The Girdle of Melian

ost #1466 on this blog! It'll soon be time for another retrospective, if I can get one together. I celebrated at 500 posts and 900 posts , and my theme for the Blogging from A to Z April challenge in 2017 was reaching 1000 posts ! Nearly 500 posts since then; I wonder how long it would take to collate them all by theme...   I think if I had two full days and nothing else to do, I could get them all together for this year's A to Z. Ah well, maybe next year!   New book! One Small Piece Of Darkness by Ryan Bevan Murder in a small town. Two teens are reported missing in the town of Mercy, Ontario. It's up to Sergeant Ross to solve the crime, but the case is quickly confounded by a series of murders that follow. The once quiet town of Mercy is met with its first possible serial killer. And caught in the middle is a young reporter, a maligned suspect, and two clueless toilet cleaners that find themselves guilty until proven innocent. Who is the real killer?

riting round up! It's the annual writing roundup (finally! This seems equivalent to taking down Christmas decorations at Easter!).   Here's what I wrote or edited or published in 2023... 2023 Writing Wrapup January: A new book by Ryan Bevan ! February: I started the Summer Fire contest , which is still open ! March: I posted the longest story I wrote last year, Goldenheart , with art by S. Barki ! April: I posted during the A to Z April Blogging Challenge ! I won't be able to do it this year, which I'm frustrated about, but there's just no time! May: Blog visits! From authors Michael Roth and Vanessa Ricci-Thode ! And myself, visiting the Insecure Writer's Support Group blog! June: Art for my stories ! July: I started sharing snips from Larksong ! August: I compiled a list of my Our Flag Means Death stories to date September: Publication anniversary for Dark Matter: Artificial , our Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology I al

ew books! By the way, the creator of the drop caps I leep using, Jessica Hische , also has a new book out! Are you looking for a mystery that's going to have you up all night, gripping the edge of your seat as you read? With complex characters that get embroiled in all sorts of difficulties as you root for them to find a way out? Then I have two book recommendations for you! Un animal sauvage by Joel Dicker I got to attend a book signing with the autho r last week! (I forget that instagram crops photos, a couple of these are missing the top and bottom! I was wearing my Stede Bonnet dress ). The Playgroup by Leah Mercer "Breath catches in my throat and terror grips me as my daughter’s favourite jumper slides into focus. Time slows. Helpless, I watch my precious little girl run into the road. Screeching tyres slice through the quiet afternoon. Days from now, my friends will say the worst day of my life was all my fault... A bright and welcoming haven,

appy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!     There's some exciting stuff in the IWSG world! Image by  Gerd Altmann  from  Pixabay Insecure Writer's Support Group A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! Website / Facebook / Twitter / Book Club / Reedsy Discount / Past Issues Fast Five Free Gift Mobi / Epub / Pdf Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word