer? A writer who doesn’t write “right”? Or do you have a friend who is? Then Survival Kit for Writers Who Don’t Write Right is for you to get or give. Support, hard-won wisdom, and nitty-gritty tools and tips pack this short book, inspired by workshops I have given. It’s available as an ebook at the major retailers for $2.99. You can also buy it in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other booksellers, and it’s available for libraries and schools as well through Ingram.

Be a Podcast Patron

Producing my Authors Love Readers podcast costs money, so I’ve set up a page on  Patreon in hopes of support for hosting and recording expenses. Please help me put a dent in  recording and storage costs so I can continue this conversation between authors about how and why they create the stories you love.

Latest Authors Love Readers podcast

Listen to more at Authors Love Readers

From the blog