On Sunday, my first Encouraging Words episode in ages will air on my show, Write Now Workshop Podcast! Here is the text... I was trying to think of something encouraging to say, which took a few minutes because it’s been a long difficult period of life for me. Then I remembered something I’ve been trying to do lately – honestly, whenever I remember it, which tends to be a little on again, off again.

When Marianne isn’t working on A Slice of Orange, she might be writing short stories, funny romances, or quirky murder mysteries, but this could be a rumor. She also could be knitting.

"Totally Folked" by New York Times Bestseller Penny Reid is F R E E for a limited time only! If you’re looking for your next cozy, small-town romantic comedy for Fall, this is it! 🍂

Mist hovered over the lake like a shroud. Hope stood at the point, past the flagpole and orange mums ringing its base. Nothing moved on the dark water. Too early for even the trawling fishermen. No one to witness.

When vampire Chris Atherton—a former rock star—accidentally shoots a woman he was trying to help, he must do something he never thought possible: turn her into a vampire to save her life. But little did he know the surprise in store for him when she utters her dying words...

I'm Back with another Quarter Days Post It's only the end of September, but pumpkins are everywhere in stores. Just in time for carving Jack o' Lanterns, or for folks who don't celebrate the scary season, in time for that harvest table display. I'll be celebrating Halloween with a ghostly new release: The Duke, the Diamond, and the Ghastly Ghoul. …

Born and raised in the Midwest, Dianna has also lived in three other quadrants of the U.S. She writes short stories, poetry and novels. Her full-length novel, Scream of the Silent Sun, was a finalist in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for first novel.

Enveloped in twilight mist they are known only to him

The exhibit and the book inspired me to dream bigger, reach higher, and dig deeper within myself to find the kaleidoscope of colors and illuminating power that can help to light up my world.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Dianna has also lived in three other quadrants of the U.S. She writes short stories, poetry and novels. Her full-length novel, Scream of the Silent Sun, was a finalist in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for first novel.

One of the goals I set for myself this year was to write my first reader magnet. With my first set of deadlines now fulfilled, I knew this was a must. Plus I wanted something to thank all the readers who have been so supportive and encouraging to this newly published author. I had to consider what I should write. I had some ideas, but I didn't want to use anything that could be a full novel in my series.

where were you? we all remember where we were that day, how we heard the news, the disbelief shattering our world, then the unbelievable media coverage no one could look away from... i was still groggy from staying up into the wee hours to send off a book proposal to a publisher in San Francisco by email... unheard of in those days.

My struggles with perimenopause and menopause have been crushingly difficult. One of the ways I choose to cope and process is to write about it and share the information I think will be helpful for others. I finally got the first chapter written and posted! Working title, Encouragement for Writers in Perimenopause. You can read it on my Substack…

Born and raised in the Midwest, Dianna has also lived in three other quadrants of the U.S. She writes short stories, poetry and novels. Her full-length novel, Scream of the Silent Sun, was a finalist in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for first novel.

The flames danced in the fire pit, inviting Dulci to relax, but the drift of smoke rising into the night sky only darkened her mood. Cora, who knew her like any best friend should, was trying to help. But some things just hurt too bad.

Award-winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but her true passion is the much happier world of romance fiction.

Until I can fly . . . as the sun goes down and waves come closer with the rising tide

Have you ever wondered why seashells blanket the seashore? Is it the sea that spews some of them out and they wash up on the shore? Or is it the shells themselves that escape and prefer to make their new home in the sand; choosing warm and dry or cool and moist?

Award-winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but her true passion is the much happier world of romance fiction.

Sometime in January a red knitted hat pattern was recommended to me on my Ravelry page.

Have you heard of AllAuthor? It’s an online platform and community that connects book authors with readers. It was established in 2016. As an author, it's a place to list your books, enter book cover contests, and build an author profile. As a reader you can search by author name, genre, or by book with direct links to purchase books.

When I was sevenBooks were my heaven Tales of princesses and fairies galoreI loved to read more and more Then I wrote stories about women so brave and good And lucky for me they found a home at Boldwood! =============== Happy 7th Birthday to my fab publisher Boldwood Books!!

"But it reminded me of choices that I'd forgotten. Between the stresses of nearly six decades on Earth and the personal hell perimenopause/menopause have made of my life the last several years, I've found myself with a mostly negative and scared attitude about life. This from someone who was called Pollyanna since I was a kid! "

New release: Rescued by the Outlaw Vampire by Jenna Barwin. Can I convince her I’m not the monster she thinks I am?

Award-winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but her true passion is the much happier world of romance fiction.

Two months into the job, and Cordi knew every regular’s preferred beverage. She could sift the deadbeats from the barflies who had dough, and had memorized The Bartender’s Guide, from the Apple Martini to the White Knight. Mostly, she poured and listened. 

Tari Lynn Jewett is the Featured Author for July. Find out more about Tari and the books she writes on A Slice of Orange.

life spills . . . forming red rivulets in sand in the vast desert man's fury against man reasons I do not understand

Anniversaries are festive occasions marking milestones and accomplishments. We recount experiences and memories; some sad, but hopefully mostly joyful. We celebrate the depth and richness of our shared lives.

Tari Lynn Jewett is the Featured Author for July. Find out more about Tari and the books she writes on A Slice of Orange.

We’re in the midst of summer here in Southeast Pennsylvania, a time for hiking in the woods, camping in the forest, picnicking near a lake—even walking on the beach at the Jersey Shore. Nature is ours to enjoy, right?

One of the things I enjoy about being an author is building a strong author brand. I love playing in this space and coming up with new ideas to create things to support my books. What is Author Branding? Author branding is identifying the unique promise you give to your readers. This can include your writing style, themes, your visuals, and your public identity.

Half of the world will go through menopause at some point, and all of the world will see or feel the effects of it. I'm so grateful that I live during a time when we are finally taking menopause out of hiding and finding out how to help ourselves and each other through this phase. The only thing that would be better is if I lived during a time when I knew…

Tari Lynn Jewett is the Featured Author for July. Find out more about Tari and the books she writes on A Slice of Orange.

The cereal poured from the spout so quickly it overflowed Marie’s bowl and fell to the tile floor in the breakfast bar. She and Todd were on the second day of their summer vacation, and bar was a stretch.

Apologies if the post title triggers a Loving Spoonful earworm! The Magic of Books It's Midsummer and I've been thinking a lot about magical stories. Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Romantasy, not to mention all the Star Wars-type stories. Have you read any? Do you have a preference? My daughter is currently working her way through Rebecca Yarros' Romantasy series.

spring has come and gone summer breeze nudges dense foliage to dance

Every once in a while I daydream about what it would be like to meet some famous individual from the past. And if I did meet them, what would I say? Once we’d get past the introductions, nice to meet you; how’s the weather?, and other such polite niceties, what would I ask them or talk about? Maybe I’d freeze and my mind would go blank transforming me into a banal idiot.

I'm excited to announce SISTERS AT WAR is a Kindle Australia Book Deal. A story about 2 sisters and how sexual violence during wartime (Occupied Paris WW2) changes their lives. SISTERS AT WAR is a novel inspired by my own story. The girl in the photo is me. AU $2.69 Book 1 (Book 2 Sisters of the Resistance)AU

Deadlines definitely help keep the writing momentum going. But what do you do when you don’t have a deadline? How do you keep up with all the marketing, promoting, and other things writers need to do and still write? It seems during a book launch I’m busy posting, writing blog posts for guest blogs, and pursuing book signing opportunities (which I have two this month - so excited!).

I remember tossing my slide rule into my flower-papered trunk when I graduated... it was a good friend back in the day. Got me through mathematics in college and somehow it survived along with my paisley bell bottoms and Laguna Beach Indian bracelets. It wasn't a magic wand, but it felt like one. You still had to understand math to make it work.

I love seasons, and the holidays and admit, a good deal of my life is planned around these moments. You won’t find me wearing white before the first day of spring…or after Labor Day. Not because I believe it should be a rule, or other people shouldn’t, but because I enjoy the ritual of a fresh wardrobe for the next season.

A couple of years ago, it’s hard to believe I’m saying that. Even more hard to comprehend that the book I’m about to talk about will be ten years old this year. Many of you may remember I did something a few people questioned. I published a title a month for a year. Looking back on it, I have mixed emotions.

To celebrate our twentieth anniversary, we bring you highlights from each of our eight "Sweet, Funny, and Strange®" anthologies of short stories from our varied, award-winning authors.

Three long weeks. Marla checked her calendar for the fifth time that morning and stared at the next cubicle, vacant, as it had been for twenty-one days. Where was Chet? Her work queue glared at her, each extra file on her screen a reminder that her coworker was shirking his duties.

Denise M. Colby loves to write words that encourage, enrich, and engage whether it’s in her blog, social media, magazine articles, devotions, or her novels.

they said to remember crawdads asked me to listen for their song when my heart was heavy and my sorrow dark