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3 things I’d like to change about the publishing industry
Whenever authors gather, we will complain about the publishing industry. Guaranteed. Why? Let me count the ways (because most of us can count those ways a lot more easily than we can count the money we earn from publishing). In this case, I’ll only be counting to 3, which is good, because I haven’t had my caffeine yet. Read on for my list of 3 things I’d like to change about the publishing industry. Before I attempt advanced mathematics: This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. On the first Wednesday of every month, we IWSG-ers share our doubts, fears, struggles, and triumphs. Our awesome…
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Dispatch from the query trenches
Happy March! Welcome to this month’s IWSG post, a/k/a my latest dispatch from the query trenches. I continue to labor away, though my querying is winding down. I’ve queried all the agents on my query list that are open to queries. Fortunately, some agents I have my eye on have opened in the new year, so I’ve sent a few more queries out. Otherwise, I’m in waiting mode, which is so much fun.1 Before I whine say more about my querying experience: This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. On the first Wednesday of every month, we IWSG-ers share our doubts, fears, struggles, and…
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My 2025 highlight reel: writing, travel, and more
It’s time for my 2025 highlight reel post. I love writing annual highlight reel posts, because 1) I get reminded of things I forgot I did last year, and 2) I get to relive some good memories. 2025 was our first full year here in Clovis and in our new house, so there was lots of settling in, and since it’s me, lots of gardening. Also a little (very little) writing and some travel. Here we go: Writing highlights Academic writing The academic book I co-edited in 2024 was released early in 2025, so that was exciting. There’s nothing quite like holding a book in my hands with my name…
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California Delta Part 2: Mossdale Crossing Regional Park
Last week we visited Paradise Cut, a section of the California Delta outside my hometown of Tracy. This week we’ll move a few miles east to Mossdale Crossing Regional Park, which sits next to I5 on the way from Tracy to Stockton. Only a few pictures this time, because a) it was cold and windy, and b) the park is small. The boat ramp is the big attraction, but a) I don’t own a boat, and b) the river was running high and fast, which should make sensible people think twice about boating. For me, the attractions were the river and the old bridges. But before we get to those:…
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California Delta Part 1: Paradise Cut (+Books! and Memes!)
Today I’m going to take you on a visit to one of my favorite places in the world–and the setting for my novel-in-progress, Delta Dawn–the California Delta. Well, I’m going to take you to one tiny piece of it, Paradise Cut outside my hometown of Tracy, California. We’ll also talk books, and I have the usual batch of meme-y hilarity. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer and the What’s On Your Bookshelf Challenge, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it. When most non-Californians think of the state, they think of Hollywood, San Francisco, Silicon Valley–movie stars and…
Suspense | Horror | Romance
