Heather Weidner's Blog

Organizing Your Book Files

There is nothing that will make an author cry faster than not being able to find the most recent version of a manuscript. I really dislike not being able to find things when I need them, so this is the method that works for me.

The Writing Files

I use Microsoft Word, so I create folders for each of my books.

There is one main file. At the end of each writing session, I make a backup of that to my cloud files. (I talked to a writer recently who saves each update in a new file with the date in the name. She mentioned that it took her a long time to find which changes she was looking for. My writing time is limited. I don’t want to spend hours looking for a file.)

When I get edits (because each publisher has its own file naming convention), I put my original manuscript in a subfolder (e.g. Original Files) and save the edits in the editor’s format. When other edits happen, I do the same thing. There is always one main book file that gets backed up.

If I have chapters or paragraphs that I’m removing, I make a copy of them and create a file in the “Original Files” folder for unused material. Make sure the file name describes what it is because you don’t want to have to open a bunch of files if it’s called something generic. Are you going to remember what “old chapter four” is several months later?

I create a character spreadsheet for each series. When there is a new manuscript, I make a copy of it and save it to the new book’s folder. Then I add a column for this book. I note which reoccurring characters appear in the new book and add the new folks. This file has what recipes I used, key information on the characters, and location information that I don’t want to lose between books. I also add names of people I want to recognize in my author notes, so I don’t forget anyone.

I have a Word document with my current biography, social media link, and book links. This helps when I need to create a post or provide this information. This document gets updated every time something changes.

Graphics and Book Covers

When I get the graphics of the final book cover, it goes in my master file on my laptop (and gets backed up.) This way, I can find all the book covers in one place.

I make a subfolder for each series/book for different promotional graphics for the book.

When I make a new image or a video, I put it in its folder.

I use BookBrush to create the book with different backgrounds and in different formats (e.g. ebook, audio, paperback, hardback). I use Canva to create my graphics.

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with donalee Moulton

I’d like to welcome author donalee Moulton back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: A catio. It’s a portable mesh enclosure that lets indoor cats safely enjoy the outdoors. Looks a little like a foldable black maze. Wiley Bob thought it was great until the wind picked it up and moved it three feet with him in it. No longer his favorite toy.

The thing you wished you’d never bought. I knew it was a scam when I bought it and still forked out $39.95 for a life-like toy poodle that barks, runs, licks your face. Yeah right. I got a small stuffed toy that somewhat resembled a dog.

Something you’re really good at: I’m going to say yoga. I’m not sure I’m as good at it as I really enjoy it – at least four times a week. I can do shoelace; I can almost do crow; I am nowhere near getting my legs to assume the lotus position. Ironic really. I have a new series out: the Lotus Detective Agency.

Something you’re really bad at: Eating well. Eating healthy. Eating. I’m the world’s slowest eater (along with the three-toed sloth apparently). There are numerous reasons for this. Bottom line: I’m always trying to stuff food in my face to make sure I’m getting lots of calories. That would be cake, not brussels sprouts.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I’m tempted to say, “Write a book.” I’m going to go with stuffing myself inside a survival suit and being launched into the depths of a training pool. I was writing an article on a company that makes these suits for the offshore oil industry. The trainer suggested I test the suit. In a moment of weakness, I said yes. And still here.

Something you chickened out from doing: The list is long. My general philosophy is that if it can kill me, seriously injure me, or scare the bejesus out of me, then it’s a “no.” So that rules out skiing, bungee jumping, and watching anything directed by John Carpenter.

The funniest thing to happen to you: As a teenager, I often slept in until the last minute then bolted for school. One day I grabbed the jeans at the foot of my bed, thrust legs into the pants and grabbed a sweater. At break, I went to the washroom. Looked down at the bottom of my left leg only to see a blob of brown. I pulled on the blob of brown and kept pulling. It was pantyhose I’d worn the day before. Sadly, I was not alone in the washroom.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I had this lovely jacket with these big bright silver buttons. I often wore it when I was teaching or presenting. One day I was standing before a class and looked down to see a wrinkle in one of the big bright silver buttons. When I touched it all the silver came off the button. Then it came off all the buttons. The silver was actually aluminum foil that had been wrapped around the “real” buttons to protect them before the jacket sold.

The funniest thing that happened to you on vacation: We had this fabulous house rented in Florida for a family vacation. I’m working quietly on my computer early one morning when my son-in-law comes tearing down the stairs and out the deck door. “It’s a giant lizard,” he yelled. I’m on my feet and running out the door with him. It was indeed a giant lizard. A giant ceramic lizard sitting inanimate on the patio table.

The most embarrassing thing that happened to you on a vacation: My husband and I were in Arizona. We dropped my mother at her bridge tournament and decided to go to the zoo. When we got there, we thought something was wrong. There was not a person in sight. There was not an animal in sight. We later learned no one goes out at high noon with the sun blazing and thermostat topping 100 degrees. That included the lions.

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: Ask for feedback. Listen to feedback. Be thankful for feedback. But pay attention to the little voice inside you that says whether you should change your writing as a result.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Yes, you can.

About donalee:

donalee Moulton’s first mystery book Hung out to Die was published in 2023. A historical mystery, Conflagration!, was published in 2024. It won the 2024 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense (Historical Fiction). donalee has two new books out in 2025, Bind and Melt, the first in a new series, the Lotus Detective Agency.

A short story “Swan Song” was one of 21 selected for publication in Cold Canadian Crime. It was shortlisted for an Award of Excellence. Other short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines. donalee’s short story “Troubled Water” was shortlisted for a 2024 Derringer Award and a 2024 Award of Excellence from the Crime Writers of Canada. 

 donalee is an award-winning freelance journalist. She has written articles for print and online publications across North America including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Lawyer’s Daily, National Post, and Canadian Business.

 As well, donalee is the author of The Thong Principle: Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say and co-authored the book, Celebrity Court Cases: Trials of the Rich and Famous.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://donaleemoulton.com  

Amazon Author: http://amazon.com/author/donaleemoulton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donaleemoultonauthor

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/donaleemoulton

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaleemoulton/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/donaleemoulton.bsky.social

Instagram: donaleemoulton

#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Diane Bator

I’d like to welcome Diane Bator to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

A few of your favorite fall traditions: shuffling through the leaves, taking photos of the colors, drives in the country to see the scenery

Something autumn-related that you’ll never do again: trick or treat.

Favorite fall treat: caramel apples!!

A fall treat that makes you gag: Molasses kisses we used to get as kids.

Favorite autumn beverage: Pumpkin Spice Lattes

A drink that gives you a sour face: Green Tea

Favorite fall smell: crisp mornings

Something that makes you hold your nose: skunky ponds

Best fall memory: walking with my dogs in the field behind our house as a kid

Something you’d rather forget: being in the truck when dad was hunting

A tradition you share with others: Hallothanksmas with my family since winters can be unpredictable and we live hours apart!

A tradition that can be retired: Over buying for Christmas. Yes, I’m guilty.

Best thing you ever cooked/baked in autumn: apple crisp with fresh picked apples

Your worst kitchen disaster: my first time cooking rice! The bottom of the pot was black.

Favorite place you spent a fall day: In the local park walking through the crunchy leaves.

The worst place to spend a fall day: In the mall

Your best Halloween costume: A spider!

A Halloween costume that wasn’t quite what you imagined: Tired Writer.

Favorite pumpkin spice item: Lattes

Something that should never be pumpkin-spiced flavored: Chocolate

Best Halloween memory: Taking the kids out when they were little

Worst Halloween experience: Getting caught in a snowstorm miles from home!

About Diane:

Diane Bator is an Award-Winning Canadian mystery writer based in Alberta, book coach, editor, and mom of three. She is the host of the Escape With a Writer blog, and started her own publishing company, Escape With a Writer, in January of 2024 to relaunch her previous 15 novels as well as newer works.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://dianebator.ca/

Blog: http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Newsletter: https://dianebator.substack.com/

How to Organize Your Marketing and Book Events

I have a day-gig, so most of my life is scheduled. I’ve tried a lot of different planners and programs over the years, and this is the method that works for me.

I have a monthly, four-year calendar (old school). It’s small enough to fit in my purse or laptop bag. But I can see each week and the entire month at one time.

When I know important dates (e.g. holidays, days off, deadlines, and publication dates), they go on the calendar.

When I apply or am planning an event, it goes on the calendar along with the location, contact, and time.

When an event is confirmed, I update it. (I also add the person’s email to my contact list in MS Outlook, and I save the correspondence in my email folder.)

If an event is cancelled or rescheduled, I change the date immediately to make sure I don’t double-book myself.

When I have publication dates, I reach out to my favorite book bloggers and super reviewers to see if they are interested in getting an ARC when they’re available. I make a list with their preferences, so when it’s time to plan the marketing, I have my list of early reviewers and blurb writers.

I also reach out to my favorite book tour organizers to get on their calendars for the book’s release.

I reach out to my favorite mystery Facebook group administrators to schedule book take-overs to coincide with my book launch celebrations.

Three to six months before publication date, I reach out to my favorite bookstores to schedule talks or book signings.

I have to be faithful and keep my calendar current so it’s useful.

What techniques and tools work for you?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Cheree Wiley

I would like to welcome the multi-talented ChèRee Wiley to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Turning off all the stories in my head

Easiest thing about being a writer: I get to tell the types of stories that I would want to read and encourage others through these stories of triumph.

Things you need for your writing sessions: I need to be surrounded by color, quiet, water or tea, and in a comfortable environment

Things that hamper your writing: Lots of noise, colorless, or uncomfortable

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at motivating others

Something you’re really bad at: Math

Favorite music or song: Christian R&B (Madison Ryann Ward is my favorite artist)

Music that drives you crazy: Not a fan of Rock music (Too chaotic)

Things you’d walk a mile for: My children/family

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Negative People. They drain you.

Things to say to an author: When you’re stuck, write the types of stories that you would want to read. You started out as the audience, tap into that perspective.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Telling them what to write or not to write. Also, telling them they cannot make a living as a writer.

Favorite places you’ve been: Brazil, it was an amazing experience

Places you never want to go to again: West Virginia

Favorite books (or genre): Romantic/Thriller

Books you wouldn’t buy: Horror

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I recorded music as part of a singing group in my 20s.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: I tried art for a brief period of time, that didn’t turn out so well.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: Parts of Missing Pieces are directly based on my own personal experiences with domestic abuse.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Several of my stories portray child abuse, this is based on someone else’s haunting experiences that have never left me, but I was not abused as a child.

My favorite book as a child: Harold and the Purple Crayon

A book you’ve read more than once: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Your favorite movie as a child: I love The Princess Bride

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye

About ChèRee:

ChèRee Wiley is a devoted Christian, wife, and mother whose life and work reflect her deep faith and passion for empowering others. As the founder and CEO of Diverse Perspectives and Divine Wisdom Media & Publishing, she blends her love for God, family, and purposeful leadership to inspire transformation in every sphere she touches. Through her writing, ChèRee shares stories of faith, resilience, and redemption—encouraging readers to discover God’s hand in their own journeys. When she’s not writing or mentoring others, she enjoys spending time with her family, reflecting on scripture, and using her gifts to uplift and equip others to walk boldly in their divine purpose.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheree.anderson1/

Website: https://www.dpdei.com/books

#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Bjorn Leesson

I’d like to welcome Bjorn Leesson to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: I guess that depends on the mood. I like to just research various interesting things, wander around in the woods for no real reason, or just engage in hypothetical discussions with my wife. I’m an exciting guy.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: I’m not a big fan of shopping. I really don’t like shopping; too many people around me, there apparently are rules when you shop, and it always ends with spending more money than it was worth.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Reminding yourself that no one will ever be as invested in your story as you are as the author. Sure, you will have fans, even some diehard fans, but no one will ever love it more than you.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Being reminded by others that no one will ever be as invested in your story as you are as the author.

Something you wish you could do: At this age, REMEMBER. . . anything. Anything at all. When I was young, I used to believe all my elders were exaggerating about forgetting stuff, but here I am, and it’s too late to listen now.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: It doesn’t matter. I can just say I don’t remember how, and odds are, I’m not lying about it.

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Under the right conditions, PIZZA. Despite my aversion to shopping, I would for pizza, even at midnight. And now that I live twenty minutes in any direction from a town, driving there is the necessity, midnight or any other time. The only real drawback to living the county – no more pizza delivery.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Tofu, cauliflower, sushi, dill anything, or sour cream. These things are all evil, meant to disfigure and enslave humanity, and I will have no part of it. Even my bad memory will not let me forget how bad these things are.

Favorite places you’ve been: Away from home: Wales, England, Scotland, and Cornwall. Wonderful places! The scenery, the history, it’s all just awesome!

Places you never want to go to again: There is a really old BP gas station on the way to Florida from South Carolina along I95 (for the safety of everyone, I will not be more specific than that). You will know when you enter the bathroom at this horrid, evil place. You will feel the heaviness in the air of the alternate universe that exists in there, somewhere impossible in the normal universe.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Jeremy Clarkson and Robert Duvall. We’d have pizza. I’d drive to the store at midnight to go get it for us.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Probably just about any politician. I’d cancel my own attendance, but I would leave them with tofu, cauliflower, sushi, dill anything, and sour cream with directions to the above-mentioned bathroom at the BP on I95.

Favorite things to do: Read about new interesting things, observe nature or settings around me, or just discuss the mysteries of the universe with an interested friend. The simple things are most likely going to be my favorite.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I would have to place “running through fire” and “eating bugs” pretty high on that list, but that answer seems a little like cheating. So, alternatively, I would have to say I, like virtually everyone, am not a big fan of filing income taxes. I could go on for days about what it does for my blood pressure, but just suffice it to say, thankfully, the lovely Mrs. Leesson files for us.

Best thing you’ve ever done: I haven’t done it yet. It’s coming, and I don’t know when, but it’s coming. It’s going to be awesome, and I will likely write it into one of my books.

Biggest mistake: Stopping at that BP bathroom on I95. I don’t think an exorcist can fix that place, and that’s why I am sending the politicians there.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I guess it is kind of a tie between mustering up the courage to try and publish my first book and driving stock cars at the local racetrack many many years ago. Both took some courage, and the risk was mental trauma from one, and physical trauma from the other. But both are ridiculously expensive.

Something you chickened out from doing: Skydiving with an adrenaline-junkie friend on mine. I am not particularly scared of heights like some people are, but jumping out of an airplane that is not in immediate danger of crashing with only basically a bed sheet popping out of a backpack to slow the fall is just kind of stupid if you ask me.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: Getting a new review. It doesn’t even have to be a five-star glowing praise of a review (although those are always very nice), just an honest review from a real person who actually read the book.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: Nothing. Everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t like it. It’s how we learn, and there will likely be a chance to do it again rather than over, and that is the time to do it differently than the first.

About Bjorn:

Bjorn Leesson has always been fascinated with many topics to include history, the supernatural, and writing. These interests combined led to the Outside the Thalsparr series, with the first book in the series, "Runes of the Dokkrsdottir." Bjorn was not formally trained as a writer and has worked in the industrial manufacturing field his entire life.

 Bjorn was born in the Lowcountry of South Carolina a long, long time ago.  He has worked in manufacturing all my working life to feed himself but has nourished his mind with the study of many topics; history of all eras, the paranormal, astronomy, writing of different types, photography, archeology, genealogy, vexillology, some other -ologies, even stock car racing for a couple of years, and on and on.  Bjorn finds just about everything fascinating in some way and has been accused of being too easily entertained.  A blend of a few of his interests led to the creation of the Thalsparr Universe.  The first six installments of the series are out now with more installments and spin-offs coming soon.  Bjorn currently lives in the Midlands of South Carolina with his wife of 25 years on their hobby farm.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bjorn.leesson/

website:  https://thalsparr1891.wixsite.com/home

How to Organize Emails

Between the day gig, my book emails, and my home stuff, I get about 300 emails a day, and I have to have a way to keep it organized. It’s overwhelming. Here’s what helps me tame the chaos.

All of my personal accounts are set to appear on my phone and my laptop. If I delete an email on a device, it deletes it in all places. If I want to keep it, I leave it in the inbox until I can put it in a folder.

I believe in folders and subfolders. I use MS Outlook, so I can create them with a right-click. I have main sections for personal correspondence (e.g. doctors, family stuff, and business emails), book events (sorted alphabetically), each book (edits, publisher correspondence, and marketing items), book business (for agent correspondence, royalties, key dates, etc.), and clubs/organizations.

I have subfolders under each to keep things organized. There are many folders and subfolders. It makes it easier to find things.

The search features are also valuable if you’re looking for a person or a key word. The sort tool is also helpful when looking for who sent it or the date sent.

You have to be diligent with maintaining your emails. If you skip more than a few days, it will be out of control, and it will take you more time to catch up.

Anything I need to address immediately stays in my inbox. When I’m done, it (the original and sometimes my reply) goes in the proper folder.

Each day when I log onto my laptop, I look at my inbox to make sure I’ve addressed everything I need to. I save newsletters and announcements that I want to review later in the inbox. If it’s spam or stuff I’m not interested in, it gets deleted immediately.

I delete my sent and deleted folders about once a week. That gives me a buffer of time in case I change my mind about something I deleted.

When I plan an event, the tentative date goes on my calendar. I update it with details when it’s confirmed. I use my calendar on my phone for reminders, but I use a monthly four-year calendar since a lot of my events are planned a year or so out.

Each November/December I do the great purge. Each folder gets a quick look, and I delete any emails or folders that are out of date or not needed.

These are some of the things that keep me organized in my work and book lives. What techniques work for you?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Adrian Andover

I’d like to welcome the amazing Adrian Andover to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: I have some perfectionist tendencies, so it is really difficult for me to call a story “done.” I could rewrite, revise, and tweak forever.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing a first draft. I rarely struggle to meet my word count goals on a day-to-day basis when I’m writing my sloppy first drafts. I have lots to say and am an endless well of ideas, so the words usually come pretty easily (even if they aren’t very good at first).

Things you need for your writing sessions: Beverages! This always includes water. I mostly write on weekday mornings, so I usually have a steaming mug of coffee at my side, though I sometimes swap it out for tea.

Things that hamper your writing: Music. Outside of writing, I have a huge passion for music, both as a listener and as a songwriter. As much as I love it, having any kind of music playing (even instrumental or ambient) tends to distract me. I usually need to write in silence.

Words that describe you: Empath. Storyteller. Tenacious.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Realist. Obedient. Cautious.

The last thing you ordered online: I ordered some cozy mysteries written by writer friends! I bought Tish Bouvier’s Knot Before You Enter and pre-ordered a few upcoming holiday releases: Yule Regret It by Annie McEwen, A Zappy Little Christmas by Paula Charles, and Deck the Halls with Homicide by Christina Romeril

The last thing you regret buying: I work really hard at not having regrets, but I recently bought a few new notebooks, which I added to my absurd stack of blank notebooks. Every notebook has its own personality and purpose, and one of my greatest joys is starting a fresh one.

Favorite places you’ve been: I adore the Pacific Northwest—specifically Oregon. Last year, I was fortunate enough to attend the Ashland Mystery Festival last year, and I’m attending again this year. The festival takes place in southern Oregon, and I’d flown in and out of Portland in the northern part of the state. Essentially, I got to drive the entire coast of Oregon south and more inland going north. What a breathtaking place!

Places you never want to go to again: I struggle to answer this question because I don’t like to speak negatively of any place. I had a wonderful time visiting Disneyworld several years ago, but I don’t feel an urge to go back again. I experienced it once and had a great time, so I’ll leave it in the past and look back fondly on my time there.

Favorite things to do: Any activity that involves my loved ones. In particular, I love getting together with friends to attend any kind of live music event.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Going to the optometrist. I have a strange fear of eyes, and I feel very uncomfortable about any person or object getting close to my eyes. I’d rather have a cavity drilled than go through the puff-of-air glaucoma test.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: When I was 22—two weeks after graduating from college—I packed almost all of my belongings into my tiny Hyundai and moved to a different state with barely any savings. I was renting a room in a house that I’d never visited before. I had three months of temporary employment lined up, and I had no plan for what would happen next. It all worked out exactly like it was supposed to.

Something you chickened out from doing: Skydiving—kind of. I didn’t exactly chicken out. I was supposed to go skydiving for my birthday in 2019. On the day I was scheduled to jump, I’d gotten a phone call that the facility was closing due to weather, so I rescheduled. On that day, I drove over an hour to get to the airport. I took a little course and signed all the waivers, but just as I was about to get suited up for the jump, a storm started to roll in, and I had to reschedule again. Due to my busy summer and fall, it didn’t work out. I had every intention of going during the 2020 season, but that didn’t work out due to the pandemic. I took it as a sign that I wasn’t meant to jump out of a plane.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: As I mentioned before, I’m also a singer-songwriter. Though you won’t find it anywhere anymore, I once wrote and recorded an album of original music. I used to perform in coffee shops, small art festivals, community events, and even a few bars.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: In the early days of the pandemic, I developed a daily writing routine. By 2022, I finished writing my first-ever first draft of a novel. At the time, I was super proud of it, but by the time I sat down to edit it, I abandoned the project to begin writing cozy mysteries. The story was literary fiction—very character-driven and light on plot. I likely won’t ever return to it, but it taught me so much about writing, persistence, and discipline.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: I can’t remember the first album I ever bought with my own money, but I do remember my mom had John Denver’s Greatest Hits (1973) in the car when I was very young. She had a Chevy Cavalier, and it was the first car she’d ever owned that had a CD player. I listened to that CD over and over and over. It was the foundation for my love of music and inspired me to begin playing the guitar when I was six.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: I have appreciation for music across all genres, and I especially love singer-songwriter music. There’s something so moving about knowing that a song came from an honest place, regardless of genre. That being said, I struggle with music that feels like it was manufactured to fit a particular trend.

My favorite book as a child: Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie. We read the book as a fourth-grade class. One Friday, we’d gotten to the scene where it’s revealed that Otis, the pet store employee, had been to jail. I needed to know why, and it killed me to have to wait until Monday. That weekend, I scraped some holiday money together, and my dad took me to the local Waldenbooks. I bought a copy of the book for myself, so that I could read ahead. Reading that book was such a defining moment of my childhood and in my life as a reader.

A book I’ve read more than once: I’ve reread many books. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I love rereading as a means to understand the craft of storytelling. Because of Winn-Dixie is the book I’ve reread the most. It never fails to take me back to the feeling I felt as a fourth grader.

Your favorite movie as a child: I’m not sure what this says about me, but I used to love watching The Fox and the Hound. I would watch the first part of the movie (up until Widow Tweed releases Tod in the forest) over and over, even though it made me cry. I think it helped me connect with the melancholy part of me that’s always been there.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): I went through a phase of fearing apple trees after seeing that scene in The Wizard of Oz.

About Adrian:

Adrian Andover is the author of WHISKEY BUSINESS, his debut novel and the first entry in the Mixology Lounge Mystery series. When he's not reading, writing, revising, or publishing a story, he enjoys taking long walks, attending live music events, spending time with friends, and tasting new craft cocktails around his chosen hometown of Asbury Park, NJ.

Let’s Be Social:

Website - https://adrianandover.com

Instagram - https://instagram.com/adrianandover

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adrianandover

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@adrianandover

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/adrianandover.com

#WriterWednesday with Author Randee Dawn

I’d like to welcome Randee Dawn to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet, and a big block of empty time when no one's going to interrupt me. This includes time for frittering and staring out the window.

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions, music playing, my own brain telling me I'm doing it wrong.

Last best thing you ate: Marble cake with buttercream frosting from my book launch party at WorldCon in Seattle.

Last thing you regret eating: Too much marble cake with buttercream frosting from my book launch party at WorldCon in Seattle. (But I'd do it again!)

Favorite music or song: I'm a jangle pop/Brit pop enthusiast of long standing, but could never narrow it down to one song. But if you want a band and an album, I'll point to The Trash Can Sinatras' first album, Obscurity Knocks.

Music that drives you crazy: Anything auto-tuned. It was a fun diversion for a moment, but now everything (that isn't already generated by AI) sounds like it's coming through the mind and microphone of a computer.

The last thing you ordered online: Sleeves to hold tea packets to help promote my books; I have different tea flavors for each that I hand out at conventions and other book-related events.

The last thing you regret buying: Artwork by my favorite artist. I love him – Luke Chueh is amazing – but I went a little overboard in my zeal for something original, and now I think I have three paintings coming to me that are basically the same thing.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Peanut butter cookies, ice cream, a new independent bookstore, a place to meet my friends for afternoon tea.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: My husband's kimchi snacking, ignorance dressed up as authority, people who say they don't read.

Things to say to an author: "How many copies can I order?" "This changed my life." "How can I help get the word out about your book?"

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: "I've always wanted to write a book." "I think I could earn a living as an author." "I don't read."

Favorite places you’ve been: Queenstown, New Zealand; Akureyri, Iceland; The Grand Canyon, USA

Places you never want to go to again: Las Vegas, USA; to an office job; the dentist (but I will, of course)

Favorite books (or genre): Anything by Jonathan Carroll; early Stephen King; Michael McDowell, Blackwater; Judy Blume's oeuvre; The House Next Door by Anne River Siddons; the short tales of O. Henry and Roald Dahl.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Most "literary" fiction. I'm a genre gal all the way.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Got one of my music video concepts turned into an actual music video by a friend at college who needed to come up with a final project for film class. Thanks, Scott – I still love our collaboration on The Alan Parsons Project's "Silence and I."

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: A friend and I were going to make a different music video – a direct take on Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al," until I realized how much it was going to cost to do it even halfway. We abandoned the project.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: A version of how I met my close friend Julia when we were in 6th grade and bonded over books

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: That I struggled to become an actress by doing a lot of improv

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: Hustle '76 (album). I was really young and ordered it off the TV, and it arrived Cash on Delivery (something that doesn't exist anymore, I don't think), and mom had to fork over the $4. I also didn't realize until years later that the reason it cost $4 was it was a bunch of cheap covers of actual hit songs.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: I'm pretty open, but I just can't get into opera.

Your favorite movie as a child: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The Blair Witch Project

About Randee Dawn:

Randee Dawn is the bestselling author of the "funny as hell" pop culture fantasy novel Tune in Tomorrow. She has two novels out in 2025: Dark Celtic musical fantasies The Only Song Worth Singing and Leave No Trace, while her next funny foray into the Tune-iverse, We Interrupt This Program will be out in March 2026. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies, including most recently Dark Spores: Stories We Tell After Midnight, Vol. 4. She is the co-author of The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion. A veteran entertainment journalist for The LA Times, Variety and Today.com, Randee lives in Brooklyn and is known to usually emcee the monthly reading series Brooklyn Books & Booze.

Let’s Be Social:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRandeeDawn

https://bsky.app/profile/randeedawn.com

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https://www.threads.net/@randeedawn

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Books, Writing and Other Literary "Holidays" for Authors

The holiday season is upon us, and here’s my list of special days for authors that have book, writing, or literary themes in October, November, and December.

October

1 - International Coffee Day

3-5 National Story-telling Weekend

6 - American Libraries Day

9 - Harry Potter Day

16 - Dictionary Day

20 - National Day of Writing

22 - CAP LOCKS DAY

November

1 - Authors’ Day, National Family Literacy Day

3 - Fill Your Stapler Day

7 - Fountain Pen Day

10 - Sesame Street Day

13 - World Kindness Day

15 - I Love to Write Day

December

2 - Giving Tuesday

4 - National Cookie Day

8 - National Crosswords Solvers Day

10 - Dewey Decimal System Day

12 - National Cocoa Day

15 - National Cupcake Day

20 - Poet Laureat Day

21 - Celebrate Short Fiction Day