Where have I been?
04/18/20 12:03 PM
It's been a while since I've blogged on this page, probably because I was busy setting up Over-Sixty: Shades of Gray, my non-fiction book, written with co-author Barbara Paskoff. I equate this action to a tree branching off. The trunk remains strong, but sometimes you want to go out on a limb. Does this mean I'm back and will blog more frequently? I can't say. What it does mean at this particular time in my life is that Covid-19 hasn't claimed me, and I've just finished the first draft of Fifth Chronicles of Illumination. It will either publish later this year or early next year, but I'm hoping for sooner, rather than later.
Games
11/11/16 11:19 PM
In just two months, the Third Chronicles of Illumination will be released, and and I've been busy taking care of last minute details and setting up promotions. So it's a little late for me to realize that this would be the first book in the Library of Illumination series that doesn't have an individual subtitle. In the past, each full-length chronicle has always included more than one book. Third Chronicles of Illumination is the first chronicle comprised of a single novel. Sure, it's called the Third Chronicles of Illumination, but it's also book eight in the series, and each individual "book" has always had a subtitle under the umbrella "Chronicles of Illumination."
So I'm thinking of calling this book: "Games." You won't see it on the cover. It's too late for that because it's already been finalized. But I think I'll add it to the "Books in this Series" page. "Games" is a good subtitle. You'll know why when you read it.
BIG Five Publishers
11/06/16 08:37 AM
Click here for the full picture of the imprints that are owned by each of the big five U.S. publishing companies.

Winchester House
10/26/16 06:49 PM
I love architecture and find the story behind this house fascinating.
John Lescroart—Three Tips
09/08/16 05:32 PM
Author John Lescroart said interesting things at Thrillerfest this year that I want to remember, and I thought a good way to do that is by blogging them.
First: say something interesting in each scene, It should be unexpected, clever, and totally cool.
Second: using italics means an author is inserting “false drama.”
Third, and this is a quote: “As long as we’re aware there are no rules, we can break them.”
Why do I suck at marketing?
09/06/16 12:10 PM

So I did all the stuff I thought I was supposed to do to promote a sale on my book, Becoming Johanna, and after each step, I questioned why I didn’t add hash tags. Or why I forgot to include the LINK! Or why I just don’t hire someone else to do this for me. The truth is: I’m flunking Social Media. But I do know how to blog, and so this is what I’m trying to say:
Kindle Countdown Deal! (It’s my first. Can you tell?)
On September 6th, 7th, and 8th only, “Becoming Johanna” will be on sale for 30 to 60% off. The earlier you buy, the less it costs. And you can get it here.
If I were Tweeting this I would probably add #cheapkindlebooks and #bookbuzz. But my tweeting is deplorable and I actually forgot to do that. When I posted it on Facebook, I forgot the link.
Some day, it will all come together. At the same time. But today isn’t the day.
Marketing Tips for Authors
08/28/16 04:38 PM
I saw a link to this on the KDP newsletter and the advice is solid, so I thought I’d share it with everyone.
Charles Dickens' Home
07/31/16 05:45 PM
I feel I have a link with Charles Dickens because we were both born on February 7th; we’re both writers; and we both like to serialize our stories. So when I saw this feature on his home, I wanted to share it. It’s like boasting about family.