The Book Nook: Interview with Jane V Blunschi

The Book Nook: Interview with Jane V Blunschi

Hey y’all. I recently had the opportunity to interview Jane V Blunschi, author of the novella, Mon Dieu, Love.  I was really excited about this book because I feel like you don’t come across standalone novellas super often and I was definitely curious about the form. Plus, it has an interesting path to publication. And… Read more »

The Book Nook: Interview with Eden Boudreau

The Book Nook: Interview with Eden Boudreau

I was so fortunate to be able to interview Eden Boudreau about her amazing memoir, Crying Wolf, her story of surviving sexual assault. Writing a memoir can be difficult enough to sift through the memories and when you write about trauma, it’s an even more difficult process, so I was very grateful that Eden was… Read more »

Leisure Learning: Almost Spring!

Leisure Learning: Almost Spring!

Hello, word nerds! Welcome to the Almost Spring edition of Leisure Learning. This month’s melange of experiences brings you the nostalgia of Beatrix Potter, the convoluted craziness of Ian Fleming’s role in British naval service, The Oscars (for books!) and a wealth of Irish tales, recorded by school children in their 1930s-era copybooks. Whatever your… Read more »

The Book Nook: Interview with Rochelle Bilow

The Book Nook: Interview with Rochelle Bilow

I am so excited to share this interview with Rochelle Bilow just ahead of Valentine’s Day. I’m relatively new to the romance genre, but I love it. By definition, we know it’s going to end with a happily ever after…but the fun part is seeing how the characters get there. It’s the journey, not the… Read more »

The Triumph of Two Boys Kissing

The Triumph of Two Boys Kissing

When you look at the cover for Two Boys Kissing, you get a pretty good idea of what this book will be about. Then you read the synopsis on the inside cover and your idea becomes a bit more defined, a bit clearer. Finally, you sit down to read the book, only to discover that… Read more »

Why Do Speculative Things Matter?

Why Do Speculative Things Matter?

What exactly is a speculative matter? What exactly does speculative mean? Why does speculative matter? First, let us look at Merriam-Webster: Speculative, Adjective, spec·​u·​la·​tive, There is a third definition but, as it refers to financial matters, we can ignore that one. I think the first two are what we are looking for. Speculative fiction has… Read more »

Exposing Yourself to Narrative Poetry - Canadian Gothic-Style

Exposing Yourself to Narrative Poetry: Canadian Gothic-Style

Narrative poetry will always have a special place in my heart — it’s like two of my favorite things mushed together. Stories nourish our emotional lives, often mirroring our struggles and offering a safe place to feel sad or scared or, as in the poem I’ve picked, horrified. You’re welcome.  The Narrative Poem The poem… Read more »

First Chapter Analysis: The Midnight Library

First Chapter Analysis: The Midnight Library

If you’re a writer (and if you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you are!), you probably spend a happy amount of time reading. But when you read, do you read like a writer? Writers who learn how to read like writers inevitably improve their craft in immeasurable ways. The longer you read like a… Read more »

Writing a Young Adult Thriller? Then Read These Books!

Writing a Young Adult Thriller? Then Read These Books!

My author dreams began with my obsession with reading. I’m a book fangirl at heart, so it won’t come as a surprise that I love the Reading with Purpose tenet of DIY MFA (side note: I really love all three tenets, but reading will always hold a little edge on the others).  When I first… Read more »