Seedlings is a fantastic organization.  Utilizing a small team of employees and a sizeable crew of dedicated volunteers, Seedlings continues to put books and articles in the hands of children who are visually impaired.  

Since their inception in 1984, they have created more than 680,000 braille books. Over 60% of those are free to kids!  This is accomplished through the generosity of supporters.

Currently the online auction is underway.  You can bid on a variety of prizes.  But there's one in particular that might catch your eye.   This prize includes a $20 gift card for a local bookstore, an autographed copy of "Chasing Favors" AND the opportunity to name a character in one of my upcoming books.

Imagine the booklover in your family opening a package on Christmas morning to discover not only the signed  copy of Jamie's latest adventure and the gift card, but to learn their name will be part of my next book.  That will make these holidays memorable.

Just click on the link below to enter your bid. 

www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/item.action?id=342811031

        Nothing seems to slow down in October.  Classes are running full tilt, I had one last outdoor festival, writing and promoting demanding my attention, and of course, football.  There is something special about my favorite season.
          So here’s my latest thoughts about writing, events, promotions, a surprise or two and an interview with one of my favorite authors.
          Let’s rock.
 
Writing
 
          During a recent festival, a young man stopped by my booth with a few questions about writing. I’m always happy to talk with fellow writers, at whatever stage they may be in their journey. He was surprised to learn that both of my series are with traditional publishers.
          “Why don’t you just self-publish? It’s easy and there are no hassles,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
         “There may be some benefits to that path, but I’ve been working with both houses for several years. They provide a great deal of support, such as editing, the artwork for the covers, promotional opportunities and more.”
          “But they take a percentage of your sales!”
          “It’s part of the business. I agreed to the contracts when they accepted the manuscripts.”
          We talked for a bit more, but he wouldn’t be swayed. Which is fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  But before he walked away, I gave him one more aspect to consider.
          “When I submit a manuscript to the publisher, there is no guarantee they will accept it. Even though I have several books already published with each house. There is a definite thrill when I get the letter of acceptance and the contract.  That’s verification that someone else, someone with experience in the publishing industry, finds value in my books. You don’t get that when you simply upload the story to Amazon and publish it yourself.”
          He gave me a ‘who cares’ shrug and walked away. But not before buying a copy of one of my books.

​Every writer needs to make their own choices. Going the self-published route may lead you to hire someone to do the artwork for the cover. You could spend money on an editor and hopefully, get one who is experienced and can help polish your manuscript. Or maybe you can do it all yourself, assuming potential readers won’t care about a mistake here, an inconsistency there.
          But readers are savvy.  They will hold your feet to the fire if you change a character’s name in the middle of a story. Or have errors sprinkled throughout. 
          Or maybe they don’t even finish your book, let alone leave you a review. Perhaps they’ll never buy another book from you.
          These are all the things you need to take into consideration.
          Because readers who enjoy your books will come back for more.  Here’s an example of that.
          During my last outdoor event of the season, I returned to Dowagiac, a small city in West Michigan. I was there for a festival earlier this summer and met a lot of great people.  On Friday, I received a message from Laura, who had become captivated with the Jamie Richmond series.  Laura had bought the first book from me at another event. She then bought the rest and wanted to bring them to me for autographing.  Not a problem!  While I was signing these, she read the back cover of “Why 319?” the first book in the Chene series.  Laura picked up a copy of that one too!
          An hour later, Joann approached. She’d bought “Stealing Haven” and “Why 319?” at the summer event. Now she was back for more. She grabbed copies of “Your Turn to Die” and “Chasing Favors”.
          While I take credit for writing these stories, the support of Inkspell Publishing and Wild Rose Press is important to me. It’s a team effort.

​A Special Feature
 
          For a couple of years now, I’ve been doing podcasts related to my books. It’s a great way to talk about my stories, sharing details about my characters and the writing process. I have become a frequent voice on the Indie Reads Aloud podcast.  So far, I’ve read scenes from all three Jefferson Chene mysteries and all the Jamie Richmond mysteries with the exception of “Fleeing Beauty”.
          This podcast is fun. Diana, who hosts the show, enjoys chatting briefly with the authors, then sitting back and hearing them read. I’ve encouraged other authors to come join the party.  But stepping up in front of the camera or microphone isn’t for everybody.
          Tammy Mannersly writes wonderful stories set in Australia. I’ve had the pleasure of reading several of her tales. Despite my encouragement, Tammy begged off, insisting she is too shy for such efforts.  There had to be a way to let more people know about her books.
          That’s when inspiration struck.  It took less than a minute to convince Diana.  I would read a couple of scenes from one of Tammy’s stories. It was just that easy.
          Tammy was thrilled at the idea. When I asked her to pick out a couple of specific passages from her book “Drawn to Him”, she quickly declined.  Tammy felt comfortable letting me choose what to read.

           Which was a problem.  Because I only had twenty minutes of airtime. There were just too many good parts to choose from.
          Eventually, I got it worked out.  Diana did her usual excellent job with the recording and making me sound good.  Tammy’s book did the rest. Interested?  You can give the show a listen or watch it on YouTube by following one of these links.
​
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mumn8b7f​
YouTube: https://youtu.be/VOKo8XXg04U​
 

​Author interview
 
It was at a book festival years ago when Don Levin and I met for the first time. It must have been inevitable. We both write mysteries set in the metropolitan Detroit area.  With our shared passion for creating engaging stories, distinctive memorable protagonists and a peek behind the curtain at some of the dark passages of Motown, it’s no wonder we immediately connected.
 
Recently Don’s shifted his focus to historical fiction.  It’s definitely time to shine the spotlight on him. 

Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
I’m a retired professor of English and dean of faculty, now writing full-time. Before I joined academia, I was a professional writer and editor.
 
I always wanted to be a writer. When I came of age in the sixties, the ones whom I thought were doing the heavy lifting in literature were the novelists . . . Tolstoy, Joyce, Bellow, Malamud, Austen, Twain, George Eliot, the Brontes. So I wanted to write books; that’s the conversation I wanted to join. I had nothing against poetry, but I always saw myself working in the long form. And that’s what I’ve done. I made several detours along the way (at several points I gave up entirely, thinking this fiction writing business isn’t for me) (or more accurately, this fiction writing business doesn’t want me). Even in the depths of my despair over ever being a novelist, I always wrote for a living—speeches, grants, video scripts, and so on—so I was always polishing my craft and learning good work habits. Finally, I figured out that my so-called success (or lack thereof) as a novelist didn’t matter . . . I enjoyed writing—more: I needed to write, felt compelled to create fiction—and dammit I was going to do it even if nobody read a word I wrote.
 
It hasn’t been easy or smooth, but to paraphrase a certain politician: nevertheless, I persisted.
 
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series?
 
The short answer is: no, but if Spielberg’s people call my people about a miniseries, I’d take the call.
 
The longer answer is: I’m perfectly content having these stories exist just as they are, as books. My father was in the movie business as a film distributor (the middleman between the producers, the people who make the movies, and the exhibitors, the theatre owners who show the movies). I saw up close what a backstabbing, crapshoot, bottom-line business it all is, and I have no desire to be a part of it. As the screenwriter William Goldman said, in the entire motion picture business, nobody knows anything. I’ll stick to novel writing, where at least I can keep some control over my work and I can be certain it will be published. 
 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
 
Even though I just said I don’t want to be part of the movie business, it’s still fun and sometimes useful to visualize real actors as my characters. I was at a book club talking about one of the Martin Preuss books, and this question came up. Someone suggested Ethan Hawke as detective Martin Preuss, and that struck me as a good call.
 
For the Detroit history series, I was casting the roles in my mind so I could have a physical model for the characters. For Clarence Brown, a young Ernie Hudson would be perfect; for Elizabeth Waters in Savage City, Saoirse Ronan (though she’s a bit young), and in The Arsenal of Deceit, Keri Russell; for Ben Rubin I imagined Andrew Garfield; for Denny Rankin, I had Michael Shannon in mind; and for Eva Szabo, a young Mila Kunis.
 
It may seem like I’ve done a lot of thinking about casting for someone who doesn’t want his books filmed, but visualizing the outward appearance of the characters helps me to fill in their interior life. I’m usually careful not to describe characters too much so readers can imagine how they want the characters to look. 
 
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?

When I wrote the first Preuss book, Crimes of Love, I began with an outline. I figured out what would happen where and when. I was very organized, and seemed like it would generate an interesting book.
 
I deviated from it almost immediately. By the end of the first week of writing, I had thrown the outline out entirely. At that point I learned that the only way I could stay interested in the book—and therefore the reader would also have a chance of staying interested—would be to make it up as I went along. I pretty much have the process figured out by now (for me, that is; we all have our own methods). With a general sense of a possible narrative arc and possible cast of characters, I write scene-by-scene, from beginning to end. As the book develops, I start to look ahead three or four or more chapters, but I always keep it flexible so I can go wherever the plot and the characters take me.
 
My one rule (aside from no outlines) is something I learned from Hemingway: always stop your day’s writing at a point where you know what will happen next so you don’t have to start with a blank page the next day. So my final day’s writing is always NEXT: and then a brief description of what will happen next.
 
I don’t edit as I go along, though I do read the previous day’s work to get back into the flow. My goal in the first draft is to get it written. After that, everything’s up for grabs. I work on my laptop; once I write through to the end of the draft (usually a four-month-long process), I print it out and then begin the rewrites. I’ll do that four or five times; each rewrite takes about a month. I’m always amazed by people who tell me they never rewrite because they get it right the first time. I’m constantly rewriting and revising; by the end of the process, when I’m ready to send it to my editor, I will have revised every sentence in the book at least once and usually several times.
 

ell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
 
The new book, The Arsenal of Deceit, follows four characters who unite against the treachery that threatens Detroit, America's "arsenal of democracy," on the brink of WWII. Of the main characters, two are new and two return from Savage City:
 
Eva Szabó is a young Jewish immigrant from Hungary who goes undercover at the Ford Rouge Assembly plant to expose the company's campaign of anti-union violence.
 
Her boss, private investigator Elizabeth Waters, infiltrates Detroit's pro-Nazi, Christian nationalist fifth column groups. Elizabeth appears in Savage City.
 
Detroit police detective Clarence Brown, part of a segregated squad of Black officers, uncovers a conspiracy to ignite racial violence across the city. Clarence also appears in Savage City.
 
And Detroit police detective sergeant Denny Rankin seeks the links between them all to atone for his part in Detroit's widespread corruption scandals.
 
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

I usually start out with a general sense of the main characters, and a possible narrative arc. Then as I write, and the book “unfolds” itself to me (that is, I start to understand what the book is about—which sometimes doesn’t happen until the second or third drafts), the characters, too, unfold themselves to me . . . I figure out who they are, where they’ve been, where they’re going, what they’re going to do in the book, and so on. Everything is fluid while I’m writing; I sometimes wind-up deleting characters, combining them, creating new ones, and constantly naming and renaming them

What is your latest book about?
The Arsenal of Deceit is the second novel in my projected Detroit Quartet series, a follow-on to the first book, Savage City. Set in the City of Detroit in 1941, the new novel takes on home-grown fascism, Christian nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, and political corruption--all actual problems of the time, as well as critical concerns we face today. Indeed, the novel aims to recreate a rich historical period with chilling parallels to our own time: violence and bloodshed in the name of race and class, governmental corruption, corporate greed—much of it related to or caused by the deeply rooted fascism which is alive and well in today’s time as well.  
 
Can you share an excerpt too?

With pleasure. Here’s the opening section of Chapter 1.

    One after another they come, limping in or carried, as regular as the cars turned out by the great American industrial giant.
     Eva Szabó registers them in the order they arrive:
    The operator who smashed his hand in the Foundry Machine Shop.
    The electrician from the Motor Building who collapsed after a twelve-hour shift.
    Two men who were hit by debris from an explosion in Blast Furnace C. Several others with burns from the blast.
The carpenter who fell off a scaffold in the Administration Building.
    The man brought in when a swinging crane caught him in the back near the Sand Storage area.
And now, the latest case, the man who hops in, his right foot wrapped in a bloody apron. Another man props him up.
   “What happened?” Eva asks him.
    The guy with the bad foot can’t speak; he’s dazed, like he’s in shock.
    The other guy says, “A sheet of glass fell on his foot.”
    Nadine Denton pushes a wheelchair behind the injured man. “You,” she says, tapping his shoulder, “sit.”
He falls into the chair.
    Nadine says, “See this young lady?” She points at Eva. “She’ll check you in. Then we’ll see what’s what.”
    Eva records the date (March 31, 1941), the worker’s name (Chester Kowalski), his department (Glass Plant), badge number, description of the injury, and how it happened.
    Nadine wheels him back to an examination room. “You can get back to work,” she lobs over her shoulder at the injured man’s helper.
     Who tosses a wink at Eva and leaves.
    Before the next injured worker comes in, the phone rings.
   “After you get that,” Nadine calls, “find one of the Marys to give me a hand.”
   “Will do.”
    Nadine Denton, the head nurse. Two other nurses are both named Mary. Nadine calls them One and Two. Nadine’s not the most pleasant cupcake, but she’s tough and she knows what she’s doing.
    Eva is the receptionist of the Ford Rouge Assembly plant hospital’s First Aide Clinic. She’s new, barely three weeks in. The plant has its own on-site hospital to care for the injuries plant workers sustain. It’s convenient for non-severe     injuries so a worker can return to the job and complete the shift.
    On the phone is a secretary from the Administration Building. One of the other secretaries fainted. They want a nurse to come over and check her out.
Eva looks for the Marys but they’re both tied up with patients.
She goes to tell Nadine about the phone call. Nadine and a doctor are working on the man from the glass plant. Nadine has cut his boot and sock off. The foot‘s a bloody mess.
“We can’t spare nobody,” she says.
“I can do it,” Eva says.
Nadine looks at Eva like, You?!
“You have your hands full here,” Eva says. “The desk is quiet. I’ll run over, see how she’s doing. If it looks serious, I’ll come back and get you.”
Nadine mulls it over.
“Suppose it’s not a good idea to keep the bosses waiting,” she decides.
“I think so, too.”
“Fine. But make it snappy. She’s probably pregnant and missed her breakfast. Just needs to lie down for a while.”
“Got it.”
“Before you go, call a meat wagon for this guy. We can’t do nothing for him here. Foot’s like ground chuck. He needs to go downtown.”
Whoever needs more medical attention than the plant hospital can provide goes to Sidney Sunby Memorial Hospital in River Rouge, or, if they are really bad, like this guy, downtown to Henry Ford Hospital or Receiving Hospital.
 
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
 
Next up is the third book in the series, to be set in the 1950s. I’m just at the beginning of the process of research and thinking about that book.
 
Where can readers find your books?
 
Readers can buy the book through my website, www.donaldlevin.com; through Amazon in both paperback and Kindle, https://www.amazon.com/Arsenal-Deceit-Donald-Levin-ebook/dp/B0C9P2J14W?ref_=ast_author_dp;
​ online at Barnes and Nobel https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-arsenal-of-deceit-donald-levin/1143620552?ean=9780997294194; or ordered through your favorite bookstore.

MUSIC

In addition to his talents as a writer, I know that Don is also an accomplished guitarist. One of my favorites who keeps cropping up on my sound system is Eric Clapton.
          Clapton has been performing since 1962. A mixture of rock and blues styles, he has been a part of multiple bands and has a distinguished solo career as well. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, once as a solo artist and twice as a member of The Yardbirds and the band Cream.
          Clapton has been called one of the top 100 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.
Here are my top five favorites
Motherless Children: https://youtu.be/h9d2ZeAvBgA?si=vOc5K1wgUqcoT8rY
Tulsa Time: https://youtu.be/hsGAA3cDSlo?si=pZZjCkMx1K0aa8RQ
Pretending: https://youtu.be/zm2PvnM7Vds?si=PoLWZN8T__909W-b
Change the World:  https://youtu.be/x11NA63gLDM?si=yOB_MXyZIrRS4lMM
Tears in Heaven: https://youtu.be/fvVqPi92CcY?si=hWp8vkLbSEQbam_r
 
 

​September!  That magical month when students return to school, the weather takes on a crispness (at least here in the Mitten State), Halloween is just around the corner and the official start of football!  Gotta admit that Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  Time to catch up on writing, projects, events, an interview with another great author, and of course, music. 
Let’s go!
 
Writing
 
          Last weekend I participated in another event. This was a two-day gathering in Paw Paw, MI, celebrating a wine and harvest festival. The weather was picture perfect, drawing a large crowd who attended multiple events and strolled through the arts section where my booth was set up.  Author Cecila A. Garcia joined me, so we had plenty of books available in different genres.
          The weekend was a hit.  We both sold a lot and had the opportunity to speak with plenty of readers.

​        I had two memorable conversations.  One was from a young man interested in writing. Looking at the arrangement of our books, he shook his head and told me he could never do something like this, talking to people about his stories in the hopes of making a sale.
          I explained that marketing should be part of the job description for any author.  Writing a good story is extremely important.  Getting it published, either through a traditional publisher or independently, is the next step. But if you think that’s all you have to do and the sales will automatically pour in, you’re sadly mistaken.  Even bestselling authors do some events to connect with readers and promote their books. John Sandford and James Rollins are just a couple who come to mind that routinely will schedule appearances in different cities whenever a new book is released.
          Many other authors will utilize social media sites, employ promotional companies and advertising to attract readers.  Putting forth a good promo effort is as important as writing a good book.
          In my youth, I would have never expected to be comfortable, standing at the table, engaging people in conversations about my stories. But that’s like anything else. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
I wished the young man well with his own efforts.
          My second memorable conversation was at the end of Sunday, as we were about to pack everything up.  A lovely young lady, who just so happened to be a redhead, was looking over the Jamie Richmond series, drawn in by the incredible artwork on the covers.
          I told her if she bought a copy, she could always tell her friends that not only did she model for the cover, but that she was in fact the inspiration for the character. Her personality was a perfect match for Jamie.
She beamed a smile and said, “I do have some very gullible friends.”
          She bought a copy of “Chasing Favors” and went on her way.  I have no doubt she’ll convince her friends that it’s true.
 

​Events
 
          Next up on the circuit is the Creative Arts Festival on September 30th in Otsego, MI.  There will be a lot going on at this venue and I’m really looking forward to it. Once again, Cecilia A. Garcia will be joining me. Let’s hope Mother Nature continues to smile upon us.

           
 Work In Progress

          I have been diligently working on the crime novel. New scenes have been devised, a couple of new characters added and a bit of rearrangement with the manuscript is underway. 
          Since I don’t work with an outline, I write the scenes as inspiration strikes. Often when that particular scene is done, it will trigger the idea for several more.  These can be sequential or occurring at an earlier or later date in the story.
          I’m close to the midpoint now. Just over 40,000 words have been written.  Rearranging the manuscript allows me to work on the flow, see what scenes are necessary to be moved around and what needs to be added. When I have it blocked out, then it’s time to consider what is missing and what scenes can tie this all together. Sounds confusing, right?
          Maybe so, but that’s the method that works best for me.  And as long as it’s moving the story forward, I consider that progress.

​ Author Interview
 
          It’s always a pleasure for me to meet other authors. There are so many talented people out there. Sometimes we connect through the magic of social media or the internet. Others it can be where we attend an art festival.  I first met Mandy Jo when we both were participating in last February’s monthlong mystery event.  We shared quite a few laughs during those evening Zoom calls.  Earlier this summer, we met in person for the first time.
 

Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
My name is Mandy Jo. Growing up, I always enjoyed writing. I even went to a creative writing summer camp. While going through my parents’ basement, I did come across some of my early writings. You know the ones that were “printed” and bound with cardboard and a fancy covering. I’ve always been an avid writer and reader. Fast forward to 2017 when I decided to answer the questions of my walkers in a book. I didn’t want it to be just a training manual. I changed it up into a fictional easy read story format. I have kept moving forward with more and more stories, some have made their way into a published book. Non-writing things about me: I love to cook, travel, and spend time with friends and family. My favorite color is purple.
 
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series?  
I would love for my Stormy Travel Thru Time to be a movie. It’d be such fun with the time travel.
 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles? 
I would say any of the Hallmark or Great American Media stars, I would be happy with.
 
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
I did an outline for my first book, because part of it is a training program for walkers. I don’t typically do outlines. I start out with a few paragraphs and go from there.
 
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book. 
Heinrich Rindhage is my great-grandfather and the main character of A Stormy Travel Thru Time with his brother Gustav Rindhage.
​
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
They appear as I write. Sometimes I don’t even have names for them.

A Stormy Travel Thru Time is about two brothers that head off on the SS Kroonland for America in 1903. As they start their journey out into the ocean, a storm crops up and sends them forward in time and to a different location. Each time a storm comes along, the process repeats itself - multiple times. There are familiar locations and events to Michiganders in the story.
Can you share an excerpt?
The clouds go from a light gray to a dark black color as they are tumbling in faster and faster. There are streaks of lightning and crashes of thunder. The waves are getting higher and higher on the ship.
Heinrich looks at Gustav and says, “Wow, these waves are getting big. I am sure we’ll be getting wet very soon.”
 
“Yeah, maybe we should go inside,” he replies while looking around seeing the other men heading for cover.
 
“Let’s stay outside for a bit longer. I love the adventure. So what if we get a bit wet.”
 
The ship moves closer to the dark clouds. The lightning is appearing more frequent along with the thunder following each streak. As Heinrich looks around the deck of the boat he is seeing everyone has taken cover. They are alone.
 
“Ok, let’s go inside,” he says to Gustav.
 
A wave comes up and gets the deck wet, missing them by inches. They change their walking to running. Lightning is striking all around the ship when the entire sky lights up blinding them, a loud thunder cracks deafening them, and the next moment everything goes dark and silent.
Opening their eyes, blinking a few times and scanning the area around them, something is dramatically different. “This does not look like the same ship. This is much bigger,” Heinrich says.
 
“So, what ship are we on?”
 
“I have no idea. Let’s go find out.”
 
Standing up, getting their balance and then stretching, they slowly walk towards the flags on the boat and turn to see what else is around them. There’s writing on the ship and it says,


What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
I have a few writing projects that I am working on: mystery, paranormal, and a Hallmark type story. I am simultaneously working on the Creative Slingers of Ink writing group where we have multi-author book signing events, writing sessions, and our brand-new Small Business Saturday Book Sale. This book sale is taking place on Saturday, November 23, 2023 with up to 40 authors! You can find all the writing group details and events at https://creativeslingersofink.com/
 
You can purchase a copy of Mandy’s book here.  https://www.mandyjo.us/time-travel/
​

​Music
          I am quick to admit that it’s impossible for me to work in silence. There must be music. While I like a wide variety of artists, I noticed a pattern this last month, where strong female vocalists would distract me. Maybe it was dancing in my seat or singing along. I couldn’t nail down any one in particular, so it seems fitting to shine the spotlight on some of my favorites.
 
Bonnie Raitt: Something to Talk About:  https://youtu.be/mJ58TVYNFro?si=N8E54lmfI7g9wcoa
Linda Ronstadt: Blue Bayou:
https://youtu.be/Kp9G0zkorio?si=K_Z-d_iwISO3i-2Q
Ella Fitzgerald: At Last
https://youtu.be/1qJU8G7gR_g?si=h_7isiH7B-R_pt19
Aretha Franklin: Until You Come Back to Me:
https://youtu.be/Nbokg0KM-n8?si=1FmJqSampAKA2_Am
Lizz Wright: Singing in My Soul
https://youtu.be/PrHNp4TlNQY?si=NSMtbytCjXyhcH1D
 
 

Forty plus one!  Somehow the months just keep rolling by. Which means it’s time for another issue, with my thoughts on writing, recent book events, an interview with a new author and of course, music.  Perhaps a little change of pace is in order.
          Let’s go find out.

                                                                         Writing
 
          I’m an avid reader. Most people who are serious about their own writing are the same way. You can learn so much from other authors, both good and bad.  One of the things I discovered early in my own efforts was to pay attention to the details. I was reminded of this while reading a book recently from one of the major publishers.  The story takes place primarily in central Alaska.  So imagine my confusion to read that Russia was east of Alaska!
          Not only did I reread this statement three times, I also went to the computer to doublecheck.  After all, strange little details can be true, such as the fact that Windsor, Canada is actually south of Detroit.  Most people assume all parts of Canada are north of the United States. That bit about Russia proved to be false. Which resulted in some hesitation to finish reading that book.
          A different author was using references to old music and singers to make points in his book. That part of his book I was enjoying since I’m familiar with many of those tunes. Until he mentioned Frank Sinatra singing “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”.  That was hit by Dean Martin, not Sinatra. That’s a ghastly error. It’s a fact that was easy to check.
We all make mistakes. But most authors will tell you that’s where the importance of editing comes in.  Whether it’s the writer, an editor or a beta reader, the expectation is that someone will catch those errors and correct them before the final manuscript is sent for publication.
          Getting those details correct can make a tremendous difference in your story. I want everything that takes place in my books to be accurate. That leads me to do a lot of research. Sometimes it’s just verifying a well-known fact. Other times, I learn that my preconceived notion is incorrect.
          I’ve caught mistakes in early drafts of my own books many times. It’s worth rereading the manuscript multiple times to get things correct.  As the old proverb goes, ‘the devil is in the details.’
​

                                                                            Website
        There’s a great line from one of Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” movies: “A man’s got to know his limitations”.  For me, it’s technology.  I tried to set up my own website a year ago but lacked both the talent and patience to improve it.  Fortunately I mentioned this do Diana K. Plopa, who has designed websites for her own business and many other authors. She took my ideas and worked her tech magic to make it so much better.         

                                                                        Events
 
          The summer months have been keeping me on the road, bouncing from one festival to another.  I’m not complaining.  This is a great opportunity to meet with people in many communities. It’s a time to talk about my writing while interacting with other authors and vendors.  I’ve also sold a lot of books.
          To date I’ve covered seven different days and have at least six more to go as we move into autumn.  I may also consider some others as well. If you’re in the West Michigan area, here are a few where I’ll be.  
August 19th. Lee Township Summer Market, Olivet
September 9 & 10. Wine & Harvest Festival, Paw Paw
September 30.  Art Fair, Otsego
October 14. Under the Harvest Moon, Dowagiac.
This is how my booth usually looks.

                                                               Author Interview
 
          In late July, I was one of 60 authors participating at the Sterling Heights festival.  It was a great time. I was able to reconnect with some old friends and make some new contacts.
          One of those people I met was author Heather Ashle. We chatted for a bit between shoppers and I learned this was her first event. Her smile and enthusiasm were sure to bring people to her table.  When I mentioned the spotlight on the newsletter, she readily agreed to visit.

​Tell something about yourself and how you became an author.
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I truly fell in love with the process of imagining stories in sixth grade. It was the first in a long line of unfinished short stories that eventually convinced me that I had better assume the role of liberal plotter—rather than seat-flying pantser—if I ever wanted to finish a story.
I do better with detail-oriented, sprawling narratives, in which I can delve into backstories and motivations. After I acknowledged that, I embarked on plans for an epic fantasy series.
I have Cystic Fibrosis, and in my college years, I was in rough shape. Medications have come leaps and bounds since then, and CF isn’t as much of a death sentence as it used to be (I’ve far outlived the estimation of 12 years that my parents were given when I was born). I use the time my treatments take to write and relax into a world where CF doesn’t exist. There is no better therapy for me than that. Still, I probably wouldn’t write like I do if I didn’t have that time to put my creativity to use. It’s an odd blessing, but I’m grateful for it.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
I have an overactive imagination—as I believe most writers and artists do. I see everything I’m writing like a movie in my head, so it’s not a far cry to imagine it projected onto a larger screen. If I can’t envision whatever I’m writing, then I figure readers probably won’t be able to either, and that tells me I need to rewrite.
 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
I like the idea of a cast of relative unknowns, perhaps (ideally) whose careers are sparked by their involvement in the project (dream big, right?).
 
But I did have actors in mind as I wrote a few of my characters because their look at some point in their career was spot-on in my head. To give you an idea, Charles Dance is the spitting image of Darr Beval Senior (if a bit old for the role now), Gary Oldman has the look of Lord Twyford, and a thirty-something Rebecca De Mornay would fit Ethelinda of Alston.
 
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
After starting as a pantser, I eventually came to realize that the Virgo in me needed more structure and planning to succeed. Now, I use more outlines than ever. I outline character backgrounds and their evolving plot contributions and maintain a timeline of events to help me keep track of what happened when.
 
As both sides of the equation—the outline and the story—evolve together over time, I necessarily and frequently reorganize my chapters throughout the process. So, I needn’t worry about writing them “in order.” It’s a joy, if a somewhat tricky one, but I adore every minute of it.

Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
The characters of the Realm Riders Series are… complex. I attempt to build them on the human model, which is to say, they’re driven by warring motivations that morph (or warp) with knowledge and time. But that knowledge leans on not only an evolving understanding of the realm(s) around them but also a dense web of interconnectivity. 
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I introduce—and am introduced to—characters as they pop up in my head because that’s when they’re needed, and I honor that need. Sometimes, I’ll weave an existing character into the hole to cut down on the introduction of new ones, but that isn’t always an option, and that’s when I meet someone new. Then, it’s my job to determine whether they are incidental or more relevant to the story, which often results in their assumption of a greater role than I might have imagined when first they’d popped their heads up in a scene.
What is your latest book about?
As An Heir of Realms is currently the only title available in the Realm Riders Series, I’ll speak to that one. The first thing you need to know is…
Soul-sucking parasites are overwhelming the realms.
Rhoswen of Stanburh is of age to train as a Realm Rider—a defender of the realms. Riders and their dragons work together to burn away infiltrating Narxon as they swarm in through tears in a realm’s fabric. But it’s not an easy battle: the mere touch of the smoky, dragon-like adversaries can reduce the lively winged beasts—and their Riders—to ash.
Becoming a Realm Rider is Rhoswen’s dream, but she carries far more responsibility than flying a dragon. Her destiny will pit her against her uncle, Badrick, the king of her realm, who has scorned Rhoswen since before her birth.
Misconceptions about the Narxon are proving as destructive as the parasites themselves.
In the Exchange, the waystation between all realms, new recruit Emmelyn is fighting her own battle to save the realms. Her foe is not only the Narxon but also the insidious G’Ambit, a gambling ring with members more intent on lining their pockets than protecting the realms… or even their own lives.
Emmelyn must convince the higher-ups in the Exchange that the threat is real, starting with her own boss, an avid gambler who despises her tactics.
Both novice heroines must win their respective battles before war can be waged on the Narxon. But are Rhoswen and Emmelyn too far behind to stand a chance?
In An Heir of Realms, book one of the Realm Riders Series, a tangled web of worlds and the memorable characters who inhabit them will leave you racing to solve the mysteries surrounding imperfect heroes and tormented villains. But the real question is: which is which?
Can you share an excerpt too?
Sure. The first three chapters are available online, so let’s look at a slightly deeper cut from the Exchange.
Unlike Emmelyn’s last two visits, this time, the five of them were together again. From what she could tell, Vonn provided all the latest gossip, and Randy consistently disputed whatever “news” Vonn brought to the circle. Kyle liked to play devil’s advocate to both, just to stir things up. Bernadette could only struggle to act as peacekeeper.
“I don’t believe that fer a second!” Randy drawled emphatically over the thumping bassline. Tonight’s music seemed akin to a bluesy version of electronic dance music, which Emmelyn had never before experienced. She couldn’t decide whether she ever wanted to again either.
“Now, boys… ” Bernadette cautioned in a maternal tone.
Vonn’s face was awash with glee; he loved the debate. “It’s true!” he insisted. “But there is more than politics changing around here! Rules are the driving force behind everything!”
“Don’t start that again! The rules don’t change here!” Randy countered. “The Exchange ain’t a realm!”
Emmelyn’s face scrunched up at the familiar assertion. “The Exchange isn’t a realm?” Had they discussed this on her first visit?
Kyle shook his head. “It’s ‘realmless.’” He used two fingers from each hand to bend quotation marks around the term.
Bernadette leaned in toward Emmelyn. “Most Exchangers think it’s untouchable. Narxon don’t enter heah, so no Riduhs or dragons are needed.”
“It has its own set uh rules,” Randy added with a nod. “Except, unlike the realms, the rules uh the Exchange never change.”
“What if we’re wrong about that? What if they do change?” Vonn protested. “Or what if we’ve never fully understood the rules here at all?”
“We ain’t wrong about the rules,” Randy insisted. “The Exchange has been termed a ‘non-realm’ fer hundreds uh years.”
“But what if it’s just that? A term,” Vonn replied. “They haven’t figured out the Narxon yet—what if they haven’t figured out the Exchange either?”
Randy shook his head. “I don’t want to have the rules debate again!”
Bernadette rolled her eyes. “That untouchable feelin’ that so many Exchangers have heah has created a….” She searched for the right word.
“Disconnect,” Kyle supplied.
She nodded at him and turned back to Emmelyn. “The Datists have it woise than anybody because they nevah leave. Ovuh time, they needed some kind uh diversion from the daily grind uh crunchin’ numbahs. So, they created the underground gamblin’ ring known as the G’Ambit.”
“It’s a geeky portmanteau: ‘ambit,’ as in, the bounds of a place, and ‘gambit,’ like a calculated move that weighs risk against reward—a place to gamble, if you will.” Kyle accented the explanation with one of his signature eyerolls. Emmelyn was beginning to find his theatrics oddly endearing. Perhaps this punk was more than just some hanger-on that the Crew couldn’t shake. “They’re sort of synonyms for ‘realm’ and ‘gambling.’ Datists love wordplay.” Emmelyn thought she saw him mouth the word “nerds” disparagingly under his breath.
“Kyle would know. He’s got a Datist goilfriend.” Bernadette added a conspiratorial wink.
“She isn’t my girlfriend,” Kyle insisted. “We just date from time to time.”
Emmelyn chewed her lip to avoid laughing out loud. She couldn’t envision black-clad Kyle dating a hardcore bookworm. (At least, that’s how she envisioned Datists; she had never met one in person.)
Bernadette flashed Emmelyn a disbelieving glance. Kyle’s expression darkened more than his excessive guyliner, and Emmelyn’s struggle for composure continued.
“What ya said before--that suggests the Exchange politics are splittin’ in two,” Randy drawled to Vonn. “But no one’d believe the Narxon could be beneficial when the realms are disappearin’! Where do ya get all this hogwash?”
It amazed Emmelyn that they could hold such discussions in the Exchange. Given the almost cult-like and secretive nature of the place—not to mention the black-jacketed security guards staring everyone down—she imagined a list of topics ruled off-limits. Of course, Exchangers could barely communicate through the blaring music and near darkness, so perhaps such rules seemed superfluous.

What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
I have a few. I’m currently working on books two and three of the Realm Riders Series. Book two, A Transfer of Realms, is with my beta readers, and I’m diving into book three, A Runner of Realms, to verify that book two properly supports it and the rest of the series to come. I’m also embarking on the long-overdue audiobook for An Heir of Realms, hopefully using local talent, but I’m still working out the details. And finally, as if I needed another thing, I’m creating a companionate storyline for a tabletop-role-playing campaign built on the d20 platform that sends adventurers through the various realms in my series. (Think “Dungeons & Dragons”—but do it quietly please, as there are copyright issues to using that specific name.)
You can learn more about Heather at her website.
https://heatherashle.com/buy-now

​                                                                        Music
          During a festival in Holland, one young lady commented on my last name and my books. She mentioned that it would only be natural that I was a fan of ‘love’ songs. I explained that music is essential to life and even include different artists in my newsletter, but I’m not a fan of sappy love songs.  When she asked for my favorite ‘love’ songs, I rattled off a few with love in the title. She giggled, bought a copy of Chasing Favors, then wandered off.
          But that got me thinking.
          So this month, here’s a list of the top 10 songs with ‘love’ in the title. I’m sure there are many more, but these just jumped to mind.

Gimme Some Lovin’: https://youtu.be/BuQ3PaFyb9A
Freeway of Love: https://youtu.be/Ip_pjb5_fgA
Love Shack: https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs
All You Need is Love: https://youtu.be/4EGczv7iiEk
Crazy Little Thing Called Love: https://youtu.be/zO6D_BAuYCI
I Love Rock n Roll: https://youtu.be/wMsazR6Tnf8
Addicted to Love: https://youtu.be/XcATvu5f9vE
Somebody to Love: https://youtu.be/kijpcUv-b8M
Love Me Like a Rock: https://youtu.be/CjFzw8AxSBA
Love the One You’re With: https://youtu.be/SY4HI_vqf0c
​

​Here’s an excerpt:
 
“Malone, are you telling me that my efforts to elevate your heart rate aren’t sufficient to ensuring your good health?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “You know how to get my heart racing. But there are other aspects required for a full-body workout.”

“Maybe you need to rethink your routine,” I teased from the doorway.

He was sitting on the side of the bed about to reach for his tennis shoes. Now Malone flashed me a wicked smile. Before I could move, he lifted me off my feet.

“Malone!”

“Hold still. I’m going to do a set of curls with you horizontally across my arms.” He shifted his grip. One arm was beneath my knees. The other was under my shoulder blades.

“Don’t drop me!” I started to reach for his neck.

“Keep your arms at your sides, Jay.” He turned around now so that he was holding me over the bed.

Slowly he did a curl, rolling me in his arms as if his hands were reaching for his shoulders. On the third curl, Malone dipped his head and kissed my stomach through my shirt. Then he released me, dropping me onto the mattress from shoulder height. I bounced, laughing in delight.

“We’ve just created a new exercise.” He fell on the bed beside me.

“What are you going to call it?”

He gave it some thought. “Curling the vixen.”

“I’m a vixen?”

Malone nodded.

“Hope that’s one you’re only going to do at home.”

“Only with you, Jamie.” He gave me a kiss that got my heart racing, then slid off the bed. “I gotta run.”

“Sure, leave me all hot and bothered,” I muttered.

Malone grabbed his shoes and went out the door. “To be continued.”

“It damn well better be.”

Summertime and everyone is… ​busy!  There have been a lot of writing-related activities going on. Time for my latest thoughts on writing, my work in progress, events, podcasts and more.  There’s also a different take on an interview and some music to keep things going.

Ready?  Let’s roll!

Writing
When I first started seriously writing, the idea of promoting and marketing my books never crossed my mind. Sure, I pictured myself at the local bookstores, with people lined up to get a signed copy, maybe listening to me read a scene or two. But I had no idea how to make that happen.

Flash forwards a few years and now, having written eight books, promoting has become second nature. I’m not claiming expert status or anything like that. But I’ve discovered several different methods to attract some interest in my novels.

One of my favorites is the art festivals, where I pitch my tent, set up my display and chat with people as they are walking by. Sometimes, you get a pleasant surprise.  At one of the events last month, a young couple was slowly passing my table when the woman stopped in her tracks. ​

“Jefferson Chene! Like the intersection?” she asked.

Obviously, she was a fellow Detroiter.  I nodded and we got to talking about our own experiences in Motown.  Turns out, she lived within a mile of the family home where I grew up in.  Small world. When I explained Chene’s backstory, she immediately grabbed all three books and was eager to start reading them.

Over the last year, I’ve also been doing several podcasts that are focused on authors. A link to each one is listed on the sidebar for the blog.  This is a great way to reach a wider audience.  Some of these podcasts have listeners around the globe.

I keep looking for new and different ways to connect with more readers, outside of traditional marketing. You never can tell which method may have the greatest impact, so I keep trying.

​Work In Progress
 
In less than a week, “Chasing Favors” will be released.  I’ve had some great feedback from a few readers who got their hands on advanced copies, which always makes me smile.  But before the book is officially available, I’m having a party.  Everyone is invited!

It’s a Virtual Launch Party.  Diana, my very good friend who, among a multitude of other duties, hosts the Indie Reads Aloud podcast series, persuaded me to give this a shot. She will be hosting the event.

What’s it going to entail?  Well, from the comfort of your own home, you can dial in to the Zoom broadcast.  I’ll be reading several scenes from the book and answering questions from the audience.  Anyone can register.  The more people who attend, the more prizes I’ll give away. The grand prize will be one autographed print copy of “Chasing Favors”.

So you can be poolside, with a margarita in hand, or lounging in your pjs with a glass of wine or a cup of cocoa.  Whatever works for you.   Registration in advance of your attendance gets your name on the prize wheel.  You never know what you might win!

Meanwhile, my latest project is still demanding my attention. Whenever I have an hour or so, that story calls to me.  I’ve been able to add a few new scenes and expand on others.  While the progress is slower than I’d like, it reminds me of the favorite maxim from an old mentor. ‘There are times when all anyone can expect is that you do the best you can with what you have to work with, right now’.

I keep that in mind.

​Podcast
Earlier this month I was invited to speak on the Linderson Creations “Dear Writer” podcast.  This series delves into more background and the journeys authors have taken to get their work published.  Many thanks to Ashley and Sarah for the opportunity to speak with you.  Here’s a link to that episode.
https://open.spotify.com/show/2JfOo6e8YjLjXeCVA58Ek4?si=cbVJWgFqSle1xy3AM4rgUg&nd=1

Interview
This month’s interview is with Leo Agonasti. Here’s a picture of what he might look like. 
 
More than once I’ve had a reader tell me how much they enjoy certain characters from my books. Since these are all people created from my imagination, I always strive to make each one unique, with their own traits and quirks.

Leo Agonasti gets the spotlight in the new book.  This is a result of comments I received after his appearance in both “Your Turn to Die” and “The Wayward Path”.  Readers wanted to know more about this smooth operator.  Inspiration has yet to strike me with a title for this one, but it’s sure to arrive at some point.

Instead of a mystery, this novel is more of a thriller or a crime novel. It will be set in the early 1990s, with a few flashbacks to the early 1970s, when Leo first begins working in organized crime.​

Welcome, Mr. Agonasti.
There’s no need for such formalities. Please, call me Leo.
That sounds good. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born and raised in Dearborn, just a little west of Detroit. Mine was a blue-collar family. I did well in high school. A local businessman recognized my aptitude for a few subjects and offered me a scholarship to continue my education.  I graduated, worked for a few years with an investment firm, then started my own business.
Isn’t this ‘local businessman’ you mention a gangster?
Romeo Giacalone has family members that are involved in organized crime. He’s a businessman.
Understood. Are you familiar with Detroit’s long reputation with gangsters?
(Smiles) I’m a bit of a history buff. As such, I’m well aware of some of the violent times and activities that stem from the early days of the twentieth century. Detroit can be a dangerous city. But that’s not unlike many metropolitan areas throughout the country.
You’re a successful businessman.  Tell us a little about that.
My company offers financial advice to people. But we take a little different approach from the traditional operations, where the focus is on stocks and bonds.  While we do offer recommendations in those matters, we also encourage investors to consider partnering with entrepreneurs to fund their business’s growth and expansion.
Sounds interesting. Is this popular?
Yes, and it has been well received. My financial advisors and I do a thorough review of the entrepreneur’s business plans before we ever consider recommending the opportunity to potential investors.
Tell us about your relationship with Maximo Aurelio:
(laughs) Max and I grew up together. We’ve always been close. He’s an honorary uncle to my two daughters and he thoroughly spoils them rotten. Max is my best friend.
Any concerns about the actions he’s been accused of?
How Max spends his time is of no concern to me. And he has never been convicted of any criminal activity.
How do you react to comments that you and your business may be linked to organized crime?
I am a successful businessman. My company has received accolades from several community organizations that we support. Through the efforts of myself and my associates, we have helped a great many entrepreneurs achieve their goals and objectives, by pairing them with people who have the funds available to make those dreams come true. Sadly, there are some people in the world who are jealous of this enterprise and as such, make unfounded accusations. These comments are unworthy of further speculation.
Thank you for your time, Leo.
It has been a pleasure speaking with you. 

Music
Sinatra!
Frank Sinatra performed for sixty years. He got his start working with big bands like Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Many consider him to be one of the iconic singers of the 20th Century.
    
In addition to his singing career, Sinatra also did a fair amount of acting. He starred in a number of hit movies, including the original Ocean’s Eleven. Sinatra was popular on a number of television shows as well.

My top five favorites:
Fly Me to the Moon:  https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM
One for My Baby:  https://youtu.be/hkwdkUXQ1yo
The Way You Look Tonight: https://youtu.be/TgrvCb778kk
Come Fly with Me: https://youtu.be/SLC5AGGHLz0
Under My Skin: https://youtu.be/C1AHec7sfZ8
​

​So much to see, so much to do!  Plenty of details to share this month, now that the festival season is now in full swing. I have an update on the newest book in the Jamie series, plus an interview with author Brenda Whiteside and of course, music.  There must be music.  Let’s roll!

​One of the first readers who stopped by Friday afternoon got very excited when she learned that I had multiple novels with the same characters. Turns out she was a fan of book series.
​
I never started out with the idea of writing a series. It was my intention to write one good book that I could be proud of, one that people would enjoy reading and then move on to something else. Well, that kind of, sort of happened.  But as Mel Brooks would say, “Man plans and God laughs”.

​Considering I have now written 5 Jamie Richmond stories and 3 Jefferson Chene mysteries, having an ongoing series makes perfect sense.

“Devious” was the first book I wrote. When it was accepted, the publisher asked me when a second book with Jamie could be expected. They liked the character so much that it would be a shame not to create another adventure for her.

That got me started on “Vanishing Act”, the second Jamie tale. But in the back of my mind, I really wanted to focus on a police investigation.  I already had the backstory in place for Jefferson Chene. Then a flash of inspiration hit.  Why not include Chene in a minor role in the second Jamie book?

I did that and it worked out just fine. Which started a pattern.  Since all the books primarily take place in Metropolitan Detroit, it shouldn’t be that difficult for characters from both series to make cameo appearances.  Jamie and Malone have been in two Chene mysteries. A few of Chene’s associates appear in “Chasing Favors”.
​
 As long as the ideas continue, I will write more stories for each series. But first, I need to get back to work on the crime novel.

Work In Progress:
It’s official.  The cover art for “Chasing Favors” has been finalized. The book will be released on July 25.  There are links at the bottom of this section if you’d like to preorder your own copy.
         
But first, I’ve been persuaded to throw a party.  A Virtual Launch Party.  My good friend Diana, who is the driving force and host of the Indie Reads Aloud podcast series, has convinced me to give this a shot. She has even agreed to host the event.
        
I’ll be reading several scenes from the book and answering questions from the audience.  Anyone can follow the links on my website and register.  The more people who attend, the more prizes I’ll give away. The grand prize will be one autographed print copy of “Chasing Favors”.

​Buy Links:
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ZW6XQF
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/chasing-favors
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-favors-mark-love/1143532150
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6449441859
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/chasing-favors-a-jamie-richmond-mystery-by-mark-love

Author Interview:
Meeting new authors can be a lot of fun.  When this happens in person, like at the art festivals, we can often share quick histories about our writing journeys, the challenges and successes we have faced. Sometimes we can share humorous interactions with shoppers.
         
While I haven’t met Brenda Whiteside in person, we’ve connected through our individual writing and promotion efforts. So here’s a chance to learn more about Brenda.
​Tell something about yourself and how you became an author.
I’ve always loved to write but never considered the possibility of writing for others until I took a creative writing class “just for fun.” I was hooked. I started with short stories until one of them turned into a book.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
I have a lighthearted romantic suspense I think would make a great chick flick. The cozy mystery series I am currently working on would make a great replacement for Murder She Wrote.
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
Good question, but honestly, I haven’t gone that far in my musing.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
It depends on the book. I do a loose synopsis for my romantic suspense books. I ALWAYS do a character sketch for each character before I begin. For the cozy mystery series, we do a fairly tight synopsis. I am co-writing this series with Joyce Proell, and she’s a master at synopsis writing. I think when it comes to mystery and keeping the villain secret, it takes more planning.
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
I’ve had a couple of latest books lately. It’s been a busy past ten months. I’ll choose one—Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. This is the first book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries I co-wrote with Joyce Proell. Emma and Nic are sister amateur sleuths. They are best of friends but have different personalities. Nic has long blonde hair and is eccentric. Emma had short, auburn hair and is conservative. Nic is a travel author and parttime candle maker. Em is partially retired but advises on psychiatric/social cases and part-time mystery writer. They are totally alike in their love of all things mystery.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Yes to both questions!

What is your latest book about?
Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.
Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.
Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?
​Can you share an excerpt too?
Before the waitress could open her mouth, Shaw bit into her. “What is the sauce on this chicken supposed to be?”
“You ordered the Southwest Chicken in Chipotle Cream.”
“I’m quite aware of what I ordered, young woman. What’s your name?”
“Karen, sir.”
“Karen what?”
“G-Gonzalez. Karen Gonzalez.”
“Well, Ms. Gonzalez, instead of telling me something I already know, why don’t you tell me what a chipotle cream should taste like?”
The young woman’s bottom lip trembled, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
“Do you know?”
Nic braced her hands on the table, ready to spring to the hounded girl’s rescue. “What a jerk.”
“I don’t know how he can complain.” Her sister spoke around a mouthful. “It’s what I ordered, and the sauce is delicious.”
“Em—”
“Sit back and eat. No need for you to make a scene.” She swallowed and feathered fingers in the air. “We’ll have a word with the manager on how well Karen responded and leave her a good tip. That’s a better way to seek justice for her than disrupting everyone’s meals.”
Two tables over, Karen’s shoulders hunched and her chin dipped before the haughty restaurant critic. “Could I get you something else, sir?”
“If I’d wanted something else, I would’ve ordered it.” The veins in his temples bulged. “Get me the chef. Now!”
“Yes, sir.” The server hustled out of the dining room.
“I hope the head chef is the type to light fireworks rather than bend over backwards for the ass.” One glance at Em told her she didn’t feel the same.
Her sister released a sigh. “This is supposed to be a quiet dinner in the ambience of a fine hotel. The start of a relaxing weekend.”
“Good grief, Em. You don’t get this kind of entertainment without paying for it. This is like dinner theater.” She shoveled in a healthy bite of mushrooms and beef, giving an appreciative hum to accompany her chewing.
The double doors of the kitchen flew open. Out came a stocky man dressed in a double-breasted white jacket with gold buttons, black slacks, and a burgundy ascot at his throat. If the outfit didn’t clue the restaurant patrons as to his profession, the poufy chef’s hat hanging to one side would. Like a charging bulldog, he tore a path directly to Shaw, clasped one hand in another in front of him, and nodded his head. “I’m Head Chef Grayson Payne. What seems to be the problem?”
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
Actually, I’m working on two. I’m writing a children’s book with my ten-year-old granddaughter. I’m also busy putting the final edits on book two of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries. “Reading, Writing, and Murder”.

You can find Brenda’s book at the links below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN96RS4G/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71969141-candy-cigarettes-and-murder
https://www.bookbub.com/books/candy-cigarettes-and-murder-a-chocolate-martini-sisters-mystery-book-1-by-brenda-whiteside-and-joyce-proell

Music: 
Variety is the key to my playlists.  Whether it’s on Pandora, Spotify or YouTube, my favorites jump across a number of genres. Lately the Blues Brothers keep showing up.
​
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd created Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues as part of a sketch for Saturday Night Live.  Back by a tribe of very talented musicians, that sketch spawned actual concerts and a hit movie.  The band covered classic tunes in soul and rhythm and blues.
         
​Here’s my top five favorites from Jake and Elwood.
Everybody Needs Somebody: https://youtu.be/EHV0zs0kVGg
Soul Man: https://youtu.be/FTWH1Fdkjow
Sweet Home Chicago: https://youtu.be/-_KkgPRo4wA
Gimme Some Lovin’: https://youtu.be/-aqZmPInK3o
Jailhouse Rock: https://youtu.be/TosN2G1mmTs

It’s that time again.  How is that possible?  Okay, so I took a long overdue vacation and disappeared for a couple of weeks to the other side of the globe.  Now it’s back to the Mitten State and just a week before summer classes begin.

Here’s my updates on writing, my latest project, an interview with another great author and music.  Let there be music.  But enough of the pontificating.  Showtime!

Writing:
Recently I was reminded of a comment from an old creative writing professor. According to him, back in the days of pulp magazines, writers would get paid by the word, instead of a set amount for a submission. With that in mind, many writers would add unnecessary words to describe a scene or interactions between characters.  This did absolutely nothing to improve the story, but it did add to the paycheck if the work was accepted.

I’m not a fan of redundancies. Repeating something over and over or just saying the same thing in a different way is a sure way to drive me crazy.  More than once I’ve tossed a book aside when this occurs.

This happened last week during my trip.  Naturally, I’d taken a couple of books with me.  While reading one book, I noticed multiple redundancies.  One particular passage thoroughly disgusted me.  One of the minor characters arrived on the scene and ‘bounded’ out of his taxi. He then ‘bounded’ up the stairs of the house. Was he suddenly part kangaroo?

I realized that this was a pattern the author used throughout the book.  Not everyone bounded but their actions and conversations became redundant, with the same words and expressions repeated.  This work was by a popular author with one of the larger publishers.

The best way for me to describe this writing style is wooden.  There was something missing throughout the story.  Either the author or the editors should have spotted this and corrected it. Simply digging out a thesaurus would have offered more options and resulted in a better manuscript. I couldn’t finish the book.
We all repeat ourselves at one point or another. But as a writer, it’s my job to minimize these occurrences, unless they become vital to the way a character acts.

Work In Progress:
It’s fortunate for me that Leo Agonasti is a patient man. I didn’t take my computer with me on the trip, so no work got done on the manuscript. There was a notebook in my pack, where several pages are now crammed with ideas for scenes.  So while I wasn’t at the keyboard recently, I was in fact working on the story.  With any luck and the holiday weekend on the horizon, I’ll have some time to flesh these ideas out and add more content to the story.

​Meanwhile, the formatted manuscript for “Chasing Favors” was anxiously awaiting my return. Jamie, Malone and the cast of characters are getting closer to the release date in July. 
I may even try something new and have a launch party to celebrate the release of the book. The cover should be revealed in June.  Jamie insists she’s not vain, but she does appear on the cover.  

​Author Interview:
 Once upon a time, in a zip code far, far away, I participated in my first book festival.  After setting up my space, I wandered about, talking to some of the other writers.  That’s when I first crossed paths with Diana Kathryn Plopa.  Not only does Diana write wonderful books, but she is a promoter with a passion for sharing new authors with the world. Diana hosts the Indie Reads Aloud podcast, of which I’ve been a frequent visitor.
​
So it’s high time to introduce you all to my good friend, Diana.  

Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’m a multi-genre author, writing coach, and book editor.  As mom to one son, Zachary (now a very tall adult person), I live in the Detroit area with my husband, Dave; and two dogs, Finnigan and Charlie.
I’ve loved books all my life.  I remember writing my first story at about seven.  It was a retelling of “The Town Musicians of Bremen” by the Brothers Grimm.  Notable differences in my version were that the animals were a rebellious teenager wild animal rock band (instead of a geriatric domestic folk group), and the lead singer was a duck.  I remember my first-grade teacher telling me that she thought it was very clever, and I was hooked on the idea of spending my life as a storyteller from that moment forward.  Just for the record, no, I have no idea whatever became of the manuscript (although I think it may be in a box in my basement with some old journals); and yes, I may actually rewrite it and publish it one day.  The story is still very vivid in my imagination.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
I haven’t ever really thought about the visual versions of my books.  I’m happiest in the world of words.  I dream in subtitles instead of images (except when I have nightmares about snakes, for some reason, my brain likes to torture me with those images – ick!)… Think of a dark screen with words scrolling up as if I was reading the dream on a page, similar to the opening sequence in “Star Wars” but not nearly as dramatic.  Yes, I know, I’m a bit strange.   I love it when people read aloud to me.  So, more than thinking about films or television, I often imagine who might narrate the audiobooks. 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
In a utopian world, where all dreams come true, and cost is not a barrier… I’d like to have Jeremy Irons read “Free Will”; and Sting (as Thomas), Stana Katic (as Gillian), and Sandra Bullock (as Paige) read “A Tryst of Fate”.  I’ve heard all four read short stories aloud, and for whatever reason, I find tremendous comfort in all of their voices.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
This is a fun question, especially coming from you, and considering our frequent teasing of each other on this topic.  I’m a Passionate Plotter.  I start with a skeleton of beginning, middle, and end.  Then I narrow down the outline by adding chapter breaks, and then plot points of the individual scenes for each chapter.  But after that, Drake (my Muse) takes over.  I rarely write in an intelligent sequence.  Drake gives me ideas when they come to him, and so I find myself jumping around a lot to fill in the holes.  Then, when all the holes have content in them, I do a deep-dive self-edit from beginning to end for continuity, and then pass it along to my editor to handle all the final fixes. 
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
Which one?  I’m working on five novels and novellas right now. 😊  The one I will finish first is a paranormal novel.  This story has an interesting cast of characters who come together for a writer’s retreat.  Among them is the retreat facilitator, an MSP detective, a librarian, a newspaper reporter, a photojournalist, a young widow, and an IT specialist.  Oh, and of course, the spirits they have to contend with throughout the story.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
 As with plotting, I make detailed character maps before I begin to write.  I usually build out physical features and psychological enneagrams for each one so I have some idea of how they will interact and respond when Drake and I drop them into various situations.  But often, I find that once the writing process begins, the characters stand up and speak for themselves, often changing bits about themselves that I didn’t expect. 
Yes, the writing process can be mysterious, even for Plotters! 😊 I once had a main character abdicate her role as a central character, and I had to scramble to figure out who would be willing to take her place.  It was a tense few days.  But all ended well, and the switch made the story better.
What is your latest book about? 
My latest book (well, it’s actually Drake’s latest book) is a second collection of short stories.  The stories in “A Duck Echoes” all came from writing prompts, and are a little darker and weirder than those in “A Duck Quacks”.  Drake has never been a tremendous fan of the constraints of writing in short form, but the little quacker is getting braver with each new release. 😊

Can you share an excerpt too?
        Here’s a little bit of Drake’s latest collection of short stories: A Duck Echoes…
 BUT THE TOYS ARE COOL
“I’m offended.”
“What?”
“You heard me.  I’m offended.”
“Offended?  By what?”
“Not what, who.”
“Who?”
“Well, whom, actually.  Yes, offended.”
“By whom?”
“By, well, you, specifically.”
“Me?  What’s so offensive about me?  I’m a fairly decent fellow, you know.”
“Actually, no, I don’t know.  First of all, that sullen and unapproachable thing.  It’s inaccurate and seriously unkind.”
“Inaccurate?  I thought it seemed rather on-point, myself.  I mean, one can’t really go around having a bunch of chummy friends when you’re doing what I do all night.”
“Wrong.  Welcoming and kind; that’s closer to the truth.  It’s overly dramatic that you wander around all by yourself all the time.  There’s no realism in that whole ‘must-do-solitude’ thing.  Everyone knows we hang out in big groups.  We’re quite social, and loyal.  Well, at least you got the loyalty thing right.  But the rest of it – way wrong.”
“Well, it’s important, you know, to instill fear, at least a little bit.  Otherwise, what’s the point?  Nobody’ll pay attention.”
“The point?  Here’s the point, you’re propagating the myth that we can’t be trusted.  You’ve convinced everyone that we need to be avoided like we’re rabid or something.  And this loaner thing?  Do you have any idea what it’s like to convince the girls that’s not true?  I mean, do you even have a girlfriend?”
“Well, no… not really…I…”
“I thought not.  And why would you?  There’s nothing soft and cuddly about you.  No warmth, no sensitivity.  Have you looked into my big brown eyes?  There’s a lot of compassion in there.  What about your eyes?  Oh, that’s right, no one can see them.”
“Hey, I can be warm and cuddly…”
“No, I don’t think you can.  Whenever I’ve seen you, you’re out there roughing up guys and ruling the roost according to some warped sense of honor and justice.  What is all that?  Can’t you just go out and have a good time rather than flying off the handle all the time?  Oh, that’s right, I forgot – you don’t really fly at all, do you?  So pathetic.”
 “Hey!  I’m out there trying to do some good in the world, and what are you doing, eh?  Oh, that’s right, you’re flapping around willy-nilly, scaring people half to death, coming out of nowhere.  People are just out having a good time, camping and singing by the fire, and then you show up, scaring everyone’s girlfriends.  At least when I show up, I’m saving or helping someone.  Who have you helped lately, huh, dude?”
“I save plenty of folks, mister!  Rancher Joe, for instance.  If not for me, his cattle would die of dysentery, all those mosquitoes messing with their white blood cells.  Those little disease buggers would be infiltrating your steak and burgers if not for me!”
“There!  See, I’m improving your image.  People wouldn’t think you were a good idea if not for me.  They see me doing heroic stuff, then they jump on Google to find out what you’re all about.  I’m great PR for you.”
“Improving my image! HA! Thanks to you, people think I live in dank, dark caves and come with a big ol’ heap of retribution.”
“But I’ve got cool toys…You can’t top that one.”
“HA!  Toys!  See, you can’t even do it on your own.  You’re so inauthentic. You need a backpack of crazy gadgets to get the job done.  Well, I don’t need your silly toys. I do it all naturally.  Did you know that my crap is even good for people?  That’s right, buddy, I’ve got some of the best fertilizer around.  I bet you can’t say that about your crap, can you?”
“Yeah, well, what about that virus thing?  That’s a whole heap of violence if you ask me!”
“Okay, big guy.  Let’s take away all your nifty little toys, rip off your cowl, and cram you in a little cage with ten people you don’t know… Oh, and then stab you with a bunch of needles with who knows what in them?  How do you think you would do then, hmmmm, Mister Caped Crusader, Dude?”
***heavy silence***
“Okay, maybe you’ve got a point.  But I do have cool toys.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.  The toys are cool.”
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
This summer, probably in August, I’ll release the first book in my political thriller series.  I’ve never considered writing a series until I began work on this project and realized that the story was so big that I had to break it up into four books.  I’m a little worried about that one because it’s a new challenge for me, but it’s a lot of fun to write.
I have a western novel that I started the year before COVID that I’d like to finish.  It takes place in the years of the Pony Express and focuses on the life of a young rider.  My plan is to release that in September or October.
I also have another children’s picture book coming out later in the year.  I’ve finished that story, and my husband, who illustrated my first children’s picture book and painted the cover art for my paranormal novel, is currently working on the illustrations.
And finally, my most daring experiment… I’m working on a suspense novella with just five characters, written entirely in second person narrative.  I hope to have that out by the end of the year.
 
You can find out more about Diana and all her books on the website. Just click on the link.
http://www.dkpwriter.com/

Music:
​I like many different types of music.  One group that my son Travis got me hooked on years ago was the contemporary swing revival sound from a group known as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  They’ve been on the scene since 1989.  It’s impossible to listen to their music and get up and move.

Here’s my top five hits.
Why Me? https://youtu.be/a3Z4RWZa9WA
Diga Diga Doo:  https://youtu.be/ufvmD9s76X0
King of Swing: https://youtu.be/xphZkAiJve0
Mr. Pinstripe Suit:  https://youtu.be/aBxfAs_skMA
You, Me & the Bottle: https://youtu.be/FkmgafBRdos

​One of my old mentors had a favorite expression. “Sometimes you’re good, sometimes you’re lucky, and sometimes, it’s a little bit of both”.   That’s always stuck with me.
         
So maybe it’s a combination of being lucky and good that’s brought me this far with writing my stories.  But one of things that’s been a pleasant surprise is doing podcasts.
         
Over the years, I’ve done a few of these, hoping to connect with different audiences and share some of my stories. Most were interviews, where you talked about the craft of writing, gave a little synopsis of your latest book and where people could find it.  Those were good, but they were lacking in anything that could really hook a reader.
         
​That’s what is so different from Diana K. Plopa’s “Indie Reads Aloud” program.  Diana does a brief intro, a little background on the author, then lets us read selected scenes from our books.

I first met Diana at a book festival a long time back. She’s also an  author, editor, and promoter extraordinaire. We hit it off and have been friends ever since.  When she decided to start the Indie Reads Aloud program, I was one of the earliest guests.  The interest in her shows continues to grow.
         
My fifth visit was released today.  You can now hear me read scenes from Stealing Haven, Devious and Vanishing Act from the Jamie Richmond series, along with The Wayward Path and Why 319 from the Jefferson Chene series. You can find links to each of those programs on the right-hand column on the blog.
         
Listening to these podcasts allows you to sample a bit of the story. Then you can decide if what you hear appeals to you.
         
We have such a great time doing these recordings that Diana has invited me back to read the rest of the books in the catalogue.
         
​Am I that good, or that lucky?  Or maybe, it’s a little bit of both. I’ll let you decide.

Writing:  
Over the years I have worked with a number of different editors at several publishing houses.  It’s been my practice to always submit the manuscript in the best possible shape.  This usually happens after several rounds of revisions and utilizing a small crew of beta readers who don’t hesitate to give me honest feedback.              

When a friend recently asked about this process, she thought I’d be insulted that the editor wanted to make changes.
“Not at all. I’m too close to the story to see obvious issues or mistakes,” I told her.  “A good editor can spot them.  A great editor can help guide me and the story, making it so much better.”
         
Some editors just glance at the story, make a checkmark here or there and pass it on.  Then after it’s printed, mistakes are discovered. It’s too late to fix it now.  I always take the heat for anything that sneaks by. After all, it’s my work.  Any mistakes are mine.

This month I’m working with a new editor on the “Chasing Favors” manuscript. The latest adventures of Jamie Richmond came together well.  I’m pleased with the comments and suggestions the editor has made so far. We’ve exchanged notes on the first round.
 
A great editor can make a tremendous difference in the story.
         
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Work In Progress:
The crime novel continues to move forward.  A couple of new characters have been developed. The research has become intriguing.  Since most of the story is set in 1992, I’m frequently jumping back to learn what was going on in Motown at that time.
         
I don’t have a daily word count (never could work with that) but I do try to spend some time with this project each week.  With the current semester coming to a close, I’m hoping to have a few extra hours in the next few weeks to make great strides in the story.  
         
​Like many authors I know, the characters we create are real. I can envision the way they act, think and talk.  Some would say writers are more comfortable with their own characters than we are with family or friends.  I’m not arguing that.  But there are dramatic differences between my ‘crew’.  If Jamie was involved in this story, she’d be urging me to hurry up and get back to work.  Leo Agonasti is more laid back. He knows in the end his story will do him justice.  See how relaxed he looks!

Author Interview:
A few months ago at one of the author’s workshops that I facilitate for the local library, I met Samantha Moran.  During the session, Sam was able to share some of her work with the group.  The reaction was very positive.  Sam and I started talking afterwards.  Not only did I invite her to visit the blog, but Sam will be joining me at several upcoming festivals.
Let’s get to know more about Samantha.
Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
Hello! I’m a proud graduate of Western Michigan University with a background in English Secondary Education. I am the mother to two amazing kids, and I’m also a Multiple Sclerosis warrior.
I’ve wanted to become an author since I was twelve years old. In middle school, I attended the “Live Poets Society” weekly meeting at the Northfield Township Library in my hometown (Whitmore Lake, MI), but at some point as I grew up, I stopped believing in my dream. I didn’t start writing again until I was twenty-five after my first child was born.
One day in 2017, I confessed to my husband that writing a book had always been my dream, but I felt like no one would want to read it. I had a plan for a book in my mind but wasn’t going to see it through. That night, he handed me my laptop and told me to get to work! Since then, we started our own imprint (Obsidian Inkwell Publishing, LLC) and I’ve released five works: “Stages of Grief,” Without You, Tales of Grief and Healing, Dealings in the Dark, and Bound and Betrayed. I have two more book releases coming this year, as well as a short tale.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series?
If one of my books were ever to be made into a movie or television series, I would hope it was Dealings in the Dark. This is the first work in my ongoing Cursed Souls series. It’s a supernatural and occult horror with witches, demons, hellhounds, and a deal gone very wrong. This particular work lends itself to the screen because it’s short, fast-paced, and riddled with secrets and generational trauma. 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
The two main characters in Dealings in the Dark are Alexandria Hendricks and Iroth, an insufferable demon. As I wrote these characters, two actors came to mind. Ironically, and completely coincidentally, the actress I would cast for Alexandria Hendricks has a similar name. I would love to see Alexandra Daddario fulfill that role. For Iroth, I envision Jensen Ackles. He had the right swagger to create the insufferable demon’s personality. 
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
Typically, my writing process starts with a vague idea and free flow. I find it hard to sit and outline a book from the beginning. I sometimes write a brief summary of where I want the book to go, but not always. More often, I simply sit down and start writing. I work with whatever comes out, adjusting as needed. At about the halfway point, I start outlining what remains. Doing so once my mind has already latched on to the story helps me stay on track but still gives me creative freedom. 
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
On February 1st, of this year I released a short work, Without You: A Novelette. Without You is a sequel to my first published work, “Stages of Grief.” In addition to the individual publication, I released Tales of Grief and Healing: A Complete Duology which contains both of these tales in one binding. My goal was to make the work more accessible for readers who needed different things. 
Without You: A Novelette tells the story of Owen, a character from “Stages of Grief,” who has recently lost someone close to him. In the wake of her death, he has to learn to live without this person and discover his new “normal.” This tale covers the ups and downs in the days following tragic loss. For example, it discusses the days that are so difficult that the character can barely take care of himself because of the crushing depression he feels, but it also covers the days that are surprisingly okay and how that’s somehow worse because he feels terrible about experiencing happiness without her there. 
I wrote this book because, though I’m only thirty years old, I have lost a significant number of people in my life. While it is fiction and does include a paranormal component (not scary), my hope is that it provides others with a safe space to process their losses and accept that their feelings are valid. We all need that. As I like to write in my inscriptions, hearts are always broken in the end, but you have to let the good things in. 
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
My characters tend to pop into my mind as they are needed. I try to begin the story with two or three main characters and fill in the blanks as the plot progresses. Sometimes, the side characters become my favorite!

What is your latest book about?
My latest release is Without You: A Novelette. Here are the back cover details:
Life after loss is so hard to find, but you have to let the good things in.
Owen Josephson knows that life doesn't always end with death. He has spent his own life watching the ghosts of strangers’ pine after the lives they've lost and the loved ones they've left behind. But after a tragic loss, Owen is faced with a reality he never expected to endure. Without the one he loves most, Owen must learn how to move on with the life he has left and put her ghost behind him. Follow his journey in this heartrending tale as grief becomes hope after profound loss. 
Can you share an excerpt, too?
Certainly!
There are many different kinds of loss in life. Some are small, a favorite toy misplaced as a child or a missing ring of keys. Some are larger, more impactful and challenging, like a friend who moves away or a career ending. Then, there are the greater moments, profound in their depth, things that tear at your soul and leave you raw and empty. 
We try so hard to avoid these losses, even though they are inevitable. For most, the singular comfort in these endings is that they are final, absolute.
Death is meant to be a permanent departure. Those who leave us cease to exist on the earthly plane. They’re not meant to be in pain. We are. It’s devastating for those of us who are left behind. It’s a person-sized hole punched into the fabric of the universe at which we stare until we can no longer make out the edges.
It hurts, plain and simple, but then we somehow move on. We let go of that emptiness and continue with our lives, accepting the new job, splurging on that trip we always meant to take, moving into the new apartment, adopting a dog, or maybe making friends with the cute server at the bar.
The only thing that allows this forward momentum is the acceptance that nothing will ever change. Resisting death is futile, and abandoning life is obscene.
Most people don’t see what I see.
I know that “dead” doesn’t mean “gone.” I know that the ones who leave us can linger for weeks, months, and sometimes decades. I see the figures that trail behind weary travelers on the subway. They sit beside us in the cafes. They stare at our computer screens at work.
Death isn’t as final as everyone believes.
 
To read the rest of the prologue from Without You: A Novelette, visit my website here. I always post the first section of my published works there for free. 

What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
At this moment, I’m almost finished with my rewrites of The Ruin, the first manuscript I ever completed. This is the story that started it all, the one my husband insisted I write after I told him about my dreams on the beach in South Haven, MI. It’s been six years in the making, and I can’t wait to share it with the world! The Ruin is a crossover between literary fiction, urban fantasy, and Norse mythology reimagining.
Blurb:
For two years, twenty-one-year-old Kara Edwards has struggled to keep her mother alive after a terminal cancer diagnosis. She's working herself to the bone at a minimum-wage job and sinking deep into debt to pay for expensive treatments. Unfortunately, when the final procedure does not go according to plan, she’s run out of options. Her world teeters on the brink of collapse as she faces the reality that her mother is out of time. That is until her mother’s doctor offers Kara one more option, an expensive and illegal experimental drug called Novemion.
To make matters worse, her absent father is suddenly back in town, and he’s brought an unbelievable family secret with him, one that presents Kara with the strangest of opportunities. If his stories are true, she might be able to save her mother’s life with a dangerous supernatural ability, but it would put the whole of humanity at risk.
Once again, Kara is faced with an impossible choice, and each comes with a steep price. She can place her hope in the untested experimental treatment, give into the temptation of the mythical family secret and risk millions of lives, or allow the mother she idolizes to die.
What will she choose, and can she live with the consequences? 
You can learn more about Samantha and find her works at the links below.
www.samanthamoran.net
"Stages of Grief: A Short Story" (http://amazon.com/dp/B0B85VQML6)
Without You: A Novelette (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BQRTVG7R)
Tales of Grief and Healing: A Complete Duology (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BR8CNPPT)
Dealings in the Dark (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BFJNK2VX)
Bound and Betrayed (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BNGC5G53)
The Ruin (https://www.amazon.com/Ruin-Samantha-Moran-ebook/dp/B0BWVF17ST)

Music:
​No newsletter can be complete with a musical guest.  I enjoy variety and both my Spotify and Pandora accounts have favorite tracks in many genres. This month Norah Jones has been popping up a lot.  

Norah Jones established her catalog of hit songs beginning in the early 2000s. With her skills as a vocalist, pianist and songwriter, it didn’t take long before she began attracting worldwide attention.  Jones has been nominated for more than 40 Grammy awards, winning 14 times.
         
Billboard magazine named her as one of the top jazz artists of the 2000 decade. 
         
Here’s my top five favorites from Norah Jones. 
Don’t Know Why: https://youtu.be/tO4dxvguQDk
Nearness of You: https://youtu.be/hsczuCzyUs4
Come Away with Me: https://youtu.be/lbjZPFBD6JU
Shoot the Moon: https://youtu.be/TENV8IhpZ2A
Chasing Pirates: https://youtu.be/uTxythHY09k