A tide is running in the publishing industry. More and more authors, including famous ones, are choosing to self-publish their books. This year marks the third in which Independent Author Day is celebrated across the country. I’m happy to serve on the local committee organizing events in Pacific Grove, CA on October 13. Participants will …

Husband and fellow writer Russell Sunshine and I (second and third from right), assembling with Central Coast Writers to march in Monterey’s 4th of July Parade. The crowd of some 10,000 was very enthusiastic, and we had a lot of fun. CCW marches every year, and we’re already wondering, “What’ll we wear in 2019???”

Sure feels good to be editing the first draft of LAZARUS, the next book in my trilogy of mysteries set in a fictitious small town in West Virginia. Hoping to have it in print in time for Christmas.

50,000 words and counting on the first draft of Lazarus, the second in my trilogy of West Virginia mysteries. Hope to have this draft done in a couple weeks. Then I’ll let it stew for a while and come back to it. I usually do three drafts, asking for trusted readers’ feedback on the second. …

Marching with the Central Coast Writers in Pacific Grove’s Good Old Days Parade. That’s me, way at the back with the sign, “Writers do it literally,” and husband Russell on the right in his Sherlock Holmes hat. Good Old Days is such a special event, running two days, starting with this terrific parade and continuing …

  After a hiatus of six months due to the West Virginia book tour (where I enjoyed a high school reunion picnic with old friends), some health challenges and an unexpected house-move, I’m finally back at work on Lazarus. The first draft is about half-done, and the final draft should be finished by the end …

Passing out treats at the annual Booktoberfest of Central Coast Writers. Got to hear some wonderful excerpts as other writers read from their latest works, and many of us offered our books for sale before and after the meeting. CCW and similar organizations are a great way for writers to network and learn from each …

A friend sent this photo of Child’s Play being featured in the South Charleston Public Library. And it’s been checked out! Always nice to know that West Virginians are reading this book set in a fictitious small town in the Mountain State.

The final stop on my book tour: Morgantown, where I attended West Virginia University as an undergrad. The WVU Libraries hosted local friends and me for a tour of the special collections and behind the scenes. Really heartwarming to see all the upgrades in the Downtown Library since my day, especially how well the new addition …

Spent a week in my home town, Clarksburg, West Virginia. This former mansion from the early 1800s was the library in my day. Now it’s reserved for special collections and meetings while the modern library next door gets lots of multimedia use. I devoted two happy afternoons to signing books in the new library, seeing …