Dr. Seuss is Back?

Two things happened last week that have me thinking about posthumous publication. First, I received a press release about a new Dr. Seuss book being released in 2026. Dr. Seuss a.k.a. Theodor Geisel died at the age of 87 in 1991. It seems the manuscript was uncovered in the archives of the University of California. Initially, I thought "Great!" because I enjoy Dr. Seuss books which often straddle the line between fun children's book and deeper meaning even adults can appreciate.

But then I was  sorting through my own archives (also known as my laptop) searching for a particular essay. During the hunt I uncovered some of my writings that were much darker than my usual style. They were more therapy than writing for publication. I considered deleting them, but couldn't quite bring myself to do it. But that doesn't mean I'll be seeking out a market for them.

Which brings us back to Dr. Seuss and his upcoming Sing the 50 United States. I think we can all agree that Dr. Seuss was a powerhouse in children's literature. So why wasn't Sing the 50 United States published during his lifetime? It isn't as if his manuscripts were languishing in some editorial assistant's slush pile. So what happened? We can spin tales of him "forgetting" about it or becoming preoccupied with other writing. But what if he just didn't like it? What if he never meant for it to be published but couldn't quite bring himself to destroy it?

Sing the 50 United States isn't the first book to be published posthumously, in fact it isn't even the first Dr. Seuss book to be published posthumously (What Pet Should I Get? was published in 2015 after being written somewhere between 1958 and 1962).

Some books were well on their way to publication when the author suddenly died and the publishing house just carried on without them (Steig Larsson and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy). But others make you wonder what the author's intentions were, most recently Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman. I don't know about you but to me it felt like a first draft that was abandoned for the major overhaul that became To Kill a  Mockingbird. But many other authors had their writing posthumously published: Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, Louisa May Alcott, Ian Fleming, Jane Austen. Was that their intention or was that particular book hidden in a drawer for a reason? In some cases their work wasn't even finished and they never had the opportunity to share the meaning behind their writing. Instead experts spin their theories and best-guesses, perhaps totally misunderstanding the author's purpose.

Does the reading community's hunger for more of their writing overtake the writer's wishes? Would you want your writing published without your permission? 

And for all of our readers from the United States (and belated to those from Canada), have a Happy Thanksgiving full of friends, family, football and your favorite pie.

Jodi M. Webb writes from her home in the Pennsylvania mountains about everything from DIY projects to tea to butterflies. She'll be enjoying homemade apple pie for breakfast today.  She's also a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing. In November, she's blogging about her nonfiction reads at Words by Webb. 

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Leave a Comment Dr. Seuss, Harper Lee, Jodi M. Webb, posthumous publication

Witches and Wild Yarrow: Interview with Mary Alice Dixon, author of Snakeberry Mamas, Words from the Wild

Just for WOW, Ashley Harris interviews Mary Alice Dixon, the author of Snakeberry Mamas, Words from the Wild, a debut poetry collection set in the wilds of an Appalachian landscape of lust, where sex, song, and witchy women charm the reader with chant. 

Credit: ChrisChavira, Lem Lynch Photography

A native of western Pennsylvania, Mary Alice was reared in the Carolina red clay and today lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she grows sunflowers in cow manure and leads grief writing workshops. Her writing has earned recognition in several competitions including the Poetry Society of South Carolina’s 2025 John Edward Johnson Poetry Prize and the North Carolina Writers' Network’s 2024 Randall Jarrell Poetry Competition. A Pushcart Prize nominee in both poetry and fiction, Mary Alice has also been a finalist for the NC Poetry Society Poet Laureate Award and the Broad River Review Ron Rash Poetry Award. Among many others, she has also written for Fourth River, Kakalak, Main Street Rag, moonShine Review, Northern Appalachia Review, North Dakota Quarterly and Stonecoast Review. Visit her website at maryalicedixon.com.

----- Interview by Ashley Harris

WOW: Mary Alice, I simply adored Snakeberry Mamas, savoring it to the very last page. Even the handy glossary at the back was exquisitely rendered. And I’m so honored to be able to interview you today! As someone who grew up in North Carolina, I appreciated the references to familiar things, such as Appalachia, Blue Ridge “hollers” and the region’s famous “smoky clouds.” But you truly opened my eyes to a host of other elements new to me such “snake berries” and “Job’s Tears.” And then there were place names such as “Bald Butt Mountain” and “Witcher River.” The chance to revisit the land I thought I knew through your eyes kept me captivated throughout your book’s pages.

Mary Alice: Ashley, how wonderful to be in conversation with you! First, let me say how deeply I admire you and your extraordinary body of work. In Waiting for the Wood Thrush, every one of your poems radiates an affinity with nature. What an honor to have you, the wisest of women, read my own poetry. Thank you!

WOW: What kind words, Mary Alice! The opening quote of your book, by Isadora Duncan that says: “You were once wild here. Don’t let them tame you” is a fabulous introduction. And after reading this lovely collection, I sense that you had an extraordinary childhood, one that forever connected you to the earth. For all the future poets out there, take us back to it and describe a typical day for you under the age of 6.

Mary Alice: I want to share with you a day I remember as both typical and atypical. Let me explain.

When I was five, I spent a weekend with my Granny Sharps’ extended family in West Virginia. It was my first time overnight without my parents. Mom and Dad put my baby sister and me in the back seat of our two-tone Pontiac and drove us from Allegheny County, PA to the Sharps’ farmhouse outside Fairmont, WV. Granny was back in Pennsylvania, but I felt her spirit when we visited her kin. 

The Sharps’ homeplace was a hardscrabble farm. It included a cow pasture, a barn with a scratchy hayloft where I was supposed to sleep, a stinky outhouse with Sears & Roebuck catalogs for toilet paper, and a lot of love. 

I was giddy with excitement as my parents and sister headed back to Pennsylvania, leaving me with the relatives. I felt quite grown-up, even if I did not relish that wooden outhouse or the “honey wagon” the menfolk used to clean out the crap.

Anyway, great-aunts, great-uncles, second and third cousins, my mother’s mother’s family, gathered in the summer twilight shelling snap peas on the big front porch with its sky-blue ceiling. (Blue to keep the haints away.) I sat on the porch steps, watched lightning bugs, and drank a cup of warm milk, fresh from Hannah the brown-and-white cow. I listened to the grown-ups spin yarns about Red Delicious apples and kernels of corn made into the prayer beads they called Job’s Tears. (Both of which made their way into Snakeberry Mamas poems.) I sensed myself a part of something old and good. 

At home in Pennsylvania, we lived in a WPA (federal Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency that employed people during the Great Depression) bungalow with coal outcroppings in the yard and a huge dark coal cellar under the house. I often amused myself hunting for diamonds that, my Dad told me, came from coal. When I went to West Virginia, I found diamonds in family stories. So my stay in West Virginia was atypical because I was briefly without my parents, my baby sister, and my Granny. But it was also typical because I heard tall tales and felt a heap of family love. 

WOW: And there is indeed a heap of family love in Snakeberry Mamas. Most people who want to preserve the history of their family either create a scrapbook or join a genealogical society. When did you first envision the stories of Granny Delilah and your family as a poetry collection?

Mary Alice: What a great question! After my beloved mother died she came to me in a series of six dreams. In each one she cupped my chin with her hands, saying, “Tell everyone I love them.” Then she would point to her own mother, my Granny Delilah, standing arms akimbo, smiling in the distance.

At that time, 2004, I was working as an advocate for abused children, battered parents, and adults alleged incompetent—people, like all of us, in desperate need of love. Hearing their stories of hurt taught me that preserving stories, including those of my mother and my mother’s mother, can be a form of love. 

To convey my mother’s love, I began researching her roots. And, of course, my grandmother’s roots. I spent several years digging around in genealogical sites, archives, and old family letters. My investigation led through my Granny Delilah back to our 17th century Quaker ancestors. These folks lived, so the story goes, in the boughs of trees in a land they called Penn’s Woods, that is, Pennsylvania. Centuries later, I was born in Pennsylvania. Coincidentally—or not—my childhood nickname was Tree. Even today friends who know me well call me Tree. 

Anyway, based on my genealogical research I made a detailed family tree (yes, another tree!) I called Remembering. This project reignited my passion for Granny’s tall tales of the West Virginia hollers where, in 1880, she was born.

In the 1950s Granny lived with my parents and me in the coal country of western Pennsylvania. She was a blind seamstress who saw with her hands. She also collected buttons in tin cans. These cans, she told me, reminded her of Appalachian caves. 

Curled up in her lap on our porch glider, Granny would brush my hair while I played with her buttons. The buttons made of old bones were the best—yellowed, scratched with histories I could only imagine. As we rocked in the glider, Granny told me stories of bones and bloodroots. She sewed fairy tales with words, weaving myth and magic, plants and people, into my hair and head. 

Granny’s love for her Applachian traditions inspired me to write and include a Glossary of Plants, Creatures, & Folklore Customs in Snakeberry Mamas. The entries are micro-fictions that tell the secret history of owl women, the meaning of witchberries, the use of cardamon in regneration rituals. And more. 

Writing that keeps alive my family myths and lore is a way of inviting readers to become kin. The poems that I have plucked from the maternal line of my family’s past are are my inheritance of tall tales, incomplete, contradictory, and real. These are ways of telling love.

WOW: Snakeberry Mamas could be a master class in how to incorporate all five senses into our writing! Each poem is a garden of sensory delights, particularly two of my favorites: “Snakeberry Mama’s Communion with Orange” and “Wild Nutmeg Sparks Revolution.” How did you get so good at collecting your sensory impressions?

Mary Alice: OMG, Ashley, you are so kind and your question is amazingly intuitive. 

Here’s the scoop: I was born with synthesthesia. 

I see colors in numbers, sometimes hear perfumes, and often taste deer musk from memories in breezes. When I was a child I thought everybody knew that the number five dresses in brown corduroy, seven in navy blue, and a story book about a gingerbread house smells like molasses and brown sugar.

Only in college, memorizing dates for art history exams by observing the color codes dancing in my head, did I discover my way of seeing and sensing is a quirk not everyone shares. I also discovered this “quirk” is a neurological condition involving twisted cognitive pathways. Maybe my Granny, seeing with her hands, shared something similar.

So in answer to your question, I have to say I don’t collect sensory impressions as much as inhabit them. Mostly this is a gift. For example, after retina surgery, the feel of the sun on my closed eyelids tasted like an orange. From that came “Snakeberry Mama’s Communion with Orange.” 

My poem “Wild Nutmeg Sparks a Revolution” was inspired by my sense that the sharp voice of nutmeg, which I love, is a voice calling for a green revolution.

But occasionally my synesthesia overwhelms me. Like when I wear a certain long-sleeved red wool sweater, my skin starts to smell, to me anyway, like spoiled salmon. I’m still waiting for a poem to come out of that doozy. As my Granny used to say, “lemons to lemonade.” 

WOW: In my book, the best poets are the quirkiest and you have found a perfect way to harness your synthesthesia for the good. I couldn’t help but notice your book’s larger theme of female empowerment, which was apparent in poems such as “Woman Seizing Power” but also elsewhere, such as the inventively titled “Britches with Balls & Yellow-Pleated Parasols: Suffragette’s Recipe.” Were you channeling the voice of Granny Delilah here?

Mary Alice: Oh, Lordy, speaking of witches and bitches, thank you for seeing this in my work and for asking this question. As you might gather, I come from a line of strong women and the folks who love them. 

Granny was born Delilah Sharps. She liked her last name, Sharps, said it kept the men around her on their toes. But she hated the name Delilah. Said Delilah was that Old Testament “hussy” who did Samson in. Further, Granny said, while she herself wasn’t above doing such things as the O.T. hussy did, she refused to advertize it with her name. Made adults call her Dee. 

One of Granny’s sisters was Cecil, the woman who appears in “Britches with Balls.” And, let me tell you, my Great-Aunt Cecil was a pistol. I adored visiting her in West Virginia where she kept a garden and several husbands; the the garden was perennial; the husbands were sequential. Even her name—Cecil, not Cecilia—defied gender norms of the day. 

But, to your question, I often hear the voices of Granny and Cecil in dreams and daydreams, as if I’m channeling their aspirations for what today we call social justice. They believed in miracles, both small and big. After all, if my blind Granny could thread a needle, sew a hem, and make rhubarb preserves in Mason jars, anything is possible. Including, they hoped, and I hope,  a better world. Poetry is one way of keeping that hope alive. As Granny would say, “Moon shines on us all equally. And that’s a lesson from heaven.”

WOW: Amen to your beloved Granny! As someone who loves the great variety of the English language, my heart delighted at expressions such as “chalices my skin,” “burlap laugh,” “tulip blood,” and “cinnamon songs.” What advice would you give to beginning writers on how to make their own writing leap from the page?

Mary Alice: I adore this question, Ashley, because when I lead Grief Writing and Self-Compassion Workshops I suggest participants try two specific exercises to get their writerly juices flowing.  

The first exercise is what I call the “Rip and Tear Scavanger Hunt.” It goes like this. Flip through the pages of thrifted magazines and piles of junk mail. Find random images that speak to you. Rip and tear. Paste and overlay. Make a collage. When you finish, give your collage a title. Then jot down five images you see in your collage. Oh wow, you just wrote the first draft of a list poem or the outline of a story!

The second exercise is what I call the “Happiness Snack.” Here’s what you do. Give yourself, say, five minutes every day. All by yourself. Find something that makes you happy. Maybe a moment of listening to church bells. Maybe a fresh tomato sandwich. Whatever works for you. Just make it delicious. Oh, yippee, you just fed your inner artist! Then, without worrying about calories (!), write down the recipe for your snack. Embellish with time and salt. And maybe some sass. 

Me? One of my collages, an amateurish piece with crazy images of feathers and Farmer’s Almanac bird illustrations, I titled “Words of Hope.” The collage was a mess (not a bad thing in a collage, btw) but it led to my poem,“I Spoke Feathers.” Which is in Snakeberry Mamas as well as in a Poetry in Plain Sight Poster hung by the NC Poetry Society in public places throughout North Carolina where I now live.

My personal favorite “Happiness Snack” is what I call “Pet a Tree.” It goes like this. I touch a tree trunk, listening to its bark. Then translate the bark into words. Guess which poem came from one of those translations! Hint: it includes a woman with a birch wood broom burned as a witch who shapeshifts into a bitch. Yep, you got it! It’s my poem “Woman Seizing Power,” the poem that won me my first Pushcart Prize nomination.

WOW: Mary Alice, what terrific poetry (and story!) starters! I love all of these, particularly “Happiness Snack.” That would be as good for the soul as it would be for the writing! And spending time time with a tree – listening to its bark – that is just brilliant. I know I speak for all the poets and writers at WOW when I say that we can’t wait to put these prompts into practice pronto. Thank you so much for such kind and thoughtful responses to my questions – you have been a true joy to interview!

Mary Alice: Ten thousand thanks, Ashley. This has been super fun! You ask THE BEST questions. From the land of granny magic, I just know Delilah Sharps is sending you endless hugs and happiness. I know she thanks you, as do I, for the generosity of your words and heart. 

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2 comments Ashley Harris, Mary Alice Dixon, North Carolina writers, poetry collection, Snakeberry Mamas

Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri Dodd: Blog Tour & Giveaway

What is a witch like? If you're picturing the old crones from Macbeth you aren't thinking of modern day witches. Instead modern day witches are more girl-next-door with a community that is less likely to burn them at the stake and more likely to ask them to use their extra special gifts for a little help. Murder Under Redwood Moon will introduce you to modern witches, as a young witch uses her powers to help unravel a mystery and a murder.  Join us as we celebrate the launch of this book with a giveaway and an interview with the author, Sherri Dodd.

But before we get to that, here's more about her book:

At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone.

Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled quite nicely into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her great aunt, and guardian since childhood, Bethie. She enjoys the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her and finds pleasure in the company of her beloved pet, Royal. Usually quite satisfied with her mundane life high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, life becomes unsettling when a new recurring vision of an ominous tattoo as well as increased activity from the ghostly presence within her own cottage invade her once-harmonious existence.

But life in this mountain sanctuary takes an even darker turn when the body of Arista's former classmate is found in the nearby river. As other young young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her.

Publisher: Independently Published(March 20, 2024)

AISN:  B0CTKPM863

ISBN: 1685133886

ISBN-13: 978-1685133887

Print length:  289 pages

Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll also want to add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Sherri Dodd

Sherri was raised in southeast Texas. Walking barefoot most days and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds, she had a love for all things free and natural. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore. This inspired her first short story for sale about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto children as they smelled it. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. It was not long after that her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has ping-ponged throughout the area ever since.

Her first real step into writing was the non-fiction fitness book, Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms published in 2005, and maintaining its accompanying blog. Now, transmuting

the grief of her father's passing, she has branched into Fiction, specifically the genre of Paranormal Thriller with generous dashes of Magick Realism! Her Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy released book one - Murder Under Redwood Moon - in March 2024. Book two - Moonset on Desert Sands - released in March 2025, and the final book in the series – Hummingbird Moonrise – became #1 New Release in Occult Supernatural on Amazon in October 2025!

Website: www.sherridodd.com

Instagram: @Sherri.Dodd.Author

--Interview by Jodi M. Webb

WOW: Tell us a little about your writing journey. 

 

Sherri: My first book was a small, unsponsored project with no marketing budget. In 2005, after being told by many that I would not regain my figure after pregnancy, I was shocked that kickboxing and weights returned my body to its pre-natal fitness level and felt I had to share the process. I sold about two hundred books. 

Fast forward almost twenty years later, my life raft from empty nest syndrome consisted of returning to the fitness industry. Since I had kept my Personal Training certification current since 2001 and, during COVID, certified in Yoga and began teaching UJAM, I figured it an easy transition. This all fizzled when I tore my meniscus, had surgery, and realized that my body had other ideas. Feeling woeful, I happened upon an online writing contest about a barn owl, entered, and decided while waiting for the outcome that my three-page essay was a mystical premise that could be a larger story. Fresh from crystal shopping that day and sipping a cup of hot Blueberry Lavender tea, I started elaborating. Three years and nine hundred pages later, the Murder, Tea, and Crystals Trilogy was complete!

WOW: A writing contest, crystals and blueberry lavender tea (which sounds delightful) steered you toward magick realism. Are there any other genres you would like to tackle?

 

Sherri: I’d like to write a horror novel. I am a huge horror fan and have been since our local theater let my friends and I in as fourteen-year-olds to watch R-rated slasher flicks after school. I think I could put an enticing spin on the genre without resorting to torture or gratuitous violence. While those factors appeal to many, they are not for me! I have also started a psychological thriller that may make it to press someday, but another story holds my attention for now. More on that to follow.

WOW: In your series, your characters travel to several places throughout the western US. Are these places that are special to you personally? 

 

Sherri: A few reviewers have noted that the redwood forest in my trilogy seems to be a character in and of itself. I see why, but unless you’ve walked amongst the redwoods in one of the many California parks, you cannot even fathom the magnitude of their impression upon you. 

Likewise, Sedona is mentioned in my second installment. While I haven’t lived there, my husband and I had taken a few memorable trips. The rich, red-rock monuments were so stoic and stolid against the crisp blue sky and left me stilled inside from their presence. It’s also considered a very spiritual area, so I thought it would add a new spin on the mysticism of the trilogy. I took a couple solo trips for further inspiration. 

Finally, Spokane is mentioned in the latter two books. This would not be a place that many flock to despite a few accolades, including having the largest U.S. urban water fall and hosting the ’74 World’s Fair. However, while my youngest attended Gonzaga University, I really enjoyed the area and could see myself living there upon retirement. I was especially taken with the Bowl & Pitcher Park with its rushing river and suspension bridge that places you right above the spectacle. It contained an exhilarating amount of reckless energy which is why I had my antagonist live in this area.

WOW: What made you decide to write a trilogy instead of open-ended series? 

 

Sherri: I had no idea I would write a trilogy, but by the end of book one, I loved my characters, had familial encouragement, and rolled it right into a book two with the closing scene. Book 2 ran a little long, so I decided to add one more book and, in doing so, created a couple more storylines that I could tie up in the final installment. I felt no boredom with this series at all and left one little hook in the event I ever want to return.

WOW: Your love for your characters definitely shows in your books. They're so fresh and lively. When you aren't hanging out with your characters what do you do for fun?

 

Sherri: Fitness has kept me mentally and physically healthy since I was an early teen. I do a lot of hiking in the rolling hills of Gilroy and the redwood forest of Santa Cruz County, and love an oceanside walk down West Cliff Drive. The latter of which is featured in Murder Under Redwood Moon as Arista and Shane attempt their first real date. I also thrive on a high-intensity UJAM or kickboxing class or simple weights in the gym. For me, I have found that exercise is the best medication for mental well-being!

WOW: You are energetic. I'm also a walker but I'm more low-intensity. What's up next with your writing career? I almost felt like another magic realism series was being hinted at in Book 3.

 

Sherri: While I love the magick realism and paranormal genres, I am working on a coming-of-age thriller set in the summer of ’85 – a time of the rising popularity of the Bay Area Metal scene (think Metallica, Megadeth, etc.), Satanic Panic, and two of California’s most prolific serial killers. The story is loosely based on my own experiences!

WOW: What an incredible way to switch gears. I can't wait to relive 1985 through your work.

--Blog Tour Calendar

November 24th @ The Muffin

Join us as we celebrate the launch of the first book in Sherri Dodd's Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy: Murder Under the Redwood Moon. Read an interview with the author and enter to win the whole trilogy. Two winners!

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 25th @ All Things Writing

How does an introvert survive book promotion? Author Sherri Dodd tells us how she promoted and lived to tell the tale!

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

December 1st @ Word Magic

What is Magick Realism? Author Sherri Dodd shares her take on the genre of her trilogy Murder, Tea & Crystals.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

December 2nd @ Cozy Home Delights 

Get Ashley's take on Murder Under Redwood Moon, Sherri Dodd's paranormal murder mystery.

https://cozyhomedelight.com/reviews

December 3rd @ Chapter Break 

Enjoy a good crime read? Mystery author Sherri Dodd shares a few of her favorites today at Chapter Break.

https://chapterbreak.net/

December 3rd @ Cozy Home Delights 

Sherri Dodd, author of the Murder, Tea and Crystals trilogy, tells us about her Three Favorite Barbies. 

https://cozyhomedelight.com/reviews

December 4th @ Knotty Needle

Judy's posting her review of Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri Dodd.

http://www.knottyneedle.blogspot.com

December 9th @ Words by Webb

Like your mysteries with a twist? Check out a paranormal mystery: Murder Under Redwood Moon.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

December 10th @ Kaecey McCormick

Kaecey is getting writing tips from Sherri Dodd in today's author interview.

https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/

December 12th @ Author Anthony Avina

Novelist Sherri Dodd shares the Challenges of Writing About Witchcraft & Anthony reviews the first book in her trilogy: Murder Under Redwood Moon.

https://authoranthonyavina.com/

December 14th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Stop for an interview with Sherri Dodd, author of the Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

December 17th @ A Wonderful World Of Words

Don't miss your chance to read a review of Murder Under Redwood Moon and a chance to win the entire trilogy!

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

December 21st @ Boys' Mom Reads

Escape the holiday craziness with a dash of magic when Karen reviews Murder Under Redwood Moon.

https://karensiddall.wordpress.com

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

TWO WINNERS! Enter to win the entire Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy by Sherri Dodd: Murder Under Redwood Moon, Moonset on Desert Sands and Hummingbird Moonrise. Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends December 7th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!

Murder, Tea and Crystals Trilogy Giveaway!

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3 comments author interivew, blog tour launch, book giveaway, Jodi M. Webb, magick realism, mystery, Sherri Dodd, trilogy

Interview with Kelsey Aldinger, Third Place Winner in the WOW! Q4 2025 CNF Essay Contest

Kelsey is a speech language pathologist turned stay-at-home-mom who lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and daughter. Kelsey spends her days keeping up with the most vivacious four-year-old she’s ever met and her pockets of free time writing, reading, party planning, and lingering at the table after a good meal with friends. Kelsey’s writing has been featured on blogs such as Red Tent Living and Verily Magazine but she publishes weekly on her Substack, Craving Connection, where she tackles topics such as infertility, motherhood, marriage, and creativity with equal parts humor and heart, and sometimes a little snark. 

----------Interview by Renee Roberson

WOW: Congratulations, Kelsey, and welcome! Your piece, “Dear IVF, I Quit,” is written as an epistolary essay, or letter form. You’ve also shared your thoughts on your journey to motherhood similarly with “To All the Babies I’ve Loved.” What is it about this form of writing that resonates with you? 

Kelsey: What’s funny is that before you pointed this out, I hadn’t made the connection of how I had used this form before as a way to process my infertility and motherhood journey—I wrote these pieces several years apart. But I think what I love about epistolary essays, or hermit crab essays in general, is how the constraint of the form is actually very freeing. When I’m trying to process something as big as a miscarriage or saying goodbye to my foster son or ending IVF, the feelings are too much to pin down. Borrowing the form of a letter gives me familiar parameters I have to operate within, which actually takes the pressure off of how I want to distill the emotions I want to convey. I love what Kim Adrian writes in The Shell Game: Writers Play With Borrowed Form, “The shell gives shape–sturdy structure–where otherwise there would be nothing but the boundless overflowings of human thought, memory, and emotion. Its remarkable ability to contain emotional, spiritual, and intellectual sprawl is due in large part to intrashell divisions, which neatly sidestep the need for conventional ‘transitions.’” 

WOW: Could you share what the process of developing this particular essay was like, from the spark of the idea to revision to making the decision to enter this contest? 

Kelsey: When it comes to infertility and IVF, you typically only hear success stories. After having a miscarriage in 2019, I felt desperate for stories from other women who were just a few steps ahead of me but still in the middle of their infertility, who weren’t looking back at their journey with rose colored glasses now that they had their baby. Struggling to find those stories, I vowed to always be open and honest about my own struggles. Whether it was through podcasting, writing, or in my real life, I tried to be as open as I could while still protecting my heart and my privacy as I walked through each stage of infertility. So when it came time to share about the end of my IVF journey, it was not a matter of if to share, but how. I had written about the topic on my own Substack, but I wanted a way to reach a wider audience who may have walked through the same thing or something similar. 

This had been on my mind for awhile so when the idea of using the resignation letter hit me, I sat down and wrote it in one sitting. My writing process hardly ever looks like this, but I’m always grateful when it does. I actually originally wrote the letter for another outlet who is known for sharing work that is slightly snarky, which was part of my inspiration for this piece. Although the letter does convey deep emotion, I was tired of droning on and on about my experience in a weepy way. I wanted to write something that was direct and resolute and gave me some of my agency back in a situation where I felt I had none. Once I wrote my first draft, I shared the letter with my writing group and they gave me great feedback on ways I could add more details and clarity. After making some edits, I sent it off and waited to hear back. Not too long after, the publication emailed to let me know it wasn’t the right fit for them, but the editor was incredibly kind in her feedback. She praised the essay and let me know it wasn’t me, it was them working through figuring out what their audience was responding to at the moment. I so appreciated hearing back because a lot of times when you submit work and it gets passed on, you don’t know if it’s because of your writing or because of something on the other end. That rejection gave me the confidence to submit again. I still felt like the letter was meant to be shared somewhere other than on my personal Substack. So when I came across this contest and read the criteria, I knew this piece would be a good fit. I’m so glad I took the chance and kept putting myself out there even after rejection. 

WOW: I'm go glad you persevered until you found this piece a great home with WOW!, and it's always encouraging to receive such kind words from an editor even when they pass on a piece. You started a Substack, "Craving Connection", two years ago. How has that experience been and has it helped you connect with other women and writers experiencing similar journeys? 

Kelsey: Before becoming the Substack it is today, "Craving Connection" was a podcast I started with a dear friend who was my original “writing partner” back in high school. We always used to edit each other’s English essays and it was our shared love of words that led us to podcasting. The year was 2017, the height of the podcasting boom and post-blogging heyday, so we figured starting a podcast could be our avenue to writing a book some day. We were very naive about how much work it would take. We thought all we would have to do is start a podcast and we would automatically amass a huge audience. While that didn’t happen, we learned a lot about the creative process, creating publicly, and about discipline. We stuck with it for four years, putting out a show every Monday. Throughout those four years, the podcast gave me an outlet to share about my infertility and connect with other women in similar circumstances. Eventually, the show became untenable and we took a break. But after a year and a half hiatus, I was itching to have a creative outlet again. At this point, Substack was pretty new and instead of having to completely start from scratch, it seemed like a good way to repurpose what we had already built. Knowing we didn’t want to burn ourselves out again, we kept things very low pressure and posted whenever we wanted about whatever we wanted. After a few months of this, I was hungry to write more while she didn’t have as much bandwidth, so I took over the reins. As I experienced failed embryo transfer after failed embryo transfer, writing "Craving Connection" gave me an outlet to not only express my emotions related to my struggles, but to also write about all sorts of things as a reminder to myself that I was a full person outside of my infertility. While I never wanted to be pigeonholed into becoming an infertility blog, just like with podcasting, writing publicly about my story has led me to connect with women living similar stories. It has reminded me that I’m not alone and I hope it has reminded others that they are not alone, either. From day one, the heartbeat behind "Craving Connection" has been wanting others to think “I thought I was the only one, while sighing with relief that they’re not”. 

WOW: What a great lesson in embracing our creative endeavors even when they need to evolve. Podcasting is hard work, but it sounds like Substack has been a great transition for you and still allows you to connect with others walking a similar path. When did you first know you were a writer? 

Kelsey: I have my grandmother to thank for instilling in me a love of writing from a young age. Some of my earliest memories at her house were when we’d staple together sheets of computer paper and write stories together. She was a third grade teacher and a writer herself, published for the first time in her 70s, and always made the process of storytelling feel so magical. As I got older, I remember my classmates playing on the playground while I pestered my teachers to proofread stories I had written and begged them for feedback. In the sixth grade I won my school’s Veteran Day poetry contest and was asked to read my poem at the school assembly, which felt like a huge honor. Around this time I also began journaling and realized how I was able to process my thoughts and feelings so much easier by writing them rather than talking about them. Looking back, I think I’ve always known I was a writer, but only in the last few years has it become a lifeline for me. There is so much value in private writing, all the working out you do on the page that no one will ever see. But as someone who lives in my head, having people connect with my words, especially as it relates to infertility, is immensely gratifying and inspires me to keep putting words to the page. 

WOW: What a great start to your journey as a writer! I love that your grandmother instilled such a love of words in you. Juggling writing with raising a young child can be no easy feat! What are your favorite ways to sneak in writing among your other daily responsibilities? 

Kelsey: It definitely is not easy! My daughter is four now and she goes to a mother’s day out program two days a week, so I try to devote at least one of those days solely to writing. I have a hard time stopping once I get going, though. I’ve been known to pick her up from school, come back home, and write while sitting on the patio as she plays outside, or on the couch next to her while she watches a tv show. Even though she no longer naps, she still does rest time every day and I often use that pocket of time to write. My husband is supportive of my writing and understands when I hole up in bed with my laptop after we put our daughter to bed (which is exactly what I’m doing right now!).

WOW: Ha ha! You must do what you have to do, right? We enjoyed learning more about you and wish you continued success in all your writing goals. Thanks again, Kelsey!

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Leave a Comment Contestant interview, Kelsey Aldinger, Renee Roberson, Third Place Winner, WOW! Q4 2025 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest, writing advice

Friday Speak Out!: She’s Baaaack!

By Cathy C. Hall

Oh my goodness, I’m so glad to be here at the Muffin! Though honestly, I’m so glad to be anywhere these days…

The last time we met, it was December of 2023. My first book in The Ladies of SPI cozy mystery series, SECRETS LAID TO REST, had launched (here!) in October and I was deep in promotion and all the exciting experiences that come along with a book debut. So I had written a fond farewell to the Muffin, looking forward to the crazy chaos of my publishing future.

But in February of 2024, I hit a blip, a health crisis that blindsided me. So much so, that when I read my doctor’s note—“patient seems more concerned about her book than her diagnosis”—I laughed out loud. Because it was true; I was hyper-focused on that book! But I had to laugh as well at the irony, that after twenty years of thinking about writing a mystery, and building my writing skills, and learning everything I could about publishing so that I had finally written and published a book, all I could say was, “Are you kidding me?”

Well, not kidding. All things book-related were put aside while I switched focus. And then came autumn; in fact, just around this time of year, when I knew that all was well. Yay!

But I was not the same Cathy C. Hall in November of 2024. I’d been down a similar road when the Beneficent Mr. Hall up and died in 2016. There are some events in life that are truly…well, life-changing. And back then, in the middle of writing for the educational children’s market, I finished the book contract and knew I’d move on to what made my heart happy.

It took a few years and a pandemic but joyful writing returned when I found my voice in a cozy mystery for adults. So here I was in November, 2024, on the other side of yet another life-changing event. Would I still feel that a cozy mystery series was in my future? Did writing even matter anymore?

And I discovered something wonderful! Those Ladies of SPI called to me! I missed Sutter, the Southern town where my sixty-something sleuths lived. I missed Malone, the cadaver-sniffing dog and all the other colorful characters that lived in my fictional world. I could not wait to write about pie and Tarot cards and complicated relationships. Truth is, I had to finish the next story!

I’m not sure I ever appreciated the healing power of writing, or even understood how it worked. But I am sure that I would have written that second book, even if no one ever read it!

(But I hope you will read it because I published and released SECRETS OF COLE HOUSE this month! Find out more at catherine-c-hall.com, and thanks to The Muffin for letting me drop in today and share my joy!)

* * *

Catherine C. Hall writes from the wilds of metro Atlanta, just up the road from the setting of her fictional Southern cozy mysteries. The Ladies of SPI series is available now in both paperback and ebook on Amazon. And sign up at catherine-c-hall.com for her Spirited newsletter with more news about Spirits, Secrets, and Pie!

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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4 comments Cathy C. Hall, cozy mystery, Friday Speak Out!, healing through writing

Five Noteworthy Nonfiction Reads

 

Jodi Webb wrote a great post recently about National Nonfiction Month. This past year, I’ve embraced working on the craft of creative nonfiction and was excited to receive an honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition in the Memoir/Essay category. After starting a part-time job at an independent bookstore this past August, I’m of course thrilled to be surrounded by books, but also get exposed to all the latest nonfiction on our shelves. One of my colleagues is especially enthusiastic about nonfiction books and is, of course, a voracious reader. A few weeks ago we were chatting and she led me around the store to share some of her favorites. If you’re looking for some new reads or gift ideas for your loved ones, these are excellent suggestions. 

 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. This book, about a freelance writer living in New York who strikes up a friendly correspondence with a used bookseller in London, was the basis for a film starring Ann Bancroft and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Described as a quick but heartwarming read, this is “a love story about people who love books for readers who love books.” 

The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin. Legendary editor Judith Jones was a 25-year-old working at Doubleday’s Paris office when she discovered Anne Frank’s manuscript in the slush pile and begged her boss to publish it. This was only the first of many incredible discoveries in the publishing world. Franklin uncovers her work with literary icons such as Sylvia Plath and John Updike, as well as being on the forefront of the trend of cookbook publishing. 

Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca Romney. Rare book collector and Jane Austen enthusiast Romney became curious about the female authors who inspired her favorite writer. She set about to rediscover the literary heroes of Jane Austen, many of whom were gradually erased from the Western canon. In each chapter, she explores different writers such as Frances Burney, Maria Edgeworth, and Charlotte Lennox, and her experience reading them and searching for their rare works with other book collectors. 

Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris As the first Black woman to consistently publish in the field of science fiction in a sea of predominately white male authors, Octavia Butler used the devolution of the American Empire to explore her own place in the world and examine the best and worst of humanity. Author Susana M. Morris examines Butler’s life story against the cultural, social, and historical contest that shaped her life, including the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, women’s liberation, queer rights, and Reaganomics. 

Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore by Char Adams. From the first black-owned bookstore (which opened in New York in 1834) to present day, these businesses have faced violence and resistance set against the backdrop of civil rights and investigations from political enemies and federal and local law enforcement. But Adams also explores how these bookstores became a beacon of hope, attracting the presence and work of Black activists such as Malcolm X and writers such as Maya Angelou and Eartha Kitt. Still today, the need for black-owned bookstores lives on and remains an important part of the literary communities across the country. 

After just finishing a magnificent but heavy piece of historical fiction, I’m ready for something lighter. I have Cameron Crowe’s memoir The Uncool to listen to while I’m out walking my dogs or doing chores around the house. I’d also love to add From Here to the Great Unknown, written posthumously by Lisa Marie Presley with the help of her daughter, Riley Keough, to the list. I find memoirs much easier to listen to on audiobooks. 

What are some of your favorite nonfiction reads from this past year?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer and creator/host of the podcast, Missing in the Carolinas. She also works part-time as a bookseller at an independent bookstore in North Carolina. Learn more at FinishedPages.com.

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1 comment book recommendations, National Nonfiction Month, nonfiction reads, Renee Roberson

Interview With Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, Author of Always and Forever, and Giveaway!

 

We're so excited to have author Lorraine Zago Rosenthal back with us. We'll be chatting with her about her newest novel, Always and Forever. Published by Tribeca Press, fans of romance and family drama will love her book.

Not only will you have a chance to learn more about this prolific author, you'll also have a chance to win a copy of her book and a $25 Amazon gift card. 

Before we get to that, here's more about Always and Forever:

Three decades ago, a tragedy ignited a chain of events that devastated two New York City families and still haunts them today. Even their youngest members, Suzanne Starek and Jay Darnell, haven’t been left unscathed.

Suzanne is at the end of her twenties and has been plagued by misfortune, including her parents’ ill-fated union and the abrupt demise of her promising childhood career. Although she treasures her lifelong bond with Jay, being his best friend isn’t enough. She has spent years hiding her feelings for him and trying to understand her mother’s cryptic warning to keep him at a distance.

Suzanne wavers between staying safe and reaching for love while she helps Jay cope with his own mother, a glamorous and troubled widow. But when a clash between the families reveals shocking truths, Suzanne must decide how she will move forward from the heartbreaking past.

Purchase the book now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also add the book to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

In addition to her latest novels, Always and Forever and Charmed, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is the author of Other Words for Love, published by Random House (Delacorte Press), New Money, and Independently Wealthy, both published by Macmillan (St. Martin’s Press).

Lorraine was born and raised in New York City, and she is a graduate of the University of South Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in education and English. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband.

Find her online at:

Website: https://www.lorrainezagorosenthal.com

Instagram (@lorrainezago): https://www.instagram.com/lorrainezago

Twitter/X (@lorrainezago): https://x.com/LorraineZago

Goodreads Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/35s278pk

Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/4nehadfb

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: First of all, congratulations on your novel, Always and Forever! What inspired this book?

Lorraine: Thank you so much! When I plan a novel, my first inspiration is the characters. In regard to Always and Forever, Suzanne Starek, the protagonist, has a talent that led to success in her early years, but her childhood career was unexpectedly ruined. The novel opens with: “Someone can win an Oscar, or earn a gold medal at the Olympics, or be on the cover of Vogue, and end up with nothing but a souvenir that has to be sold at a pawn shop in exchange for cash to fix a broken-down car. A person can start out feeling special and important but become no better than ordinary. Average. Even less.” 

I have observed that some people achieve lofty goals at a certain point during their lives, but that success doesn’t continue. This real-life observation partially led to my creation of Suzanne, and it was intriguing for me to explore the psychological and practical aftermath of broken dreams. This also applies to other characters in Always and Forever whose lives have not turned out as they had hoped.

WOW: What a true statement! It's also incredibly tough, I imagine, to realize that success isn't continuing. You have a phenomenal way of capturing family drama and issues without overdoing it or making it seem like a soap opera. I'm so impressed! I can only imagine the type of planning you do in advance (unless you are a panster!). Either way, how do you keep track of so many details of people's lives as you write the book? 

Lorraine: Thanks again! I find it fascinating to create characters within a family and to develop their relationships based on their personalities, their life experiences, and their shared history. Despite the love and connection that exists among family members, there can also be envy, selfishness, betrayal, and resentment. With this in mind, it is interesting and challenging to create the interactions between parents and children, siblings, spouses, etc. It is always my goal to portray family drama in a subtle, realistic manner.

Although I have a strong vision of all my characters before I start a novel, I develop them fully during the writing process. The details about their lives grow along with the story. It takes a lot of work, focus, and proofreading to ensure these details are consistent throughout the manuscript.

"I have observed that some people achieve lofty goals at a certain point during their lives, but that success doesn’t continue. This real-life observation partially led to my creation of Suzanne, and it was intriguing for me to explore the psychological and practical aftermath of broken dreams."

WOW: I think that's a great balance. I really related to your main character. Although I must admit, throughout much of the book I kept quietly yelling, "Tell him how you feel!" Anyway, did you base her on anyone? Or how did she come to life for you?

Lorraine: I’m so glad you connected with Suzanne. As an author, I strive to create a protagonist with whom readers can empathize.

I’m also glad you felt the tension between Suzanne and Jay, and I understand what you mean about her hidden emotions toward him. As you know from reading the novel, she has spent years suppressing her desire to be more than Jay’s closest friend. The main reason she keeps this secret is that she fears he will reject her, and she doesn’t want to risk their lifelong, treasured friendship. Early in the story, she thinks, “If he knew I was dying for more, it could ruin everything. It might make things different. Weird. Awkward. I could lose him—and that would be even worse than spending the rest of my life being secretly in love with my best friend.” Due to unfortunate events in Suzanne’s past, her self-esteem is severely damaged, so she doesn’t have the courage and confidence to initiate a change in her relationship with Jay. She doesn’t assume he might want their relationship to evolve from platonic to romantic.

While creating Suzanne, I didn’t base her on a particular person. As I mentioned previously, I was inspired by a situation that has affected many people. My characters always come to life through a combination of experience, observation, and imagination.

WOW: I can completely understand her doubts and the reason. You do such a fantastic job of weaving in details without making the pace of the book seem overwhelming. How do you know which tidbits about each character to reveal and when? 

Lorraine: Incorporating details about the story, the characters, and past events that affect the narrative is a crucial component of writing a novel, and I do my best to include these details without slowing down the pace. Knowing when to reveal various bits of information evolves naturally while writing, but it’s important to do so when these facts matter. For example, rather than writing a multi-page explanation of a character’s past, it is more effective to disclose small drops of information when they enhance the scene, develop the characters, evoke emotion, and move the story forward.

WOW: Great technique! I love how you make settings so real. Do you base the places you write about on real locations? 

Lorraine: I absolutely do! I am originally from NYC, and my novels are set there—including Always and Forever. Suzanne lives and works on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Jay resides in a wealthy area of Queens, and Jones Beach on Long Island has significance in the story.

WOW: Now that makes me want to visit New York even more! I am a huge fan of your character names (like Tru being named after Truman Capote!). Where do you get your character names from? (It's something I personally struggle with!)

Lorraine: For me, creating characters’ names is one of the most interesting and fun aspects of writing a novel. I want the names to fit the characters in some way and/or to reveal facts about their history. In Always and Forever, Tru Warrick says that her mother is an avid reader, and she therefore chose to name Tru after Truman Capote. Tru admits to Suzanne that her name has “…rarely been described in a flattering way by anyone except my mother. I was the target of relentless jokes when I was a kid.” Suzanne knows how it feels to be bullied during childhood, and Tru’s admission sparks the beginning of a connection between these two characters. Most of the characters’ names in this story have meaning—for example, Tru describes Suzanne’s uncle’s name as “regal,” which also applies to his revered position within his family and among his peers. Suzanne’s first name and her surname have meaning too, and this is revealed as the story unfolds.

"Rather than writing a multi-page explanation of a character’s past, it is more effective to disclose small drops of information when they enhance the scene, develop the characters, evoke emotion, and move the story forward."

WOW: You put so much thought into names. You've given me a lot to think about for my own characters! I can't help but hope you are working on another book. What are you working on now that you can tell us about? 

Lorraine: My sixth novel is currently in progress. Stay tuned!

WOW: I can't wait! Thank you for joining us again. And I hope others pick up a copy of your book.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to a copy of Always and Forever by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal and a $25 Amazon gift card! Fill out the Gleam form by November 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm CT for a chance to win. We will draw the lucky winner the next day, and follow up by email. Good luck!

Always and Forever Giveaway

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17 comments Always and Forever, author interview, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, Nicole Pyles

How to Get Unstuck in Your Writing Journey

 

Lately, I've been working on a DIY house kit. It's actually the smallest one I've ever worked on before. Considering I've been doing this hobby for a couple of years now, that's saying a lot.

The entire process is a lesson in patience. It's tinier than you can likely even picture, too. It requires me to use tweezers and a careful eye. I also make sure I don't throw a scrap of anything. Who knows what purpose that tiny bead might serve? 

And I came across a challenge that led me to a creative solution that then served as a pleasant reminder.

I ran across directions on how to make a small chair. This was not as easy as it sounds. You have to bend the wires just so, glue it in just the right place, and not actually blow this little thing across the room because you breathed hard.

Worse, it wasn't working. I likely didn't have the right glue, but the truth is that I didn't think the chair could be made. 

I figured, well, this will be a house without a chair.

Before I could admit defeat, I remembered something: a tiny little LEGO kit that I put together last winter. I always keep the scraps of my DIY and LEGO kits, because you just never know when you might need them. 

Turned out, I had perfectly sized LEGO pieces to create a tiny, little chair for my tiny, little house.

I may go back -- especially now that I have the right kind of glue -- but putting this makeshift solution together helped me move on to the next steps.

And sometimes that's what we need to do as writers. 

How often have you gotten caught up in a scene that didn't make sense, just to end up stuck there? How many times have you put a story to the side because you just couldn't make the character fit or the setting work? Or confined yourself to a certain kind of writing, whether it be fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, because you've convinced yourself it's the only kind you should or could write?

Sometimes, we need to put in a makeshift solution, a placeholder, or a fill-this-in-later note to ourselves and move on. 

Unlike our school days, we have freedom of movement and expression as writers. I needed to remind myself of this while building my DIY kit. This isn't an assignment I plan to turn in. It's a creation I'm building for me.

Even though our plan is for our stories, essays, and poetry to be in the hands of our readers one day, there's no reason to remain stuck in place.

Nicole Pyles is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Arlington Literary Journal, The Voices Project, The Ocotillo Review, and Gold Man Review. A poem of hers was also featured in the anthology DEAR LEADERS TALES. Her short story, “The Mannequin of Lot 18,” was nominated for Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2024. Since she’s not active on social media very much, stay in touch by following her writing blog at World of My Imagination or her Substack, Nicole Writes About Stuff. 

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2 comments Getting Unstuck, Nicole Pyles

Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle by Celeste Fenton: Blog Tour & Giveaway

What could be better than reading and loving a book and then finding out there's more? Characters that feel like old friends are off to have more adventures! And it's happening today with a welcome back visit from author Celeste Fenton with the second book in her Mysteries of a Heart series, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle. More suspense, more romance, more mystery and a new twist...Scotland. Join us as we celebrate the launch of this book with a giveaway and an interview with the author.

But before we get to that, here's more about her book:

Two mysteries. One fight for survival. And danger closing in from both sides of the sea.

Gabby Heart travels to a remote Scottish castle with her best friend, Abe-a bestselling children's author-expecting misty views, historic charm, and quiet time to plan their next book series. But Brantmar Castle holds more than ghosts of the past. When the women are taken hostage, Gabby must rely on her instincts, her resilience, and the help of men who may not deserve her trust to survive. Meanwhile, on Dost Island, young residents are vanishing without a trace. As those left behind scramble for answers, unsettling clues emerge-leading to a dark motive no one could have predicted. From the storm-swept highlands of Scotland to the rocky shores of New England, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle blends mystery, emotional grit, and simmering romance in a story where secrets run deep... and time is running out.

Publisher: Independently Published (September 22, 2025)

AISN: B0FNLY4WXK

Print length:  384 pages

Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll also want to add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Celeste Fenton

Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense.

When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

Website: https://celestefenton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Celeste-Fenton-Mysteries-of-a-eart/61575815274859/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CelesteFentonWrites

X: https://x.com/CFentonWrites

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

--Interview by Jodi M. Webb

WOW: Welcome back, Celeste. We can't wait to hear about your second book Captive Heart at

Brantmar Castle. 

Celeste: Jodi, first, thank you for the wonderful blog tour you arranged for Lost Heart in King Manor and now for Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle! Women on Writing (WOW) is an amazing resource and support for writers.

WOW: We do love writers, especially meeting them and getting to know how they work. So tell us, did you plan the Mysteries of a Heart series from the beginning or did it grow from Lost Heart in King Manor?

Celeste: When the idea for Lost Heart in King Manor first started chirping—demanding to be freed from my brain cage—I was only focused on one book. (It was originally titled Mystery at the Manor. Yawn!) But as I got to know Gabby, she made it clear that one-and-done wouldn’t cut it. She had opinions, adventures to survive, and a lot more to say. I just followed her lead—and suddenly, I had a series.

WOW: Some characters just can't be contained in one book. Many of the characters from Lost Heart in King Manor return in Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle. How do you keep them fresh and evolving?

Celeste: It’s easy to keep the characters fresh because—now, don’t call the help line—I do know they’re fictional… I just don’t tell them that. These characters are growing, learning, making mistakes, finding purpose, falling in and out of love, and sometimes tripping over their own emotions. In other words, they’re human.

Abe Tuff (Abigail) takes a much bigger role in Captive Heart, reluctantly dragged into another one of Gabby’s “adventures.” There are fun and touching moments with the people Gabby and Abe meet in Scotland; Rick and Jay continue their bickering but have to press pause long enough to survive a disaster; Connie’s on her deathbed, Val comes home, Gail and Lola serve up sass, Beth and Roman feed everyone, and Anna—bless her—holds them all together. Whew! There’s a lot going on in Captive Heart!

WOW: That is a lot of drama. But we also enjoy the budding romance (actually, multiple romances). Many authors say romance scenes are hard to write. Do you find them challenging?

Celeste: Oh, absolutely—I was blushing writing my first steamy scene in Lost Heart in King Manor, where Gabby and Rick are in the tunnels and Jay catches them mid-make-out. Hells bells! But Gabby and Rick are in their forties—hello, they’re not exactly innocent—and it felt honest and natural for the moment. Plus, it gave Jay a perfect comedic reaction.

My advice? Don’t write sex scenes for shock value. Make them earn their place in the story. The intimacy should move the characters forward—emotionally, narratively—and feel real, not gratuitous.

WOW: It was enjoyable to read sexy scenes that had a tinge of humor, that gave them such a real feeling. So, two books released and more to come. Did you learn anything while writing Lost Heart that made the books that followed easier to write?

Celeste: I’m a lifelong educator who believes we learn with every breath we take, and writing is no exception. My action beats are stronger now, and the characters have greater depth (they talk to me more—but I’ve learned to put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign in my head at bedtime, though Gabby, Lola, and especially Jay, love to ignore it).

I dove deeper into research—Scotland, planes, tides, COVID, even mass shootings. Every new detail enriched the Captive Heart world and, frankly, taught me a lot about resilience—both theirs and mine.

WOW: If your research is any clue, there are going to be lots of challenges in Captive Heart. You’ve been promoting the Mysteries of the Heart series for several months. Are you tired? No, seriously, what’s your best advice for book promotion?

Celeste: Marketing is the hardest part of being an author. It’s exhausting, endless, and requires strategy. Let me share a cautionary tale: I signed up for a “Feel the Heat” book conference in Tampa, Florida. Perfect, I thought—just a few miles up I-75 from home! When I arrived, I was thrilled to see my table near the entrance. No competition in sight. Then I wandered into the main area and—gasp!—whips, chains, and dungeons. Turns out “Feel the Heat” was code for erotica, not the Florida sunshine.

Moral of the story? Do your research.

Make sure every dollar and every hour you invest in promotion is aligned with your genre, your audience, and your stage of authorship. A debut indie author and a New York Times bestseller have very different needs.

WOW: Book promotion is always an adventure, but your misadventure wins the prize. Maybe Gabby will wander into a Feel the Heat conference in a future book! Do you draw from your life for your writing? Do your travels inspire your writing?

Celeste: Absolutely! I adore exploring—small towns, college towns, big cities—all of it. Travel recharges my imagination, fills my creative well, and helps me craft richer settings and characters. A 2023 trip up the eastern coast of Canada and across to Greenland inspired several key scenes in Captive Heart and the book I’m writing now, Broken Heart at Avalon Chateau, which finds the gang sailing up the eastern coast of Canada!

WOW: I'm looking forward to traveling with Gabby and the gang. But you often travel solo. What's the appeal of traveling alone?

Celeste: Solo travel isn’t for everyone, and for some, it may not be feasible. But for me, it’s freeing. I can go where I want, when I want. It’s liberating, refreshing, and yes, occasionally lonely. But in that quiet, I think deeply, soul-search, and plot without distraction. My limit is about thirty days—after that, I miss my loved ones too much, and I know it’s time to for Gemma and I to head home. 

WOW: How is it solo traveling if you travel with Gemma?

Celeste: Gemma is my little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that is almost always glued to my side. She’s up for almost every adventure and a great sounding board!

WOW: I have three black cats as my sounding board but they are definitely home bodies. If a mysterious millionaire offered to fund a trip anywhere in the world, where would you (and Gemma) go?

Celeste: Oh, what a setup for a novel! Let’s see… I’d pick Tasmania.

Two reasons: I just finished watching The Survivors on Netflix—filmed there, and the locale was absolutely stunning. Coincidentally, my fourth book, Deserted Heart at Crest Edge Villa, takes

place in Tasmania.

It would be the perfect chance for “on location” research. So, if there are any generous millionaires reading this… Hello! Call me! (My editor said not to forget her.)

WOW: And me! After all, it was my question.  So tell us what's next. We’ve had a manor, a castle...will there be more Mysteries of the Heart or something new?

Celeste: Right now, I’m laser-focused on Mysteries of a Heart.

The third book, Broken Heart at Avalon Chateau, finds Gabby and the gang in the summer of 2020, sailing on Jay’s not-so-luxurious yacht to Canada to inspect his newly inherited chateau—one that may hold a cache of stolen Nazi gold. Meanwhile, back on Dost Island, Gabby’s daughter Val investigates the murder of the town librarian with Gail, Connie, and Lincoln (Connie’s maybe love interest). Secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and the group must face their own demons to survive.

The fourth book, Deserted Heart at Crest Edge Villa, takes Gabby and friends to Tasmania, where they investigate the mysterious death of Anna’s half-brother. A letter sends them on an RV trek through the wilderness—but when they become stranded, they must rely on old traditions and each other for survival while being stalked by a sinister presence.

And finally, unless Gabby and the gang have other ideas, Rescued Heart at Water’s Edge wraps the series. Shipwrecked on an uncharted island after fleeing Tasmania, Gabby and her companions must fight the elements—and each other—as strange forces push them to the brink of madness. Only by shedding old grievances and rediscovering faith in one another can they hope to make it home.

WOW: Shipwrecked! What an amazing ending (maybe) for the series. Well, we should let you get back to writing. Someone has to get Gabby off that island.

--Blog Tour Calendar

November 10th @ The Muffin

Join us as we celebrate the launch of the second book in Celeste Fenton's Mysteries of a Heart series: Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 11th @ Reading Is My Remedy

Celeste Fenton, author of Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle  believes there is Power In the Past. today she tells us how backstory can make (or break) a story. 

https://www.readingismyremedy.wordpress.com

November 12th @ Just Katherine

Katherine has a review of Celeste's latest novel: Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle. Also, author Celeste Fenton shares thoughts about the power of friendship later in life. 

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

November 14th @ Books R Us

Learn about emotion wildfires with author Celeste Fenton's guest post about Writing Through the Flames of Grief, Anger and Longing.

www.booksrusonline.com

November 17th @ Chapter Break 

Ever wonder about The Frizzy Side of Murder? Celeste Fenton, author of the Mysteries of a Heart series, shares thoughts on blending suspense with romance.

https://chapterbreak.net/

November 19th @ Words by Webb

Need a fun & adventure-filled read? Jodi reviews Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

November 20th @ A Wonderful World of Books

Sometimes writing is Too Hot to Handle. Author Celeste Fenton shares The Art (and Awkwardness) of Writing Intimate Scenes.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

November 22nd @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Ever wonder about a day in the life of an author? Learn more in today's interview with Celeste Fenton.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

November 25th @ Other People's Pets

Novelist and animal lover Celeste Fenton shares five things everyone should know about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

https://other-peoples-pets.com

November 28th @ Your Weekend Care Package

Author Celeste Fenton is a guest contributor with her ideas about the perfect weekend care package.

https://nicolepyles.substack.com

December 3rd @ Word Magic

Author Celeste Fenton writes about how Creativity Has Gone to the Dogs. Learn about the key influence her dogs have on her writing process.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle by Celeste Fenton! Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends November 23rd at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day via Gleam and follow up via email. Good luck!

Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle Giveaway

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31 comments author blog tour, book giveaway, Celeste Fenton, cozy mystery, Mysteries of the Heart series, romance