Janet Alcorn

Suspense | Horror | Romance

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  • Personal,  Photos,  Travel,  Writing

    My 2025 highlight reel: writing, travel, and more

    January 21, 2026 / 11 Comments

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

    May 13, 2022

    A visit to Tucson Comic-Con

    September 8, 2023
    Wreath-shaped ornament on Christmas tree, silver painted with eucalyptus berries glued on. Bottom of candy cane ornament in upper left corner.

    My earliest Christmas memory: meat trays, cardboard, and Krylon

    December 25, 2021
  • IWSG,  Travel,  Writing

    The most unethical practice in publishing

    August 5, 2025 /
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    What is the most unethical practice in publishing? There are plenty to choose from, from scammy, predatory publishers (not all publishers! just scammy, predatory ones) to the zillions of businesses popping up like dandelions to profit off authors without adding any value, to publishers that want to profit off authors and readers without adding much actual value–e.g., minimal editing, minimal marketing, no willingness to invest in an author’s career. (Again, I’m not talking about all publishers here.) But the most unethical practice in the publishing industry puts these to shame. But before I do the big reveal: This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop.…

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    Celebrating 4 years in the IWSG

    September 5, 2023
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    I’m co-hosting the IWSG blog hop! (#IWSG)

    March 1, 2022
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    November: A month of stress and delight in writing (#IWSG)

    December 1, 2021
  • Arizona,  Photos,  Short Stories,  What's Been on Your Calendar

    2024 is off to a strong start: the January recap

    January 27, 2024 /
    Looking down on the US-Mexico Border, a black fence across a desert basin

    Welcome to my first What’s Been on Your Calendar post of 2023! I went into my holiday break last month recovering from COVID, exhausted, and struggling to figure out how to rebalance my life so it wouldn’t grind me into fine powder by April Fool’s Day. Then I rested, took a short road trip, spent some time in nature… and felt renewed. January has been the best month I’ve had in awhile. I’m not sure what made the difference but my money’s on rest and spending time really thinking about how best to prioritize the many demands on my time and energy. I’m also not sure how long this new…

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    Neon sign that reads BOOZE BEDS FOOD

    Gratitude, wins and losses, and weird Bisbee (Weekend Coffee Share #9)

    October 10, 2021

    Hosting a write-in and trying to finish a book

    October 14, 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
  • Photos,  Poetry,  Travel,  Weekend Coffee Share

    An award-winning poem and a visit to Seattle

    November 11, 2023 /
    Nighttime view of entrance to Pike's Place Market including its iconic sign and clock

    A more-exciting-than-usual week here at Camp WTF. Long-Suffering Husband and I just got back from Seattle. I was there for a work conference; he was there for the coffee. Then as soon as we got back, I got the news that one of my poems won an award in the Arizona Authors Association Annual Literary Contest. Yay! But before we get to all that: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it. “Mourning Doves” won Best in Category My poem “Mourning Doves” won Best in Category in the Arizona Authors Association annual literary…

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

    February 11, 2022
    Las Vegas Sphere lit up like a yellow emoji with a surprised face

    Pics of the Las Vegas Sphere – and books

    October 20, 2023

    Vegas, baby! With a side order of pandemic memes (Weekend Coffee Share #29)

    March 11, 2022
  • Photos,  Travel,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's Been on Your Calendar

    Interviewed for the Mysterious Goings On podcast + trip to Las Vegas – the October recap

    October 27, 2023 /
    Promo image for my interview on an episode of the Mysterious Goings On podcast called "Janet Alcorn on Writing Your Own Destiny." Available at www.mgopod.com and on Apple Podcasts. Air date: November 29, 2023. Episode length: 54 minutes, 8 seconds.

    I had two big events in October: I was interviewed for the Mysterious Goings On podcast about using short stories to launch a writing career, and Long-Suffering Husband and I drove to Vegas to meet up with a friend (*waves at Laurel*). But before I get to all that: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share hosted by Natalie the Explorer and What’s Been on Your Calendar hosted by  Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb.  Talking writing and short stories on the Mysterious Goings On podcast I’m excited to announce that I was interviewed for Alex Greenwood’s Mysterious Goings On podcast! In the episode, which will post on November 29, I talk about launching a writing career later in…

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    Janet Alcorn

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    A visit to Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona

    December 9, 2022
    Nighttime view of entrance to Pike's Place Market including its iconic sign and clock

    An award-winning poem and a visit to Seattle

    November 11, 2023
    Orange sky with silhouetted desert mountains

    Saying goodbye to summer (Weekend Coffee Share #4)

    September 4, 2021
  • Books and Reading,  Photos,  Travel,  Vanishing, Inc.,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's On Your Bookshelf

    Pics of the Las Vegas Sphere – and books

    October 20, 2023 /
    Las Vegas Sphere lit up like a yellow emoji with a surprised face

    I bailed on blogging again last week, and it wasn’t even for a boring reason like work or a writing deadline. I went to Vegas! And you know what that means: I’m so broke I have to sell my plasma to survive. I have new photos to fill space on my blog! This week we’ll visit Sphere, the newest Las Vegas attraction and my latest obsession. But first: it’s the 3rd Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the What’s On Your Bookshelf Challenge, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. I’ve been getting back into a regular reading groove and finished a nice mix of books since my last book post…

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

    May 21, 2022

    Let’s talk books!

    November 18, 2023

    Website woes, garden pics and books

    April 24, 2022
  • Arizona,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's Been on Your Calendar

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

    August 25, 2023 /

    This week I’ll take you on a visit Chiricahua National Monument, billed by the National Park Service as, “A Wonderland of Rocks.” So strap in and get ready for lots of pictures of… Rocks. Big rocks. Tall rocks. Round rocks. Skinny rocks. OK, I’ll stop channeling Dr. Seuss. What was I talking about? Oh, yeah: Rocks. Also coatimundi, a/k/a coatis, possibly the cutest animals I’ve ever seen in a national park. Also memes. But first: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get this party started. Weekly Weather Whining For the last week+, we’ve enjoyed…

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    Janet Alcorn

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    Neon sign that reads BOOZE BEDS FOOD

    Gratitude, wins and losses, and weird Bisbee (Weekend Coffee Share #9)

    October 10, 2021

    Sweetwater Trail, flower pics, and a fresh batch of memes (Weekend Coffee Share #34)

    April 15, 2022
    Pink cactus flower with white center

    Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers

    September 2, 2022
  • Books and Reading,  Photos,  Travel,  Weekend Coffee Share,  What's On Your Bookshelf

    Podcast appearance, Michigan trip, and books

    June 17, 2023 /

    This post is a hodgepodge–my podcast appearance, the last of the pictures from my trip to Michigan, and what I’ve been reading lately. But before we get to all that: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer, and What’s On Your Bookshelf, hosted by  Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it. I’m on the Big Blend Radio podcast! Last month I appeared on the Big Blend Radio podcast, along with other authors whose stories appeared in the Trouble in Tucson anthology. More details in this post. Last batch of pix from the Michigan trip In my last two…

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    Janet Alcorn

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    Bookshelves with books, photos, and knick-knacks

    Books, book memes, writing news and more

    September 16, 2022

    The monthly book roundup

    August 18, 2023

    Desert flowers and the monthly book roundup

    April 21, 2023
  • Photos,  Travel,  Weekend Coffee Share

    Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, Michigan

    June 9, 2023 /

    Happy Friday! It’s time for part 3 of the Michigan trip report (see part 1 and part 2), a visit to Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area on Saginaw Bay. I’m going to milk my trip for all I can on here, because it’s the only interesting thing I’ve done in ages. So get ready for: birds! But first: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s look at some water birds! The lay of the land Nayanquing Point is marshland on the edge of Saginaw Bay. We found this place by accident–we saw a road sign for…

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    Black greyhound with white and grey muzzle curled up asleep on a dog bed

    Bisbee pics and saying goodbye (Weekend Coffee Share #10)

    October 15, 2021

    Desert flowers and the monthly book roundup

    April 21, 2023

    Ironwood National Monument (Weekend Coffee Share #27)

    February 25, 2022
  • Photos,  Travel,  Weekend Coffee Share

    Michigan Trip Part 2: 2 Cold, 2 Windy

    June 4, 2023 /

    Happy Saturday! This week I’m sharing a few pics from Day 2 of our drive around Michigan’s Thumb: Port Huron (featured last week) to Sebewaing. I have a lot fewer pictures than I normally would, because the weather along Lake Huron was way too cold and windy for this desert rat. Before we get going: The post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Have a seat, grab a treat, and pretend you care about my vacation pictures so you don’t bruise my fragile little fee fees. Pics from our Thumb Drive “Thumb Drive.” Heh, heh. See what I did there? Yeah, I know, don’t…

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    Janet Alcorn

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    Joshua Tree Forest, writing news, books, and more pandemic memes (Weekend Coffee Share #30)

    March 18, 2022

    California Delta Part 1: Paradise Cut (+Books! and Memes!)

    January 22, 2023

    Podcast appearance, Michigan trip, and books

    June 17, 2023
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