Newsletter

In this issue, interviews with:

• Taggart Rhenn, Canadian bookworm and speculative fiction author
• Ken Mora, graphic novelist and screenwriter
• Naching Kassa, mystery writer
• And part 2 of an interview by Mark Barsotti of science fiction writer Paul Di Filippo.
• Editor Jennie Rosenbloom’s article Marketing, the Hardest Part
• Gina Rae Mitchell’s article How Bookshop.org Works

Celwyn’s Cats

Interview with Taggart Rhenn

Hunting down a demon from the stars … an alien world … Meanwhile, would they go back to save their loved ones and risk the End of Days, or finish their mission, hoping Kemet can survive just a little bit longer?

Balancing work life against your writing muse: How much does real life affect your writing, good or bad?

Writing feeds in part from one’s life experiences—but it also requires time away from them. Pearl S. Buck said: “Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s how you renew your springs that never dry up.” The outside world, however, is always trying to get in there—more often than not, uninvited. If real life creates intolerable stress, or devours one’s writing time, the Muses go on holidays, and it may be difficult to do more than mechanically edit until they’re back.

For your own reading, what genre(s) do you read and why? If it isn’t the one you write in, would it be someday?

I was an Antiquity nerd before I became a History buff, a dark fantasy nerd before being a vampire lore buff, and a space opera nerd before attempting to blend a bit of all those passions in my novels. Why do that? I don’t know. I have an eclectic, but very segmented, reading taste—by this I mean: I have read other genres, some books among them excellent in their craft, yet they’re definitely ‘not-my-thing’. Will I ever attempt pure historical fiction or dungeons and dragons fantasy? I have no idea—the Muses are temperamental and they take us to unimagined places when we least expect it.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or should they do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)?

Except in comedic writing, ‘cartoonishly’ evil or good characters often seem stilted. Moreover, sometimes doing what’s right is simpler, even for the vilest of beings. Is that redeeming, then? Should evil characters always seek redemption? In action packed stories, villains are very bad, crafted to be destroyed in some spectacularly savage way, to loud cheers by the intended audience. (Baron Harkonnen being gobbled up by a Shai-Hulud, e.g.). In more romantic settings, they might start being horrible, to end up transformed by the power of love (Lestat in Queen of the Damned). In short, depending on the genre, redemption might not be practical or even desirable—or, conversely, the story itself, make it almost inevitable.

Do you feel there is a place in your books for politics or changing cultural viewpoints? Is that a danger to driving away readers?

Nowadays, politics and cultural issues are so prevalent that any believable story probably touches on them. Given that, one can become a crowd-pleaser, at the risk of boring readers with über-sanitized stories, or hope that those who can read between the lines can disagree without getting angry—and those who can’t, won’t notice. How risky each approach might be ultimately depends on the target audience. For example, tackling Romulan politics probably is safer than Roman politics, and that, safer than Romanian politics—especially in Romania.

Eight of Taggart’s novels are available now (see www.taggartrehnn.com/discover-new-titles), and two more will be published soon. Readers have compared his work to movies such as Underworld, The Da Vinci Code, Indiana Jones, Mission: Impossible, and Dune.

Find The Revenants on Amazon.

An Interview with Naching Kassa

Do you have advice for an author tackling a new genre?

My advice is to READ. Read the best of the genre and read the worst. Take notes.

I write horror and mystery, two genres that seem unconnected but actually are. Find the similarities in the genres and use them. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

What kind of characters in what you read or write appeal to you the most, and why, with examples?

I enjoy writing and reading about people who could actually exist. That’s why I love Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. So much of their interactions are realistic. They joke with each other, argue, and work together only as two real friends can. That’s what makes them so great.

Who is your favorite villain of all time and why?

There are so many wonderful villains, it’s hard to choose. I guess I’d have to say my most favorite villain is Colonel Sebastian Moran. Now, I know that Professor Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes’ equal, and nearly ended him at Reichenbach Falls, but he doesn’t have the pure fury and skill of Moran. Moran may not be as intelligent as Moriarty, but he is clever and he’s loyal to the memory of his friend. He’s so loyal, he pursues Holmes even after the Professor’s death. A good villain shouldn’t believe he’s evil. He should believe what he’s doing is right. And Moran believes he’s in the right.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or should they do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)?

If you’ve ever read Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, you’ll understand the definition of sympathetic villain. Raskolnikov is an axe murderer, a man who murdered two innocent women. He’s irredeemable, and yet, the people around him don’t treat him so. Sonya, the girl who loves him, is entirely devoted to him. Even Porfiry Petrovich (the inspiration for Peter Falk’s Detective Columbo) treats him kindly. By the end of the book, you actually feel sorry for Raskolnikov. Maybe, it’s because what he endures after the crime is worse than any punishment he could have received.

Find Sherlock Holmes and The Arcana of Madness: A Horror Mystery (Dark Tide Horror Novellas Book 11) on Amazon

An Interview with Ken Mora

His art revived the dying Church. Ambition exposed his hidden lover. His sword sealed their tragic fate.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or should they do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them?

This is a facet of a most compelling question. You can see I’m a screenwriter by my examples. Today’s most compelling villains are heroes. Heroes defend some undeniable truth, as do modern Villains which makes them relatable. Characters like Walter White (Breaking Bad) and Jasmine French (Blue Jasmine) aren’t “redeemed,” but we understand them. We don’t condone their bad actions, or fear their consequences; we cheer their rare good ones, seeing them as steps to some path to redemption.

Walter White (played by Brian Cranston), is a brilliant mind sidelined by the tacit machinations of business partners who offer a ‘good deal’ buy-out, and then he sees that company flourish, as his career degrades. He’s tempted into crime not out of malice, or greed, but by a wounded pride we can all relate to. A truth we would all defend.

Jasmine French, is a socialite who collapses into ruin with no capacity to adapt. When faced with divorce despite being the perfect Trophy Wife for their fertile, productive years, she faces being left behind for a younger woman and being expected to live on a fraction of the wealth she helped amass during her marriage. She was used, and now pursued for liability in financial crimes in which she was tacitly complicit. She took the risks, and where are her rewards? Her downfall is real and relatable even if the situation isn’t. We wish both her and Walter White some path to grace.

Welcome, to the new Villain, the one that defends some undeniable, even noble, truth which we too can relate, and would seek to defend, though perhaps not from the ramparts of the shattered lives, withered dreams and broken bones of victims we fashion in their construction.

Do you have suggestions about promoting books on social media?

Yes I do, and it sucks to hear, but this is it. Prepare to spend money. It’s going to cost – oh, sure, you can substitute time and effort, but as the saying goes, time is money, so you’ll have to make the decision about whether you are a better publicist or writer.

I know a couple of writers that are good at both. And by that I mean two. One is Russel Nohelty, and if you can’t learn from him and become a New Your Times bestselling author and Amazon top 100 for your genre the way he is, then you’re not qualified to be one of the do-it-yourself promoters. The other author prefers I not use her as an example, but I’ll take the liberty of divulging her gender. She keeps her self-made success secrets to herself. Oh, and by the way, they’re both really good.

The rest of us either need to spend money or learn the hard way that we should have. I was at the point, after having spent around $28K altogether in putting my Graphic Novel together (not accounting for sweat equity) when I met a good publicist: the type that could get me on hundred thousand plus podcast shows, local tv news shows before local bookstore signings in the book reading hotspots across the country. The kind who knew which celebrities read my kind of book and would talk about it. She told me that after a year, I would spend easily as much to promote, but judging by the quality of my books, my consistent Amazon star rating, and my award win-to-enter percentages, I should be a best seller. But selling myself would be my second job. The planning and the drudge part would be hers, and I just had to show up and be engaging, but it would take a year or year and a half, and I could do it.

She gave me the names of authors she had done it for, aside from the one (a romance writer who I can’t mention – and I’ll let you guess why) and I was impressed.

And instead, I decided to save myself money and not go with her. It was a mistake.

Find Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness on Amazon.

Editing!!! Jennie Rosenblum

MARKETING – THE HARDEST PART

Hands down, the hardest part of writing a book is not during, but after, when the marketing takes over. Here are a few things you can do while writing your book that might help make that path a little easier.

Build Your Author Brand

• Create a professional author website with a blog, contact page, and links to your social media.
• Set up social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc.) and start engaging with readers in your genre.
• Start an email newsletter to build a mailing list of potential readers.

Grow Your Audience

• Engage in online book communities (Goodreads, Reddit, Facebook Groups).
• Share behind-the-scenes content (writing process, character teasers, cover reveal).
• Run a giveaway or contest to generate interest.

Prepare Marketing Materials

• Have a compelling book blurb and author bio ready.
• Create eye-catching graphics (cover mockups, teaser quotes, countdown images) using tools like Canva.
• Write press releases and pitches for bloggers, bookstagrammers, and book reviewers.

Plan for Reviews

• Send ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) to book bloggers and influencers in your genre.
• Set up a launch team of enthusiastic readers (spouse, sibling, neighbor) who will help promote the book.

Optimize for Sales

• Research and choose relevant keywords and categories.
• Write a strong book description with compelling hooks.
• Decide on pricing strategies, including launch discounts.

Plan Launch Events

• Organize a virtual launch party (Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube Live).
• Set up book signings, if possible, at local bookstores, libraries, religious centers, etc.
• Plan blog tour or podcast appearances to discuss your book.

Consider Paid Promotions

• Research book promotion sites (BookBub, Bargain Booksy, Fussy Librarian) for launch-week deals.
• Run targeted ads on Amazon, Facebook, or BookBub.

Have a Long-Term Plan

• Outline a content calendar for ongoing marketing (blog posts, social media updates).
• Plan follow-up books or short stories to keep readers engaged.
• Keep engaging with your audience to maintain interest in future projects.

Absence and hopefully only a temporary farewell from Jennie.

I’ve loved sharing with you all through this newsletter, but I’ll be taking a break from my column. Around here, we believe in saying YES and figuring it out later—so when the hubby suggested we take over daycare for our brand-new grandson, I didn’t hesitate. The “figuring it out” part, though, has meant trimming my workload, and sadly, this column ended up on the chopping block.

But honestly… have you seen that face? How could I say no?

Keep writing, keep reading, and I hope our paths cross again soon!

At the end of the day, book blogging is a passion project.

So, if you want an easy way to buy books (print or digital) while supporting small businesses, Bookshop.org is a great choice!

Here is a link to my Bookshop.org page: https://bookshop.org/shop/GRM

Mark Barsotti’s interview with Paul Di Filippo Part 2

Mark: I think you deserve a huge audience. Any theory why that didn’t happen?

Paul: Some writers strike a popularity chord that others just don’t hit. Bruce Sterling once told me there are 10,000 Bruce Sterling fans in the universe and that’s as high as it’ll go. It’s no shame to have a smaller audience, especially if they’re fervent and smart and dedicated. There’s no formula to manufacture mass success. I consider career perseverance almost as important as instant and perhaps fading celebrity.

Mark: What’s one piece of advice for writing effective science fiction?

Paul: I always remember Chip (Samuel) Delany’s advice: it’s not necessary to be an expert to write science fiction; you just have to sound like an expert.

Mark: Your recent collection Starfields contains 19 stories published between 2016-2023. Ever worry about running out of ideas?

Paul: Well… I work slower. Hopefully wisdom and experience will carry you through. I’ve still got a huge love for the short story mode. I try to do more novels but short stories will always draw me back.

Mark: Your 1990 story “One Night in Television City” famously featured Donald Trump as the President of the United States…

Paul: I’ll take credit or blame for that. (laughs) But it’s really the only score that I’ve ever made in terms of science fiction prophecy.

Mark: Why do great villains appeal to readers?

Paul: Probably because we get to vicariously explore our own dark nature in a safe, non-destructive way. And other than in speculative fiction or fantasy, no genre lets you actually destroy everything (laughs). It’s definitely an emotional itch people like to scratch. It’s like the song, ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World.’

Mark: Your stories often contain a lot of humor and great zingers. Do you carefully craft those lines or do they just spontaneously emerge?

Paul: I would say maybe it’s 50/50. You always want a certain amount of spontaneity, but sometimes, like a good comedian, you’ve got this zinger that you’ve crafted some time ago and decide, here’s a good place to work it in. That involves a certain amount of artifice, which you hope you know isn’t too apparent.

Mark: In your story “Providence,” the main character’s a tank-like robot addicted to old vinyl records. Today’s pop culture often pops up, even in far-flung futures. Why?

Paul: The difference between so-called low culture or pop culture and actual, quote culture, is an artificial division. Robert Heinlein said every writer is competing for the consumer’s beer money. There’s like a zillion entertainment opportunities today, and how we consume and love one as opposed to another is very fruitful and interesting territory to work in.

Mark: What’s the role of a writer of speculative fiction in today’s hyper-speed, social media world?

Paul: The first and most important job is to entertain. Beyond that – and this doesn’t certainly apply to every story – the best science fiction can invoke a kind of gravitas that we need to help understand life, or at least explore very existential realities, life and death…

Mark Barsotti is the author of the novel Adrift Just East of Denver, and the rock music books Rock Is Dead They Say… Vol.1 and Yakety Yak Rock’s Greatest Quotes. His short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and elsewhere. During his six years as a rock critic, his work appeared regularly in Denver’s Westword and magazines like Musician, Request, and D.J. Times. He lives in San Diego with his cats Ed and Harlan.

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

In case you need some background: 

Book 6 Swango Mini-blurb: The adventurers find Mrs. Nemo, and her twenty year- estranged husband, Captain Nemo, is a bit upset. The magician’s first encounter with Swango is told as they plan for the Nautilus’ journey to the Castell de Ferro in Spain where Doctor Jurik Lazlo is hiding. Captain Nemo has been searching for him for a long time.

For book 7, Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, here is the unofficial blurb. 

On Findbar, they’ve added another scientist. Dr. Martha Gluck (aka Lucky) who is a character, literally and figuratively. She enjoys a lively gunfight, doesn’t faint at the sight of magic, and accepts danger as a jolly good time. She finally draws the line when she meets up with the broadsword wielding ghost, Mrs. Spencer.
An educated guess is that it will be out in fall 2025.

In this issue, interviews with:

• Mystery writer Sue Minix
• Mystery writer Stacy Wilder
• Mystery writer Paula Charles
• YA Romantic Sci Fi author Jessica Vargas
• And part 1 of an interview by Mark Barsotti of science fiction writer Paul Di Filippo.
• Editor Jennie Rosenbloom delves into the pros and cons of Ai.
• Gina Rae Mitchell’s article is all about the Life of a Book Blogger: Beyond the Reviews

Celwyn’s Cats

An Interview with Sue Minix

When the owner of a bookstore dies suddenly in mysterious circumstances, a mystery writer has a real-life murder to solve.

Of all your characters (real or not), which is the most like your own personality? How many of the char’s traits are already part of you, verses what you want them to be?
Jen Dawson is the me I wish I’d been at her age. Her humor and drive to be a successful author are part of me now, but unlike her, I waited 40 years to follow my dream. I’ll always regret that.

If you have used (or still do) a writing group for help and support, what has been your experience with finding the group, and while using them?
My experience with writing groups has been mixed. I haven’t had difficulty finding them, but finding one that truly helps me be a better writer can be a challenge. I’ve been very lucky, though. The people that I’ve found who helped me deserve all the credit for my success. I never would’ve been published without them.

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read and why? If it isn’t the one you write in, would it be someday?
I read mostly mysteries and always have. I fell in love with the genre as a kid and have no interest in writing anything else. Except maybe a thriller. I still believe I have one of those in me.

When you need a new villain, what criteria do you consider? Do you model him/her after a real person?
I try to make my villains as realistic as possible. Just regular people who’ve responded badly to a difficult situation. Nobody (with some exceptions) is all good or all bad. However, I never model any of my characters after real people, except Jen, who has the positive attributes I wish I’d had and many of my faults.

Do you feel there is a place in your books for politics or changing cultural viewpoints? Is that a danger to driving away readers?
I intend my books to be an escape from real life for readers. Something to curl up with on a rainy afternoon and forget the outside world. That being said, cultural inclusion is important to me. I was raised to believe that everyone is created equal, and I hold that belief today. I try to show that in my books. The only politics mentioned are in Riddleton. Not for fear of losing readers, but because it defeats the purpose of writing for escapism.

Find Murder at the Bookstore on Amazon

An Interview with Stacy Wilder

A tropical vacation transforms into a web of danger and deception when an author and his manuscript vanish. As PI Liz Adams and her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, race to unravel the mystery, her dream honeymoon in Grand Cayman spirals toward disaster.

Will there be a sequel to Cayman Conundrum, and if so, what will it focus on? and will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more?

Right now, I’m working on the next book in the series, A Camping Conundrum, a novella, set in Poinsett Park, SC. 

PI Liz Adams’ husband stumbles upon a woman’s lifeless body in the park’s lake and Liz and her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, investigate into the suspicious death. After Camping, I have plans for Colorado Conundrum, a full-length novel. The series does not need to be read in order. The ideas keep coming, so stay tuned! www.storystacy.com

If you have used (or still do) a writing group for help and support, what has been your experience with finding the group, and using them?

Absolutely! When I decided to get serious about my writing, I set three goals:

1) Join a writing group,

2) Take writing classes

3) Enter a few contests.

I joined what’s now the League of Romance Writers. Even though I don’t write romance, my mysteries do have a touch of romantic intrigue. This group has been an incredible source of support. I even entered their annual contest, The Emily, and the feedback helped me to pinpoint my true genre— cozy mystery.

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read and why? If it isn’t the one you write in, would it be someday?

Mysteries are my go-to—I love a good whodunit. But I did get great advice from a publisher in another contest: Read multiple genres to keep your writing fresh. So, I try to mix it up. I just finished Home for Hanukkah by Rebecca Crowley, a fun romance, and I’m a big fan of Lou Kemp’s Celwyn Series, intriguing fantasy with a touch of steampunk.

Would I ever write in another genre? Possibly romance, and I have a few children’s stories I’d like to publish someday. But for now, my focus is the Liz Adams Mystery Series.

If it could be any location in the world, where would you write from?

The beach! Preferably somewhere along the U.S. Atlantic coast. I spent most of my childhood summers in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and there’s something about the sound of the waves, the smell of salt water, and the feel of sand beneath my feet that centers me.

Find Cayman Conundrum on Amazon

An Interview with Paula Charles

A widowed hardware store owner tangles with an axe murderer during a small-town lumberjack competition.

Of all your characters (real or not), which is the most like your personality? How many of the char’s traits are already part of you, verses what you want them to be?

Of all my characters, Dawna Carpenter, the protagonist in my Hometown Hardware mysteries, is the most like me. We share a similar sense of humor, a teasing relationship with our kids, and a bit of snark. Friends and family have told me that when they read this series, for Dawna’s voice they hear mine in their heads. I’m a much better cook than Dawna is, though!

If it could be any location in the world, where would you write from?

My ideal writing location would be in a cottage on the cliffs by the sea in Ireland, where I could walk to the village for coffee and craic.

If you have used (or still do) a writing group for help and support, what has been your experience with finding the group, and using them? 

I belong to a small critique group that has been going strong for a couple of years. Writing can be super solitary and there are definitely times when you need that support of other writers who understand the ins and outs of writing and publishing. I was in need of that but not finding it, so I reached out to a few author friends I’d made connections with in various ways and put the group together. We meet once a month over Zoom, and it’s exactly what I needed.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or should they do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)? 

I do think a villain can be sympathetic. When the reasons are revealed for the villain doing what they did, there are times when the reader can feel some compassion and understanding as to what events drove them to commit those acts. Elphaba from Wicked is a perfect example of this. When we find out her backstory, we sympathize with her plight.

Find links to Paula’s social media on her website – www.paulacharles.com

Editing!!! With Jennie Rosenblum

AI (Artificial Intelligence)– Author Nemesis or Tool?

That’s the big question these days. Some authors swear by it, others run for the hills at the mere mention. The truth? AI can be an amazing tool if you use it right, but it’s not about to replace the heart and soul of storytelling anytime soon.

Upside of AI for Writers

Let’s talk about the good stuff first. Ever stared at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? AI can help with that. Need a quick book summary or a snappy quote? AI might be the help you need. It can help with tricky phrasing and fine-tune grammar so you can focus on telling a great story.

Another big plus? Efficiency. Ok, you might think that as an editor, I would never suggest AI, but AI can catch typos and help organize your thoughts, so I can concentrate on making sure your book has your voice and tells your story in the best way possible. If you already use a system to check for typos – you’re using AI.

Downside of AI in Writing

AI isn’t all perfect prose. The biggest worry? Originality. AI pulls from existing content, which means it can spit out stuff that feels familiar. If you’re looking for a truly unique voice, AI might not get you there.

Then there’s the emotional connection. Readers love books because they feel something and while AI can generate words, it doesn’t “feel” anything. That lack of human touch is obvious and makes your writing miss that special spark. And let’s not forget the copyright headaches—AI learns from what’s out there, so who owns the final product? Tricky stuff.

Final Thoughts

Nemesis or Tool? Honestly, it’s a little of both. Used wisely, it can make writing easier and more efficient. But it’s not a magic wand; it is a tool and certainly can’t replace the creativity, passion, and quirks that make your writing yours. The best approach? Let AI ride shotgun but never in the driver’s seat.

An Interview with Jessica Grace Vargas

A half-human teenager attends an alien institute in a desperate quest to uncover her father’s identity, but sinister forces stand in her way—along with a secret that will not only change her world, but the entire universe…

Of all your characters, which is the most like your personality? How many of the char’s traits are already part of you, verses what you want them to be?
My protagonist Kennedy is the most like me. She’s sassy, empathetic, and has realistic insecurities that I not only relate to, but actually lived when I was her age. Although, I’d love to be as focused as she is. She knows exactly what she wants and spends all her time working towards it.
 

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read?
I’ll read any genre, so long as there’s romance woven throughout the story.

Is there something about your books/your point of view that you think readers should know? 
Kennedy will fight some serious foes in this series, but the one she most needs to conquer is the critical voice inside her own head. I think that’s what makes this series unique. Kennedy’s inner journey is just as important as her outer one.

Will there be a sequel to The Evolver, and if so, what will it focus on? Will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more?
I’m currently writing book two of The Evolver Series called The Fail-safe which will focus on Kennedy’s continued journey at the Evolver Institute. Book Two will have more of an open ending than Book One.

Who is your favorite villain of all time and why? 
Sauron from Lord of the Rings. He’s pure evil and still terrifies me—even as an adult.

How do you approach the process of generating new ideas and translating them into fully-fledged stories?
It’s easy to come up with ideas; executing them is the hard part. I rely heavily on the craft of writing. Inspiration is elusive, but the craft is reliable. It’s like rubbing two sticks together to make a spark, and that spark is the magic. In short, the craft of writing supports my magic addiction.

How do you approach writing dialogue to authenticate your work and engage readers?
I love rhythmic dialogue. I also love creating characters with strong viewpoints, they’re way easier for me to hear than passive characters.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?
I would say listen to the voice within. It’s the one that called you to this path. It knows exactly where you are, where you want to go and how to get you there. That voice will never fail you. Also, read and write A LOT.

What’s the single best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given (or wish you’d been given)?
“Put your characters through hell.”

Find The Evolver on Amazon

At the end of the day, book blogging is a passion project.

The Art of Writing Reviews

Writing a book review is more than just saying, I liked it or I didn’t. It’s about crafting an honest, thoughtful perspective while balancing the fine line between constructive criticism and personal preference. Some books are easy to review, while others—especially the ones I love—can be the hardest to put into words!

More Than Just Books

Book blogging isn’t just about reading and reviewing. It involves engaging with authors, participating in blog tours, running giveaways, creating social media content, and even networking with publishers. Every post requires planning, from designing eye-catching graphics to ensuring reviews are spoiler-free yet insightful.

The Best Part? The Bookish Community!

One of the greatest joys of book blogging is connecting with fellow readers and authors. The book world is full of passionate people who love to discuss stories, share recommendations, and celebrate literature. Whether it’s through Twitter threads, Instagram book stacks, or heated debates over the best book-to-movie adaptations, the sense of community makes the experience truly special.

A Labor of Love

At the end of the day, book blogging is a passion project. It takes time, energy, and dedication, but the joy of sharing incredible books with the world makes it all worthwhile. Whether you’re an author looking for reviewers or a reader searching for your next great read, book blogs are a treasure trove of literary love.

Are you a book blogger, or do you follow any book blogs? Let’s chat—drop your favorite book blog recommendations!

Mark Barsotti’s interview with Paul Di Filippo Part 1 of 3

Mark: Tell us about the multiverse of your novel. 

Paul: The multiverse idea is so appealing. I think it speaks to possibilities and regrets, potent stuff that makes up so much of our everyday life that could be changed: yeah, I’m gonna do it over and get things right. 

The novel started with a kernel of an idea about an autistic kid who is hiding the potential for some really serious powers. Vangie’s Ghosts sounds like a horror novel, but it’s pure science fiction. The first half of the book sort of evokes Ted Sturgeon’s The Dreaming Jewels, then it expands into A. E. van Vogt territory, where you’re just blowing up universes left and right and different levels of super beings are emerging every time you turn the page.

I also thought that by introducing Vangie as a very helpless, naive and beset youngster, with a power that initially makes more trouble for her than benefits, that would bring the reader on board, empathizing with her before she kind of turned into this massive super villain.

Mark: I thought her evolution was very believable.

Paul: She does some really horrible things, but I was hoping the reader could see themselves in it and understand that, whatever baseline of virtue you start with, having tremendous powers would corrupt those virtues, and you could kind of rationalize almost anything.

Mark: In her defense, she was battling a far worse Big Bad. 

Paul: True. I hoped readers would be kind of seduced into empathizing with Vangie and then stick along for the rest of the ride.

Mark: It was a wildly entertaining, thought-provoking ride. 

Paul: Thank you.

Mark: What advice would you give beginning writers?

Paul: I like Ray Bradbury’s advice: write a story per week. He said your first story is gonna suck, the next one’s gonna suck a little less, then by the end of the year you’ll be surprised how much you’ve improved. Bradbury was correct. At the end of a year I was a much better writer and started to sell. Robert Heinlein said a writer must submit their stories and keep submitting them after they get rejected.

Part 2 of the interview will appear in the May newsletter issue.

Mark Barsotti is the author of the novel Adrift Just East of Denver, and the rock music books Rock Is Dead They Say… Vol.1 and Yakety Yak Rock’s Greatest Quotes. His short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and elsewhere. During his six years as a rock critic, his work appeared regularly in Denver’s Westword and magazines like Musician, Request, and D.J. Times. He lives in San Diego with his cats Ed and Harlan.

Find Vangie’s Ghosts on Amazon

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

Book 8 will have Celwyn’s dastardly brother, Pelaez as a participant and sometimes narrator. Sometimes unreliable narrator. Think of someone untrustworthy, sarcastic, and who makes a habit of saving Kang, Bartholomew, and even Valentine Soriano in dangerous situations before doing something horrible. Highly confusing. But it cuts down on the midnight fights in the cabins on the Nautilus. 

Upcoming, in addition to book 7 later this year, is The Cyclopedia of  Celwyn, an ebook companion to the series that contains all characters, their backgrounds, and everything Celwyn. There is no release date yet, and I’m about 80% complete, all without losing any of it.  Amazing.

In case you need some background:

Book 6 Swango Mini-blurb: The adventurers find Mrs. Nemo, and her twenty year- estranged husband, Captain Nemo, is a bit upset. The magician’s first encounter with Swango is told as they plan for the Nautilus’ journey to the Castell de Ferro in Spain where Doctor Jurik Lazlo is hiding. Captain Nemo has been searching for him for a long time.

For book 7, Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, here is the unofficial blurb. 

On Findbar, they’ve added another scientist. Dr. Martha Gluck (aka Lucky) who is a character, literally and figuratively. She enjoys a lively gunfight, doesn’t faint at the sight of magic, and accepts danger as a jolly good time. She finally draws the line when she meets up with the broadsword wielding ghost, Mrs. Spencer.
An educated guess is that it will be out in fall 2025.

When I resolved all the initial issues with book 8 (I’m sure there will be many more), the tentative title hit me. Arwen’s Time.

In this issue, an interview with:

• Historical fiction writer Jeanette Watts
• More than twenty authors who were interviewed in past issues of this newsletter answered the question: If you had to start your writing career over again, knowing what you’ve learned, what would you do differently?
• Also in this issue, another great article by editor Jennie Rosenblum, a useful how-to from Gina K. Mitchell, and part III of the serialized story, In Memory of the Sibylline.

An Interview with Jeanette Watts

How would you compare your book, My Dearest Miss Fairfax, to other styles of historicals?

This question is tricky in my case. MDMF is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, which is not actually historical fiction. Austen is writing about the present day, making observations about human nature and social norms, and living in a time when the only way a woman could better her life was through marriage. 

So many things are left unsaid in her novels, because her readers already knew what she was talking about. 

While retelling the story of Emma from the point of view of a different character, I have to explain a lot of things to my readers which Austen did not have to explain to hers. An example: women used curling papers and tongs to make curls when preparing their hair for a ball. There is also the importance of being able to curtsey gracefully. When buying things at local stores, their purchases were not put into shopping bags. They were wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

Those levels of detail are richer in my book than in the original, because my readers are very different than hers. Our goals in writing for our readers are different. At the time, Jane Austen pioneered a fairly new art form. Novels had not been around all that long when she was writing them. She confronts social issues, and asks pointed questions in the novels that inspired her writing while telling love stories about memorable characters; I am educating people about the past while doing this.

Find My Dearest Miss Fairfax: What Jane Austen’s Emma didn’t know on Amazon

Editing!!! With Jennie Rosenblum

An Editor’s Tale of Fixing a Plot Hole 

As an editor, I consider myself the story’s first reader—a stand-in for the audience, tasked with spotting anything that could trip them up. Authors bring beautifully crafted worlds, characters, and plots, but even the best stories sometimes have small gaps that could shake a reader’s trust. One such moment happened recently with a manuscript I was editing.

The story was compelling, with a subplot about two characters who lost touch for over a decade only to reconnect. Their reunion was full of emotional layers, including a twist: despite their years apart, one had quietly kept tabs on the other, tracking their successes and struggles without their knowledge.

It was an intriguing dynamic, but by the end, one question nagged at me: How exactly had they kept up with the other all these years? The manuscript offered no clues, and readers would notice. Without context, the behavior appeared overly convenient—or, worse, a little creepy.

I flagged the issue in my notes, but it felt too important to leave it there. When I asked the author, “So one character has been keeping tabs on the other for years, right?”

“Yes,” the author said. “It’s what makes their reconnection so meaningful.”

I hesitated. “It does, but… the story doesn’t show how. Readers will wonder how they know so much about each other’s life without contact. Was it social media? Mutual friends? Events? Right now, there’s nothing to anchor that connection.”

The silence that followed told me I’d hit on something important. Finally, the author admitted, “I hadn’t thought of that. I assumed readers would just fill in the blanks.”

Ah, the dreaded blank spaces! Writers often want readers to infer things, but gaps can become distractions without the right hints. I explained that readers are naturally curious, especially about characters’ motivations. If the devotion wasn’t grounded in something believable, it could undermine the emotional payoff of their reunion.

To the author’s credit, they didn’t bristle at the critique. Instead, they got to work, and we brainstormed possible explanations. Luckily, there was already a nugget in the story to pull from. A quick flashback got readers up to speed.

When I read the revised draft, the difference was striking. Those small additions didn’t overwhelm the narrative—they enriched it. Suddenly, the actions felt like the perfect blend of loyalty and restraint, and the character’s realization of the other’s devotion carried so much more weight.

By the time the book reached beta readers, their feedback confirmed what I’d hoped. They adored it. The story was stronger, the emotional beats landed harder, and all it took was a little extra attention to those invisible threads that hold a plot together.

As editors, we don’t just fix commas and tighten sentences—we build bridges. Sometimes, those bridges turn a good story into one readers won’t forget.

Authors: If you had to start your writing career over again, knowing what you’ve learned, what would you do differently?

Jen Paquette, author of Heart of Stone. Establish a writing routine sooner and leave it open to some adjustments.  I’d have a regular schedule for writing time that doesn’t depend on anything else (no “I’ll write IF” statements). Anne E. Ball, PHD, author of Embracing Calm. I would hire the professionals who do things I can’t do well—cover designers, copy editors, book formatting, etc. Bob Van Laerhoven, author of Scars of the HeartIn Flanders, they say I’m eccentric and a lone wolf in literature. In the beginning, I tried to hide it. I should have showed it earlier. Sandra Cox, author of Sheriff Tyree. I wish I had started and stuck with Westerns instead of genre-hopping for so many years.

Benjamin X. Wretlind, author of Aebris Storm. I’d get feedback sooner, be kinder to myself, and work on handling both criticism and creative ups and downs with more emotional intelligence. Mim Eichmann, author of A Sparrow Alone. To answer your question, I would have begun my writing career twenty years earlier! Dorothy Anne Spruzen, author of The Knight, the Gnome, and the Fox. I started taking my writing seriously on my 60th birthday and earned my MFA in Creative Writing at 65. My advice? If you feel the pull, go for it. Don’t wait around. S. W. Raine author of Rise of the Sky Pirate. I’d make sure to correctly build my audience of ideal readers instead of aiming for any and all readers.

Anita Dickason, author of Deadly Business. Nothing! I have far exceeded any expectations I had when I wrote that first book. Richard Koreto, author of the Cadieux Murders. I’d keep in mind Mickey Spillane’s dictum: “The first page sells this book. The last page sells your next book.” Hilary Tiefer, author of The Secret Ranch. If I were to begin my writing career over, I would do careful research before using a small press, making sure the publisher was ethical. K B Jackson, author of Until Depths Do Us Part. If I could start my writing career over, I would make sure I had a better understanding of the market, of my genre, and I wouldn’t pants my way through my first draft.

Peter Angus, author of Fabyan Place. I would begin my second (and third) immediately! It is easier to edit a page with writing on it than one that is blank! Joel Flanagan-Grammarmann, author of Fairy in the Land of Exhile, I would get a professional cover from the start, not a year in. Nick Savage, YA author of So We Stay Hidden. Third, I wish I had taken the time to get proper feedback on a query letter and taken the time to write a proper one Bill Gunn, author of the Two Terrors of Tule Lake. Since I write historical fiction, I would conduct more subject research. I would ‘paint’ a more visual landscape to draw a reader in.

Steven B. Graziani, author of Sorcerer’s Door. I’d focus on writing short stories to find my voice before penning a first novel. Linda Norlander author of Death of a Dream Catcher. I would learn more about social media and book promotion. Lyra Saenz, author of The Nocturne Symphony. I would push harder for ARC readers and celebrate myself more on social media. Now, that I am more myself on SM I get more engagement and more readers. Heather Weidner author of Deadlines and Valentines. I would have definitely started much earlier and have joined a writers’ group. I have learned so much from my generous author friends.

JC Gatlin, author of Hangman. Get involved in writing groups to critique and provide feedback on my work, as well as attend writing conferences and workshops to learn my craft. Tricia LaRochelle, author of Sun in my Heart. Don’t let anyone tell you that your work isn’t good enough. Find a sturdy support system that you can rely on. Naching Kassa, author of Master of the Shade, I would definitely work on editing and polishing my work. My first effort was and is cringeworthy! Stacey Wilder, author of Cayman Conundrum. Join a writer’s group with published authors. Believe in myself. Trust the muse. And just write for the love of it.

Marni Graff, author of Death in the Orchard, I’d definitely plant the seeds earlier in terms of marketing the book way before its publication date Morgan Moreau, author of the Coming Rebellion, I would spend time developing my brand and presence. It’s important for an author to connect with an audience.

How to Write a Thoughtful but Short Book Review From Gina Rae Mitchell

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

What is new with the Celwyn Series?

Swango (book 6) is available everywhere. If you would like a list of past events in the previous books as reference while reading it,(recommended), visit my site and contact me for the list. https://loukemp.com/about-the-author/

Mini-blurb: Pelaez is back, they find Mrs. Nemo, and Captain Nemo is a bit upset. The magician’s first encounter with Swango is told as they plan for the Nautilus’ journey to the Castell de Ferro in Spain where Doctor Jurik Lazlo is hiding. Captain Nemo has been searching for him for a long time.

For book 7,Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, here is the unofficial blurb.

On Findbar, they’ve added another scientist. Dr. Martha Gluck (aka Lucky) who is a character, literally and figuratively. She enjoys a lively gunfight, doesn’t faint at the sight of magic, and accepts danger as a jolly good time. She finally draws the line when she meets up with the broadsword wielding ghost, Mrs. Spencer.
An educated guess is that it will be out in fall 2025.

There’s no title for book 8 yet, but soon.

Link to The Sea of the Vanities

 In this issue, interviews with:                                    

• Beau Lake, paranormal romance and horror writer, and Romantasy writer JM Paquette
• Florida mystery and suspense author, JC Gatlin
• Suzanne Shaw, author of historical fiction                      
  

Also in this issue is another great article by editor Jennie Rosenblum on Choosing the Right Beta Reader, and part 1 of In Memory of the Sibylline, the serialized story that began the Celwyn Series.

SWANGO Is Here!

Celwyn’s Cats

Want to publish a short story?

An Interview with Writer Suzanne Shaw

Of all your characters, which is the most like your personality?

I recognize something of myself in Sylvia Heywood, sister to the lead character Caroline. Sylvia likes to take charge and always thinks she’s right, but she has a big heart and would do anything for someone she cares about. Like Sylvia, I enjoy being in control. I hope I am half as generous.

If you have used a group of beta readers for help and support, what has been your experience with finding them, and using them?

I was fortunate to have four exceptional readers for the final draft. I connected with one reader via the internet and others through a historical fiction masterclass. All were willing to read and comment on a 90,000 word manuscript, which is a very heavy lift. Through writing struggles, lockdown, rejection, and success, they’ve leant me their ears, shoulders, and wisdom. One of my readers even found my publisher for me. There are so many unknowns to writing a first novel and finding a publisher. The lessons are: (1) you can’t do it alone, and (2) you need to reciprocate.

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read and why?

I love a mystery. I tend to look for mysteries with a historical or foreign setting because I like to be taken to a different time or place. During lockdown, I read mostly nonfiction, although couldn’t tell you why. Recently, I’ve been reading more literary fiction for a book club. I also read a lot of poetry, especially haiku and traditional Chinese poetry, which is beautiful and intriguing.

Will there be a sequel to Of Ships and Sealing Wax?

I’m currently editing the manuscript for a related book that’s set several years later and follows many of the same characters. It’s a not sequel per se, but there is more to their story. There are suspense elements this time — stolen letters, missing sapphires, chases through dark streets, mysterious foreign ladies. And I hope there will be more stories after this one.

An Interview with Beau Lake and JM Paquette

Are there unique challenges to stay true to history?
Beau: Jen and I wrote primarily about characters who resided in modern day Cairo, but Milfonnos is a pharaoh out of time. What we really played up was when he tries to go to a place of great comfort (the temple where he was coronated), he finds only a river, because historically, that temple had washed away. There’s also another scene where he is following what he believes is an impossibly long snake, which is a road; sees the eye shine of a predator, which is a car’s headlights; and gets shouted at by the driver (who, in his mind, should be groveling and kissing his feet).

Do you have advice for a writer tackling a new genre?

Beau: I am living this right now as I transition to purely horror fiction (except for future installments of the Shawarma Warrior King series!). My advice would be to read, read, read in your genre. You may know how to write, and write effectively, but you need to know what the beats look like, how the (in this case, horror) novel BREATHES.

What genres do you read and why?

Beau: Generally, I read horror but I do enjoy fantasy and science fiction. Horror has always been a comfort. In The Book of Accidents, Chuck Wendig wrote that characters endure terrible things, but the things don’t kill them. They simply change them.

Do you have suggestions to promote books on social media.

Beau: Vary it up. Don’t post the same content over and over. Work with the platform you are using, not against it. It is okay to be silly and have fun, because you’re a person, not just an author.

Will there be a sequel?

Beau: Absolutely. Jen and I have an outline for the rest of the series. Each book gives another character an arc and moves along the plot toward its conclusion. We try to make each one feel like it’s own complete thing, so there’s not quite a cliffhanger; you feel good where the characters are at that end. We anticipate the next book of the series to come out late 2025 or early 2026.

JM: Of course! Beau and I planned for a five book series arc, so Eliza and the guys have many more adventures coming up!

Is there a place for politics in your books?

Beau: Books are inherently political. Even the most far-flung world, full of elves and knights and whatever else, endures political struggle of SOME kind. It is the human condition to explore how humans are, even if our characters aren’t entirely human.

If you have used (or still do) a writing group for help and support, what has been your experience with finding one, and using them?

JM: Having a co-author (Beau Lake) made writing this book infinitely easier (since I technically only wrote half a book!) as well as a ton of fun. We shared a ridiculous amount of mummy gifs (and sexy men in general) to keep us inspired as we went. Having that accountability as well as someone to bounce ideas off as we built the story made the process natural. On top of that, we had another writer (Valerie Willis) weighing in on our crazy ideas as we plotted the main story beats, and that additional perspective made the story richer in the end.

Do you consult a friend/other authors for advice on sticky writing situations?

JM: Always! I tend to write at night online with other authors on a Discord server, so when I get stuck, I can ask whoever is on for some feedback. I just did that last night on my work in progress (Rockstar Fairy Tales 2: Heart of Fire)! The debate: Which is more fun: the vampire hooks up with the sister of the woman he accidentally killed the night he was turned OR the sister didn’t die and is alive (a vampire) and her sister comes looking for her (and then I decide who the vampire ends up with)? We laughed, and they gave me some good insight *You’ll have to read the book to see what they suggested!).

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read and why? If it isn’t the one you write in, would it be someday?

JM: I am a complete sucker for paranormal romance. Give me vampires, witches, demons, werewolves, and all manner of shifters. Even better if there’s a love triangle. I do demand a happy ending, though. No deaths (even noble sacrifices!) in my romance, please!

Choosing the Right Beta Reader

What is the difference between a beta reader and an editor? Beta Readers see the story: Editors see the details.

Beta readers are a crucial part of the writing process. They offer fresh eyes, honest feedback, and insights that can elevate your manuscript. However, not all beta readers are equal. Choosing the right ones can make the difference between valuable critique and wasted time. Here are tips to help.

Look for Brutal Honesty

Friends or family may hesitate to critique your work openly. A good beta reader, however, isn’t afraid to point out issues like weak characters, slow pacing, or awkward dialogue. Constructive criticism is essential for growth.

Set clear expectations with potential beta readers. Let them know you’re not seeking flattery but honest feedback. Avid readers will understand audience expectations and can identify potential flaws.

Seek Diverse Perspectives

A mix of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints will give you richer, more comprehensive feedback. For instance, if your story features characters from different cultures, beta readers from those backgrounds can ensure authenticity.

Similarly, a range of ages, genders, and expertise levels can help address different aspects of your manuscript, from character arcs to dialogue.

Consider Professional Beta Readers

Unpaid beta readers can be helpful, but hiring professionals offers unique advantages:

1. Commitment Professionals treat beta reading as a job. Unlike unpaid readers, they are consistent and deliver detailed feedback on time.
2. Expertise Many professionals have publishing experience. They can critique story structure, pacing, and character development with precision.
3. Objectivity Unlike friends or family, professionals provide unbiased feedback focused on improving your manuscript.
4. Efficiency With a clear timeline, professionals help you meet deadlines without delays.

Choosing the Right Professionals

When hiring a professional beta reader, look for experience in your genre. Check reviews, testimonials, and sample critiques. Be specific about what you want—feedback on pacing, character development, or overall readability—to get the most value.

Combine Approaches

Using both unpaid and professional beta readers can balance everyday reader perspectives with expert insights. For example, unpaid readers can gauge engagement, while professionals focus on technical elements like plot and pacing.

Final Thoughts

Beta readers are invaluable for refining your manuscript, but selecting the right ones requires thought. Prioritize honesty, seek diverse perspectives, and consider professional services. The goal isn’t perfection but progress. With the right feedback, you’ll be ready to craft a polished, compelling book.

An Interview with JC Gatlin

How would you compare your book to other styles of mysteries? 

My mysteries tend to have a balance of humor and suspense. I’m a big fan of 90s mystery/horror, like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, and those influences are present in my mysteries. It’s scary but also tongue-in-cheek.

Of all your characters (real or not), which is the most like your own personality? How many of the char’s traits are already part of you, verses what you want them to be?

I don’t think any singular character is a stand-in for me. However, every character has traits of my personality with them. Tori can be no-nonsense, bull-dogged determined once she makes up her mind to do something or prove something. There are many people who will tell you I’m the same way, especially when it comes to my writing schedule. RJ doesn’t take life too seriously and is laid-back and makes fun of things he sees. That’s a dual part of my personality too. I don’t think RJ would ever be the life of the party, but neither would I. Even the murderer shares a few personality traits with me, although I can’t go into that without revealing which character did-in the school teacher. (And no, I would never resolve a situation with murder!)

In what you read or write, what kind of characters appeal to you the most, and why, with examples.

I love characters who have personality defects and social issues, and learning what trauma happened in their past to create those defects. I like characters who are humorous, whether that’s in dialog or in their actions. And, of course, characters who are hiding something, especially plot-twisting secrets, are the crux of any good mystery.

In H_NGM_N, Tori is stuck moving forward professionally, personally, and in her romantic relationships due to things that happened to her growing up. When her childhood friend is murdered, she has to return home and, in the event of solving the murder, confront those childhood issues. I hope readers say, “Oh, so that’s why she’s like that or does that,” as they learn more about her past.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or should they do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)? 

I guess it depends on the type of story you’re writing. In a mystery, the murderer always has a motive, but I don’t know that the motive must always be sympathetic. Murderers in whodunnits generally tend to be motivated by greed, revenge, or passion. And while they always get their comeuppance, they are rarely redeemed.

In H_NGM_N, the reader will certainly understand why that character resorted to murder to achieve a goal, and the consequences are tragic–a lot of characters are affected by the murder. However, I doubt anyone will feel sympathy for the villain. I think that goes for all my mystery novels–there is understanding for the why, but I doubt any sane person would actually agree that was the best course of action.

One character trait that all great villains share is the idea that they are the hero in their own story. From their perspective, their actions were justified or right. Because of their circumstances, they were left with only one option. Only Darth Vader is a true, no-shades-of-grey villain, but even he is redeemed in the end and wanted to bring order to chaos. So scratch that, even Darth Vader wasn’t just purely evil for evil’s sake.

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

Book 8, with a tentative title of We Three Magicians, is on hold for a bit because I’ve changed book 7, which requires rewriting the first part of book 8. At least I haven’t lost any more of the manuscript. There is also the distinct possibility that I’ll write another companion book first featuring Pelaez (Celwyn’s brother and also an immortal magician) to release some stress. Pelaez feels like my alter ego at times with his antics and devious ideas of fun. .

The Violins Played before Junstan  book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig  book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died  Book 4   

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman  Book 5

https://books2read.com/celwyn005

Swango   Book 6  

https://books2read.com/swango

 In this issue, interviews with:                                    

           Artist and Author Stephen B. Graziani                      

           Urban fantasy and historical fiction Author D.A. Spruzen
                          
           Author Mimi Francis  

           Children’s Author Chip Haynes

Also, another great article by editor Jennie Rosenblum, plus ideas for holiday gifts, for the gift of reading.

Celwyn’s Cats

Mystery Review Crew – Cliffhangers: One-Liner Showcase

Stop by the Mystery Review Crew on December 1st at https://mysteryreviewcrew.com/. You’ll find some great one-liners nominated by your favorite authors and a contest.

Later in December …… the Mystery Review Crew, https://mysteryreviewcrew.com, will have their holiday event of original short stories and giveaways. For it, Author Richard Koreto and I, have collaborated on a story, Ophelia’s Promise. It features Salieri and Mozart and a murder.

An Interview with writer and artist Stephen B. Graziani

An Interview with D. A Spruzen

1. Do you plan to write any nonfiction? (or another genre?)

I have had a lot of poetry published, and a poetry chapbook, Long in the Tooth, was published a few years ago. I’ve taught and written a memoir.

2. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

Take classes and learn the craft. Read widely. Find a writer’s group. When you write, write without stopping to worry about spelling, grammar, and so on. Stopping to fix all that is a sure path to writer’s block. Then revise. Revise. Revise some more. Edit last. Get other eyes on your work.

3. Set the scene: What is your perfect writing day? What time of day is it? Where are you? What is or is not happening in the background?

I sit in front of a window that looks out onto the Chesapeake Bay. The waves dance and play with the sunlight. I am alone except for my dog. I have a handy bottle of Pellegrino on my side table.

4. How would you compare the style of the Sleuthing with Mortals series to other styles of fantasies?

The memoirs move through the Norse heavens, ancient cultures, and other historical events. A mystery runs through the story, too, as does Mary’s own life in the household. Hence, while largely urban fantasy, the books also embody mythology, historical fiction, and mystery.

5. In your series, Sleuthing with Mortals, do your characters evolve as it progresses?

In The Turkish Connection, a Norse goddess, Lin hires Mary to be the resident ghostwriter of her memoirs. Mary finds all her previous assumptions about life, love, and religion, challenged—Norse gods and their powers are real and what she thought was mythology, isn’t.

In The Witch of Tut, Lin finds a friend of her own kind (goddess), a great comfort. Mary is a little jealous, and … there’s such a thing as a witch? Terror grips Mary more than once.

In The Knight, the Gnome, and the Fox, Mary realizes that her daughter has greater abilities than a normal child. Will the child find her mother inferior? To Mary’s amazement, yet another survivor of Raganarok appears. Yggdrasil is growing fast. They all wonder how life will change if the gods of Asgar rule again.

See The Knight, the Gnome, and the Fox on Amazon

Interview with children’s author Chip Haynes

1. Talk about the illustration process (and what you’ve learned?) I’m a retired professional commercial artist, so I have to say that the illustrator for this children’s book series, Niki Tantillo, is my absolutely hero. She obviously read all of these stories very carefully and kept notes. She got everything, every detail, so very right, down to the flower on Olivia’s brown hat! And I could never have matched her wonderful casual style, which was exactly with this casual possum needed! We have emailed back and forth a bit, but we have yet to meet. (And we really should!)

2. What do you think new authors should decide before they begin their book? Should it be who they are writing for (themselves or their audience)? Do you have other criteria you would suggest? Oh, I wrote a whole book on this! (“How to Write a Book”) It comes down to this: Once you have That Idea, do your homework, your research and do the most detailed story outline that you possibly can. That’s what totally saves the day later as you sit there and write the text. Oh, and caffeine. Yer gonna need some serious caffeine. Yep.

3. Of all your characters, which is the most like your personality? How many of the char’s traits are already part of you, verses what you want them to be? In all honesty, it’s probably me, somewhere, in all of my books, but I am SO Oliver Possum! I’ve got the bike and the hat, and I DO stop for tea and pie. (I did just this morning!) And I am sort of short and fuzzy…

4. In your upcoming book, did your characters evolve as you used them? Oliver grows up from book to book, from learning to ride a bike in his first book to having adventures on the road with his friends and finding a girl possum to ride with, but as for me, no, I’m still just Uncle Chippie to everyone. Even my nephews.

5. Can you see yourself using Ai in your books? On what part and why? No. I enjoy the act of writing too much to let some robot try to be me. And geez, Louise, what if they did a better job? I’d be out of work! (But would they pay me for the use of my name? Hmmmm…

6. Talk about how your series came about. What did you initially visualize for the theme? Did it lead to an idea for a new series? The idea came to me as I rode Oliver Possum’s bicycle- a vintage English 3-speed. The name came first, and then the persona followed. And then the stories… so many stories… The series is simply my life on a bike over the years and the miles…

Email: [email protected]

See Oliver Possum’s Bicycle on Amazon

Holiday Special!

Choosing the Right Editor with Jennie Rosenblum

Finding the right editor is about more than just skill:

• It’s about finding someone who clicks with you and your project. 
• Think of it as a partnership, and ask yourself how you prefer to work. Do you like having a regular chat over the phone to discuss feedback, or are you more comfortable with email exchanges?         
• Maybe you’re looking for someone who gives deep developmental feedback to help shape your story, 
• Or perhaps you just want a polished final draft with clean grammar and style. 

Being clear on your preferences will make the search much smoother and help you find the perfect editor for your project.

Most editors these days are a bit of a one-stop shop—they often provide a range of services like beta reading, developmental editing, and copyediting. Some can even tackle grammar, style, and proofreading all in one go, making the process simpler.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions and make sure they offer exactly what you need. After all, finding the right editor is like finding the right pair of shoes—it has to be the right fit, or it’s just not going to work!

Working with an editor is an investment in your book’s success, giving it the best possible chance to stand out in a competitive market. 

A good editor won’t just polish your prose; they’ll help your voice and story shine through in a way that’s unmistakably yours. So. take your time, find someone who understands your vision, and get ready to bring your book to life in the best way possible.

Ideas for Holiday Book Gifts

Paying in Blood by Karen Hayden Grabbing a Slice of Minnesota Nice by Lucas Lamont Mother of Exiles, by Joel Flanagan-Grannemann About Basketball….by Mike De Lucia

The Transit Series by Benjamin X Wretlind Deadly Business by Anita Dickason Loose Lips by Kemper Donovan The Turnbull Murders by Richard Koreto

The Vampire Called Allison  by Nick Savage  The Door by Taggart Rehnn Rise of the Sky Pilot  by S. W. Raine The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern

Death of a Dream Catcher by Linda’s Norlander Wonder of Light by Jessica Scatchetti Dissonance by Aaron Ryan  Devils Island by Midge Raymond and John Yunker The Bench by Ty Carlson A Stitch in Key Lime by R. A. Hutchins    The Cabinet of Dr Leng  by Preston and Child The Shadow of the Mole by Bob Van Laer Hoven

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

Link to Celwyn’s YouTube channel

Supporting Local

THE WRITE LINE • www.free-expressions.com • September 30, 2024

POWERFUL PROMPTS

Looking for some inspiration? Give these writing prompts a try and see where your words take you.

Only ten letters survived…
Still, she waited…
A glamorous denial…
The heavens already forbade…
They took another turn…
Seeking wiser counsel…
Rapture stole them…
Ten times the cost…
The scales tipped…
A rush of sunlight…
The veiled waves…
It came down to the poets…
Abstract clouds…
His footsteps an elegy…

An interview with writer Mimi Francis

1. Is there something about your books/your point of view that you think readers should know? I write my books in third-person dual POV. This gives my books a movie-like feel when you’re reading them. It also gives the reader the chance to see the story from both the male and female characters’ points of view.
2. Will there be a sequel to Taken by the Mobster? The second book in the Massachusetts Mafia series will be released in mid-2025. The title is a secret and under wraps. It will focus on two minor characters from Taken by the Mobster, Caitlin O’Reilly and Grady McCarthy. All of my books are standalone reads in an interconnected universe, so they have a firm “happily for now/happily ever after” ending.
3. Did a particular historical/arcane fact in your research stick with you, maybe becoming part of the series or a standalone in the future? This book is part of a mafia romance series. While doing my research, I discovered that the Irish mafia was quite prevalent in the Boston area in the 1900s. This fact prompted me to focus the series on the Irish mafia in the New England area.
4. Who is your favorite villain of all time and why? (examples please) and 12. Can a villain be sympathetic, or do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)? (examples)My all-time favorite villain is Loki from the Marvel movies. My favorites are Avengers and the first Thor movie. I think villains can be sympathetic, especially if their origin story is tragic or compelling. And I do think they can redeem themselves if they change their ways and do good. Helping the protagonist accomplish a heroic act often redeems them for me.
5. Which specific authors or books have influenced you in your writing journey?I was heavily influenced by J.R. Ward, the author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Stephen King. Both are writers I admire and when I wrote as a teenager, I tried to emulate their writing, in particular King’s. As I grew as a writer, I became more and more influenced by J.R. Ward. I have followed her for years and I love her books. I hope someday to have people love me like they do her.

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died Book 4

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman Book 5 https://books2read.com/celwyn005

Swango Book 6 https://books2read.com/swango/

In this issue, interviews with:

Valerie Willis, Paranormal romance author
James Seeley, Thriller writer

There is also a great article from editor Jennie Rosenblum and updates and reviews from Gina K. Mitchell. Our new serialization is a short story from Benjamin X. Wretlind, entitled Over There.

Celwyn’s Cats

It’s almost Christmas, can you believe it?

Stop by the Mystery Review Crew on December 1st, https://mysteryreviewcrew.com/ You’ll find some great one-liners nominated by your favorite authors, and a contest.

An Interview with James Seeley

Decorated veteran Jacob Stearne races against ruthless adversaries to recover a secret capable of changing the balance of global power. Entangled in betrayals and shifting alliances, Jacob must first confront the Hero’s Paradox before he can secure the prize.

1. Does your reading stay within your genre, or do you read different genres? I read widely, both within my genre of mystery and thrillers as well as Sci-Fi, Romance, and Historical. I’ll read anything well-written. I also enjoy a good deal of non-fiction to better inform my writing. IE: This year I’ve read books on economics, writing, espionage, history, mythology, and a few biographies.

2. Do you ever consider yourself in the shoes of the reader? Do you hear anything from them? I think of myself as a reader first. But humans are the best at self-deception, so I constantly poll my readers through my newsletters. I get terrific feedback. I decided not to kill off a couple characters who were boring me because my readers said, “We don’t read Game of Thrones because they all die!” So I shipped the characters off to faraway lands and retrieve them once in a while. As I answer this question, I’m about to send out a poll on whether they’d like a whole new post-apocalyptic series from me. I’ve got a premise in my head, but it would take time away from the bread-and-butter characters.

3. Have you thought of writing non-fiction? For the last ten years, I’ve had a book on parenting in my head, titled: How to be the Perfect Parent. (If you have kids over 15, you just laughed.) As noted in my bio, I adopted a little girl forty-eight years ago; I later got married and had two kids the old-fashioned way (two parents, nuclear family). I now have three kids, three grandkids, and three great grandkids. Over nearly five decades of parenting, I learned a lot of things through trial and error. My second crop benefitted immensely from my good-ideas-gone-wrong and they frequently thank their big sister for teaching me how to be a better dad. If I write it, the book would have chapters like: You don’t know unconditional love until you’ve bailed a child out of jail. And advice like: The goal in life is to have the kids leave and the wife stay. Not to mention observations such as: Getting angry doesn’t work … apparently.

4. Will there be a sequel to Chasm of Exiles? Yes, it’s the sixteenth novel overall (2 prequels and 14 in the series proper). Once, I left a cliffhanger at the end of a book, but I hate those and my readers weren’t shy about telling me their opinion either. Since then, each book stands alone. You can read any of them in any order. The story arc contains elements that carry over, but nothing you can’t figure out. After this book, there are two more stuck in my head. After that, I’m seriously considering an epic post-apocalyptic trilogy or pentalogy.

5. Should new authors write for themselves or their audience? In my humble opinion, you should always write for yourself first. If you don’t like it, why would anyone else? That said, it’s important to understand the reader you want to reach. I happen to love oddball writing and experimental stuff that might not go well with my intended audience. So I write something that I want to read—within reason.

6. Do you have your next book’s plot already in your head? Yes, in general terms. My series has two main characters, and the next one will focus on the heroine, Pia Sabel. She’s a billionaire (the only nice one) who becomes trapped after an avalanche cuts off communications at an exclusive Alpine resort. With her are six other billionaires (not-so-nice) and their significant others. One of the party is murdered and Pia must figure out whodunit. It will be my homage to the manor-house mysteries of Agatha Christie while also paying tribute to the intrigues of John le Carre and the twists of Lucy Foley.

Interview with Valerie Willis

How would you compare Cedric the Demonic Knight to other styles of fantasies?
This may have all the trappings of a dark fantasy and broody antihero, but this story, characters, and even the plot at times is pulled from a mixture of mythology, dark history, and superstitions. For Cedric, many will recognize a blend of Russian, Romanian, and Polish folktales and superstitions tied into the mix and names reflective of the Russian Knight Hero Tales that were commonplace during the Dark Ages in which the story takes place in for most of the book. Each book in the series does this with different focal points to add a different flavor that often leads readers stunned at accuracy or the amount of influence from real world mythos.

If you have used a writing group for help and support, what has been your experience with finding them, and using them?
At the start of my author career, I was part of a variety of writer groups. Each of them had something different that aided me in both my writing as well as my goal to become an author. For example, one group always had workshops about traditional and self publishing so I could learn more of what to expect from both sides, another group that had a few other writers in the same genre were a big help on making sure I was mastering my genres, another was very open to building writing craft and how to self edit, and another helped with reading my work out loud and being able to strengthen my public speaking skills.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?
The 4th book in the Cedric Series was the hardest. I had hit a point in the story where I had to take a step back and do more worldbuilding and establish what I had hinted at for 3 books. Deciding how and what I wanted my underworld and magical realms to look like and more importantly, how they functioned was quite the undertaking. In the end, I am very happy that I didn’t shy away from using the Celtic belief system as the foundation despite how little information from the original culture exists. Using it allowed me to overlap Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and more to add some fun burst of flavor in unexpected places.

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read?
I read a lot of Dark Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, and MM Romance with Fantasy vibes. There is also a lot of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Romance in my selections. My current series I am chewing through is the Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer Armentrout. SO GOOD! Absolutely love the characters and the banter is so fun for a Dark Fantasy Romance.

Do you plan to write any nonfiction?
I have already written and published some nonfiction books! Because I do so much research and have a process, my first one was the Writer’s Bane: Research 101 for those needing help to organize that process or get more out of their research attempts. From there, I have released a textbook sized book on Formatting 101 as well as being known for reformatting old public domain books such as Bulfinch’s Mythology, The Faerie-Faith of the Celtic Countries, and The Book of Werewolves. Non Fiction inspires a lot of what I do and these books are resources for the Cedric Series, so I made them into eye-pleasing versions. Writer’s Bane Series came about thanks to over a hundred panels and workshops, I realized I knew a lot about a lot, and now I’m passing what I have learned and experience to other writers.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or do good deeds in order to be redeemed in the eyes of those around them (or the readers)?
I love morally grey characters, and more importantly, every character being flawed. In the Cedric Series there is the constant sensation that each powerful being we encounter is a villain to Cedric in some way, while still being a hero in their own tale. In book 2, Romasanta: Father of Werewolves we get to see this play out a few times as scenes overlap and parallel from book 1. We see Romasanta as this nasty villain but as you travel through his own story you realize that Cedric is oblivious to who he really is, what his intent is, and this concept of Cedric is beneath Romasanta in a lot of ways which drives this concept “I don’t have to explain myself to you” vibe that breaks down communication. I love character that can flip sides depending on where their feelings, morals, and goals align in several situations. We see this the most I think with the character Lilith, and more is revealed about her in books 3 and 5!

Discover my books and Social Media connections here: https://linktr.ee/WillisAuthor

Editing

Why Pay for an Editor When I Can Use Software to Polish My Manuscript?

With the rise of advanced editing software, authors may wonder whether a professional editor is necessary. While these tools can help identify grammatical errors and improve sentence flow, they fall short in areas requiring deeper insight, such as story structure, character development, and market alignment.

A professional editor doesn’t just focus on sentence-level corrections; they look at the entire manuscript. Experienced editors often specialize in specific genres, giving them the expertise to understand what works best for your target audience. They know how to pace a story, develop characters, and maintain the right tone based on your genre’s conventions.

More importantly, the best editors are in tune with current market trends and reader expectations. This knowledge helps them guide you in making your book more commercially viable while preserving your unique voice. Software simply cannot provide this level of market-savvy advice.

Ideas for Holiday Book Gifts

The Cayman Conundrum by Stacy Wilder The Two Terrors of Tule Lake by W M Gunn Confronting Power and Chaos by Christine Scarbek The Canvas by Lane Stone

Operation Navajo by Anita Dickason Aebris Storm by Benjamin X. Wretlind Dead Land by Chris Mullen Death in the Orchard by Marni Graff

Linda’s Norlander’s latest Robert Lewis’ Shadow Guardian series Nick Savage’s YA adventure M J Miller’s mystery to die for.

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

Let’s Talk About BBNYA

Story Serialization part 1 of 3

A Review, and Review Opportunities for Authors

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan  book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky   book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig     book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died  Book 4   

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman  Book 5    https://books2read.com/celwyn005

Swango   Book 6   https://books2read.com/swango/

In this issue:
An interview with Chad Miller, author of historical mysteries  

Book Review, Scars of the Heart by Bob Van Laerhoven               

The second installment of the serialized short story, Genevieve Understood Us, by Richard Koreto is available on his website!

Celwyn’s Cats

Swango Swango Swango! Book 6 in The Celwyn Series is almost here!

A Review of Scars of the Heart, by Bob Van Laerhoven

Interview with Chad Miller

One axe. Two murders. Who will confess?

If you had to recommend one of your books to young adults just leaving YA reading, which of your books should they start with, and why? The Confession. This is an historical mystery and follows my main character, Isabella from her childhood to young adulthood. Even though there are elements of horror and a few brutal scenes, we get an insight of the struggles of a young girl as she tries to navigate adolescence in the late 1800s.

How soon do you know you’ll kill off a particular character, and what told you to do it? I’m not an outliner, but I have specific plot points that I try to organically try to reach. Sometimes this is killing off a character, but other times the story drives itself. I firmly believe that no character is safe. I killed off my favorite character I had ever written because the story demanded it to happen. This even surprised and saddened me.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why? Prisoner of Despair. This book was heavily inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I tried to capture the feel of classic horror, so the novel is written in the epistolary style. The story is told through a series of diary entries and letters through multiple POVs. It was difficult to keep all the voices distinctive and keeping the timelines in order was tedious.

For your own reading, what genre (s) do you read? I’m all over the place. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of Neil Gaiman and Cormac McCarthy. I read almost any genre, except erotica or steamy romance. I just need a great story with great characters. Of course, classic horror is my favorite genre.

Tips from a reader: Gina Rae Mitchell

Navigating the Dreaded Reading Slump: Tips and Tricks

Reading slumps are like an unwelcome guest for avid readers—a period where no book seems to capture your interest or hold your attention. You may find yourself picking up book after book, only to put each one down after a few pages. It’s frustrating, especially when reading is usually a source of joy or escape. So, what causes reading slumps, and how can we break free from them?

First, it’s essential to recognize that reading slumps happen to everyone. Life can get busy, and distractions like work, stress, or fatigue can make it difficult to focus on books. Sometimes, it’s not the book—it’s you. Even the best story might not hold your attention when your mind is preoccupied.

The good news? There are plenty of ways to get out of a reading slump. One simple solution is to change the genre. If you’ve been diving into heavy historical fiction or intense thrillers, try something light and easy, like a romance or a fun mystery. Alternatively, reread a favorite book. Nostalgia can rekindle the joy of reading and remind you why you love books in the first place.

You can also try audiobooks. Sometimes, the act of physically reading can feel daunting, but listening to a book while doing other activities can help ease you back into the habit.

Lastly, give yourself permission to take a break. It’s okay to step away from reading for a while. Often, the desire to read comes back naturally when you’re not forcing it.

Remember, reading slumps are temporary, and your next great read is just around the corner!

What’s up next on the blog?

BBNYA (Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award) has entered the finals stage. I have been assigned a few books to read for the final round. This year, my reading is a little bit curtailed due to vision issues. So, to make up for it (and in my excitement), I agreed to post 59 Spotlights featuring the semi-finalists over the next two months. This is on top of my regular Indie Author Reviews, Blog Tours, and weekly Friday Fun Finds. I might just be crazy!! Visit my website to follow along with the fun!

Website: GinaRaeMitchell

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

Other News

Story Serializations. As frequently as possible, the Celwyn newsletter will have an ongoing serialization of stories of speculative, mystery, and any other genre I enjoy.
If you miss any parts of the upcoming serializations, you can find them here:

Serialized Stories

Richard’s story is also here:

Genevieve Understood Us

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

For book 7, Lucky and Mrs. Nemo: Finally, it is with the beta readers. Those lucky and kind souls. I’m excited about it because of the major changes in it, but also nervous that I’ve captured all the opportunities with it.

There isn’t an official blurb yet for Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, but Lucky is a character, literally and figuratively. Traditionally the personality of a scientist is dry. Not so for Lucky, who enjoys a good gunfight. She participates in the final bloody scene as they defend Findbar, and where they find the ghost of Mrs. Spencer in the mansion’s tower with her broadsword and a deadly attitude. The new genre introduced into the series in book 6 is active in book 7, and Kang and Bartholomew both wish it weren’t. Certain things scare them more than others.

Book 8: Although 130 pages of the handwritten first draft is still safely put away I have been thinking instead of continuing with it, letting it percolate like a confused cup of coffee.. More ideas have come to the surface, and they require a bit of fore-planning. Not if they’ll be included, but how.

The near future will have Pelaez still causing trouble, and Celwyn keeping the peace between his brother and Captain Nemo. Maybe Swango can be bribed to leave Pelaez somewhere in the future? Or Pelaez will reach the point where he wants to be the only untrustworthy member of the ensemble.

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died Book 4

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman Book 5

https://books2read.com/celwyn005

 In this issue, interviews with:

         Karen Haden, author of historical crime thrillers

         Kurt Springs, sci-fi novelist         

         Aaron Ryan, sci-fi thriller novelist         

The second installment of the serialized short story, The Frequency of Violets, appears and the first installment of Genevieve Understood Us, by Richard Koreto can be found on his website.

Celwyn’s Cats

An Interview with Karen Haden

Why did Crackleton’s wife travel to Lincoln and die there? Apprentice Baxby vows to help his friend discover the truth. His loyalties will be tested, amidst Tudor court politics and espionage, but murder must out.

How would you compare Paying in Blood to other styles of mysteries? 

Set in England, during the last years of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, Alexander Baxby’s quest to solve the mystery of a young woman’s suspicious death leads him into the murky world of Tudor politics and court rivalry.

More unusually, the novel shows their impact on ordinary people’s lives, as powerful statesmen and bishops exert increasing control through espionage, surveillance and limiting access to books. Baxby tells his story from gaol, so the precarious nature of early 17^th century life is never far-away.

Of all your characters, which is the most like your personality? 

Baxby shares character traits and life events with my late father and myself. Like many working in Defense and Security, we understood the need to keep secrets, even from closest family and friends, and the resulting tensions that can bring. I am glad to have retired from that environment to write.

Who is your favorite villain of all time and why?

Disney villains such as Cruella de Ville and Snow White’s wicked Queen remain strong favorites. Growing up, I was closer to my father than mother in a competitive home, which may explain my on-going fascination with the complexities of female malevolence and power.

Can a villain be sympathetic, or do good deeds to be redeemed?

In my childhood and whilst working as a consultant, I saw how minor differences can spiral into major conflict. Issues were rarely black and white. People with different perspectives often saw different parts of the whole.

As a result, my heroes and villains are more nuanced. Although courageous, loveable and loyal, Baxby has multiple weaknesses. Antagonist Archbishop Bancroft does what he deems necessary to protect national security, with lethal consequences.

Will there be a sequel to Paying in Blood, and if so, what will it focus on? 

The next Alexander Baxby mystery will be published in the autumn of 2024, in which his attempts to start a new life in Amsterdam will be shaken by a series of unexplained deaths. Suspecting Bancroft’s spy-network has spread beyond England’s coast, Baxby’s own life will be threatened as he pursues the truth.

Connect with Karen Haden: https://karenhaden.blogspot.com

An Interview with Kurt Springs

Deirdre and her sisters’ homecoming plans are disrupted when their parents are kidnapped. In their desperate search, they discover the Rebellion is building weapons that could end galactic civilization.

What one aspect of sci fi makes it richer than the other? what are the drawbacks when writing one or the other? 

There are many types of science fiction. Hard science fiction tries to stay true to the known rules of “how the universe works,” such as Einstein’s speed of light limit. Space Opera tends to hand-waive many rules for the sake of the story being told. To get from point A to point B in the galaxy, Gene Rodenberry’s Star Trek used “warp drive,” and George Lucas’s Star Wars used “hyperspace.” In Robert Silverberg’s stories, people traveled between galaxies using something he called “overdrive.” I use “interdimensional,” which is similar to warp drive. It allows me to tell a story that takes place within a reasonable length of time and explore other aspects of my universe. The drawback is that science purists can claim it is more like “science fantasy” because “you can’t travel faster than the speed of light without time dilation.” At least I’m in good company with Rodenberry, Lucas, and Silverberg.

 In your upcoming book, did you change the personality of one of your characters to make them more interesting, less violent, more empathetic, etc. than the books preceding it?

In the last scene of Promise of Mercy, as Deirdre and her family step onto the tarmac of Etrusci, their home planet, her father says. “Did it really change that much since we left? Or are we the ones who have changed?” Promise of Mercy focuses on Deirdre and her identical triplet sisters, Aisling and Bayvin. The triplets are highly skilled but have only just finished advanced training. Their father, Liam, was the hero of Price of Vengeance and Legacy of Valor. Experience has changed Liam from a green junior officer to a seasoned veteran. Raising three girls and a boy also made him an experienced parent, which helped when he was befriended by Marisa, a retired Rebel leader whose little girl needed his help. This is more of a natural progression of his maturing as a person.

Deirdre experiences growth that almost mirrors that of her father. At the beginning of the story, she decides she should kill Marisa. By the end, she starts to have doubts. Hence the importance of the title. Marisa has a colorful career as a Rebel commander and scientist. We see her in Price of Vengeance after gathering Liam’s genetic material for her own project. By the vents of Promise of Mercy, she has become disillusioned by the Rebellion and regrets much of what she did during it.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?

Legacy of Valor was the hardest to write of the books published to date. It involves a full-on battle on the moon of Treespo, which orbits the planet Beta Proximus IV. Liam was forced to take control of the division. Keeping the various parts of a multipart battle straight and interesting is not as easy as it sounds.

Will there be a sequel ?

I have three novels that are entering the editing stage before being sent to the publisher. Addiction of Power focuses on Liam’s son Aidan as he and Marisa’s daughter try to bring an end to the civil war. It is something of a romance between the two. Following that is Path of Redemption, where a minor villain from Promise of Mercy falls for Deirdre. I also have a prequel novel taking place 600 years before the events of Price of Vengeance.

http://www.kurtsprings.com/

Editing! By Joe Mistretta

Let’s talk about passive voice.  

(Was  and Were are the most commonly used culprits)

Yes, certain writing styles call for some passive voice. I stress the word “some.” While a well-placed passive voice sentence can add to the stylistic allure of SteamPunk, or the period pieces of literary fiction, most of the time, (even within those examples) passive voice runs the risk of disengaging the reader from the flow of the scene.

When writing, it is all about showing and not telling. 

We show the reader what is happening, we don’t tell them. This may sound strange as our job is to write words, so let me give you an example:         

Passive voice. 

1.           There is a cast iron tea kettle on the stove, whistling. I knew the green tea had been steeping for a while because it had been whistling for five minutes.

Active voice.

2.           A cast iron tea kettle whistles on the stove. Its high-pitched alarm rang through the kitchen for five straight minutes.

Forget the fact the sentences are basic. The first tells the reader what instead of showing—there’s a tea kettle whistling for five minutes. 

Passive voice has a much harder time painting a picture. 

Active voice brings the scene to life.

There are many ways to write passive and just as many to turn those phrases into active. Of course, passive voice cannot always be avoided. And, as stated, the occasional use is fine. But avoiding them makes for more engaging writing, and I think we all strive for that.

Here’s a way to practice with your writing. (I’m not selling anything) Get a free account with Pro Writing Aid or Grammarly. Make sure the passive voice alert is turned on. Go through your work and find a purple underlined sentence. Think of different ways you can restate the sentence in active voice. Sometimes a simple word substitution or two is all you’ll need. Other times, an overhaul will be needed. Practice and have fun with it.

We all write because we have stories inside us we feel we must tell. I’m here to help you tell them in the best voice you have. 

Happy writing!

Joe Mistretta, [email protected] 

website at jcm-editing.wixsite.com/freelance-editor

Books On Your Terms: The Perks of Digital Reading and Audiobooks by Gina Mitchell

Interview with Aaron Ryan

How soon do you know you’ll kill off a particular character, and what told you to do it?

I’m more of a “pantser” in how I write, which, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, I’m more of an organic writer. I prefer to let the character take me where they want to lead me. That doesn’t mean that my writing is to the exclusion of mileposts, mile markers or guidelines off any kind…no: doing so would be sculpting a novel bereft of forward direction. Art mirrors life, and life just ‘happens’ to us. So I like to write in that style, and let events unfold that take me by surprise as well. That includes the death of a character, which I don’t really know about or plan until I’m pretty much right upon the death itself. That being said, there are times where I know I have to advance the mission of the protagonist, and sometimes there’s no greater catalyst than someone dying in order to set them on a path of resuming that mission with greater intent.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?

Dissonance Volume III: Renegade was the hardest in terms of the series. It involved FAR more research than I’d ever conducted on a book before. There are a lot of military elements to it, and those military elements and details need to be authentic and correct. I conducted a ton of research with colleagues and friends who are or were in the military in positions of knowledge, and they were immeasurably helpful. I really strove for verisimilitude in my books, especially in Volume III. The last thing I would want is for a seasoned military vet to read that book and exclaim, “What?!?! That’s not even right. This author is out of his mind.” I’m very proud of how it turned out and the incredible direction I was given by my military friends.

Talk about how your series came about. What did you initially visualize for the theme? Did it lead to an idea for a new series?

I honestly just had plans to write a single book focusing on an alien invasion. I had no idea there would be so much of a robust subplot that demanded further exposition and investigation. There are a lot of great character arcs in here, tons of beautiful world building, wonderful stories and great backstories I needed to mine. So it ballooned into two, and then three installments, and then, my favorite: the prequel. The prequel has a TON of heart in it. I love all of them and am proud of all of them but that is, by far, my favorite. And now I’m working on another installment in the series! I have been trying to work on a brand new novel that is NOT “Dissonance”-related, but this universe keeps sucking me right back in! 😊

Connect with Aaron: www.dissonancetheseries.com

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

The Celwyn’s YouTube channel

Upcoming Release

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

The magician’s first encounter with Swango is told as they plan for the Nautilus’ journey to the Castell de Ferro in Spain where Doctor Jurik Lazlo is hiding. Captain Nemo has been searching for him for a long time.”

Book 6 is through editing with my publisher, and the cover will be ready soon. Swango, will be available at the end of December. Warning: it contains a new genre. One that fits totally, and gives the ongoing story more freedom.

For book 7, Lucky and Mrs. Nemo: Finally, I’m almost done editing. By the time you read this newsletter, it will be complete and off to the beta readers. Either I’m getting pickier when I edit, or my writing is deteriorating. Whatever the cause, book 7 will be in good shape and my blood and sweat used for ink. I don’t cry over editing, I just get more tea.

There isn’t an official blurb yet for Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, but Lucky is a character, literally and figuratively. Traditionally the personality of a scientist is dry. Not so for Lucky, who enjoys a good gunfight. She participates in the final bloody scene as they defend Findbar, and where they find the ghost of Mrs. Spencer in the mansion’s tower with her broadsword and a deadly attitude. The new genre introduced into the series in book 6 is active in book 7, and Kang and Bartholomew both wish it weren’t. Certain things scare them more than others.

Book 8:  130 pages of the handwritten first draft is still safely put away until the book 7 edits have been finished and it has been beta read. This cuts down on confusing my brain.  As a preview though, book 8 addresses the dangling danger at the end of book 7 most satisfactorily for those of us more bloodthirsty than others. Then things get worse.

The near future will have Pelaez still causing trouble, and Celwyn keeping the peace between his brother and Captain Nemo. Maybe Swango can be bribed to leave Pelaez somewhere in the future?

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan book 1
https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky book 2
https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig book 3
https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died Book 4
https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book
https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman Book 5
https://books2read.com/celwyn005

 In this issue: articles, and interviews with

Celwyn’s Cats

An Interview with Author John Yunker

How would you compare Devil’s Island to regular mysteries? 

I often refer to Devils Island as an eco-mystery because the environment and animal protection are overarching themes. But it more commonly described as a “locked-room mystery.” In this case, the locked room is a remote island off the coast of Tasmania. I think what might make it slightly unique is the novel’s set-up – we leveraged the five-act structure of Hamlet for the novel.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?

My most difficult bulk to complete was Where Oceans Hide Their Dead. It took about seven years of writing and much more rewriting. This is the darkest novel I’ve written because it deals with some difficult and timely issues, like drug addiction and the horrors of the animal industrial complex.

Does your own reading stay within your writing genre, or do you read a different genre for yourself ?

I read across genres and my writing most likely reflects that, as sometimes my novels are called “literary” other times called “thrillers.” While I appreciate that a genre label help readers find books they want to read, as a writer, I worry that these labels get in the way of publishers taking chances on work that don’t fit cleanly into any one category.

Do you have a sample of what you discovered that was especially interesting when you did research for your books?

For Devils Island one of the most interesting bits of research is learning that the Tasmanian Devil, an animal about the size of a small dog can devour a large animal like a kangaroo within hours—muscle, organs, fat, bones, even fur—leaving nothing left.

Will there be a sequel to Devil’s Island, and if so, what will it focus on? and will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more?

We’ve left the door open to a sequel, one that would take place in Ashland, Oregon. So we’ll see. I have a difficult time letting go of characters, which often leads to sequels. In fact, my novel Where Oceans Hide Their Dead is a sequel of sorts to The Tourist Trail.

What do you think new authors should decide first, before they begin their book? Should it be who they are writing for (themselves or their audience)? Do you have other criteria you would suggest?

I always aim to write the book that I most want to read and I recommend writers do this as well. Because, in the end, regardless of whether you find an agent, a publisher or readers at the very least you will have pleased the most important reader of all: yourself. But, that said, during the editing stage it’s important to be able to see your work as other readers will see it. My partner Midge often quotes Stephen King: Write with the door closed; rewrite with the door open.

How important is site research for the location where your books take place, and why? What should a beginning writer consider about location in their novels?

Site research is the most exciting part of writing, particularly in the case of Devils Island, where we hiked the island off the coast of Tasmania where this novel takes place. While I don’t believe it’s essential to visit every place you write about, it certainly can’t hurt.

Can you see yourself using Ai in your books? On what part and why?

I’m amazed at how well AI engines produce cleanly written sentences. But humans are far messier, our voices more distinct, than any computer algorithm. I don’t really see AI as a threat to creative writing – though perhaps a threat to predicable and voiceless writing. That said, writers deserve to be compensated by any tech company that wants to scan their work to train their algorithms. The very reason AI appears “magical” is because it was trained on our hard work.

New Release Features

Interview with Author Andy T. Hanson

Have you thought of writing nonfiction? If so, what kind, purpose, and time period? I plan to write a layman’s take on skepticism and stoicism and how embracing both has changed my outlook on life profoundly. Hopefully, I’ll get to work on that, as well as wrapping up a short story collection I currently have in the works.

Discuss an aspect of your writing process. I love using the 3^rd person narrator, shifting viewpoints between various characters. You can give your reader little easter eggs peppered through each POV that has import for the character themselves, whether immediately or later, as well as connecting other POV arcs. All the while hints can be dropped for the overall conclusion. It is a wonderful way to create a feeling of a kind of whodunnit-type work for the reader, which captivates them and keeps the pages turning.

How many books will there be in this current series? What will it focus on? And will it have a solid ending, or leave things open for more? There will be three books in the Despot Chronicles series. I set out to editorialize, in a way, how tyrants and authoritarians take advantage of Calamity, as in book 1 of the Despot Chronicles, to establish their Control of their subjects, as in book 2, but ultimately they collapse in the end. The same occurs in book 3, because the power the authorities wield was built on sand. Sooner or later, they get exposed. The immediate story will have a satisfying and complete conclusion, while the wider world I’m building around the story will branch off from that conclusion.

For someone who hasn’t read your books, can you talk about the theme within the books? The theme is showing regular people who are placed in otherwise unthinkable situations. I want readers to commiserate with the characters and their decisions, and even understand the reasoning behind the some of the choices of the characters—some of which they won’t approve, and thus learn something true about themselves and humanity in general along the way.

YouTube News

An Interview with Nick Savage

Describe what happened when you killed off one of your favorite characters? Do you think it is necessary to do this to keep a series fresh? Or does knowing their favorite character is safe endure readers to you?   When killing off one of my favorite characters, I always do so when necessary. I don’t believe that any character in a book should be wearing plot armor to be safe. The West Haven Undead series has many deaths and all are needed to drive the story forward. I think readers are drawn to me to see who dies next over knowing they are safe.

Is there something about your books/your point of view that you think readers should know?

A Vampire Named Allison is a great look at mental health issues told from a left-field sort of way. To me, having those deep metaphors makes any writing more enduring and relevant than stories without symbolism and subtext.

Can you see yourself using Ai in your books? On what part and why.

AI is a tricky subject. I will never use AI nor will I ever condone the use of it as a substitute for thought in writing. But that same AI can be used as a great tool. Grammar and spell checkers run on AI and while far from perfect, help on that end.

Does your own reading stay within your writing genre, or do you read a different genre for yourself?

My reading varies greatly. I love true crime but could never write that. While I do love fantasy novels, I also write romance, but hate reading it. I think my childhood scarred me against it, especially Regency romance. I loathe the idea of a damsel in distress saved by a knight in shining armor. I think that trope has contributed to many false expectations of what love and relationships should be.

How many books will there be in this current series? what will it focus on? and will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more?

After A Vampire Named Allison, there is only one more book in the series. Five books in all. While the story in this series will be wrapped, because it’s contemporary, the world is open for new stories within the universe.

How Do You Name Your Novels?

Authors from past newsletter issues were asked how they named their books:

Finding the right title is always an interesting journey for me. Sometimes, it throws itself at my feet, and, other times, it takes a moment to present itself. In every instance, when the title does come to me, I always know when it’s the right one. Somehow, it fits like a shoe does for the right-sized foot.

Tricia T. LaRochelle, author of the award-winning Sara Browne Series and Sun in My Heart.

Since mine are modern-day re-imaginings of Jane Austen’s books, I make sure the title reflects some word or concept from the original novel, while reflecting on what my book is about. A.R. Farina Author of Welcome to Mansfield.

Tony Farina, author of Welcome to Mansfield

My cover designer suggested the current title for The Techno Mage, as the one I’d had was difficult to pronounce. My mum suggested the title for Rise of the Sky Pirate, and I loved it so much, I kept it. For the Elementals trilogy, I thought up individual titles that made sense with one another as well as within the urban fantasy genre.

S.W. Raine, author of Rise of the Sky Pirate

I name my novels in two ways. First, I use a working title that gets the point across to me and motivates me to write. Most of the time, (I think only one book has kept its working title) they change after I’ve written. Once I’m done with the manuscript, I try and find a line within that speaks to a title feel while capturing what the book is about. Short of that, I write a list and revise it until it doesn’t suck.

Nick Savage, author of  A Vampire Names Allison

In my Cabin by the Lake Mysteries I started each book with “Death of …” because I wanted to indicate that these were murder mysteries and each title would tell the reader something about the victim. In my Liza and Mrs. Wilkens series “The Death of Goldie’s Mistress” the title came naturally because Goldie is a cat and it’s her owner who has died.

Linda Norlander, author of The Death of Goldie’s Mistress

I strive for a balance between meaningful and marketable – a pitch which slides off the tongue. My goal is for a title that’s memorable like a catchy song or repeated phrase. Titles like “Roman’s Reckoning” and “Mikael’s Moment” were easy to create. “Grabbing A Slice of Minnesota Nice” was trickier, but I think it carries that special sauce which audiences will remember – even if they don’t remember every detail in the book itself.

Lucas LaMont, Author of The Chronicles of Fate Series

I called my first book “A Sweet and Fitting Death.” It came from a poem by the Roman poet Horace: “It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.” The publisher thought that WAY too over the top and changed it to “Death on the Sapphire,” after the fictional Sapphire river, where much of the book takes place. From then on, I kept simple: “The Greenleaf Murders” and “The Turnbull Murders.”

Richard Koreto, author of The Turnbull Murders

Their names always refer to an essential feature, origin, cause, main character or place—a foundation, without which the story would crumble.

Taggart Rehnn, Author of The Door:Souls in Peril

My novel titles are an explanatory metaphor of the stories themselves. For my first novel, Mackinac Island Nation, it meant that the small island was about to become its own country. My upcoming novel’s title, Whither Utopia, is a play on words: Whither means “where,” but it sounds like “wither,” which implies Utopia is dying, which is actually what’s happening. 

Erik Deckers, author of Mackinac Island Nation

In my cozy mystery series starring three senior citizen ladies, I have used plays on words. The first, about a jewel robbery, was condensed from There’s No Jewel Like an old Jewel, to simply Old Jewels. The second, No Stone Unturned, takes place at Stone Mountain, Georgia. The third, Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow, involves a lost rabbit, a dog, and a murder. It’s a fun challenge.

Pat Pratt, author of Hare Today Gone Tomorrow

I name my books based on an overall theme. Or, I wait for the title to work its way out of the narrative. Sometimes it’s already named at the beginning of writing it, other times it’s when I’m editing for the 5th time!

Ty Carlson, author of The Bench

Typically, the title will come from a phrase or word in the story. It is a rare occasion, I know the title in advance. It still doesn’t mean I will use my first selection. It all depends on how many other books have been written with the same title.

Anita Dickason, author of the Iris Code

I have always wanted to become a highly literate poet. Fate decided otherwise and turned me into a noir storyteller. Stubborn as I am, I tried to write my books in a poetic style. But the most excellent satisfaction I garnered from my lyrical book titles. What, for instance, do you think of “Scars Of The Heart,” “The Left-hand Path of Tantra,” “Cadavre Exquis,” “Seven Letters To My Call-Girl,” and many more?

Bob Van Laerhoven, author of Scars of The Heart

For my most recent book and I got that title after thinking through about 40 different options. I decided I wanted to do a series and Embracing would be the name of the series, and the focus of this particular one would be about finding inner calm.

Anne Beall, author of Embracing Calm: Meditation Journeys for Inner Peace

I believe that the title of a book should reflect the essence of the story with a twist to interest readers. Brick, Lime and Moonshine is about employees who work for Washington brick and lime company until it closes during the Great Depression. They become rumrunners and create the Brick and Lime Club where friends can drink illegal liquor. The odd relationship between brick, lime and moonshine is the twist.

Victoria Ventris Shea, author of THE GHOSTS OF WHIDBEY ISLAND

In the case of Devils Island, the title came easily as the book concerns the Tasmanian Devil, which has been struggling due to a contagious disease. A number of the non-infected devils were relocated to a remote island off the coast of Tasmania (which is true). And the locals now refer to the island as “Devils Island” (not true).

John Yunker, co-author of Devils Island (coming September 2024 from Oceanview Publishing)

My first historical fiction novel is part of a biblical quote, the second book is a famous song title from the 1920s, and the third of this series (July release) is named after the main character. My thriller had a different working title, but included a date that created a muddy transition from title page to prologue to first chapter, so I changed it to the last sentence of the first chapter.

Mim Eichmann, author of TAYVIE’S STORY (2024).

I changed the title of Chasing the Sun when I realized the sequence of action moved across the Continental United States just as the sun does. Holmes, Moriarty, and the Monkeys involved members of the Holmes and Moriarty Society, including statues of the three mystical monkeys sitting on the fireplace hearth. They were mysteriously joined by the fourth monkey, Sezaru.

Bill Gunn, author of Chasing the Sun

For the Transit series, I’m very specific about the meaning. Normally, it comes from the epigraph, but sometimes, it’s more obscure. The title must include the theme, if possible. For some standalone books, however, the title comes to me with the idea. For example, Beneath Gehenna came from my original scribbled notes, as did the Beans of Anafi.
—Benjamin X. Wretlind is the author of the Transit anthropological sci-fi series and many other novels.

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

“A magician, a widower, and an automat travel the world… but nothing has prepared them for Swango.
In 1870s Singapore, Celwyn survives a vicious attack only to find it may take even more luck to endure his own family. His brother Pelaez has returned, insisting on his innocence, and their father Wolfgang Augustus Griffin has his sights set on Nemo’s marooned crew. As the Nautilus travels to Beirut, Prague, and Findbar Island, they meet Swango, a seemingly innocent clairvoyant and drinking buddy from the magician’s past, a man who appears to have more help with his predictions than most spiritualists. Meanwhile, Nemo must finally confront the secrets of his own past.

When the magician and the others leave Singapore, they are grieving; a member of their family has been murdered in Prague.”

Book 7 opens as the Nautilus journeys to the Castell de Ferro on the southern Iberian coast in Spain where Doctor Jurik Lazlo is hiding. Captain Nemo has been searching for him for a long time.

For book 7, Lucky and Mrs. Nemo, progress has been made since the last newsletter. It is always good to report progress, even if a few unexpected things occur along the way that make things interesting. Sometimes I know what I meant to say, and sometimes it is a mystery. Celwyn and company are adjusting to what Swango has wrought; and some of them are more gracious about it than others. There has been another attack on Findbar Island by a mysterious villain who is after the flying machine. This time it isn’t Pelaez, but that doesn’t mean Celwyn’s brother is innocent at all. 

Miss McFein, the beautiful vampire Celwyn is in love with, discovers the ghost of Findbar and is thankful she can run fast. The new scientist, Doctor Martha Gluck, known as Lucky to her friends, has joined them to take over the construction of the flying machine. She is also an American sharpshooter and can drink them under the table. And Lucky is quite fortunate, perhaps lucky; she meets Pelaez during an extremely dangerous situation he finds her fascinating. 

Book 8 is still safely put away (130 pages of the first draft) until I have book 7 under control and mostly edited. At the rate I’m going, that is late July. I couldn’t feel virtuous going forward with it unless book 7 is on track.

The near future holds another companion book for the series, untitled, and it will star Pelaez while he demonstrates his devious ideas of fun. 

The Science Fiction Writers of America Stance on the use of AI

The Science Fiction Writers of America provided the following info when I asked their official opinion of Ai.

SFWA’s comments to the US Copyright Office on generative AI are here: https://www.sfwa.org/2023/11/03/sfwa-comments-on-ai-to-us-copyright-office/

SFWA has also signed on to a joint action called “Creators Call for Action on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Copyright Exceptions”: https://www.sfwa.org/2023/07/20/nwu-joint-action-ai-copyright-exceptions-authors-guild-ai-ml-open-letter/

And here’s a list of articles and essays addressing generative AI, written by SFWA members: https://www.sfwa.org/2023/03/03/sfwa-members-weigh-in-on-ai-machine-learning-applications-considerations/

-Victoria Strauss SFWA

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan  book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died  Book 4   

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman  Book 5 
https://books2read.com/celwyn005

In this issue, interviews with:

Eric Deckers, author of Mackinac Island Nation

JP Corwyn, author of the Dawns of Unrest

A. R. Farina, author of the Austen Chronicles, a modern-day, coming-of-age tale of the classic Jane Austen story.

Richard Walter, screen writer and author of Deadpan  

Celwyn’s Cats

An Interview with Eric Deckers, author of Mackinac Island Nation

When you were writing this book or previous books, did the plot flow just as you initially wanted it to look, or did you have to change anything major?
I always worry that I don’t rewrite my books enough. I have one friend who rewrote his entire manuscript 3 or 4 times. Another guy I know rewrote his manuscript 17 times! He would print out the previous one, stick it in a drawer, and then rewrite the whole thing.
That always seemed a little precious to me and maybe a bit of fear. I pretty much know what I’m going to say the first time. I plan my books out and then just write everything down in the first draft. There may be things I have to change, but they’re minor. I know what I want the characters to do and say, I know how I want the story to end, so I just write the story until we reach there.
It could be that I’m not torturing myself enough in the writing and rewriting, but not enough that I’m going to actually do anything about it. For now, it’s just a low-grade nagging in the back of my brain.

Can you see yourself using AI in your books? On what part and why?
I use AI as a tool for brainstorming new ideas. When I ghostwrite nonfiction, I use Otter.ai to transcribe the interviews. But for actual creation? Not at all: AI doesn’t write with heart, and it doesn’t engage.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?
My first novel, Mackinac Island Nation. At that time I had a writing residency at the Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, and it gave me terrible impostor syndrome. I worked hard to fight the feeling because it dogged me. I had to ignore my fears and focus on my work.

Does your own reading stay within your writing genre, or do you read a different genre for yourself?
I love reading humor and satire because that’s primarily what I write. But I also love reading mysteries. I would like to write mysteries, but it hasn’t happened yet.

It looks like you also write nonfiction. Is there more of that in your future?
Yes, constantly. My first four books were all nonfiction (on social media and branding), and my novel was my first attempt at book-length fiction. I will be doing a lot more fiction AND nonfiction in the future.

Will there be a sequel to Mackinac Island Nation, and if so, what will it focus on? Will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more?
My second novel, Whither Utopia, is a sort of sequel. It takes place in the same universe as the first, but it’s 40 years in the future, and all the world’s conservatives are dead from another pandemic. Some minor characters and their children from this book appear in the second one. My current novel is not a sequel.

What is in a Name?

An Interview with JP Corwyn, author of The Drums of Unrest

1. Were any of the magical creatures in “The Drums of Unrest” based on creatures from real-world folklore?

In Drums—specifically, only one thing fits that particular bill: the Vodník. The major location in the early parts of the series is the Duchy of Kovalun, which is based largely on Czech and Estonian cultures. The Vodník found an easy home there beside creatures either partially, or fully, of my own design.

2. It is highly unusual to find an author who marries his music to his prose. Can you talk about the music Silver in the Skies from The Cycle of Bones, original soundtrack?

I am, as far as I know, the only author who composes, produces, performs, and records his own soundtracks. At least so far. That song is a moment in time within the prequel: The Dawn of Unions. It’s the memory of a moment just before a particular battle begins, penned by a survivor of that battle, and is based on an earlier instrumental piece that serves as Countess Ylspeth’s theme. It seems to have resonated with fans, which is flattering, as always.

3. Do you find writing action scenes stimulating or difficult?

I get asked this a lot. There are authors who act out some of what they write. I spent nearly a decade fighting in armor (and loving every minute of it) before 2017. At that point, my continued vision loss made that impossible. While I miss it terribly, as many of my fellow combatants say, “life’s hard. Wear a helmet.” When I eventually picked up the proverbial pen, I came to a conclusion—one I’ve often been quoted for in the years that followed: “If I can’t describe what it’s like training or fighting in armor, or standing in the shield wall, what the hell was I doing all those years?” I don’t want you to feel as if you’ve watched or read about a battle sequence. Instead, I want you to feel as if you were there in that battle. I want you to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kaith, Kastan, Eobum, Lashjuk, Geroslaw, and all the rest who were there.

Dawn of Unions, the beginning book of the series: https://www.amazon.com/Drums-Unrest-Cycle-Bones-Book-ebook/dp/B0D124WN8Q/

What is Magical Realism?

Here is a link to my article that appears in the Mystery Review Crew blog.

Gina Rae Mitchell

The Celwyn Series YouTube channel

An Interview with A. R. Farina, author of Welcome to Mansfield!

1.  Is there something about your books or your point of view that you think readers should know?  The narrator of the Austen Chronicles has an opinion and speaks directly to the reader all the time. It is personal. The narrator will say, “Don’t worry Dear Reader.” and things like that. It is a different way to do third person, and makes the narrator feel like part of the cast. 2. Of all the characters in the books, which is the most like your personality? The character of Julia is the most like me. She is altruistic to a fault, and that holds her back as much as it propels her. 3. Will there be a sequel to Welcome to Mansfield, and if so, what will it focus on?  Will it have a solid ending or leave things open for more? Yes! It is a series. I am doing a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s books in a shared universe. So each book is stand-alone, and the characters interact. Book 2 comes out in October and book 3 is with the editor. I am starting book 4 now.4. Do you have your next book’s plot already in your head? Could we have a preview? Books 2 and 3 are prequels to book 1, so book 4 is a direct sequel. We meet the character Jane Fairfax in the first book briefly, and we are going to follow her journey as she grows as a person and a songwriter. 5. Can you see yourself using Ai in your books? Never ever ever. I would rather write a book that sucks and has a soul, than a perfectly acceptable book that doesn’t.6. What do you think new authors should decide before they begin their book? Should it be who they are writing for (themselves or their audience)? They should know what story they want to tell for themselves. The most harsh critic and most important member of the audience is in the mirror. 7 Are there books in another genre in your future?For sure. This series is full of YA books set in the modern world. I have some essay collections coming out soon. I also have some ideas for a dark short story collection for adults. The working title is Unresolved. Each story ends with an open question of what happens next. I also have thought about retelling some of the horror classics from minor characters’ perspectives. An example is telling Frankenstein from Elizabeth’s point of view.8. Does your own reading stay within your writing genre, or do you read a different genre for yourself?I read anything. I usually have several books going at once to keep the ADHD happy. I am currently listening to a classic, realistic fiction novel as an audiobook, I am reading a horror comic omnibus, and because my day job is that of a college professor, I am always reading research papers.

An Interview with Richard Walter author of Deadpan

….there is a priceless joke at the end of this interview…..

1. You are a fan of magical realism. Give us your definition of this genre and what are its advantages to an author?

Magical realism describes narratives about the fantastic and fantastical, incredible events in an everyday, rational, believable  voice. 

2.  Does your own reading stay within your writing genre, or do you read a different genre for yourself?

No. I hold that there are only two genres: good writing and bad writing. The former is engaging; the latter is boring. I read as much nonfiction as fiction, perhaps even more so.

3. Is there something about your books/your point of view that you think readers should know?

I believe all literature is about the same theme: identity. Who am I? How do I know I really am the person I believe myself to be? 

In Deadpan, an anti-semite has thrust upon the protagonist the identity of a Jew, and not just any Jew, but the world’s most popular standup comedian.

4. When you were writing this book or previous books, did the plot flow just as you initially wanted it to look, or did you have to change anything major?

For me, writing is an evolutionary enterprise. Throughout the process, story, character, action, and dialogue are constantly changing. When I get started, I compose an outline of the plot; then, as I move through the through the narrative, I gradually throw the outline away.

5. Talk about your non-fiction side.

I have actually written three nonfiction books about screenwriting. I don’t mind bragging that the world’s largest publisher, Penguin/Random House, has had them in print for thirty-five years and has sold over a hundred thousand copies. In those books I argue that there is only one rule that cannot be broken, including this one: There are no rules.

In my most recent such title, Essentials of Screenwriting, I insist that screenwriters must start with an outline, and then throw it away. This does not mean, I continue, that you can suddenly cut to, say, the 1955 World Series at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

In my new novel Deadpan, I suddenly cut to the 1955 World Series at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

Richard’s social links: Social links: Subscribe to his podcast on Substack and blog on Medium, and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Link to Deadpan: https://www.amazon.com/Deadpan-Novel-Richard-Walter/dp/B0CV2R29S3/

What is New with the Celwyn Series?

An Interview with a Volunteer for Engin

Shameless Buy Links to booksellers who carry the Celwyn series.

The Violins Played before Junstan  book 1

https://books2read.com/celwyn01

Music Shall Untune the Sky   book 2

https://books2read.com/celwyn02

The Raven and the Pig     book 3

https://books2read.com/celwyn03

The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died  Book 4   

https://books2read.com/celwyn04

The Sea of the Vanities. Companion book.

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman  Book 5    https://books2read.com/celwyn005