Terry Odell's Blog

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week

Banned Books week is from October 5-11. My take: I could control what my kids read when they were young, but have no right to control what your kids read.

Image via The American Library Association

Read more about Banned Books Week here.

The ten most challenged books of 2024

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. JohnsonGender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe(Tie) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyTricks by Ellen Hopkins(Tie) Lo...

Friday Fotos – Fall Colors

Friday Fotos – Fall Colors

We might not have the variety of trees that turn colors in the fall, but our aspens provide their own kind of beauty.

 

 

 

 

Have a nice weekend to those who celebrate.

New! Find me at Substack with Writings and Wanderings
Danger Abroad
When breaking family ties is the only option.
Madison Westfield has information that could short-circuit her politician father’s campaign for governor. But he’s family. Although he was a father more in word than deed, she changes ...

Yom Kippur – A Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur – A Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur begins at sundown tonight.

New! Find me at Substack with Writings and Wanderings

Danger Abroad
When breaking family ties is the only option.
Madison Westfield has information that could short-circuit her politician father’s campaign for governor. But he’s family. Although he was a father more in word than deed, she changes her identity and leaves the country rather than blow the whistle.
Blackthorne, Inc. taps Security and Investigations staffer, Loga...

The Dreaded Marketing

The Dreaded Marketing

Deadly Ambitions is now in the hands of my editor. It’s time to shift into the dreaded marketing side of publishing.

Should I make the book available for preorder? I’ve had mixed results in the past. Will people want to order a book that won’t be released for several months. And, speaking of several months, when you put a book up for preorder you’re required to commit to a release date. Another decision to make.

Although you don’t have to upload a manuscript file to set up ...

Friday Fotos – Deadly Ambitions Cover Reveal

Friday Fotos – Deadly Ambitions Cover Reveal

I’ve approved the cover for Deadly ambitions, so without further ado … here it is.

Hope you like it.

Have a nice weekend to those who celebrate. I’ll be sending the manuscript off to my editor.

New! Find me at Substack with Writings and Wanderings

Danger Abroad
When breaking family ties is the only option.
Madison Westfield has information that could short-circuit her politician father’s campaign for governor. But he’s family. Although he was a fath...

WCW – Salmon With Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze

WCW – Salmon With Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze

It’s “Fat Bear Week” and the brown bears are feasting on salmon.

This isn’t a typical recipe. No amounts.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together some brown sugar and Dijon mustard to your preferred spicy/sweet level.

Put salmon fillets skin side down on a foil-lined baking sheet, lightly greased. (I use non-stick foil)

Spread the glaze on the salmon.

Baking time will vary depending on thickness of your fillets. Anywhere from 5-10 minutes.

New! Fin...

New Year Wishes

New Year Wishes

 

Sundown tonight ushers in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It will be the year 5786. It’s tradition on Rosh Hashanah to enjoy sweet foods, notably apples dipped in honey. Even if you don’t celebrate, what could it hurt to try a little sweetness?

My sincerest hopes that things will be better in this coming year than they have been going so far.

For those who celebrate, a Happy New Year. L’Shanah Tovah. 

New! Find me at Substack with Writings and Wanderings

Danger Abroad
When...

There Are Always Strings Attached

There Are Always Strings Attached

Everything comes with strings attached.

My inbox is full of “people” wanting to help me sell my books, get reviews, or—the really stupid ones—asking if my books are on Amazon or Goodreads. Gee, I don’t know. Never thought to look.

The latest gimmick.

Although I normally delete marketing solicitation emails, I got a slightly different one yesterday. They wanted to feature my Triple-D Series in their discussion group. The four book bundle. Aside from the usual hyp...

The Editing Begins

The Editing Begins

Over the weekend, I finished the first read-through of the current wip, Deadly Ambitions. I also got a cover proposal, which I liked. It’s not confirmed yet, so I’m not going to show it here. Yet. Here’s a peek.

The first pass is an overall read, looking at more “big stuff” than the little things. Since I don’t plot in advance, especially when I’m starting, there are potential threads that never materialized. Angie thought about getting a food truck. But she didn’t. Cut.

Are ...

Remembering September 11

Remembering September 11, 2001

For most of us who are old enough to remember, September 11, 2001 is a date that won’t be forgotten. We remember where we were, what we were doing, when we heard the news.

I was home, working on my part-time day job, which was entering registration data for an upcoming conference. As was typical, most of the attendees waited until the day before the early bird pricing was going to expire, and I was swamped. My husband called, said a plane crashed into the twin towe...