Hey kids,

It’s Newsletter Time! Hold on to your hats my friends. There’s actually some news in this one. First thing’s first…

In, non-writing related news, the garden is going smashingly. Our tomatoes are enjoying the heat and the squash have put on several flowers. My radishes are out of control. With any luck things will start producing enough for at least one of us to get a salad (we shall fight over it with tiny forks). Beyond that, I find the necessity of getting in to weed, or water extra in these ridiculously hot afternoons, helps to calm my mind and give me a break from the made up world of adulting. Any day you can dig in the dirt, is a good day. Any day you can pause to watch how busily bees utilize your catmint is a day you’re reminded that there really is no such thing as society…silly humans.

We’ve had to put up traps for these little assholes that seem to be everywhere. I think it’s probably a good lesson for how climate change is probably causing an imbalance of certain species over others, but I that would probably be a college course, not a newsletter post. However, if you want to geek out over invasive species, perhaps the lady/gent/non-binary Captain would prefer this: Popillia japonica. In any case, for any of my fellow gardeners out there, we’ve been having good luck with the traps and I’ve found no noticeable difference between the “flower blossom” or “Japanese Beetle Sex Pheromone *Party” (*party added by author) scents . They are equally attracted to ‘food’ and ‘sex’. Listen, I’m not judging, because…well me too.

What else? I’m attending a CSU Transfer Student/Parent Orientation this week for my oldest, and gearing up to take my youngest to a Paleontology camp in Thermopolis, Wyoming ran by the Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Sites. There’s a bit of a lull in between the two things, which leads me to the next section…

Writing and Editing:

I’m in my final proofreading round for “Heir to Time”!! Which means this little gem is soon to hit the bookstands (AUGUST 11th). I will have some cover reveals happening on Friday (tomorrow), so be sure to check those out. The Timekeeper series is now complete. Stay tuned and I’ll let you know how you can order a complete boxed set or any of the individual books, signed with some goodies.

I’m waiting to hear back for my next round of edits for my anti-Hallmark novel, but I’m sure that’ll get wrapped up in time. Pray for our poor editor.

My edits for “FaeSpawn” (mythology-based, contemporary fantasy, set in the Ornkey Islands north of Scotland and south of Scandinavia) were interrupted for the proofreading for Heir that came up, but I have made it about fifteen chapters in and it’s not as bad as I remembered. There are a few things to clear up. I don’t generally write fantasy or even urban fantasy so I’m trying to remind myself that world building has to be both consistent and clear…without being so expositionary that your reader falls asleep. Who knew writing could be so complex? I did. I knew that. And I do it anyway.

I’m toying with the idea of gathering up some of these beautiful and generative poems I’ve collected over the last year for a possible anthology out next year (possibly from a publisher). I just need an accountability partner I think. I think I’ll bother one of my good friends (I’m looking at you Nina (9-uh)) who also has a book of poetry probably waiting for her to put together. Another reason why writers need other writers.

I started, and am keeping very close to my chest, an interesting new story inspired by a good friend who has always supported me. And over a recent breakfast of runny eggs, and discussions of oddest-family-stories-ever, reignited my creative spark. I’m not going to say much about it (writers are often afraid of good ideas being startled away), except, again, writers need writers and I’m so thankful he’s in my life. Every girl needs a Charlie.

Reading:

I finished “The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Allison Goodman, and loved it so much that I ordered the sequel: “The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin”. The first was such a fantastic romp, with adventure, humor, and romance. Plus to get to read something, albeit fictional, about women in their forties destroying abusive systems that hurt and imprison women was pretty satisfying. Please check her out. It’s great writing.

I’ve also picked up “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. I read it before in middle-school and find that I’m enjoying it eve more now. Sometimes its good to get back to the classics. Especially if they’re smart, subversive, and absurd.

I’m also reading a couple of beta copies for friends. Both non-fiction. One from Ted Williams about the advent of the Alpine Rescue Team in the 70’s here in Colorado (check out “The Art of Rescue“). Basically middle and high schoolers, were partaking in high-stakes rescue missions before calling in CPS was a thing. It’s wild and so far, very good. I’m also reading a book soon to be released, from Michelle Ray, called “Lessons Unplanned”. Part travel memoir, part philosophical soul-search, I think it will appeal to so many readers. You can check out her Substack here: States of Matter.

Events and BOOK RELEASE

Heir to Time

It’s finally here!! The third and most soul-sucking (to write, not read I hope) novel in the Timekeeper Series will be released August 11th. I’ll be posting on my social where you can find and buy it. An exciting conclusion to the adventurous, romantic, time-traveling capers of Lillian Byrne. The third novel features a side sapphic romance, and brings back our beloved favorite couple (well they’re MY favorite couple) Richard and Thomas. It’s a bit “Mummy” and a bit “Indiana Jones” wrapped in pretty, romantic comedy paper. There are exciting chases, escapes, curses, and a bit of magic thrown in. If you want to know where time-travel came from, this is the capstone book that will tie the series all together again.

I do not have any book signing dates yet, but I’ll post them soon.

July Class with “The Pause” on The Feminine Divine

In July, I’ll be teaching a class for The Pause, a cool writing group devoted to mid-life women. The class will center on exploring the power of the Feminine Divine and the innate knowledge of body to explore expression. Its a topic I think about a lot, especially in a patriarchy where so much of what we ‘know’ is beaten down or ignored. And how so much of that knowledge would have actually saved the human race a heapful of grief, suffering and death. Anyway, we’ll be exploring how to tap into that, how to trust ourselves, and how to use what we know to help others. Here’s more about that organization: The Pause Writers

Fort Collins Comic Con

Ya’ll, I’m going again. This event is so well ran and I’ll be talking with my friends Rod Martinez and Heather Hein about writing. The joys, the failures, the gains and the loss. Not just that, but how we create in times of turmoil and why it’s important that we do. I hope we’ll have a good crowd and can answer any questions you might have. I believe our panel is on Saturday August the 15th. Register here! They have so many great vendor booths, authors and books, cosplay, panels, and other fun events.

Closing:

I’ve uncovered some deep rooted issues with self-promotion (see “she doesn’t have a book signing booked yet for a release less than a month away?” hint above) that I’m trying to deal with, which probably stems a lot from an overblown sense of self-doubt and/or deeply instilled rural-upbringing humility that very rarely allows me much pride in anything. Also, and maybe you’ve experienced this, the weird phenomena of “Yes I finished a book, now on to the next”, and ignoring or purposefully taking out the pause between. I suspect it has a lot to do with the discomfort of praise and the reminder from someplace deep in my “don’t get too big for your britches” brain, that I’m not so special and to keep working.

All of that aside, the marketing issue has also made me think a lot about what I want to accomplish as a writer and with my writing. I will say that I am proud of myself in that I held a really hard boundary that’s protected me and my little shoe-box heart, and in the process (and after a long and arduous hike), I’ve put into motion a long-term (but not too long) plan to rediscover and honor who I really am and what I really want. Sometimes its scary to sit down with yourself and be honest. Because often what you discover will affect not just you, but a lot of people around you. In seeking a balance that takes care of all hearts involved, I feel like I’ve got some solid footing on the journey ahead, and for once in a very long time, I have a little hope for my own future.

Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other.