I’ve recently finished reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods, and I must say that I liked it more than I thought I would. Not for any reason other than the title sounded like so many other stories: The Stationery Shop, The Little Paris Bookshop, The Bookshop, The Last Bookshop in London. I guess I…
All posts in June 2026
Summer Reading: Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
It’s that time of year…lazy days of reading, drawing, bike riding, fishing, or whatever kids want to do. Parents looking for a book to engage their young readers will be happy with Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. Set in Manhattan, the mystery around a painting unfolds as young Theodora tries to figure out…
Writing Resource: The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird
One of the most thorough resources on fiction writing is Matt Bird’s The Secrets of Story. It’s not about grammar, or a simple, general statement of “show don’t tell” which all writers have hear countless times. Instead, Matt breaks down the elements of storytelling including theme, character, character arc, dialogue, tone, and rewriting. He is…
On Writing: Why Short Pieces Help in the Long Term
As writers, we are often advised to write daily, same time, same place, and to meet our daily word count. Showing up on a “bad” day and still getting words down separates the true writers from the imposters. I beg to differ. Yes, daily writing matters and helps, as does daily reading, and walking. But…