Hi Friends,

 

And hello to June. 

 

This is a busy time of year. Graduations. Summer send-offs. Vacation planning. I hope you're doing something fun, especially if that means finally diving into your TBR. Need some new reads? Check out my column in Women Writers, Women's Books.

 

What's been going on in the Bear house? Unfortunately, we lost my beloved mother-in-law on April 20th. For those who have been following, Patti beat leukemia thirty years ago and had a recurrence September 2024. I know many of you out there have lost a loved one and we've shared our grief and experiences. Thank you. Having lost my own mom, the best advice: one day at a time. That's what we're doing. 

 

In writer land, We Are Made of Stars and What You Do To Me are on sale for the month. If you haven't already purchased the books, now's your chance for a great deal. I'm polishing book nine, I Wish I Never Met You (see the inspiration below). The first draft was basically shoving sand into the sandbox. To quote Shannon Hale, now we “create the sandcastle.” I've been noodling a concept for book ten, and then I'm not sure what my next move is going to be. For real.

 

There's been a shift in publishing, similar to music, TV, and film. While digital technology has removed traditional gatekeepers and broadened opportunities for writers, musicians, and artists, it’s also led to an oversaturated market making discoverability virtually impossible. I call it the great double-edged sword. Enter any author chat group and the buzz word is: discoverability. If I take a break from the business, it won't be because I don't love the writing and connecting with you, it's because the race for discoverability is exhausting. That's why I cherish this newsletter and our interaction. Thank you for being here.

 

Summer plans. We're taking a trip to with our sons in a few weeks and then heading to Beech Mountain for the remainder of the summer. Miami is ridiculously hot at the moment, so returning to my happy place in the mountains will be a welcome reprieve.

 

I've changed things up a bit this month. In order to enter the giveaways (and there are a few) please click on the individual links which take you to safe, google entry forms. This simplifies responses, choosing winners, and mailing your prizes.