Category: Uncategorized
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LosCon 51
Cookies, conversation, books, and friends. LosCon was great fun! The convention took place last weekend at the Airport Hilton in Los Angeles. John and I participated in several panels during the convention, and I even took a turn at the autograph table signing our books. When we attended Baycon earlier…
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Indie Authors Under Siege
Few things warm an author’s heart more than getting an email from a reader who enjoyed the author’s book. The reverse is also true — it can be discouraging to get a sales pitch that masquerades as a fan letter. Lately, an army of AI bots have been spamming Indie…
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One Weekend – Two Great Events
There are two fun-filled cozy fantasy events coming up on the weekend of October 11 – 12. But don’t worry — you can participate in both at the same time from the comfort of your own home. First, HearthCon 2025 will take place over that weekend. The online event includes…
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A Manicured Walk
Golf has never been my best game. In fact, it would be fair to say I am terrible at it. But one thing I have always enjoyed about golfing is walking along the course. I love the long expanses of green and smell of freshly mown grass. Particularly in the…
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Where Do You Start?
What makes a blank page so daunting for a fiction writer? It should be an exciting thing — a place with potential for a thousand different stories. The location where any words you choose can find a home. An unspoiled wilderness waiting for your feet to create a path. Yet,…
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Our Electrifying Journey
When John and I drove the 930 mile round-trip from San Diego to Baycon/Westercon last weekend, we decided to try something different — we made the drive using our BMW electric car. Electric vehicles are not really new at this point, but the two of us had never taken a…
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Ever Visit a State House?
If you love U.S. travel and you enjoy history (especially local history), here’s an unusual suggestion for you: when you are in the state’s capital city, visit the state house. Every state has one — the building where state government takes place. The exteriors and interiors are as varied as…
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Preparing for a Challenge
Every so often, I like to challenge myself. I don’t like too much of a challenge, so I typically pick a task that moves me a little out of my comfort zone, but not too far. Participating in Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month) back in 2021 was that kind of…
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The Tenuous Taste of a Fantasy Story
It can be dangerous to write cozy high fantasy books with a culinary twist. As an author, you spend your time describing sweet, wonderful desserts. While you’re writing, you get hungry. And your mouth is watering for all those lucious treats. You must contend with the lurking menaces of unwanted…
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My First Travel Adventure
In 1962, my parents bought a Ford “Econoline” camper van, hitched a trailer containing all their worldly possessions, loaded up their three young children, and drove from Connecticut to California to start a new life. I had just turned five years old at the time, and I don’t remember too…
Susan and John Ruff, Fantasy Authors 