News & Updates

I know, I know -- it's been months since I sent out a newsletter. Depending on who you listen to, the optimal frequency of sending mail to your mailing list is either when you have a new release (and no more often) or regularly, at least twice a month. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle.

The truth is, I dislike the whole promotion run-around. It's easy to get sucked into marketing courses and chasing the next big wave because if you don't, you feel like you're missing out on opportunities to get your name and your work out in the world. But that can lead down a path that I know is unhealthy. So I've been re-evaluating the time and energy I spend on promotion versus staying in conversation with my audience and fellow creative folk and simply making time for silence.

I've started to pull back from participating in social media this year as well. As much as I love the chance to connect with writers, artists, and readers, too many mornings, I have found myself mindlessly scrolling FB and Twitter on my phone when I could be making art or writing. 

I am trying to honor my creative process and sometimes that looks like letting the field go fallow. 

While I am writing, the work is moving slowly. I've started a new novel. It's quite different from the world of the Halcyone Space novels, though, like all my work, it's anchored in the characters and their choices. Look for snippets of work in progress in the coming months. I'm a little superstitious about sharing work before I've gotten to about the halfway mark in the novel.

And finally, if you're in the Boston area, I'll be at Boskone this coming weekend. You can find me at the art show, at the Broad Universe table in the dealers room, and on program. 

As always, I love to hear from you. Questions? Suggestions? Recommendations? Send them my way.

Blast-off with Sci Fi Giveaway

From now through March 17th, a group of science fiction authors are offering free short fiction, novellas, and novels through this StoryOrigin giveaway. Download what you wish from an assortment of 29 offerings. If you haven't had a chance to read DERELICT, it's part of the giveaway as well. And since you're already part of my newsletter subscriber list, if you would like to read it, just let me know and I'll send it to you directly, with my thanks. 

Recommended Reading

I only recommend books I have purchased and enjoyed. YMMV. I don't accept books for review.  

Matchbox Girls by Chrysoula Tzavelas

Haunted by visions of catastrophe and crippling anxiety attacks, Marley Claviger has never heard of any celestial cold war. But when the twin daughters of a friend come to her for help, she will do whatever it takes to save them. Even if it means working with Fallen, discovering the nephilim, and facing the source of her power.

I've had this on my kindle for some time, but for one reason or another, hadn't gotten around to reading it. A few weeks ago, I was home sick with the cold from hell and got to a point where I wasn't feeling well enough to be active out of the house, but was far too restless to sleep anymore. I turned to my kindle and started reading.

And I couldn't put it down until I'd finished the story. What I loved about it was the voice of the narrator, Marley. She struggles with lifelong anxiety and is an adoptee, both of which come into play when she unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of two young girls. Her own fears of abandonment, her core-deep stubbornness, and her loyalty to her friends become strengths she must lean on when powers she never knew existed manifest all around her. 

While this is book 1 of a series, it stands as a complete story and I definitely recommend it. 

Sales & Specials

These are books I have not read but are included here because they are some flavor of spec fic and may appeal to my readers.

The Concordia Deception by JJ Green $0.99 on Amazon

Disaster threatens humanity’s first deep space colony in this space opera adventure. It definitly looks like something I would enjoy, so I'm going to toss it on my TBR pile.