I recently completed the research and outline for Marta, the third book in my Women in the West Adventure series. Or maybe I should say, I completed the outline, because the research will continue as I work through the writing. The research is never finished until the book is finished. In any case, one of the things I love about writing historical fiction is researching different times and learning about the people and their true life adventures.
With the Women in the West, each book features a historical female character which the protagonist meets during the course of the tale. Delilah meets Baby Doe Tabor, saloon girl turned high society mistress, in Leadville, Colorado. Sarah made the acquaintance of Big Nose Kate, Doc Holliday’s gun toting companion, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. And Marta…, well I originally had a different journey in mind for Marta, until I discovered the very interesting historical figure of actress and Union spy, Pauline Cushman, and I knew that was who Marta would have to meet.
You’d think that writing a historical characters might be easier than creating fictional ones from scratch. After all, you may save time by having a ready-made history to draw from. But, all you really have is the recorded history to draw from, and when dealing with semi-famous or infamous characters, recorded history can be very sketchy. It is the Author’s job to do the research and find as many pieces as possible, and then, try to fit those pieces together to give a clear picture of that ready-made history I mentioned above. And if there are still pieces missing when you’ve finished, you may still have to create character to fill in those missing pieces.
For the character of Pauline Cushman, in Marta, I read the rather biased 1865 biography, reprinted in 2019, written by Ferdinand L. Sarmiento, Life of Pauline Cushman: The Celebrated Union Spy and Scout, which tells the tale, at least in part, of her time working with the Union Army during the American Civil War. Since Marta takes place in 1890, many years after the war ended, I had to search the Internet for any information I could find about Pauline’s later life, as well.
In 1890, Pauline separated from her third husband in Arizona. The next information I could find on her, found her dying in poverty in El Paso, Texas, in 1893. So, Pauline could have been traveling from Arizona to El Paso at the same time as Marta was traveling there from Colorado, and that is how they meet in my story. They share a train ride from Antonito, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
From there, the story is fictionalized and the character of Pauline is based in my knowledge of her previous experiences, the actual events which occured in the real Pauline’s life. Likewise, her actions in the story are reflective of her life events, if I write them to be true to character. That’s my goal as I prepare to put my story to the page.
Something else I like to do when researching historical fiction is to go to the locations in the book, or travel the route my characters would have taken to get a feel for the landscape and terrain. This helps me in describing settings, although at times, I’ve found it difficult to imagine the location as it was at the time of the story, which is often quite different from what it is today. While the present day Glenwood Springs, Colorado has many tourist attractions, include the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool, in 1887, when Sarah takes place, there were hot springs scattered all up and down the banks of the Colorado River, and the Ute Indians considered the area to be big medicine. It looked a lot different. I made many visits there, to the many small museums there, and I made the trek up to Doc Holliday’s gravesite to learn as much as I could about the history of the area.
For Marta, I hope to be able to take the historic train from Antonito, Colorado. Although today, it only runs as far as Chaco, New Mexico, it ought to be far enough to get a feel for the landscape along the route and also some ideas about what my characters might experience as they embark on that leg of their journey.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by theRobbie’s Inspiration blog site, where you can find ideas on writing and baking with hostess, Robbie Cheadle.
It’s that time of year again, and the WordPress subscription and Writingtobe Read domain are coming up for renewal. I have until the end of July to come up with the money to renew, and the WordCrafter coffers are empty.
As followers of the blog know, Writing to be Read has some really great content. You may be a fan of one of my monthly or bi-monthly blog series: “Writer’s Corner”, “Review in Practice”, or “Everyone is a Critic”. Or perhaps you come here to enjoy the very popular blog series by Robbie Cheadle: “Read and Cook”, “In Touch with Nature”, or “Treasuring Poetry”. Or maybe you enjoy something by our single series authors, like Arthur Rosch’s “Mind Fields”, or DL Mullan’s “Undawntech”, or Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s “Writing Practice with Lindsey. Or maybe you just visit for my hard hitting book reviews that call them like I see them. Whatever the reason thar you visit or follow Writing to be Read, I want you to be able to keep coming back for more.
As avid readers of this blog, I’m asking for your help through this fund raiser. Below, you will find a list of books from the WordCrafter catalog, and for a small donation of as little as $10, you can pick any book of your choice and I’ll send you a free digital copy in appreciation of your support. If you wish make a larger donation, you may do so by clicking up to increase the amount. You may pick one book for each $10 donated.
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2025 Fund Raiser
Support Writing to be Read with a donation.
$10.00
You can make a donation through the portal above. Then choose a book or two from the list and email your choices for your free book(s) to KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com. I’ll send you a Bookfunnel link for your book(s) as a thank you. Easy peasy.
Whispersof the Past paranormal anthology
Spirits of the West paranormal anthology
Where Spirits Linger paranormal anthology
Once Upon an Ever After dark fantasy anthology
Refracted Reflections dark fiction anthology
Visions dark fiction anthology
Midnight Roost dark fiction anthology
Midnight Garden dark fiction anthology
Hidden Secrets paranormal mystery by Kaye Lynne Booth
Last Call and Other Short Fiction, short story collection by Kaye Lynne Booth
Delilah, western historical women’s fiction by Kaye Lynne Booth
Sarah, western historical women’s fiction by Kaye Lynne Booth
The Rock Star & The Ourlaw, time travel adventure by Kaye Lynne Booth
Small Wonders poetry collection by Kaye Lynne Booth
Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature poetry anthology
Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures poetry anthology
I am appreciative of your readership and your support. So, let’s gear up for another year of great content from Writing to be Read and WordCrafter Press.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
WordCrafter Press is proud to announce the re-release of Shadow Blade, by Chris Barili, coming July 22, 2025. Chris was in my cohort at Western State and today, he is a talented author. As an Ask the Authors series contributor, he participated in both rounds of interviews for the blog series, and the only author to contribute to both books. Chris is a contributing author to the Midnight Anthology series.
I reviewed Shadow Blade just after its release through WordFirePress, back in 2019. You can read my review of Shadow Blade here. I so enjoyed the book, that it pleases me to no end to be able to re-publish it under the WordCrafterPress label now. The WordCrafter Press edition will also include a free bonus story , the prequel to Shadow Blade, Baiting the Hook.
About Shadow Blade
Ashai Larish is an assassin from the brutal Denari Lai order. Religious zealots, Denari Lai are kept loyal through an addiction to the same magic that makes them unstoppable. They have become the primary weapon for the nation of Nishi’iti, and in a hundred years, they have never failed.
Until now. Ashai must kill Pushtani King Abadas Damar and his daughter/heir, Makari. He infiltrates the king’s inner circle, putting him in the perfect place to strike, with only Captain Bauti of the Royal Guard at all suspicious of Ashai’s intent.
Except Ashai has fallen for Makari and cannot complete the hit. When a second Denari Lai kills the King, Ashai finds himself fighting for Makari’s life instead of taking it. To make matters worse, the order cuts him off from his magic, leaving him weakened and in withdrawal.
Meanwhile, far north in the Pushtani mines that border Nishi’iti, a slave named Pachat learns that his love, a hand slave to Makari, died at the hands of a Denari Lai assassin. His grief ignites a slave rebellion, and Pachat becomes the unwilling leader of the revolt. Urged on by Nishi’iti guerrillas, the rebellion sweeps across the borderlands, threatening to erupt into all-out war. Yet all Pachat wants is to avenge his beloved’s death by killing the assassin, so he walks away from the rebellion to seek when it needs him most.
As Pachat makes off for the capital of Dar Tallus, Ashai is forced to rely on that city’s organized crime gang to hide from the second assassin, and from Bauti’s guards. Despite his best efforts to hide it, Makari discovers Ashai’s true identity, and suddenly, he finds himself without her love, without his faith, and without the Denari Lai. At rock bottom, he doubts he can do anything but cause more damage.
Can Ashai kill the second assassin and win back Makari’s love? Will Pachat gain the revenge he so lustily seeks?
About Chris Barili
Currently oppressed by his day job, Chris has his sights set on retiring after 42 years in the Intelligence Community and writing full-time. Chris Barii writes all kinds of stories, and has published fantasy, science fiction, horror, western, paranormal romance, and most recently crime, with a noir story in the inaugural print edition of Toe Six Magazine. He is author of the self-published, weird western Hell’s Butcher series, and also writes under the pen names B.T. Clearwater (Supernatural romance) and T.C. Barlow (western). Chris is a retired intelligence officer, having served over 45 years between active duty, contractor, and government employee roles. He lives in Colorado with his wife.
The WordCrafter Shadow Blade Book Blog Tour
To celebrate the re-release and launch Shadow Blade off right, the WordCrafter Shadow Blade Book Blog Tour will run July 21-25. Be sure to drop in and join us as author Chris Barili shares guest posts and readings. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a free digital copy of this unique and original story, and its prequel.
Meanwhile Back at WordCrafter Press…
2025 WordCrafter Anthologies
After making the difficult decision to let the second book in the Time Travel adventure series simmer on the back burner, for a while, it has freed me up to work on other projects, such as Chris Barili’s book above. In July, I’ll be working on the compilation of Curses and Midnight Oil. My own stories for these anthologies will be passed by my beta reader and final revisions done, as well. Curses is scheduled for release in August, and Midnight Oil is scheduled for October.
Women in the West: Marta, book 3
Also, I’ve been fine tuning my outline and completing my research for Marta, the third book in my Women in the West Adventure series. In July, I hope to begin the actual writing of the story.
Where Delilah and Sarah both did a lot of solo traveling of necessity, Marta travels in the company of others, expanding the cast of characters and the number of plot lines. And, while the first two books take place in the mining camps and towns of Colorado, Marta will be venturing into new and unexplored, at least by this author, territories with some colorful old west characters in 1890, presenting me with new challenges and a ton of research. I’m looking forward to venturing into this new story world.
However, Marta was originally scheduled for a September release. However, this is another of the projects that got pushed back when I struggled with the second Rock Star book, and I’m still working with disadvantages in the technology realm, so I’m doubtful that I’ll make the original deadlines. I’ll keep you posted.
WordCrafter Press Books on Sale on Smashwords in July
I’m excited to announce that many of the books in the WordCrafter Press catalog will be available as part of a promotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! WordCrafter Press books will be discounted at 50% or free all through the month of July, so look for all the WordCrafter books that are sitting on your TBR and take advantage of the Smashword store pricing while it lasts. This is a chance to get WordCrafter Press books, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount so you can get right to reading.
Please share this promo with friends and family, and all the avid readers in your life!
Thank you for your help and support!
Happy reading!
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
With his acknowledged individual storytelling expertise, D. M. Mitchell pens yet another taut psychological thriller with a difference that twists and turns to its deliciously devious and unexpected conclusion. Discover for yourself why D. M. Mitchell is being hailed as one of the most exciting new writers of thriller and supernatural tales in the UK.
My Review of Silent
I purchased a digital copy of Silent, by D.M. Mitchell after reading his story, Mouse. You can read my review of Mouse here: ( ). All opinions stated here are my own. And I have to say, D.M. Mitchell is quickly becoming a new favorite for me.
After reading Mouse, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of Silent, because D.M. Mitchell seems to be full of surprises. But this was such a fun and entertaining story that I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. It has a gothic horror flavor that helps to create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The novel is set in 1927’s Hollywood, with a slight detour when the protagonist, Rick Mason, inherits a mysterious Slavonian castle, and a curse, not long after the story begins, expertly piquing the reader’s curiosity and setting the mysterious gothic tone for the rest of the book.
Rick Mason is a down on his luck motion picture actor, looking for his big break when he meets Betsy Bellamy, also looking for fame and fortune, and falls in love, in spite of the disapproval of her brother Davey, who currently writes screenplays. But life is about to change for Rick.
In Silent, D.M. Mitchell has masterfully created a modern mystery with a Gothic horror flavor which captured my attention from cover to cover. A good story with a surprise ending, but you’ll get no spoilers here. I give it five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
When tragedy took everything from Violet, she left home and never looked back. Until now. Her mother’s funeral.
Violet hopes she can settle her mother’s affairs and quietly return to the life she built after that day. Until she sees him. Skeeter Johnson. The boy who shot her in the face.
In a moment, her past returns to haunt her. A past she thought she left behind. A past, she comes to discover, full of her mother’s secrets.
I received a free digital copy of Her Mother’s Secrets from the WMG Books newsletter. All opinions stated here are my own.
This short story, Her Mother’s Secrets, by best selling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch, is a mystery of the mind. When Violet inherits her mother’s house, she inherits her mother’s secrets, as well. But those secrets may be the key to the missing parts of Violet’s life, the parts she lost during and after the ‘incident’ that changed her life forever.
Her Mother’s Secrets is a different type of mystery that delves into the tricks one’s mind can play. A delightful tale which can be read in a single sitting. I give it five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
Back in February, I reviewed the first two seasons of the Showtime series, Yellowjackets. You can read that review here. They left us with the hope of rescue for our teenaged girls within grasp, but dashed away in a shocking singular act from which there is no going back. And their adult counterparts seem to wrap things up and set their pants to rest following the death of Natalie.
Upon writing that review, I couldn’t imagine what was in store in the next season and anxiously awaited the premiere of season 3. I have to say that I was not disappointed. Season 3 is filled with surprising twists which I could never have guessed for both groups of characters.
Another old teammate makes an appearance on the scene in the present as Shawna seems to be out of control in the present. And I have to wonder what Walter is up to as makes appearances throughout the season, yet remains mysterious in the background.
And things get tense for our teenagers with the addition of new characters, and changes in group dynamics, things get more desperate as winter once more approaches and return to civilization locked out of reach once again.
So now, I must wait for Season 4 to find out what happens. But, wait. What? They haven’t decided to make Season 4 yet? But, how can they do that? They can’t leave us on two fantastic cliffhanger endings and then just decide not to make Season 4 and leave viewers hanging, can they? This must be how many readers felt when George R.R. Martin didn’t finish the Game of Throwns series. But the thing is, Yellowjackets was written as a five season series, so the material is available, and the question is does the series generate enough revenue to continue it, which these days, is determined mainly by the sponsorship, rather than viewers, so there is a chance that fans of the series will be left in the lurch.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This segment of “Everyone is a Critic” is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.
The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.
With his acknowledged individual storytelling expertise, D. M. Mitchell pens yet another taut psychological thriller with a difference that twists and turns to its deliciously devious and unexpected conclusion. Discover for yourself why D. M. Mitchell is being hailed as one of the most exciting new writers of thriller and supernatural tales in the UK.
I purchased a free a digital copy of Mouse, by D.M. Mitchell via KindofBook. All opinions stated here are my own.
The best kind of mystery story is one with lots of red herrings and misdirection. Mouse is just such a book. This story kept me guessing until the very last pages. Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, Mitchell sent me off in a different direction, and the discovery of who the real killer was at the end came as a complete surprise. Bravo! To author D.M. Mitchell.
I found this psychological thriller to be most entertaining and challenging. It was well crafted, leaving no loose ends, and filled with surprises. The characters are unique and, if not likeable, at least relatable. There is enough mystery in this story to keep me guessing at, not only who the killer is, but also at character motivations. Just trying to figure these odd ducks out, to keep the pages turning, but I didn’t guess who the killer was until I came to the surprise twist at the end.
We have a cast of characters who I found to be curious, but their oddness picqued my curiosity and kept me reading. There’s the timid woman, Laura Leech, who seems to be a topic of speculation in the village. At the least, eccentric, and possibly homicidal, or so it is thought by locals, she is of particular interest to several other characters. Vince, the head projectionist at the Empire Theater, is completely infatuated with her, and Casper Young, a con man who would like to get to know her for his own reasons.
I liked Mouse enough to purchase another book by D.M. Mitchell, so watch for my review of Silent in the coming weeks.
Mystery and intrigue are interwoven with colorful and unusual characters to create a page turner you won’t be able to put down until all is revealed. I give Mouse five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
It was a hard decision to postpone The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles yet again. Originally scheduled for release in March, and pushed back twice to this month, I have to postpone once more. But that is what I’ve done.
i have been having various computer issues since February and currently I have no screen on my laptop. In order to do anything with my files, I must connect to my television screen, which takes extra electricity and requires me to run my generator. Thus, I’m operating on only one or two hours a day computer time. While I can create blog posts on my phone, all my writing and editing activities have been extremely limited. But, I’ve been managing to plug along on this book, which I am so anxious to get out there.
I know there are some of you who read the first book and are eagerly awaiting the release of the second, and I hate to disappoint. As I finished my final edit last month, I had planned to skip my final read through and go ahead and publish in June as scheduled.
But then I got to thinking. To write the second book, I had to go back over the first, and I found several errors that had made it past me and found their way into that first book. Once I solve my computer problems, I plan to go back and correct those errors and republish, but I didn’t want to have to do that with this one.
I did not make this decision lightly. Pushing the deadline for this book back and concentrating on it to the exclusion of other projects has pushed everything on my publishing calendar to the line, and is throwing some things behind. So instead of putting other projects behind as well, I’ve decided to take my focus off of Rock Star until I can do the final read through without interfering in my other projects. This will allow me to focus on keeping the other projects on schedule, which is important because I’m working with other authors on most of them.
This decision has taken a load of stress off me, although I still must struggle with my technical issues, I can now work on the scheduled projects and not feel so rushed I’ve been writing the short stories for this year’s anthologies on paper, in longhand. They all need to be transfered into digital, and I’m scheduled to re-publish Shadow Blade for author Chris Barili in July, which I can now work on without feeling quite so pressed for time.
To my readers, thank you all for your patience. I apologize for the delay, but really want this story to be the best that it can be. I’m looking at the beginning of next year for an early release. If you read the first book and can’t wait to dig into the second, I must ask you to wait a little longer. I think it will be worth it in the long run. So hang in there for me. I think it will be worth it.😘
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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This segment of “Chatting with New Blood” is sponsored by the Time Travel Adventure Series and WordCrafter Press.
When a Girl with a Guitar Meets a Man with a Gun, It’s Time to Travel
I’ve been drawn to dark fiction from a very young age. In my teens, I read Carrie and The Hobbit at the age of 13, The Shining at 14, and by 16,I was devouring anything I could get my hands on by Stephen King, John Saul, or V.C. Andrews that I could get my hands on, and of course, The Lord of the Rings trilogy. From there, I moved on to Dean Koontz, Peter Straub and Jonathan Kellerman.
One day, while reading a King book, I think it was Salem’s Lot, or maybe Christine, or Cujo, I discovered that what I liked about that type of book was the fact that they often didn’t have a happy ending. But I didn’t tell anyone that fact about myself, because, well… what kind of person doesn’t love a happy ending? So, mum was the word.
But you see, it had been my experience that real life seldom had a happy ending, and I had a hard time buying into the happy-sappy life is so beautiful stories that adults felt were appropriate for my age. To me, dark fiction felt more realistic than romance, or western, or fantasy, even when it dealt with very not-realistic subject matter like vampires, or monsters coming out of the fog, or ghostly presences. Like a young girl who was attracted to bad boys because they made her feel a little naughty, a little sinful. That’s what I liked about reading dark fiction.
So it should come as no surprise that dark fiction is what I like to write, too. However, growing up the adults around me frowned on my reading that sort of thing. I was told at 13, that I was too young to read Bless the Beasts and the Children, by ( ). I had to get my mother to sign a permission slip, before my language arts teacher would allow me to read it, giving me the feeling that it was not nice to read such things, making it feel as if I was doing something a bit naughty. As an almost adult, reading Stephen King and the other dark writers felt kind of like that.
So, it made sense that as I began to explore the craft of writing, my attentions often turn to darker genres, and darker subject matter. I had to work my way into it slowly, starting with a few paranormal short stories, and working my way up to supernatural, dark fantasy, and horror tales. But first, I had to work my way through the stigma of feeling naughty and bad about myself because I wanted to write that kind of thing. I didn’t want to write my heart out and then, let my stories sit unread in a file, but if I put out this dark stuff for people to read, what would they think of me? Would they think me evil or deranged?
I knew people who believed this type of content was sinful and evil. I’d heard of authors who’ve been boycotted because a group of people believed their work inappropriate or distasteful. I’ve never been one to write to market, because I am compelled to write what is in my heart. And one thing Russell Davis told me once kept running through my head. “Know who you are writing for.”
Those people who would disapprove of my subject matter or content are not the people I’m writing for. They are not in my target audience, and because of that, it is highly unlikely that they would even come across my writing to notice it at all.
And, I came to the realization that not everyone will love my writing, and that’s okay. Not everyone is a Stephen King fan, and he has plenty of folks who say he has a sick mind, but he doesn’t let that stop him. Those folks won’t read his work anyway, and there are plenty more who will. Those are the ones he focuses on.
Today, the short fiction that I’ve written is mostly dark. I don’t worry about what people will think because I surround myself with like minded authors in the anthologies I publish through WordCrafter Press each year. And I promote to a dark fiction market, people who are looking for dark tales.
Once this year’s two anthologies are published, I will have over a dozen stories published in WordCrafter anthologies, listed below.
Paranormal Series
Whispers of the Past – “Woman in the Water”
Spirits of the West – “Don’t Eat the Pickled Eggs”
Lingering Spirit Whispers – “The People Upstairs “
Midnight Anthology Series
Midnight Roost – “Melina”
Midnight Garden– “The Puppet Men”
Midnight Oil– “The Tokoloshe and the Zombie Elelphant”
Stand Alone
Once Upon an Ever After – “The Story Witch”
Refracted Reflections – “The Not So Perfect Prince” and “The Devil Made Her Do It”
Visions – “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Tales From the Hanging Tree – ” ” and “The One That Got Away”
Curses – “Death Clock” and “Caverna del Oro (Cave of Gold)”
I’m the type of author who must follow my heart. I write because there are stories inside me crying to get out. I write to be read.
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About the Author
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by theRobbie’s Inspiration blog site, where you can find ideas on writing and baking with hostess, Robbie Cheadle.
The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles Release & Tour
I’m pleased to announce that The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles is, at long last, scheduled for release on June 17, 2025.
About the Book
In 1887, LeRoy is stuck, bringing trouble down on those around him. When Sissy is kidnapped and he’s the only one who can save her.
In 2030, Amaryllis will stop at nothing to find LeRoy fix what she messed up in the past, when she wakes up in a future very different to the one she knows, one in which she may not be born.
She and a version of Monique which is different from the one she grew up with travel back to 1887 to try and make things right.
When they cross the other time loops, already created, things change, but not the way Amaryllis intended.
Add two time travel regulators from the future who are after the time module, and things start to get wild.
The Tour
The WordCrafter The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2 Book Blog Tour will run June 16-20 to launch this time travel adventure off right. There will be guests posts from the author, me, and a digital giveaway. Come join us in celebrating the release and send it off in a big way.
Book 1 is on Sale Now
What? You haven’t read the first book yet? You are in luck. During the month of May, the first book in my Time Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, is on sale for half price, at $3.49. There’s still time to get your copy, as the sale runs through May 31, so don’t wait too long. While both books in this series can be read as stand alones, reading them in sequence may enhance your reading experience on this wild ride through time with The Rock Star & The Outlaw.
About Book 1
A time-traveler oversteps his boundaries in 1887. Things get out of hand quickly, and he is hanged, setting in motion a series of events from which there’s no turning back.
In 1887, LeRoy McAllister is a reluctant outlaw running from a posse with nowhere to go except to the future.
In 2025, Amaryllis Sanchez is a thrill-seeking rock star on the fast track, who killed her dealing boyfriend to save herself. Now, she’s running from the law and his drug stealing flunkies, and nowhere is safe.
LeRoy falls hard for the rock star, thinking he can save her by taking her back with him. But when they arrive in 1887, things turn crazy fast, and soon they’re running from both the outlaws and the posse, in peril once more.
They can’t go back to the future, so it looks like they’re stuck in the past. But either when, they must face forces that would either lock them up or see them dead.
Announcing the Winning Story for the 2025 WordCrafter Dark Fiction Contest
I’m pleased to announce the the winning story in the 2025 WordCrafter Dark Fiction Contest is “The Vanishing”, by Denise Aparo. ” “The Vanishing” “will be featured along with the dark stories of previous WordCrafter authors such as Robert White, Molly Ertel, Zack Ellafy, C.R. Johannson, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Chris Barili, DL Mullan, Rebecca M. Senese, Jon Shannon, Paul Kane, Isabell Grey, Abe Margel and, (me), Kaye Lynne Booth. A new author to the WordCrafter tribe, James Olson, will be featured in the third volume of the Midnight Anthology series, Midnight Oil, which will be scheduled for release in October of 2025.
In October, Midnight Oil will be the third volume of the Midnight Dark Fiction Anthology Series. Volumes 1 & 2. Midnight Roost and Midnight Garden, are available now at all your favorite distributors through the Books2Read links below.
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
