Janet Alcorn

Janet Alcorn

Suspense | Horror | Romance

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Writing
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Janet Alcorn
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Writing
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Janet Alcorn

Short story “Proof Text” published in Kings River Life

My short story, “Proof Text,” was just published in Kings River Life! “Proof Text” is a short suspense piece about an exhausted farm wife who must finish one essential chore.…

read more
March 11, 2025

Writing Your Own Destiny (interview on the Mysterious Goings-On podcast)

Want to learn how to start writing fiction and use short stories to further your writing career? In a recent interview I did for the Mysterious Goings-On podcast, I talk…

read more
December 10, 2023

Books to Help You Write Better: A Writer’s Reading List

Want to learn to write fiction? Want to learn to write better fiction? You’re in the right place. The Writer’s Reading List: Books to Help You Write Better will point…

read more
October 28, 2023
  • Arizona,  Photos,  Weekend Coffee Share

    Summer in Tucson part 2: more rain, more sunsets, more bats

    August 12, 2022 /

    Monsoon season is in full swing down here in Satan’s Anus. We’ve had rain almost every night this week, including a wall shaker of a thunderstorm Monday night. The mountains are greening up, the weeds are taking over, and we even have mosquitoes and humidity. It’s like Georgia down in here–but with cactus. I love it (well, except for the weeds and mosquitoes). Look at all that green! The Santa Catalinas don’t look like Mount Doom anymore! And there’s even grass! Water truly is life. And then there are the sunsets. These were taken last night in the Catalina foothills. It was a little too dark for my iPhone camera,…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Closeup of velvet pod mimosa blooms in various stages, from buds to bright pink open flowers to faded light pink flowers

    Velvet-pod Mimosa (Mimosa dysocarpa)

    August 16, 2021
    Yellow building with cream arched doorway and brown door with brick walkway and garden in front, national park shield on outside wall, labeled Tumacácori National Historical Park

    Tumacácori National Historical Park (Weekend Coffee Share #5)

    September 11, 2021
    Black and white high contrast photo of an early 20th century building set against a sky dotted with clouds.

    Bisbee noir and a bit of non-news (Weekend Coffee Share #7)

    September 24, 2021
  • Arizona,  Weekend Coffee Share

    Late summer in Tucson–it’s hot and there are bats

    August 5, 2022 /

    Today I’m going to introspect about late summer and take you on a visit to a local bat colony. Feel free to skim past the narcissistic navel gazing and go right to the bats. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a treat and let’s go bat-watching!

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Closeup of velvet pod mimosa blooms in various stages, from buds to bright pink open flowers to faded light pink flowers

    Velvet-pod Mimosa (Mimosa dysocarpa)

    August 16, 2021

    Saguaro National Park East during a wet monsoon

    August 26, 2022
    Two-lane, curvy road surrounded by green grass and trees, headed into green mountains topped with storm clouds

    A Photo Safari Through Madera Canyon, Arizona, After a Very Rainy Summer

    August 15, 2021
  • Weekend Coffee Share

    No serial killers this week, because that would be too exciting

    July 29, 2022 /

    This week’s update will be short and serial-killer-free (unlike most of the rest of my July posts–apparently it’s serial killer month here at Camp WTF). I could make a bunch of exciting-sounding excuses: I’m flying to Fiji in an hour! I need to prepare for a call with an agent who wants to represent me! I have an appointment with a financial advisor to help me figure out what to do with my lottery winnings! Right. Uh huh. Here’s the sad truth: Exactly two exciting things happened this week. We bought a new freezer. It rained. Kids, that’s what you have to look forward to when you hit middle age:…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Sentinel Peak, Enchanted Hills, and Valentine’s Day nonsense (Weekend Coffee Share #25)

    February 11, 2022
    Orange sky with silhouetted desert mountains

    Saying goodbye to summer (Weekend Coffee Share #4)

    September 4, 2021

    Garden pix and more COVID memes (Weekend Coffee Share #31)

    March 25, 2022
  • Personal,  Weekend Coffee Share

    A bomb threat and more serial killers

    July 22, 2022 /
    Black background with white text reading, "I wonder how the meteor that was supposed to hit us back in 2012 is doing and if it's interested in hitting us now.

    The title of this week’s post–A Bomb Threat and More Serial Killers–makes my week sound waaaaayyyyyy more exciting than it actually was. In fact, Long-Suffering Husband, Son, and I have all felt lousy all week, so we haven’t done much. Plus–and I know this will come as a huge shock–it’s seriously hot here in Arizona in July, so my goal has been to do as little as possible and avoid going outside. Part of that goal–the not going outside part–was thwarted big time earlier this week, unfortunately. I’ll get to that in a minute, but first: welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! It’s also What’s…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    A visit to Tucson Comic-Con

    September 8, 2023

    My 2025 highlight reel: writing, travel, and more

    January 21, 2026

    If it weren’t for COVID, I’d have no news at all

    May 13, 2022
  • Books and Reading,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's On Your Bookshelf

    Of books and serial killers (with gratuitous complaints about the Arizona heat)

    July 15, 2022 /
    Black text on white background: "Boyfriend: Why do you watch so much murder stuff? Me: Just in case you slip up.

    No, this post isn’t about our resident backyard serial killer of tomatoes. That little beast has disappeared, because it’s now too hot here in Satan’s Anus for the tomatoes to produce fruit. Instead, they’re wilted and sad, hoping desperately for temperatures below 100F. Kind of like me. But the plants and I shall hope in vain, because our forecast for the weekend looks like this: At least we might get some rain. Maybe. But don’t worry, I’m not going to spend the rest of this post complaining about the weather. I’m saving that topic for next week. This week it’s time for the monthly What’s on Your Bookshelf Challenge, hosted…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Las Vegas Sphere lit up like a yellow emoji with a surprised face

    Pics of the Las Vegas Sphere – and books

    October 20, 2023
    Green box with white silhouette of woman on phone and text reading, "I decided staying up all night and finishing my book was more important than being mentally present today."

    The monthly book post–and a great tool for readers

    November 18, 2022

    Let’s talk books!

    November 18, 2023
  • Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,  Garden,  Weekend Coffee Share

    Gambel’s quail family returns to my backyard

    July 8, 2022 /

    After last week’s excitement, this week has been quiet. After scrambling to meet a couple of submission deadlines, I’ve been slacking recovering this week and focusing more attention on a work-related writing project (a colleague and I are editing a book). I also co-hosted the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop this month. My post is called, No, I Don’t Want to Live in a Fictional World. I think it’s funny, but I’m one of those dorks who laughs at her own jokes, so… Another bit of news: I’m starting a newsletter to support my nascent author business. To subscribe, drop your email in the subscription box at the top…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    More Snow in Tucson!

    March 3, 2023

    The weekly update: bobcat sighting, books, garden pix, and a small batch of memes

    May 21, 2022
    Cardboard box sealed with strip of plastic tape

    My poem won a prize!

    November 12, 2022
  • IWSG

    No, I don’t want to live in a fictional world

    July 5, 2022 /
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    I’m so excited to be co-hosting the IWSG monthly blog hop, along with my wonderful co-hosts, J Lenni Dorner, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton! Please stop by their blogs and show them some comment love. Also, this is my 30th IWSG post. How the heck did that happen? (If you’re really bored, you can go here to read the first 29). In this month’s post, I’ll answer the optional question, If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose? But first, a couple of things. I have a newsletter! After spending several quality hours with MailerLite, I have a newsletter! If you’d like to see my nonsense witty commentary…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    What if I stopped writing?

    June 6, 2023
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    The most inspiring feedback I’ve ever received

    May 7, 2026

    Literary genres that are not for me

    September 6, 2022
  • Garden,  Weekend Coffee Share,  Writing

    Long-Suffering Husband catches a backyard serial killer, and I meet some deadlines

    July 1, 2022 /

    It’s been a busy week here at Camp WTF. Long-Suffering Husband caught a serial killer* in the act, and I met a couple of writing deadlines. But before we get to those thrilling tales: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a treat, pull up a seat, and let’s chat. * Note: a nonstandard definition of, “serial killer,” is used in this post.

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Flowers and birds and whining about the heat

    June 24, 2023

    Spring has sprung! (Weekend Coffee Share #33)

    April 8, 2022
    Closeup of red and white striped rosebud with part of an open striped rose to the right

    New story coming out, bird rescue drama, and more (Weekend Coffee Share #2)

    August 21, 2021
  • Arizona,  Photos,  Short Stories,  Weekend Coffee Share,  Writing

    Lockett Meadow, writing news, memes, and more

    June 25, 2022 /
    meadow of dry grass in front of forested hills

    Good afternoon, and happy Saturday! It’s a balmy 100F here in Satan’s Anus, which is a helluva lot better than the 108 we endured yesterday. In this week’s missive, I bring you some pretty pictures of Lockett Meadow in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, my writing progress (such as it is), a few interesting dribs and drabs I found on the internet when I should have been writing, and a fresh batch of memes I also found on the internet when I should have been writing. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a treat, pull up a seat, and let’s get…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    Fall Color in Sabino Canyon

    December 3, 2022

    Hot rocks and cool coatis: a visit to Chiricahua National Monument

    August 25, 2023

    Ironwood National Monument (Weekend Coffee Share #27)

    February 25, 2022
  • Books and Reading,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's On Your Bookshelf

    Fire near my old neighborhood, books, and more memes

    June 18, 2022 /

    As some of you know, I used to live in the country outside Flagstaff, Arizona. We lived on 2.5 acres a half mile or so from the Coconino National Forest, with a view of the San Francisco Peaks from our driveway. It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. This week my former neighborhood was evacuated because that beautiful place is on fire. This fire, the Pipeline Fire, is the second major fire in the area. The Tunnel Fire blazed through in April. According to the current map, this fire burned to within about a half mile of our former home. So far the neighborhood has been spared, but…

    Read More
    Janet Alcorn

    You May Also Like

    A few books, a few memes… and a big deadline

    October 21, 2022
    Black text on white background: "Boyfriend: Why do you watch so much murder stuff? Me: Just in case you slip up.

    Of books and serial killers (with gratuitous complaints about the Arizona heat)

    July 15, 2022
    Stack of books to help you write better, including Bird by Bird, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Thanks, But This Isn't For Us, Structuring Your Novel, Stephen King's On Writing, and Revision & Self-Editing

    Books to Help You Write Better: A Writer’s Reading List

    October 28, 2023
1011121314

Search this Site

Archives

Posts by Category

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Threads

Facebook

Facebook

Bluesky

© 2026 - All Rights Reserved.