Posts

Showing posts from June, 2022

Where’s Stinklet now?

Image
 A few days ago, we found Stinklet here: It looks like he’s been bagging peaks in the Scottish Highlands! The wind was ruffling his hair a bit, but he’s still happy and having a good time. A day or so later, Stinklet was delighted to make the acquaintance of some of his favorite characters from Jemima Pett’s Princelings of the East and the rest of the fun books about the Realms! Stinklet in conference with Victor What’s more, when the Ninja Librarian caught up with Stinklet in Southampton, we were able to capture a rare photo of authors Rebecca Douglass and Jemima Pett relaxing in the garden between bouts of plotting! That’s Rebecca on the left and Jemima on the right. Watch this space for the further adventures of Stinklet and the Ninja Librarian! ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2022  As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated. Don't miss a post--click the "Follow-it" link below!

The Ninja Librarian abroad?

Image
  Stinklet has decided to go see the world, and the Ninja Librarian is struggling to keep up! Who’s worried where he is? The Librarian is worried about the little guy! Big Al and the rest of the gang from the school are saying, Stinklet’s not ready to go home yet, but don’t worry, kids! He’ll be back in Skunk Corners when he’s done looking around a bit!

AWOL Again!

Image
I'm off for the next 6 weeks, collecting more photos and stories for the travel/adventure side of this blog! Please don't forget about me while I'm gone, okay? To help be sure you won't, I'll be posting a photo or two at random times and a few hints about what I'm up to. If you comment, I'll do my best to get around to read it and visit you, but can't make any promises. I'm not going off the grid the way I did in Nepal last fall, but travel is time-consuming and exhausting. Meanwhile, enjoy reading old flash fiction here on the blog , or purchase one of my collections of stories: Libraries: where all the words live. In this collection of tales about books and libraries, we meet dragons and wizards who run some unusual libraries, and bibliophiles who are willing to go to great extremes to visit them. And perhaps some cautionary tales about what can happen when we love books not wisely, but too well. ebook only: Amazon Smashwords B&N   Kobo Ap

Writer's Wednesday: Pismawallops Island

Image
Those of you who follow the IWSG and especially the IWSG book club may have noticed some helpful posts from Toi Thomas about how to make your books more discoverable. I have long been aware that sometimes my blog barely reflects at all the fact that I write novels. The time may have come to fix that! One of her suggestions was to write articles about your books, your writing process, etc.  I have been trying to raise my profile as a writer by writing most weeks about progress and the process. But that still doesn't bring up my books, especially the ones that are out there to buy as opposed to the ones I'm working on. To address that, I am launching a new series of "Writer's Wednesday" posts specifically about my books, starting with this post about Pismawallops Island, the fictional setting of my PTA mystery series. Everything you wanted to know about Pismawallops Island but were afraid to ask Where is Pismawallops Island located? Pismawallops is an island in the

Middle Grade Monday: Mistletoe and Murder

Image
  Title: Mistletoe and Murder (Murder Most Unladylike #5) Author: Robin Stevens Publication Info: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018 (US Edition). 352 pages (Kindle Edition). Source: Library Publisher's Blurb: Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas holidays in snowy Cambridge. Hazel is looking forward to a calm vacation among the beautiful spires, cozy libraries, and inviting tea-rooms. But there is danger lurking in the dark stairwells of ancient Maudlin College and two days before Christmas, there is a terrible accident. At least, it appears to be an accident—until the Detective Society looks a little closer, and realizes a murder has taken place. Faced with several irritating grown-ups and fierce competition from a rival agency, they must use all their cunning and courage if they’re going to find the killer before Christmas dinner. My Review: This 5th novel in the Wells & Wong/Murder Most Unladylike series is a strong mystery at a fa

Photo Friday on Saturday: Crowley Lake Columns

Image
Way back about a million years ago (that would be the start of April), I did that little trip to the Grand Canyon (see previous photo posts). On the way back, I met up with some other friends for a day and a bit, and we visited the Crowley Lake columns. I almost didn't write this up, because I'm not sure I want to call more attention and draw more traffic to the area. I will trust that my readers are not yahoos and will treat the Earth with kindness. For a good explanation of the columns, check out this article . I know enough geology to have sussed out that they are volcanic in origin in some part, and must have had something to do with water. They are also available for study thanks to water--specifically, to the erosive action of waves on the shore of Crowley Lake, a man-made reservoir. Access to the columns is by boat, by a 4- or 5-mile hike, or by 4WD, high-clearance vehicle (yes, this is one that really means it, not a road you can fudge with a Prius). Lucky for us, one o

Cozy Review & Author Guest Post: Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

Image
  Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective) by Kris Bock About Something Shady at Sunshine Haven   Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective)   Cozy Mystery, 1st in Series Setting  Arizona Tule Publishing (April 7, 2022)   Paperback ‏ : ‎ 324 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 195489449X ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1954894495 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B097WJYYBZ Publisher's Blurb : She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home? Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. For the first time in her life, she's starting to feel her age of nearly fifty despite living like a teenager again: staying in her childhood bedroom with only a cat for company, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into people who still refer to her as Kitty. The hardest part? Seeing her once-sharp and witty mother stuck in an Alzheimer's unit. When

IWSG: Getting through the tough parts

Image
  What is the IWSG? Read on! 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 of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray! The Optional Ju