I’m pleased to announce that I’m lining up authors for the return of the Ask the Authors writing reference anthology series, with Ask the Authors 2027, and I already have a pretty impressive line-up, if I do say so myself. In addition to myself, we have Paul Martz, Chris Barili, Patty Fletcher, Mario Acevedo, Jordan Elizabeth, L. Jagi Lamplighter, B.H. Skelly, DL Mullan, David Dean Haskell, Jonathan Maberry, Jeff Mariotte, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Todd Fahenstock, and Joseph Carrabis.
This writing reference series began as a monthly blog series, right here on Writing to be Read back in 2017, which I decided to convert into book form. When the time came to publish, Amazon’s requirement that none of the book content be available online for free forced me to pull down all the blog posts, so when I decided to do another volume in 2o22, I approached it a bit differently, and I used the blog series to whet readers appetites instead of a book blog tour, only publishing blog posts after the book was published. That method seemed to work quite well, offering readers a taste of the book content, so I plan to use that strategy again.
As with Ask the Authors 2022, each author will also contribute an essay or article on the writing subject of their choice to give us a wide variety of fresh and original content. I want to give my authors enough time to respond to the questions without feeling rushed, so I’ve been preparing the questionnaire already. Many of the questions will be the same, but with different authors and a rapidly changing industry, I have a feeling many of the answers will be different.
Because the publishing industry is rapidly changing, I want to be sure to offer some new questions and not just recycle the questions from the first two books, and I want your help. The subjects covered include: Writing Life, Pre-Writing Rituals & Research, Plot/Storyline, Character Development, Setting & World Building, Action, Pacing, Voice, Tense, P.O.V., Dialog, Editing & Revision, Publishing, Book Marketing. It can be anything related to writing and publishing. I’ll probably have some questions about the use of AI, and maybe some concerning reviews, that weren’t in there before, but I’d really like to hear what questions you have. Please let me know in the comments what questions you, as an author have, and would like to see answered. If they are questions which we don’t already have, I will add them to the list.
You can see the questions from 2022 by referencing the blog posts: Writing Life, Pre-Writing Rituals, Plot/Storyline, Character Development, Action, Pacing & Dialog, Voice, Person, Tense & POV, Setting & World Building, Editing & Revision, Publishing, and Book Marketing.
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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 is sponsored by The Ask the Authors Writing Reference Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Ask the Authors: https://books2read.com/AsktheAuthors
Ask the Authors: https://books2read.com/AsktheAuthors2022
I’m not much for dramas. But yet, the western flavor I saw in the advertisements for the 1923 saga on Paramount+ drew me in, and I decided to give it a try. And boy, was I glad that I did. This series contains one of the most tragic love stories that I have ever heard in the story of Spencer Dutton and Alex. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Harrison Ford is the big-name star featured in this series, as he plays the character of Jacob Dutton, patriarch of the Dutton family, after raising his nephews John (James Badge Dale) and Spencer (Brandon Sklenar), and building the Dutton empire in Montana. But draught and greed threaten to take it all away, as sheep herder, Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) encroaches on Dutton land, teaming up with entrepreneur, Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) to declare war on the Duttons in an attempt to steal it all away. The Duttons send for Spencer, the youngest nephew, who is a war hero, hunting lions for the British crown so they can lay roads across the African plains.
Although we’re following the patriarchal line of the Dutton family, for me, it was the women in this saga who truly shone. Acclaimed actress Helen Mirren plays the strong and proud matriarch of the Dutton clan, Cara. She is strong and well accustomed to ranching life in the Montana valley. When her husband is shot, she does whatever is needed, including running the ranch until Jacob heals and regains his strength.
Aminah Nieves plays the character of Teonna Rainwater, a crow Indian taken from her family and placed in the white man’s school. Run by Father Renaud (Sabastian Roche) and a group of nuns who take strictness to the extremes of cruelty, as they try to ingrain their own beliefs of the native children and ‘civilize’ them. Abused, beaten and raped, Teonna will take no more, and her escape turns her into a wanted woman, running for her life in a struggle to survive and carry on her tribe and their legacy.
And then, there is headstrong Alex, Alexandra Countess of Sussex, played by Julia Schlaephfer, who abandons all the refineries of British culture, throwing it to the wind in favor of love at first sight, in a narrow escape from an arranged marriage to a man she did not love. Determined is the only way to describe her. When separated from her new husband, Spencer Dutton, the lion hunter, she’ll let nothing stand in her way of reaching the man who she loves and the father of the child she carries within. Talk about a tragic love story. Her determination becomes her downfall as she embarks on a journey to America and a series of poor choices and just plain bad luck. She is beaten and robbed, forced to work as a serving girl to eat on the train, and then, raped by one of the passengers and placed under house arrest when she fights back. It seems there are obstacles blocking her every step of the way, but through it all, she finds a way to carry on and hold her high, always moving toward her goal, for better or for worse.
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 Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
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, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. 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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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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This segment of “Everyone is a Critic” with Kaye Lynne Booth is sponsored by The Women in the West Adventure Series and WordCrafter Press.
Historical Women’s Fiction
Get Your Copy Today!
Delilah: https://books2read.com/DelilahWiW1
Sarah: https://books2read.com/Sarah-Women-in-the-West
Marta: Coming in July, 2026
This post is my entry in Dan Antion’s CFFC – Crayola Box of 8 challenge. This week’s color is Black. You can catch Dan’s original post here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/07/06/the-crayola-box-of-8-black-cffc/
I couldn’t come up with any black foods, but black is a good color for transportation.
One of my favorite black things are pot belly stoves, which come in all sizes and various designs, but they are all beautiful.
Ravens and Turkey Vultures are pretty elusive, but I’ve managed to snap a few pictures. I also threw in one of the wild turkeys and a couple of the black and white woodpeckers, which I call Tuxedos.
This section is a tribute to my cat, Rowdy, who fell prey to coyotes the beginning of last summer. His black stands out beautifully against his white, creating a lovely contrast. I miss him something awful. Here’s to Rowdy.
This section chronicles the life of my dog Timber. As a puppy, he was a little devil-dog, but he’s three now, and has grown into a beautiful blue heeler. Blue heelers get their name from the way the black and white fur mixes, making them look like they are blue, but the patches on his face are distinct.
I threw in a couple of doors for Dan. 😉
Nobody is just a cat lady.
Kit McCafferty’s life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.
All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.
It’s not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there’s far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.
Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.
Waifs And Strays is the first book in a new urban fantasy crime series. Expect mystery, magic and adventure with a heroine who will keep you turning pages late into the night. There will also be a lot of cats.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hiss-Magic-Lady-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0DLFQPYHB
I purchased a digital copy of Waifs and Strays, by Helen Harper from a KindofBook deal, and I am providing an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. I chose this book because I liked the title, and the cover was pretty cool, too.
Kit McCafferty is more than just a middle-aged cat lady and ex-assassin with specialized skills. When Nick, a teenaged werewolf determined to be a lone wolf after the deaths of his parents leaves him an orphan, shows up at her doorstep wanting to rent her extra room, she has no idea what she’s getting into. It turns out Nick comes from the MacTire pack, a powerful group of werewolves, who don’t like to take no for an answer. When they can’t convince her to turn Nick out, his uncle makes it clear that he holds her personally responsible for his nephew’s safety.
When she returns home to find that young Nick has been abducted, you can imagine her concern. She takes a personal interest in finding him. Her search for Nick takes her into the depths of Coldstream, the magically town in which she lives, where she meets many of its interesting inhabitants, to uncover a dastardly plot to raise a demon and take over Coldstream and rule the world.
I loved everything about this cozy mystery tale. It is filled with surprises! I love the character of Kit, I love her uniquely feline family, and all the colorful characters who inhabit Coldstream. I give Waifs and Strays five quills.
Betrayed by those she trusted, penniless and alone, Darcie Finch is forced to accept a position that no one else dares, as the assistant to dangerously attractive Dr. Damien Cole. Ignoring the whispered warnings and rumors that he’s a man to fear, she takes her position at his eerie estate, where she quickly discovers that nothing is at it seems, least of all her handsome and brooding employer.
As Darcie struggles with her fierce attraction to Damien, she must also deal with the blood, the disappearances … and the murders. With her options dwindling and time running out, Darcie must rely on her instincts as she confronts the man she is falling in love with. Is he innocent … or is he a remorseless killer who prowls the East End streets?
Historical gothic romance set in London’s shadowed East End, blending dangerous attraction with a twisting murder-mystery. Features a desperate heroine, a brilliant and brooding physician, whispered rumors of evil, and a maze of disappearances, blood, and suspicion.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Desires-Gothic-Book-ebook/dp/B006E905OW
I purchased a digital copy of Dark Desires: Historical Gothic Romance, by Eve Silver through a KindofBook deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I was drawn to this story because of the genre. Although I don’t read a lot of romance, I do like historical fiction and gothic mysteries. I’ve never read a historical gothic romance before, but the idea of this genre combination, Historical Gothic Mystery Romance sparked my interest, so I thought I’d give it a try. And I am glad that I did.
Darcie is a young woman who finds herself desperate and alone on the dangerous and sinister streets of Whitechapel. Her estranged sister, Abigail, or Mrs. Feather, offers her no sanctuary, but she calls in a favor and sends her to seek employment at the home of Dr. Damien Cole. With a cloak of foreboding fallen over her, Dr. Cole is an enigma, as he brings her home in his coach with a cadaver for company. And glimpses of late-night deliveries only casts more suspicion upon him, but there is something about him that draws her to him in spite of her secret fears. Even as she fears the worst, she finds herself unable to resist being near him. And Darcie is not the only one with suspicions and, as another woman is brutally murdered and Dr. Cole’s scalpel is found on the scene, they are all drawn in to the web of murder that has fallen near to them.
The gothic flavor of this tale is lovely, and the romance element provides an appropriate counterweight to explain the character’s actions, even as Darcie mulls over her own doubts and fears, yet she continues on in her pursuit of the man with whom she is quickly falling in love. Although it seems a slow build suspense and foreboding are sprinkled throughout, and the climax is quite satisfying.
Sinister and suspenseful, Dark Desires is a delectable mixture of genres. I give it five quills.
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 book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, 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, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. 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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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.
Attending WordCamp US 2026 is a great way to connect with the people who are shaping the future of the web and find out directly where AI powered experiences are changing WordPress for writers, from content creation and site building to performance, personalization, and developer workflows. WordCamp US 2026 is relevant to developers, designers, agency owners, bloggers, store builders, and anyone building on WordPress. The new Sunday–Wednesday schedule means the weekend before is free to explore the Phoenix area and the Pheonix Convention Center is fully air conditioned for cool comfort to enjoy WordCamp US 2026.
Now granted, I’m a writer, not a tech person, as you may know. In fact, in many ways, the use of AI and today’s rising tech scares the heck out of me. (See my articles, “The AI Dilemma” & “To Use AI or Not To Use AI”.) Most of that stuff goes right over my head and I don’t have a clue.
That’s why I think attending WorldCamp US 2026 could be an important step in understanding how AI is impacting my writing business and how it may impact it in the foreseeable future. Technology is changing at phenomenal rates and if we aren’t careful, I believe things could get out of hand quickly. I’ve worked long and hard to build my writing business, and a lot of it is centered around WordPress. In fact, you may have heard me claim that my blog is my best marketing tool, and it is. I sure don’t want to see what it has taken me almost two decades to build fade into the infrastructure because AI has decided that my content is irrelevant.
According to Automated Affiliates, in their article, “Affiliate Content SEO in 2026: Why rankings are dropping and how to recover” in May of 2026, 71% of WordPress sites are seeing a decline in traffic because AI ranks sites different than they were previously. So basically, what used to work to draw traffic doesn’t work anymore. Thankfully, they are specifying affiliate content, so in my case, it may not be too terrible, but how can I be sure? WordCamp US 2026 may hold the answers. And if you have questions like mine, or you are more of a techy than I am and just want the abundance of information that will be available at WordCamp US 2026, let me tell you about my affiliate offer.
The $100 general admission ticket covers four full days of sessions, workshops, and meals. Sponsors include: WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and Pressable, so attendees can meet the teams behind the products they already use and ask any questions they may have. Even better, as members of my audience, you can get $20 off a general admission ticket by using the code AF26 at us.wordcamp.org/2026/tickets/, so your admission will only cost you $80.
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 Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
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, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. 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 The Ones Who Stayed With Me, by Nurse Sammy, and WordCrafter Press.
When a Girl with a Guitar Meets a Man with a Gun, It’s Time to Travel
Only in July and only on the Time Travel Adventure page, get books 1 & 2 of the Time Travel Adventure Series for only $10.
This post is in response to Dan Antion’s CFFC “Crayola Box of 8” challenge over at “No Facilities”. This week’s challenge is Brown. You can see Dan’s post for this week here: The Crayola Box of 8 – Brown — CFFC – No Facilities
Get books 1 & 2, The Rock Star & The Outlaw and Double Visions, both for one low price of $10.
July 1 – 31, 2026
2 for $10 Bundle
Book 1: The Rock Star & The Outlaw and Book 2: The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions
$10.00
Thanks goes out to Restless Jo.
🔥Heat things up in July🔥 with another hot Digital Doubles Deal
and get the WordCrafter Time Travel Adventure Series,
The Rock Star & The Outlaw, books 1 & 2 for one low price of $10.
Only available on the WordCrafter Time Travel Adventure Series page, July 1 -31, 2026.
I’m excited to announce that many WordCrafter Press titles will be discounted at Smashwords during their 18th Annual Summer/Winter Sale! The sale, which lasts the entire month of July, is a great time to get WordCrafter Press books, along with books from other talented indie authors, at bargain prices.
You will find the sale here starting on July 1, so save the link:
https://www.smashwords.com/sale
Thank you for your help and support & happy reading!
After several hiccups in the publishing process, I’m proud to announce the release of A GEM for your Pre- or Type 2 Diabetes: A new and effective treatment that does not require weight loss, medications, or supplements, by Daniel J. Cox. The author has, through his own experience and research, developed a revolutionary new method of managing pre- and type 2 diabetes which does not require all the traditional methods of diabetes management involving daily medication.
Originally scheduled for a June release, A GEM for your (Pre-) Diabetes is now scheduled for release July 21, 2026.
Have you just been diagnosed with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes and don’t know where to turn, or have you tried different weight-loss programs or medications that haven’t done enough?
GEM—Glucose Everyday Matters offers a practical, science-based approach to preventing and managing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes by focusing on one powerful idea: reducing blood glucose spikes that can quietly damage health, energy, mood, and motivation.
Developed from decades of clinical research and real-world coaching, GEM helps readers understand why blood sugar rises—and how small, realistic choices can improve it. Rather than rigid diets or exhausting exercise plans, GEM teaches flexible strategies that fit everyday life: eating smarter, moving with purpose, understanding your body’s signals, and using glucose feedback as a tool for empowerment.
Inside this book, you will discover how to:
• Lower blood sugar naturally and sustainably
• Reduce cravings, fatigue, and energy crashes
• Lose weight without feeling deprived
• Improve motivation, confidence, and emotional well-being
• Use simple movement and meal strategies to reduce glucose spikes
• Personalize diabetes management to fit your lifestyle and goals
• Build lasting habits that support long-term health
Whether you are newly diagnosed, trying to avoid diabetes, struggling despite medications, or supporting a loved one, GEM provides a compassionate, evidence-based roadmap toward better health—one manageable step at a time.
This is not about being perfect.
It is about discovering what works for you and making meaningful change is.
The WordCrafter GEM Book Blog Tour will run July 20-24, 2026. Author Daniel J. Cox will share a series of videos explaining what the GEM method is all about and what it can do for you. Please join us in launching this revolutionary method of diabetes management and educating our global audience.
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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.
Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/
This post is in response to Dan Antion’s CFFC – Box of 8 challenge. This week the color is blue, and you can see Dan’s original post here: The Crayola Box of 8 – Blue — CFFC – No Facilities
