#WriterWednesday with Author Randee Dawn

I’d like to welcome Randee Dawn to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet, and a big block of empty time when no one's going to interrupt me. This includes time for frittering and staring out the window.

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions, music playing, my own brain telling me I'm doing it wrong.

Last best thing you ate: Marble cake with buttercream frosting from my book launch party at WorldCon in Seattle.

Last thing you regret eating: Too much marble cake with buttercream frosting from my book launch party at WorldCon in Seattle. (But I'd do it again!)

Favorite music or song: I'm a jangle pop/Brit pop enthusiast of long standing, but could never narrow it down to one song. But if you want a band and an album, I'll point to The Trash Can Sinatras' first album, Obscurity Knocks.

Music that drives you crazy: Anything auto-tuned. It was a fun diversion for a moment, but now everything (that isn't already generated by AI) sounds like it's coming through the mind and microphone of a computer.

The last thing you ordered online: Sleeves to hold tea packets to help promote my books; I have different tea flavors for each that I hand out at conventions and other book-related events.

The last thing you regret buying: Artwork by my favorite artist. I love him – Luke Chueh is amazing – but I went a little overboard in my zeal for something original, and now I think I have three paintings coming to me that are basically the same thing.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Peanut butter cookies, ice cream, a new independent bookstore, a place to meet my friends for afternoon tea.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: My husband's kimchi snacking, ignorance dressed up as authority, people who say they don't read.

Things to say to an author: "How many copies can I order?" "This changed my life." "How can I help get the word out about your book?"

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: "I've always wanted to write a book." "I think I could earn a living as an author." "I don't read."

Favorite places you’ve been: Queenstown, New Zealand; Akureyri, Iceland; The Grand Canyon, USA

Places you never want to go to again: Las Vegas, USA; to an office job; the dentist (but I will, of course)

Favorite books (or genre): Anything by Jonathan Carroll; early Stephen King; Michael McDowell, Blackwater; Judy Blume's oeuvre; The House Next Door by Anne River Siddons; the short tales of O. Henry and Roald Dahl.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Most "literary" fiction. I'm a genre gal all the way.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Got one of my music video concepts turned into an actual music video by a friend at college who needed to come up with a final project for film class. Thanks, Scott – I still love our collaboration on The Alan Parsons Project's "Silence and I."

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: A friend and I were going to make a different music video – a direct take on Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al," until I realized how much it was going to cost to do it even halfway. We abandoned the project.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: A version of how I met my close friend Julia when we were in 6th grade and bonded over books

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: That I struggled to become an actress by doing a lot of improv

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: Hustle '76 (album). I was really young and ordered it off the TV, and it arrived Cash on Delivery (something that doesn't exist anymore, I don't think), and mom had to fork over the $4. I also didn't realize until years later that the reason it cost $4 was it was a bunch of cheap covers of actual hit songs.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: I'm pretty open, but I just can't get into opera.

Your favorite movie as a child: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The Blair Witch Project

About Randee Dawn:

Randee Dawn is the bestselling author of the "funny as hell" pop culture fantasy novel Tune in Tomorrow. She has two novels out in 2025: Dark Celtic musical fantasies The Only Song Worth Singing and Leave No Trace, while her next funny foray into the Tune-iverse, We Interrupt This Program will be out in March 2026. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies, including most recently Dark Spores: Stories We Tell After Midnight, Vol. 4. She is the co-author of The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion. A veteran entertainment journalist for The LA Times, Variety and Today.com, Randee lives in Brooklyn and is known to usually emcee the monthly reading series Brooklyn Books & Booze.

Let’s Be Social:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRandeeDawn

https://bsky.app/profile/randeedawn.com

https://www.instagram.com/randeedawn/

https://www.threads.net/@randeedawn

https://www.tiktok.com/@randee.dawn

https://randeedawn.com/

Books, Writing and Other Literary "Holidays" for Authors

The holiday season is upon us, and here’s my list of special days for authors that have book, writing, or literary themes in October, November, and December.

October

• 1 - International Coffee Day

• 3-5 National Story-telling Weekend

• 6 - American Libraries Day

• 9 - Harry Potter Day

• 16 - Dictionary Day

• 20 - National Day of Writing

• 22 - CAP LOCKS DAY

November

• 1 - Authors’ Day, National Family Literacy Day

• 3 - Fill Your Stapler Day

• 7 - Fountain Pen Day

• 10 - Sesame Street Day

• 13 - World Kindness Day

• 15 - I Love to Write Day

December

• 2 - Giving Tuesday

• 4 - National Cookie Day

• 8 - National Crosswords Solvers Day

• 10 - Dewey Decimal System Day

• 12 - National Cocoa Day

• 15 - National Cupcake Day

• 20 - Poet Laureat Day

• 21 - Celebrate Short Fiction Day

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Linda Norlander

I’d like to welcome Linda Norlander back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Outdoor activity like hiking or biking

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Calling customer service

Hardest thing about being a writer: Plowing through the messy middle of a manuscript

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing a chapter that really sings

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: A ballerina

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I’m a nurse. I will spare the audience details.

Something you wish you could do: Park a car

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Again, I’m a nurse and will spare the audience details.

Things to say to an author: I’m going to tell all my friends and relatives to buy your book and give it a five-star rating on Amazon.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I could write a book, too. It looks easy.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Ride a bicycle from Minnesota to Boston with only a sleeping bag, tent, change of clothes and a water bottle

Something you chickened out from doing: Parallel parking. I drove five blocks further away to avoid it.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: Seeing the cover for the first time

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: Have more poetry in my words.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I’m a retired librarian and English teacher and your books make my day

The craziest thing a reader said to you: There’s a comma out of place on page 76

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: Consider the finished books you haven’t published as inventory

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Write what you love and don’t quit your day job

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Take a long walk. Jump into the story

Things you do to avoid writing: Finally make those customer service calls

About Linda:

Linda Norlander is the author of the Sheriff Red Mysteries beginning with And the Lake Will Take them. Additionally, she has two other mystery series—A Cabin by the Lake Mysteries and Liza and Mrs. Wilkens Mysteries. All are set in Minnesota. Norlander has published award winning short stories, op-ed pieces and short humor. Her most recent short story was featured in the Malice Domestic anthology Mystery Most Devious. Before taking up the pen to write murder mysteries, she worked in end-of-life care and hospice. Norlander resides in Seattle.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://lindanorlander.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorlindanorlander

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/linda-newsletter

What's in A Name? Titles for Books

I’ve been asked a few times over the years about how to title a book or what I should name a book. Here are some things that work for me.

Know How It Works - If you are traditionally published, the publisher has the final say on the title. I have always had to provide the working titles of the books in the initial proposal, and I’ve been fortunate that they have agreed with my choices.

Books can have the same title. You may want to Google your title ideas to see what other books have the same name. If they are in different genres, you may not want folks to confuse them.

Themes - I primarily write cozy mysteries. We like puns and things that are related.

The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries all have rhyming titles with a hint about the crime. Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers, Film Crews and Rendezvous, Christmas Lights and Cat Fights, Deadlines and Valentines, Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs, Hazardous Links and Hijinks

The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries are have nursery rhymes that have gone bad in some way. Sticks and Stones and a Bag of Bones, Twinkle Twinkle Au Revoir, A Tisket A Tasket Not Another Casket, Life is But a Scream, Down Came the Rain and Washed the Body Out, One Two Buckle My Blue Suede Shoes

The Pearly Girls Mysteries all have a musical theme that ties into the history of the property in the series. Murder Strikes a Chord, Murder Plays Second Fiddle, Murder Whets Its Whistle

Double (or Triple Meanings) - The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, The Pearly Girls Mysteries, and all of my short stories hold a hint about the story and the crime. Here are some examples from my short stories.

• “Washed up”

• “Spring Cleaning”

• “Par for the Course”

• “Art Attack”

• “Derailed”

• “Out of Commission”

• “Dead over Heels”

• “Game Over”

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Karen Dustman/Abby Rice

I’d like to welcome Karen Dustman/Abby Rice to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Knowing when to stop obsessing over a draft!

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with great ideas. (Which triggers another “hardest” thing: coming up with TOO many great ideas and getting sidetracked!)

Things you need for your writing sessions: Mornings. It’s a whole lot harder for me to write after the clock hits noon!

Things that hamper your writing: A wonderful husband who thinks nothing of poking his head in my office with random questions. (Love him so much!)

Words that describe you: Creative. Prolific. Imaginative. Loving.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Perfectionist.

Something you’re really good at: Math.
Something you’re really bad at: Concealing what I really think (it shows on my face!)

Last best thing you ate: Sesame-crusted tofu.
Last thing you regret eating: Cold, soggy, leftover eggplant parmesan (it was so good fresh! Sigh.)

Favorite music or song: Country-Western (the sweet and upbeat, non-twangy kind).

Music that drives you crazy: Yanni (which, of course, my husband loves).

Things you’d walk a mile for: Friends, family, and parrots in need of rescue

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: The dreaded green bean casserole

Things you always put in your books: A dash of humor
Things you never put in your books: Graphic, gratuitous violence

Things to say to an author: “I can’t wait to read your next book! Please, keep writing!”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “You’ve got a great career ahead of you -- in food service.”

Favorite places you’ve been: St. Pete, Tampa, Key West, and Miami. (Okay, pretty much anywhere in Florida!)
Places you never want to go to again: Sorry, Los Angeles, you’re firmly in my rearview mirror!

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Crewing on a square-rigged sailing ship for nine months.
Something you chickened out from doing: Climbing the mast during a giant storm to reef in the sails. (Nope, nope, nope. . . thankfully a sailing buddy did that part!)

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: Stone Cold opens with a young woman searching for her biological father, after discovering her dad wasn’t her “real” father. Thanks to affordable DNA testing, that sort of discovery really does happen more and more in real life, and the “how it all happened” backstory is based on the true story of someone I knew.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Unlike Zoe in my van-life books, I don’t have a magical sixth-sense to tell me when people are lying (though I sure wish I did!)

About Karen/Abby:

Karen Dustman is the author of over 25 books ranging from non-fiction history to captivating Southern mysteries. With multiple careers as a former criminal prosecutor, full-time freelance writer, and hands-on homebuilder, Karen swears by the joy of not always taking the straight-and-narrow path.  

Let’s Be Social:

Karen’s latest books (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Spring-Southern-Thriller-Van-Life-ebook/dp/B0DBFSDFNW/

 https://www.amazon.com/Miamis-Great-Hurricane-September-1926-ebook/dp/B0F398CFDB

Websites: www.Clairitage.com (“Claire” + heritage),

www.AbbyRiceAuthor.com and

www.KarenDustman.com

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/KarenDustmanAuthor

Facebook fiction (Abby) Page: www.facebook.com/AbbyRiceAuthor

X (Twitter): @KDustmanAuthor

Instagram: @AbbyRiceAuthor

Bookbub: @AbbyRice

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/abby_rice

#WriterWednesday Interview with James Jackson

I’d like to welcome the multi-talented James Jackson to the blog today for #WriterWednesday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Reading. Did you really think it was something else?

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Digitize my gazillion 35mm slides.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Computer and something to drink (diet Dr Pepper, water, or wine, depending on time of day and how well the writing is going).

Things that distract you from writing: Eagles flying past my window.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: A brightly colored pair of Chaco sandals that I customized with embroidered “Right” and “Left” on the heels to help those walking behind me who are directionally challenged.

The thing you wished you’d never bought. Dictation software to “improve” my efficiency.

Favorite snacks: I am a cookie monster; ’nough said.

Things that make you want to gag: The smell of Swedish Surströmming.

Something you’re really good at: Finding logic flaws.

Something you’re really bad at: Keeping my mouth shut after I find logic flaws.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid : Through-hiker on the Appalachian trail.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Write crime fiction.

Something you wish you could do: Eliminate my acrophobia.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Cuss in multiple languages.

Last best thing you ate: Home-baked carrot cake.

Last thing you regret eating: The third handful of spice drops.

Things to say to an author: Thanks for (fill in the blank).

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: How come I never heard of you?

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I cannot think of a single daring thing I have ever done. Now, if you’d asked for stupid . . .

Something you chickened out from doing: Bungee jumping.

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: You can fix anything during revisions, except a blank page. Finish the first draft.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: You want to be successful? You need to market your books!

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Challenge your subconscious to solve whatever you think the problem is and then go write something else.

Things you do to avoid writing: Doomscrolling news feeds or going down a Facebook rabbit hole.

About James:James M. Jackson writes justice-driven thrillers with “brains and bite,” including the award-winning Seamus McCree series. His new series launches with Niki Undercover starring Ashley Prescott, an undercover federal agent fighting domestic terrorism. A life member of Sisters in Crime and past president of its Guppy Chapter, Jackson calls home the deep woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Find news, extras, book details, upcoming events, and more at https://jamesmjackson.com.

 Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://jamesmjackson.com

Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/james.m.jackson.author

Facebook (Author): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463330059

7 Things Writers Should be Doing

Last week, I posted about things that writers need to stop doing. (I know it’s hard. We all get caught up in the stresses, disappointments, and distractions.) This week, I’m focusing on the things writers (at whatever stage of their journey) should be doing. Here’s my list:

1. Writing. That should go without saying, but sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the marketing, events, and other things that the writing takes a back seat. The fabulous Alan Orloff explained the key to writing to me a long time ago. It’s BICFOK. (Butt in Chair; Fingers on Keyboard.)

2. Make sure you have a website. And if you have one, make sure it’s current. Nobody visits a stagnate site. If you are prepublished, you can still create a website with an about you section, a blog, and the events that you’re attending. Start building your following early. Interesting, entertaining content keeps readers interested.

3. Find where your readers are on social media and make sure you have a presence there. Most of my readers are on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. I focus my energies there, but I also have a presence on the other sites. Build your following. It takes time. I spent the months between signing the contract and waiting for edits and publication to build my following. Your social media sites need constant attention. People ignore stagnant or boring sites.

4. Make sure you have a newsletter/email list. You own this list, and it’s full of people who are interested in you and your writing. If a social media site shuts down or you’re banned, then you lose your contacts. If you are prepublished, you can still start a list. Take it with you to events and have people sign up on your website. This is one of your most valuable marketing tools, and it's often overlooked.

5. Invest in a professional headshot. Selfies are good for your socials, but they are not what you want for book covers and publicity. You need a high quality, high resolution photo that can be reproduced in a variety of sizes.

6. Treat your writing as a business. When I acted like my writing was a hobby, my family and friends also treated it like that. I had to start scheduling my writing time and telling people that I was working. It is work. And learn about the business side that involves contracts, negotiations, money, sales tax, tax laws…the list goes on and on.

7. Take care of yourself. Don’t stress or overwork yourself to the point that you’re not sleeping, eating right, or exercising. You are your brand and what makes all of this possible.

What would you add?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Tricia Copeland

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Writing! Author over here.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Folding laundry and paying bills

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Diet Coke.

Things that distract you from writing: Noise, noise, noise.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Killing a character.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Having a character fall in love.

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Yeah, I’m not up at midnight, but if I don’t have my nightcap or chocolate, then yes, I’d go to the store pretty late for those.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Coconut and lima beans.

Something you wish you could do: Draw.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Wow, okay, can I use folding laundry and paying bills again?

Things to say to an author: I really loved X character because of Y.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Will you add me as a character in your next book? Literally, I did this to my mother. I know, I’m horrible. But she was kind of a major character, so there was that. 😉

Favorite things to do: Besides writing, running.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Meeting a bunch of strangers who aren’t book people.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: The most daring thing I’ve ever done is write a fictionalized account of my experience with anorexia.

Something you chickened out from doing: Going to a business networking event where I knew no one.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “I want to buy your whole series.” = I love your books.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “I drove all the way from Tuscon to Colorado Springs to see you.” This made my year!

The most exciting thing about your writing life: The most exciting thing about my writing life is the recent release of the finale to my fae fantasy series, To be a Fae. It is so fun to experience a whole series with readers.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: If I could do one thing over in my writing life, and I may still do it, I would rewrite the Being Me series, as a standalone book with a younger protagonist. The protagonist is modeled after me, so she’s introverted and probably socially delayed in many aspects like dating. Some feedback has centered around the fact that the protagonist seems to be more of a high school age protagonist than college age.

About Tricia:

Tricia believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, seeing a beautiful sunset, or reading a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles including contemporary romance, now penned under Maria Jane, young adult fantasy, and dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://triciacopeland.com/

Links: https://linktr.ee/triciacopeland

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriciaCopelandAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortriciacopeland/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/TriciaC_Author

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triciacopelandauthor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@triciacopelandauthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/triciacopelanda/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tricia-Copeland/author/B00YHN5Q4G

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055439.Tricia_Copeland

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tricia-copeland