Click here for your FREE ebook: The SPARREW One-Year Anniversary Ebook!
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SPARREW ISSUE FORTY-SEVEN
Welcome to the SPARREW Newsletter!
The newsletter for Self-Publishers, Authors, Readers, Reviewers, Editors and Writers!
Welcome to the December 2025 issue of the SPARREW Newsletter! So glad to have you on board!
Something pretty awesome happened for me this month: A poetry book which had been rejected for a number of years was finally published! This was a big deal because I had to deal with the usual doubt, insecurity and depression over those many rejections I received from various agents, publishers and editors before Noiseless finally saw print.
And you know what? This experience has only reinforced the message that writers should NEVER give up on their dreams of getting a book published.
And don’t give up on exactly HOW you want your book to be published, either.
If you want your book to get accepted by an agent, then keep pitching agents no matter how many rejections you have received so far.
If you want your book to be published by a small press, then keep submitting the manuscript to a small press.
If you prefer to go the indie route, then submit your manuscript to independent publishers.
Or self-publish your book, if that is what you prefer.
I knew I could self-publish this poetry book, but I didn’t want to take that route. I wanted this particular book to be published by a publisher (ANY publisher) and I’m very grateful that an independent publisher accepted it.
The point is, once you have decided that you want your book to be published and HOW you want it to be published, get started on that journey and stay the course no matter what. Every “no” you receive on your submission will bring you closer to the person who will say “yes.”
We’ve got a great issue for you this month!
I have known of the author S.E. Howard for some time, but I didn’t know she self-published her books! I reached out to S.E. for an interview and, fortunately, she had time to answer the questions for my self-publisher interview. Check it out!
Another author whose work I have been following is Tim Waggoner. He is one of the most prolific writers I know and he has two books released this month! He’s here to share about one of those books, as well as about his experiences in writing fiction.
Christine Norris is a writer I met several years ago through an online message board forum. We have since stayed connected in some form or another and I recently discovered that she has been writing short stories. Check out my interview with Christine in the writer section below!
CALLING ALL POETS! Are you a poet with a book to promote? Then this month’s feature article is a must-read! LindaAnn LoSchiavo has been busy promoting her two recent poetry books, as well as frequently posting on her Substack about writing tips and profiles. She also expressed interest in submitting an article for this newsletter, and I happened to have a spot available for her this month! Check out her fantastic article with tips on how to promote your poetry book!
And don’t forget to check out Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s “Tricky Edits” column!
I hope you enjoy this issue! Feel free to drop me a note or connect with me on social media! I'd love to connect with you!
Enjoy this issue!
New post at Dawn Colclasure’s Blog:
Catch up with me online!
Check out archived issues of the SPARREW Newsletter here:
https://sparrewarchives.blogspot.com/
All current issues will be posted on my website here:
https://www.dmcwriter.com/the-sparrew-newsletter
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!
The SPARREW Newsletter is now a paying publication!
If you have an article you think might fight our needs, please send it our way!
We are interested in articles on the following topics:
Self-Publishing
Authors (interviews, articles promoting new releases, book marketing and promotion, website building and pointers, etc.)
Anything to do with books (analysis, reviews, breakdowns, etc.)
Book Reviewing
Editing and Editors
Writing
Each article should be no more than 2000 words. Must include a headshot and bio with your submission. Payment is $10 through PayPal, on publication. Reprints welcome and you retain all rights to your work. You grant SPARREW Books the right to reprint your article in a future ebook edition as well as the right to promote your article online.
Submit your work to Dawn at DMCWriter@gmail.com with "SPARREW Submission" in the subject line. Please submit your article as a .doc or .docx file. No PDFs. Any articles not relevant to the newsletter will be deleted unread. Please send your best work; articles will be published as-is.
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ATTENTION WRITERS OF BOOKS AND ASPIRING AUTHORS!
A new publishing company is in town! This indie press specializes in horror, but it is also open to books in other genres.
Twisted Dreams Press is a brand new independent publisher accepting submissions of short story collections, novelettes, novellas and novels from authors in a variety of genres!
Check out the new website to find out all the details!
Be sure to follow us on our Facebook page and our other social media platforms, which are all easily accessible from our website and Facebook page.
Please like our Facebook page
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our news
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MY DECEMBER SUBSTACK POSTS:
“Inside You are Two Wolves – Or Something Like That”
“Have Yourself a Spooky Little Christmas”
“Who is Your Book's Targeted Audience?”
THANK YOU…
Thank you, Able News, for publishing my article about Deaf entrepreneur and superstar Karen Putz for the December/January issue of Able News! Read all about how Karen broke through barriers and created accessible opportunities for the Deaf and senior communities! My article is on page 4.
Thank you, First Chapter Plus Magazine, for publishing my article about children's books featuring cats in space. My article is on page 22.
Thank you to Crystal Baynam of Baynam Books Press for publishing my deaf poetry book, Noiseless this month! You can check out the book here.
Learn more about this book below!
Thank you to Katharine Valentino of Substack for Book Authors and Readers for posting my review of the poetry book Turn Your Back on the Shore by Scott Rosin on her Substack.
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SELF-PUBLISHER CORNER
Self-Publisher Interview with S.E. Howard
1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
I’ve been writing pretty much since I was a child. I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through words. Although when I was a teenager, I won scholarships and awards for my work, it wasn’t something I thought about doing as more than a hobby until adulthood. After I married, and was pregnant with my first child, I found myself drawn to it again, and began to actively pursue publication. That was over 20 years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.
2. What made you decide to write a book?
I don’t know that I’ve ever made the conscious decision to write a book, to be honest. It seems like I’ve always had story ideas in my mind, and sometimes they appeal enough for me to put them into words. Sometimes they wind up as short stories. Other times, the ideas are too big, or bold, or complex and need more in terms of word length to fully flesh out. Writing has always been an indelible part of me, for as long as I can remember. I’d still be writing stories, even if there was no one to read them.
3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?
I have been writing in the horror genre for the past decade. I really feel like my writing style and narrative voice have evolved significantly along the way. In 2025, I turned my attention to honing these things even more, by focusing on short story submissions for anthologies. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a lot of fantastic collections, and wanted to put together one of my own. Hauntings showcases my stylistic journey as a writer, and includes not just recent stories, but several from my earliest forays into the genre. I think it really captures just how much I’ve learned and developed over the past 10+ years.
4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?
Self-publishing has been a learning experience to say the least. Before making horror fiction the primary genre in which I write, I’d established myself under another name as a paranormal romance author, and had some previous self-publishing experience in that respect. However, I haven’t written under that pseudonym in several years, long enough for things to change a lot in the self-publishing market. Tactics that work well in building readership in romance don’t necessarily translate well into the horror genre, either, I discovered. I’m definitely learning as I go along. Fortunately, I’ve learned a great deal from other indie horror writers in the online community, and it’s helping me to slowly but surely gain a foothold.
5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?
That stigma’s been around forever, but I’ve seen great headway made in reducing it. Twenty years ago, it was seen more as an amateurish endeavor, limited to vanity presses and poorly written manuscripts. Now, it’s viewed through a kinder lens. Self-publishing and independent publishers are perceived as more cutting-edge and avant garde, the same way independent recording labels or movie production companies are. Authors who pursue these avenues can find success and build a significant following, where once upon a time, that would have been impossible. There’s still a long way to go in terms of completely erasing the old stigma, but as “traditional” or “big five” publishing becomes more and more out of reach, I think we’ll see even more authors – and readers – turning in this direction.
6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher so far?
You have to make time to market. It can feel like you’re screaming into the void, and yeah, you basically are, but while you can’t possibly cover all the potential marketing avenues that exist anymore thanks to social media, do what you can, when you can, to promote not just yourself and your books, but those of fellow author as well. We have to be each other’s allies and advocates, and not see each other as competition. By bolstering each other, we all win.
7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
Spend the money to hire professionals, whether it’s editing services, proofreading, cover artwork, layouts, etc. There are so many talented artists and digital designers out there who can help make your work the very best that it can be. In addition to improving your own project, collaborating with others gives you the opportunity to network and cross-promote, further supporting and building not just your brand, but those of the people you’re working with, too. It’s a win-win for everyone!
8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their book. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?
Self-promotion can be daunting and off-putting, but it’s a necessary evil. If you don’t get the word out about your story, who will? I don’t think authors need to be all marketing, all the time, with nothing else to say or do on their social media platforms, but it is important to set aside time on a regular basis to market your own work, explore different marketing avenues, and develop a strategy that works well for you.
9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
I promote primarily on Facebook. I’ve started branching out into Instagram more but that’s really it in terms of social media. That’s probably doing myself a disservice, but I really don’t want to be on a slew of social platforms. I’d rather focus on cultivating the relationships I’ve built with friends and communities on the platforms I’m most comfortable with. I also advertise on Facebook and BookBub. That’s a pretty new thing for me, so the jury’s still out on whether or not it will be beneficial in the long run, but we’ll see.
10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
I try to remember to give myself grace, to realize and accept my own limitations, to celebrate my successes however big or small, and learn from my mistakes. I also try to learn from other authors, not compare myself to them, and incorporate successful marketing ideas from them into my own campaign. I try to remind myself on a regular basis that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and the reason I love writing so much is because it fulfills me. Making connections with even one reader through my work, knowing someone “gets” my story and enjoys it, is the greatest reward.
11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?
I think every author has to make the decision regarding self-publishing for themselves. We all have different interests, abilities, and comfort levels. Finding success in self-publishing is difficult, and it’s something you build over time. It doesn’t happen overnight, which means it can be pretty discouraging. You also have to be willing to wear a whole lot of hats, and be willing to juggle them, to succeed. I haven’t found the winning formula yet when it comes to being successful as a self-published author, but I know plenty of other writers who have. They’ve had to work their asses off, and they treat it as their job, their business, but over time, and with a lot of time, energy, and trial/error, it’s paid off for them. Will I ever make it to that same level? I don’t know, but I’m willing to try.
12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
I think that self-publishing gives authors the opportunity to get their stories out into the world, when traditional avenues may have otherwise kept them out. The process of breaking into the “big five” publishers feels like more luck than anything. And while I’m inspired by those who are ultimately fortunate enough to have that chance, I’m equally inspired by those who haven’t let closed doors slow them down, who have forged ahead and established their own benchmarks for and pathways to success. That’s the best part of dreams, I guess: There’s more than one way to achieve them. You just have to be willing to try.
ABOUT S.E.:
S.E. Howard lives in Kentucky where she works as a registered nurse, certified in toxicology (a fitting field given her side-hustle writing horror stories). Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including PUSH! An Anthology of Childbirth Horror presented by Ruth Anna Evans, Carnival of Horror from Undertaker Books, and the Amber, Sinister, and Green Diamond Editions of The Horror Collection by KJK Publishing. Her short story “You’ve Been Saved” was also adapted for the screen in the 2022 GenreBlast film anthology Worst Laid Plans. Her novels The Vessel and What Lies Unseen (coming March 10, 2026) are available from the Wicked House imprint of Aethon Books. For more information, visit online. You can also sign up for my quarterly newsletter at my site, and as a thank you for subscribing, download a free horror short story, “Offline,” about an AI-powered smart home that may be too smart for anyone’s good.
NEW IN SELF-PUBLISHING:
"Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct’s self-published e-books" by Sarah Perez
via TechCrunch
"Covid survivor conned out of £5,000 in self-publishing scam" by Elizabeth Hunter
via The Times
"My Amazon Nightmare" by Joe Ponepinto
via Beyond Craft
"Why Book Title Keyword Stuffing Is Everywhere On Amazon" by Derek Haines
via Just Publishing Advice
AUTHOR CORNER
Author Interview with Tim Waggoner
1. When did you start writing?
I’ve been making up stories all my life, whether it was creating scenarios for my friends and me to act out on the school playground or writing and drawing homemade comics in middle school. But I first realized I could be a writer when I read a 1980 interview with Stephen King in Marvel Comics’ B&W Tomb of Dracula magazine. I was sixteen, and it was the first time I realized that people could choose to become writers, and that I could choose to.
2. What was your journey towards becoming an author like?
Slow at first. Lots of writing, submitting, and getting rejected. I’d heard professional writers say that “the first million words are practice,” and that helped me keep going. Plus, I loved writing too much to quit, although I was tempted at times! In my late twenties, I started selling short fiction fairly regularly, and in my thirties, I began selling novels to publishers. I’m sixty-one now, and I’ve come to believe that the most important quality a professional artist needs is psychological resilience because it’s a long, twisting road with a hell of a lot of potholes in it.
3. What can you tell me about your latest book? (Feel free to include an excerpt.)
I’ve had two books come out recently from two different publishers. One is Terrifier 3: The Official Novelization, which is out from Bloody Press. The other is an original horror/dark fantasy novel called The Face of Pain from new small-press publisher Lefthand Path Press.
Here's the description: Tricia Everheart is diagnosed with uterine cancer, but despite her test results, she can’t escape the feeling that she’s not sick – she’s pregnant. When a mysterious red door appears in the hospital, she steps through and finds herself trapped in a nightmarish facility called the Red Tower. There, a cult of sinister physicians known as the Physickers worship a foul entity known as the Face of Pain…and they believe Tricia is its chosen vessel. Her husband, Aaron, follows her into the Red Tower, desperate to bring her home. But the deeper they go, the more they encounter horrors beyond comprehension. Will they escape the Red Tower before the Face of Pain enters our reality? Or will its birth unravel existence itself?
(Read the first chapter of this book at Tim’s blog here.)
4. What sort of methods do you use for book promotion?
Social media, my blog, my newsletter, my website, interviews, podcast appearances, presenting writing workshops, going to book fairs, attending conferences, being on panels…all the usual things. The most important promotion technique is to write a good book that people want to read and tell their friends about. Word of mouth is still the most effective promotion.
5. Where do you get your ideas for stories?
This might sound like a copout, but the answer is everywhere. Ideas pop into my head all the time – always have – and the trick is sifting through them to find the ones I want to develop into stories. Sometimes I see weird things as I’m going through my day, and I record them in the notepad app on my phone and maybe take pictures, too. Sometimes bits of song lyrics or poetry suggest story ideas, as do science articles and true-crime documentaries. And I mine my own experiences for story material as well.
6. What are you working on right now?
I can’t tell you! I’m under an NDA. But I can tell you it’s a media tie-in novel. Hopefully, the IP holder will announce the project soon.
7. Any advice for other authors?
I talked about the importance of psychological resilience earlier. I also tell authors to try to write with a close identification with a character’s point of view. Most of us passively watch stories on TV or in the movie theater more than we read. Our perspective is that of an audience member, and beginning writers write that way. But the most effective fiction is written from a specific character’s perspective in a scene. Writers need to imagine they are the character, thinking, feeling, and doing the things that this character would do. This perspective is the great strength of fiction.
ABOUT TIM:
Tim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among other properties, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. His articles on writing have appeared in Writer's Digest, The Writer, and The Writer’s Chronicle. He’s the author of the acclaimed horror-writing guide Writing in the Dark, which won the Bram Stoker Award for Nonfiction in 2021. The follow-up, Writing in the Dark: The Workbook, also won a Stoker in the same category in 2023. He won another Stoker in 2021 in the category of Short Nonfiction for his article “Speaking of Horror,” and in 2017 he received the Stoker for Long Fiction for his novella The Winter Box. In addition, he’s twice won the Scribe Award, given by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, He's been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s served as a mentor for HWA for many years, and in 2015, he was given the organization’s Mentor of the Year Award. He’s also served on HWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award committee several times. His fiction has received numerous Honorable Mentions in volumes of Best Horror of the Year, and he’s had several stories selected for inclusion in volumes of Year’s Best Hardcore Horror. His work has been translated into Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Hungarian, and Turkish. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. His papers are collected by the University of Pittsburgh's Horror Studies Program.
Links:
Instagram: tim.waggoner.scribe
Threads: @tim.waggoner.scribe@threads.net
Bluesky: @timwaggoner.bsky.social
AUTHOR NEWS:
"Relationship-Based Marketing Helps You Sell More Books with Less Ick"
via BadRedhead Media, LLC’s All Things Book Marketing!
"Book Marketing Mistakes: How to Fix the “Monsters” That Haunt Authors" by Penny Sansevieri
via Author Marketing Experts
"Best Book Marketing Campaigns: 12 Proven Examples That Still Work Today" by Penny Sansevieri
via Author Marketing Experts
"Amazon Optimization for Authors: A Practical Guide to Winning the A10 Era" by Penny Sansevieri
via Author Marketing Experts
“Successful Author Events 101” by Jillian Forsberg
via Writer Unboxed
REVIEWER CORNER
My Reviews:
Dawn Reviews Books:
Five Years Post-Covid: Enduring the Sickness is a collection of terrifying times
Reader Views:
“Self-Worth: The Path to Happiness” by Jonathan J. Woolverton
“Whispers in the Dancing Wind” by Angela van Breemen
“Exposition & World’s Fairs” by Bob McGlincy
“Founding Courage” by Kirk Ward Robinson
“Email Marketing for Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
“Your Guide to Climate Action” by Ryan Hagen
Other Book Reviews:
"A Sheltered Heiress Steps Into Destiny in “Echoes of Descent”" by Philip Zozzaro
"American Gothic Sapphic Thriller Has Celtic Roots" by Joanna Poncavage
"Jenny Colgan’s Most Enchanting Christmas Adventure Yet" by Linda Hitchcock
"Revisiting Post-War America in “One of Them”" by Linda Hitchcock
"Thomas Schlesser’s “Mona’s Eyes” Is a Triumph of Art and Heart" by Linda Hitchcock
"Pour the Hot Chocolate! “Mistletoe Murders 4” Is the Coziest Kind of Deadly" by Monique Snyman
"Epeolatry Book Review: Hiding Under the Leaves, ed. Donna Scott" by Stephanie Ellis
"Epeolatry Book Review: The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon by Barry Maher" by Amie Destefano
"Epeolatry Book Review: The Night Crew II: Bloodlust by Brad Ricks" by Jennifer Griffin
"Epeolatry Book Review: Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell" by Stephanie Ellis
"Epeolatry Book Review: Kraken by Shannon Eric Denton" by Luc Dantes
"Epeolatry Book Review: Harrowfield by Stephanie Ellis" by Corinne Pollard
"Epeolatry Book Review: My Little Pony: Holiday Collection by Various" by Luc Dantes
"Epeolatry Book Review: Scratch Moss by David Barnett" by Stephanie Ellis
Book Review: A Sultry Performance by Jessica Lauryn (Rabourn Theater Book 3)
Book Review: New Year's Nuisance by Tonya Kappes (Holiday Cozy Mystery Book 4)
Book Review: Biker Queen by Calia Wilde ( A Destroyers MC Novel)
Book Review: Owned by Willow Winters and Lauren Landish (Highest Bidder Book 3)
Book Review: The Survivor by Rowena Redman (Kingdom of Parvery Book 1)
Book Review: Psycho Academy by Jasmine Mas (Cruel Shifterverse Book 4)
Book Review: Always You by B Lustig (Always & Forever Book 1)
Book Review: Given by Willow Winters and Lauren Landish (Highest Bidder Book 4)
“Beneath Beauford Grove” by E. Denise Billups
“2,300 Days of Travel” by Hugh Greer
“And You Cannot Tell Me, Why I Must Not Love You Anymore” by Natia Khaduri
“Swimming with Manatees” by Bill Bennett
“Perfect Cadence” by Tamar Anolic
“The Whistle of Revenge” by KD Sherrinford
“The Problem Was Us” by Sasha Portelli
“JOYBeing” by Ann Van Eron & Gila Ancel Seritcioglu
“Matrika’s Muse” by Lara Sanderson
“My Family and ‘Them Languages'” by Aline P’nina Tayar
“The Great Jew Pirate” by David Nobyl
“The Consistent Consumer” by Beller, Weiss, & Patler
“Reins of Magic” by R. Dawnraven
“A Boy’s Best Comrade” by Lauren Ennis
“Falcon of the Faroe Islands” by Jennifer Ivy Walker
“A World Turned Upside Down” by Amy Sosne
“Crypto Wealth Without Wall Street” by Lucas Rubix
“Seligman, Arizona: Birthplace of HISTORIC Route 66” by N.C.L. Sarno
“Darkness and Blight” by Dap Dahlstrom
“The Book of Lost Innocence” by Glenn Taylor
“One Planet Two Worlds” by Fran Tabor
“The Shape of Angels” by B.R. Miller
“The Doctor’s Future” by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“The Oasis Stone” by Jack Davidson
"Sitnalta” by Alisse Lee Goldenberg
“The Quiet Calendar” by Oquirrh Keyes
“Lies That Hold Us” by D.L. Dawn
“The Jesus Dog” by Darrell Bowman
“Till Death Do Us Part” by Maria Clarizio
“The Fertile Crescent” by Chadwick Wall
“Every Fall” by Angela Douglas
“Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
“Whip the Dogs” by Robin C. Rickards
“Can’ts Never Could” by David Farkas
“Deeply Human” by Dr. James Manning
“Variations on Tzara” by Jan Škrdlík
“Moonshine Cabin” by Ron Fritsch
“100 Objects from the Collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research” by Stefanie Halpern
“The Christmas Trials” by W M Carroll
“Critical Focus” by Meredith Dimick
“The Fives’ Oath: Legacy of the Bloodborn” by Mehdi Mejri
“The Coming Disruption” by Fred Voccola
“The Elizion Shield” by Elizabeth Klein
“Leadership with A Servant’s Heart: Your Role as a Leader in Your Family” by Kevin Wayne Johnson
“The Great Christmas Boycott of 1906” by Scott D. Seligman
“The Rich Guy’s Wife” by Bonnie Traymore
“Million Dollar Men” by Joe Salerno
“Black Jack: Behind the Waves” by James A. Hillebrecht
“Crimson Plume” by Clifton Wilcox
“A Legacy of Strength” by Sandi Young
“Three Guesses” by Chris McClain Johnson
“Inheriting Karma” by Mark Nistor
“Light Goddess” by Cloris Athena
“The Boy with the Backward Heart” by Pamela Sampson
“The Christmas Basket” by Megan Blight
“Swallowing the Muskellunge” by Lawrence P. O’Brien
“Cadence of the Storm” by Delia Duke
“Your Business Growth Playbook” by Jeremy B. Shapiro
“To Own Two Suns” by Fran Tabor
“Why Breakups Are So Hard” by Terry McNiff
“Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder” by Erika Lynn Adams
“Baseball in Paradise” by Pasquale A. Carlucci
“Elf Stone of the Neyna” by Marie Judson
“The Charms of US Farms” by Raven Howell
“Mortimer: Behind the Walls” by James A. Hillebrecht
“Prayers on the Shower Door” by Phyllis McNaughton
“Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
“Zenith Man” by McCracken Poston Jr.
“Love and Vengeance” by Woody R. Clermont
“The Scion Conspiracy” by Mike Cahoon
“A Debt in Time” by Bryan James Beck
“Boards, Committees, and Commissions” by Muir Boda
“The Prometheus Protocol” by Tony Welch
“Paradise Cove” by George T. Nagel
“Juny the Butterfly Boy” by Maryann Wilkey
“Echoes of the Clearances” by William A. Allan
“A Space on the Shelf” by AM Fagan
“Sor Juana, My Beloved” by MaryAnn Shank
“Six Stories Up” by Kregg P.J. Jorgenson
“Reigning Fire” by Jasmine Kah Yan Loo
“Family Treasures Lost & Found” by Karen A. Frenkel
“Murder Pays a Call” by Nancy J. Cohen
“Nali’s Wager” by Virgil C. Jones III
“Justice for Ma’at” by Le’Taxione
“Oak Street Treehouse” by Dick Daniels
“The Number After You” by Rosanne Baker
“Dancing Deepa” by Suchi Sairam
“Skyler’s Great Adventure” by Dr. James Manning
“Colorsss” by Deborah A. Hutchinson
“Welcome, Baby Wigglet!” by A.M. Berkowitz
“Arranged for a Billionaire” by J.J. Sorel
“Your Hospital Bill Survival Guide” by April E. Wilson
“A Debt Remembered” by Bryan James Beck
“Comfrey, Wyoming” by Daphne Birkmyer
“The Paragon” by Molly Collier
“Coach to ALIGN” by Shaine Hobdy
“Original Works by Katharine Hughes” by Katherine Mansfield
“I Forgave You” by Natia Khaduri
“Galaxy Goodfellow” by Jermain L. Reeves
“Everybody’s Haven” by Bebe Duncan
“Lee & Me & a Christmas Tree” by L.E. Delano
“Simpleman” by Michael Scott Curnes
“Little Amish Girl” by Viola Estrella
“After Happily Ever” by Jennifer Safrey
“The Thirteenth Bell” by R.D. Thorne
“Santa Skips Christmas!?!” by Michelle Luise Walters
“Simple, Ordinary, Enough: A Christmas Story” by Diane Green
12/09/2025 Guest Review: DARK HARVEST BY Norman Partridge
12/11/2025 Guest Review: My Evil F*cking Neighbor
12/15/2025 Random Reviews: Oldies but Goodies from Sally Feliz!
12/18/2025 Random Reviews: Oldies but Goodies from Sally Feliz!
Extra Book Reviews:
"Nobody's Princess By: Lainey Parkwood" reviewed by Leonard Tillerman
via The Uncurated Life
“Every Shitty Thing” reviewed by Leonard Tillerman
via The Uncurated Life
"Sheldon Higdon's Dark Roots" reviewed by Nora B. Peevy
via The Butchered Writer's Substack
"If You’ve Always Wanted to Travel to India but Haven’t Had the Time" a review by Alison McBain
via Substack for Book Authors and Readers
Review of ‘The New Empire’ by Charles Bastille
via Substack for Book Authors and Readers
"How Losing Somebody Drains All the Color Out of Your Life" a review by Walter Rhein
Substack for Book Authors and Readers
Substack for Book Authors and Readers
via Substack for Book Authors and Readers
"In the Book Nook Reviews "Poetry in Rhyme" by Kim Evans" a review by G. Lawrence
via Gemma's Substack
Calls for Reviews
I’d love to find reviewers for my books! Contact me at DMCWriter@gmail.com if interested.
READER CORNER
NEW RELEASE!
Noiseless by Dawn Colclasure is a collection of poetry by a Deaf poet about living with deafness. These poems also explore topics relevant to the Deaf community, as well as the struggle to fit in and be accepted.
Blurb:
Individuals living with deafness have existed for millennia, yet in today's world, we remain undervalued, misunderstood, discriminated against, stereotyped and underrepresented.
We constantly run into communication barriers, discrimination, ableism and misconceptions. For many of us in the Deaf community, we struggle with social isolation, finding it hard to fit in and be included in a world that prioritizes the ability to hear. The poems in “Noiseless” capture various aspects of what it's like to live with deafness.
These poems hope to show that deafness is not the tragedy which the hearing world claims it to be. Thanks to greater awareness of the Deaf community, Deaf culture, and Deaf-focused education, individuals who are deaf are at long last finally finding their place in the world, no matter what barriers remain.
We still have a long way to go, but together we can make society a more Deaf-friendly place to be.
Sample Poem
Please Look at Me
Please look at me
When you talk
so that I can see
What you are saying.
Don't turn your head away and say things to me.
I need to see your mouth
so that I can read your lips
and understand your words.
Or, if you are signing to me,
please sign where I can see it.
I can't see signs in your head
or when you have your hands out of my view.
If you're in another room, come find me to talk to me.
Or just send me a text message!
I don't know if you are calling me from another room
Or if I have left the room and have my back to you.
Please look at me when you talk or sign.
Please let me see what words you use.
When you look away and talk or turn around to sign,
I can't see the words you are saying.
Read more about this book here
Get your copy as an ebook or in print here
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EDITOR CORNER
Tricky Edits from Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Editing the Uneditable
Battling False Antonyms
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson,
author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers
Including the winningest book in the series, The Frugal Editor
What? Noone ever told you how to edit for false antonyms? Worse, nobody ever told you there was such a thing?
That’s why one of the reasons Dawn Colclasure lets me share my “Tricky Edits” with you in her SPARREW newsletter each month!
antonym (ANT-oh-nim) and false antonyms: I have confidence that most my precious readers are familiar with antonyms, but these guys hide a lot of tricks up their sleeves and between their syllables. Ahem! So, here’s a warning about false antonyms.
Latin prefixes in, de, un and many others can lead us to interpret a word differently from its meaning. In, the more commonly used charlatan, turns flammable into a false antonym in a flash. So, let me start at the beginning.
John Locke first used the term antonym in the 17th Century to suggest the conflict between “good” and “bad.” Both its syllables are derived from the Greek (anti means against and onoma means name). English, then as now, has a history of borrowing from every culture it comes in contact with, but the English-speaking literary world was more familiar with Latin, so as English changed, influentials willy-nilly paired Latin prefixes like un and in with no apparent consideration given to the derivation of the root word.
Thus, Latin prefixes became so commonly used we didn’t recognize them as Latin at all.
Words like thaw became unthaw, which logically means not to thaw. Regardless of the incongruity, it stuck. Unthaw should mean the opposite of thaw which would be “to freeze” but, thankfully, logic takes hold and we still thaw our frozen dinner instead.
The Latin word in, meaning “no” or “not,” was especially fashionable and it often works the way it’s supposed to in words like inescapable but it became so problematic when hooked up with inflammable that style books recommend avoiding it, presumably based on the volatile danger it might suggest. It seems the oil industry isn’t paying attention decades later because it still uses inflammable emblazoned on its tanker trucks carrying highly explosive gasoline from its source to a neighborhood near you.
Thus, false antonyms were born. They aren’t the antonyms they were meant to be. And our brains have mostly used dyslexic moments to accept whatever they profess to be, whatever the person who uses them wants them to be. Our job is not to memorize every one—it’s to be “prefix aware” as we edit our own work—especially in a final edit—and to use a reliable thesaurus when your writing brain has even an inkling that something might be askew. Keep in mind that irregardless fooled a lot of us for a very long time, not because we don’t “get it” but because we had no idea of the extent or survival power false antonyms have insinuated into our language—nor how even great editors might not save you from this embarrassment.
MORE ABOUT CAROLYN
Once a month Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares something writer-related she hopes might save some author from embarrassment (or make the task of writing more fun or creative). The third edition of The Frugal Editor from Modern History Press includes a chapter on some of the words most misused by the very people whose business it is to know them. It is the second multi award-winning book in her multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers. The Frugal Editor has been fully updated including a chapter on how backmatter can be extended to help readers and nudge book sales.
This article is an excerpt from a new vocabulary book written especially for career-minded authors that WinningWriters.com will give to those who enter their 2024 #NorthStreetBookPrize. Carolyn has been a sponsor since that contest’s introduction. This book is among the several value-added benefits Winning Writers contestants and winners are offered at no extra charge. Carolyn’s book will be released in early 2026 by Modern History Press. Find the entire series on a special Series Page offered by Amazon.
Carolyn blogs sporadically on editing at The Frugal Editor and at her SharingwithWriters blog on other aspects of the publishing world and welcomes guest posts with ample author credit lines and links and welcomes guest posts complete with credit lines and ample links for her guests. She also tweets writers' resources and tips at her Twitter account using #FrugalBookPromoterTips hashtag.
New in Editing:
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Poor headline capitalization: A major tell
WRITER CORNER
Interview with Writer Christine Norris
1. How did you get started writing fiction?
It’s been over 20 years now, I can hardly remember! I’ve always been a reader and a storyteller – as a former theater kid, it’s always just kind of been a thing. Writing was just the next thing, I guess.
2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing? (Such as fantasy, romance, horror, or unspecified)
Almost exclusively fantasy geared toward younger readers and young adults. My first book was a more typical fantasy, then I drifted into mythology-based stories. Now I’m in my Steampunk era!
3. What was it about writing short stories that just seemed to "click" with your writing career?
That’s an interesting story. I used to say I DON’T WRITE SHORT STORIES. LOL. I was strictly a novel girlie. Then someone asked me to write one for an anthology, and that was that. Now I’ve written about two a year, mostly for planned anthologies. Some are in my Curses series universe, those are super fun to write.
4. Is there a type of short story that you enjoy writing most? Please explain.
I did a story this year for a charity anthology (which will be out next year). That was one of my favorites because it came so easily. I have been writing a lot of Steampunk, as I said, and those are super fun. I guess my favorite short to write is something that is fun to write? I also tend to write long, so cutting it to a certain word count is always an exercise in conciseness.
5. What was it like when you sold your first short story?
Now that I think about it, I did sell my first short story probably about 18 years ago to a holiday anthology put out by my very first publisher (which doesn’t even exist anymore). I almost totally forgot about it! It was very exciting! I actually made a copy of the check I got for that one and framed it.
6. Where do you find short story markets to submit to?
I’ve been super lucky that all the anthologies I’ve written for have been by invitation. Which is really, really nice but also, I know it’s not available to everyone.
7. What is one lesson you have learned as a writer when it comes to writing short fiction?
Less is more? Maybe that’s obvious, but I have to remember that I can’t go off in different directions, shorts don’t have a B plot or too many characters. You’re telling a complete story in a small space so you have to be concise without sacrificing the heart of the story. So you have to really think about what matters, make the opening pop with action, and get the story off the ground quickly.
8. How is writing short fiction different from your work as a writer of longer fiction?
A good deal of my short fiction lately has tied into some of my novels. The good thing about being invited to an anthology series, for example, is you get to play in your own universe. I’ve done a few stories for eSpec that tie into the Series of Curses – one for a book I haven’t finished yet! That’s been so much fun. The other two were for specific Steampunk Fairy Tale books, and that was taking source material and reworking it. Fortunately, fairy tales are generally short so that makes it easier. I also just finished up a short for a charity anthology with a specific theme. Many short fiction markets have a focus or theme which makes it easier since you have a kind of framework. When you write longer form, you’re kind of on your own.
9. What is some of the best advice you have received from other writers or editors when it comes to writing short fiction?
Only use what’s necessary to the story. I mean, it’s true in long form writing as well, but there’s a little more flexibility there. In a short story, you likely have a word count you must stick to, so focusing on the actual story and trimming everything else must be done.
10. Do you have any advice of your own to share with other writers?
Don’t say no! I used to always say “I don’t write shorts.” It was just not my thing, had no desire. Now I do about two a year for published anthologies. It works different writing muscles than long form, but it really can be fun, and a way to get work out faster for people to read.
ABOUT CHRISTINE:
Once Upon A Time...
There was a girl who wanted to be ... everything! A dancer, an actress, a singer. An archaeologist. A hair stylist (? -- yeah, me too). But none of those dreams came true. And, to be honest, while she loved mythology and intrigue and drama, she hated sand, bugs, and heat. So being an archeologist was right out.
Instead, she became a writer. And she wrote about all the things she'd dreamed of doing. She also became a librarian, so she could help other people find adventure and information and fun.
Christine Norris has written over ten novels for Young Adults and Middle Grade, including the Library of Athena series and the Series of Curses series, as well as several short stories. She lives in New Jersey, where she enjoys traveling, crocheting, reading (duh), genre films, and general shenanigans.
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FEATURE ARTICLE
How to Get More Poetry Book Reviews – Even if You're a New Poet
By LindaAnn LoSchiavo
"Reviews are the oxygen of book discovery." Publishing veteran Jane Friedman's words ring especially true for emerging poets in 2026. With algorithms favoring social proof and readers checking reviews before purchase, gathering testimonials for your debut or sophomore collection isn't optional—it's essential. Yet for newer poets without established platforms or press support, review acquisition can feel like shouting into the void.
The good news? You don't need thousands of followers or a marketing budget to build early credibility. What you need is an intentional approach that honors readers' time, aligns with the poetry community's values, and positions your collection where it matters most. Whether you're self-published, with a small press, or a micro-publisher, this guide reveals exactly how to gather reviews as a new poet in today's landscape.
Below are strategies tailored for poets on their first or second collection—what works, what doesn't, and how to make every connection count.
Craft Your ARC as a Gift Worth Receiving
Your Advance Reader Copy isn't just an early version—it's your first gesture of trust. An error-laden or carelessly presented ARC can unravel the review process before it begins.
Treat your ARC like the artifact it is. Hire a proofreader or enlist eagle-eyed readers to catch typos, lineation errors, or formatting irregularities. A clean copy signals respect for the reader's attention—the scarcest resource in poetry.
Create a Reviewer-Friendly Experience
Include a brief, warm author note expressing gratitude and offering clear guidance on leaving reviews. Add direct links to Amazon, Goodreads, or StoryGraph in your delivery email. Many readers want to support new poets—they just need simple instructions.
Request honest reviews. This aligns with Amazon's policies and demonstrates integrity. Readers respond to transparency.
Verify your metadata: author name, genre tags, ISBN, and back cover text. Debut poets often send ARCs with placeholder copy or outdated blurbs, affecting how reviewers frame your work and where readers discover it. Your ARC should open doors, not create friction.
Target Reviewers Who Speak Your Poetic Language
Not all poetry readers are the same—and neither are their tastes. If you want meaningful feedback that resonates, personalized outreach is essential. Mass emails land in spam folders or, worse, on social media call-out threads.
Focus on Affinity, Not Just Numbers
Effective outreach begins with research. Search Goodreads, Instagram, TikTok, and blogs for reviewers who consistently engage with poetry in your genre. If you've written lyric meditations on grief, a reviewer who champions experimental language poetry may not connect with your work.
Read their recent reviews to understand their sensibility. Craft individualized messages noting why your collection might genuinely resonate. Reference a poet they admired recently—this shows you've done the work.
The Approach That Works
Keep it brief and genuine. Introduce yourself, mention your collection's title and themes, and explain why you think it suits their interests. Offer a no-pressure ARC and thank them regardless of their response. Maintain a spreadsheet to track outreach and follow up gently after two weeks if needed.
This is how poets like Kaveh Akbar built early momentum—through respectful, authentic relationships with readers who care deeply about the work.
Leverage BookFunnel and StoryOrigin
Managing ARC delivery manually drains precious creative energy. Platforms like BookFunnel and StoryOrigin streamline the process while connecting you with eager reviewers.
Simplify Distribution
Both platforms let you upload your ARC and generate secure download links accessible across devices. You can create review campaigns where readers receive early access in exchange for voluntary, honest feedback—staying aligned with Amazon's guidelines while reaching an audience primed to engage.
Customize campaigns by asking readers about their poetry preferences or review experience. This filtering ensures your collection reaches readers likely to finish and respond thoughtfully.
Cross-Promote Within Your Genre
Both platforms host poetry-specific group campaigns and newsletter swaps, expanding your reach to targeted audiences. Partnering with fellow emerging poets creates synergy without competition—you're combining networks, not cannibalizing them.
These tools reduce friction, letting you focus on craft and connection rather than administrative logistics.
Use NetGalley Strategically
NetGalley can amplify visibility—or drain resources if used carelessly. Your goal is meaningful feedback from engaged poetry readers, not scattered responses from mismatched audiences.
Strategic Setup
Time your listing for pre-release or launch month to build momentum around pre-orders or early sales. Use precise tags and keywords to attract readers seeking your particular strain of poetry. Ensure your cover captivates, your description sings, and your bio establishes credibility—even as a debut or sophomore poet.
Cost-Conscious Options
Consider NetGalley co-ops through BookSirens or Reedsy Discovery. These collectives reduce fees and often include bonus features like rotation in featured listings.
When reviews arrive, engage thoughtfully. Thank reviewers when appropriate and note recurring observations—they can guide your growth and refine future marketing language. Used wisely, NetGalley isn't just about collecting stars—it illuminates how new readers experience your poems.
Enter Reader Communities as a Reader First
Online poetry communities teem with readers hungry for new voices—if you engage authentically. But there's a threshold between participation and promotion, and crossing it carelessly can damage your reputation.
Lead With Genuine Engagement
Before mentioning your work, spend time contributing organically. Join Goodreads poetry groups, engage in Reddit threads on r/Poetry or r/OCPoetry, and find Discord or Facebook spaces aligned with your aesthetic. Don't lead with your author identity—lead with your love of poetry.
Poet Ocean Vuong spent years championing others' work before readers eagerly sought his own. You don't need to manufacture enthusiasm; let your natural passion guide you.
When to Share Your Work
Once you've built rapport, it becomes natural to mention you have a new collection and are offering ARCs. Make it opt-in: "I just completed a project close to my heart—if you're drawn to ekphrastic poetry exploring family memory, I'd be honored to share an ARC for honest feedback."
Respect community guidelines and never spam. Many groups have designated promo threads or review exchanges where you can participate ethically. Done well, these communities become lasting networks—not transactional encounters.
Incentivize Early Readers Ethically
Motivating reviewers isn't about manipulation—it's about appreciation and thoughtful follow-through.
Create a Reward Loop Rooted in Connection
Offer post-review perks: a chapbook, exclusive poem, or early peek at your next project to anyone who reviews and notifies you. The content itself isn't the draw—it's the sense of sharing a personal look inside your creative journey.
Include a graceful review request at the end of your ebook with a direct link and a brief note acknowledging how reviews help emerging poets gain visibility. Many readers will support you simply because you asked sincerely.
Consider a time-limited gesture: "If you review within the first month, you'll receive a personal thank-you and advance access to my next chapbook." Exclusivity, not external reward, motivates engagement.
Cultivate Champions
With permission, highlight early readers on your website or newsletter, featuring their quotes as testimonials. Turn readers into advocates—not once, but consistently over time.
Built-In Prompts
Post-purchase is your sweet spot. Add a brief acknowledgment at the end of your ebook: "If these poems lingered with you, consider leaving a review—it helps other readers find this work."
Follow up with subscribers a week or two later: "I'm grateful to everyone supporting this collection—if it resonated, I'd deeply appreciate your thoughts on Amazon." Include a direct review link using tools like BookLinker.
Stay Compliant
Never offer incentives for reviews. Focus on authenticity. Many readers appreciate being invited to share their response—you just need to ask.
Amplify Reviews Across Platforms
Once reviews arrive, repurpose them strategically. A thoughtful Goodreads review can become a social post, email testimonial, or website highlight.
Create a Review Showcase
Screenshot compelling reviews with your cover art and share across Instagram, Facebook, and X. Tag and thank reviewers (with permission), reinforcing goodwill and encouraging others.
Use Amazon Author Central to feature blurbs in your product description. This isn't mere marketing—it's social proof that builds trust.
Stay Organized
Track who received ARCs, whether they reviewed, and where they posted. If a beautiful response appears privately, ask permission to share it publicly. Readers often agree—and feel more invested in your success.
This step transforms individual reviews into sustained momentum, making each testimonial work harder long after it's posted.
Final Thought
As poet Louise Glück wrote, "We look at the world once, in childhood. The rest is memory." Your early reviewers are looking at your work for the first time—with fresh eyes and open hearts. Honor that attention with care, authenticity, and strategic outreach. The reviews will follow, one reader at a time, like stones gathering into a path.
ABOUT LINDAANN:
Native New Yorker and award-winner, LindaAnn LoSchiavo is a member of British Fantasy Society, HWA, SFPA, and The Dramatists Guild.
Titles published in 2024: "Always Haunted: Hallowe’en Poems" [Wild Ink], "Apprenticed to the Night" [UniVerse Press], and "Felones de Se: Poems about Suicide" [Ukiyoto].
Released in November 2025: "Cancer Courts My Mother" [Prolific Pulse Press] and "Vampire Verses" [Twisted Dreams Press].
Book Accolades earned: Elgin Award for "A Route Obscure and Lonely"; Chrysalis BREW Project’s Award for Excellence and The World’s Best Magazine’s Book of Excellence Award for "Always Haunted: Hallowe’en Poems"; the Spotlyts Story Award from Spotlyts Magazine for "Apprenticed to the Night"; the Chrysalis BREW Project’s Seal of Excellence and the Voyages in Verses Book Award for "Cancer Courts My Mother"; and the Excellence in Literature Award and The Bookish Reader's Pick Award for "Vampire Verses: Poems."
Her craft essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Authors Publish Magazine, Behind the Pages, Roi Faineant, The Sparrew Newsletter, and elsewhere.
BlueSky: @ghostlyverse.bsky.social - - -
Twitter: @Mae_Westside
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YouTube: LindaAnn Literary
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Thanks for reading! See you next month!