An Interview with Jacob Paul Patchen

Jacob Paul Patchen falls into the category (like many other authors) of people I’ve “met” on social media but have never seen in person. But it’s pretty safe to say that he and I would have a lot to chat about if our paths actually crossed. One case in point: he writes across multiple genres.…

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An Interview with Diane Windsor

A few months ago, I posed a book trailer question in a Facebook group. Diane Windsor of Motina Books (and another Texan!) answered my question and then some, providing me with sample book trailers for comparison and mockups of my own book to use for marketing purposes. That support, freely given, is what sets Diane…

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An Interview with Christina Berry

One of my new favorite people in the world right now is debut author Christina Berry. Because she lives in Texas (see what I mean about knowing a ton of authors from Texas?), we haven’t met in-person (yet). But when she posted on social media about reading and reviewing her book, I responded with interest.…

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With or Without You

My youngest, who is twelve, has always clung to words. She likes how coffin and soft sound, and she repeats words like creamy often. Her new favorite word: rude. As in, “That’s rude,” in response to someone’s off-color behavior. But it’s not the word that stands out, it’s how she says it. A bit of…

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An Interview with Pamela Skjolsvik

What is it about Texas? In the past three months or so, I’ve “met” several authors living in Texas, including Pamela Skjolsvik, whose “last name is pronounced like Dr. Scholls with a ‘vik’ on the end.” Like many authors, Pamela has been published in literary journals and online (including Writer’s Digest), and she’s also placed…

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Nineteen: The Nest

Dear Zoe and Talia, These letters get more sappy as the years go by, but I hope someday, when I’m gone, you can look at them and know how much I loved you. This past year for you has been strange, to say the least. The other day, in fact, Zoe came into my room…

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Let’s Talk About THE BLURB

She thinks the hard part is over. She’s written the manuscript. She’s done the homework. She’s sent the queries, imploring someone—anyone?—to take her work on. She’s learned to handle rejection and the constant nagging that her email folder labeled Rejections is teetering on the brink of no storage. She’s chipped away at her self-confidence, and…

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Cat-astrophe

“When you’re ready to put Arnold on a diet,” the vet says, “call me. It can be a process, but it can work.” Arnold is the second of our cats to need some help in terms of dietary needs. The first, Ferdinand, ended up with diabetes, something we couldn’t control. I still remember the toil…

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An Interview with Cara Sue Achterberg

I’ve never met Cara Sue Achterberg in real life, but if I did, I think we’d be fast friends. She describes herself as “an irrepressible writer, a curious cook, a lazy gardener, a loyal friend, a dog trainer in training, and an occasional cowgirl.” With a set of interests as diverse as those, she’s sure…

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Even More Words for the New Year 6

I’m more than willing to call myself out when I make a mistake. And friends, oooh, did I make a mistake last year! I chose to focus on these words (these words!): What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet. —Anne Frank Um, really.…

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