Lots of news this month, starting with this major announcement (click on the image to enlarge).

I’ve been interested in this cold case since I first read about it in the SooToday.com back in September 2022. This past winter, in talking to friend and fellow author Amanda Capper over dinner, I learned that she had been fascinated with the case for more than a decade. We spent the next six weeks working on a joint funding application to the Ontario Arts Council and submitted it in April, knowing the anticipated wait time was four to four-and-a-half months. We learned last week that we’d beaten very long odds (91 submissions, 26 approved). And so now the real work begins. Stay tuned for updates.

Publication News: Lunatic Fringe (White City Press)

Proving that some hits are absolutely timeless, White City Press has  followed up the international bestselling (and award-nominated) anthology (I Just) Died In Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One Hit Wonders with a brand-new collection of crime stories from 12 authors who know a thing or two about music and mayhem.

If you’re a fan of songs that have lived on long after you’ve forgotten the artist who recorded them, then this is the anthology for you! Enjoy contributions that mix the best of music and crime from Steve Liskow, Vicki Erwin, Kaye George, John M. Floyd, Linda Kay Hardie, Sandra Murphy, Karen Keeley, Teresa Inge, Michael Bracken, Mary Dutta, Nikki Knight, Judy Penz Sheluk and Adam Meyer.

My story in this collection is titled “Baby, It’s You,”  based on Smith’s one-hit wonder of the same name. Here’s a link to the YouTube video. If you want to read the story, you’ll need to order the book! Mega thanks to publisher Jay Hartman for inviting me to write a story for this invitation-only themed anthology.

Did Someone Say Book Sale?

Skeletons in the Attic (Book 1 Marketville) has been selected by BookBub for an International promotion. In the BB world, “international” is Canada, UK, and Australia. The .99 cent promotion will run on Kobo, Apple Books, GooglePay, and Kindle from October 14 to November 14, with a BookBub “blast” on October 15th. The discounted pricing will also be available on Amazon.com (US). If you’re unfamiliar with BookBub, I encourage you to check it out. Great site for purchasing discounted e-books.

The Marketville Mysteries: Books 1-3 has been selected by Kobo for their “Spooky Stores” campaign, running throughout October. Regular price is $9.99, discounted to $2.99. The discount will also be available on Kindle, Apple Books and GooglePlay.

The Glass Dolphin Mysteries: Books 1-3 has been selected by Kobo for their 25% off Box Set Sale, running October 10 – 20.

Having my books selected out of the hundreds (possibly thousands) of titles considered is truly an honor. #grateful.

The Scams Continue

Earlier this week, I was approached by a book club in Virginia. I googled. They looked legit. So I responded, requesting more information. A thousand members, I was told, an author spotlight for my latest anthology, Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers (so many great stories, don’t you know). Sounded good except for the $175 “venue fee.” I pass. Another email with more promises. I pass again. And then the  scammer responds with “I understand and wish you luck with NAME OF ANOTHER BOOK THAT ISN’T MINE.” Gotcha.

The thing is, I like to think of myself as someone savvy on these things, and yet I was almost fooled. That’s the bad news. The good news is my brilliant niece, Ashley Bonikowsky, has been teaching cops and college kids about digital literacy and fraud awareness for a very long time. And now she’s opening up her presentation to a wider audience. If you’re interested in learning more about what Ashley has to offer and how it could work for your group, email her at lightguardconsulting@gmail.com and be sure to tell her I sent you.

PS I’ll admit to having a vested interest. Ash has promised me homemade cookies for my efforts!

2025 Events

What: Author Palooza 2025

Where: Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, Downtown Branch

When: Oct. 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Website: ssmpl.ca

What: Bushplane Holiday Gift & Craft Show

Where: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

When: Nov. 8 & 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Website: bushplane.com

Puppy Update

Gibbs enjoying the sunset.

It’s hard to believe Enzo is almost 11 months old and while he’s reaching that “what’s in it for me” teenage boy stubborn stage, overall he’s a great dog with a calm temperament who wants to please. The training continues.

Enzo share his 11th month “birthday” with Gibbs, who would have been 10 on October 21st. Just last weekend, on a beautiful day at our camp on Lake Superior, I scattered some of Gibbs’ ashes into the water. That dog loved to swim and hang out at the waterfront deck, watching the sunset with me.

Until next month. Thank you for being part of my journey.