December 6, 2020 – Hey! While most of my work world lately has been focused on getting other writers’ books published, I did take some time out to focus on a bit of author work again. The big thing that both my wife and I did along these lines in the past few weeks was... Continue Reading →
October 2020 newsletter: Fall is the time for Pizza, Flu Shots, and Voting Early
October 1, 2020 – Hey there. I’ve been eating a lot of bacon and eggs lately, which is something I knew you'd be interested in knowing. Bacon on the side of the eggs. Bacon in the eggs, sometimes wrapped in a tortilla or on a bagel with cheese. But we’re out of bacon right now.... Continue Reading →
Undoing Evil: True crime podcast’s initial episode features me, ‘Murder in Wauwatosa’
Well, we finally did it. A few months after being asked to be interviewed for a podcast centering on true crime, Undoing Evil's first episode went live last night (Aug. 13) featuring me and my first book, Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher. That book tells the story of an 8-year-old boy... Continue Reading →
Writing Tip: How to conduct an in-person interview
Many of us writers are good at researching topics in books or online or coming up with cool stuff in our own heads. But there are some instances where we can only get the kind of information we want from talking to an actual human being. This is especially true if we want to know... Continue Reading →
Promoting Local Authors (We’re in the Newspaper!)
One of the author events that my wife and I were scheduled to go to but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic was one at a library not far from us. The authors fair at the Clark-Pleasant Branch of the Johnson County (Ind.) Public Library was to feature several area authors on March 21.... Continue Reading →
Talking to middle-schoolers about writing
My wife, Kimberly, and I enjoyed talking to middle-schoolers about writing books on Monday (Feb. 10). We visited Columbus Signature Academy - Central Middle School, Columbus, Indiana, that morning to speak with students who are in the midst of working on historical fiction stories set in the U.S. Civil War. Below is a sketch one... Continue Reading →
Another Imaginarium in the books
Last weekend, for the fourth year in a row, my wife and I traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, for Imaginarium, which boasts panels and workshops for all sorts of creative types, an independent international film festival, a book fair and expo, cosplay, gaming, literary and film awards, and much more. And once again, we reconnected with... Continue Reading →
Imaginarium 2019: This is going to be great!
I'm looking forward to being a part of the Imaginarium Convention for the fourth straight year. The convention returns to Louisville for its sixth year Oct. 11-13 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. It was recognized in 2019 as Kentucky’s No. 1 writers event (and the second best in the Southeast USA) by The Writer... Continue Reading →
A new chapter in my career
So here's a bit of a major announcement regarding my career. After 34 years in journalism, including nearly 20 at my present company, I've decided to give full-time attention to being an author. My last day with a full-time day job will be Sept. 27. I've wanted to make this move for years ... ever since... Continue Reading →
We’re No. 1! – BOTH of us
So, my wife and I made history (probably) today. We both sit atop our respective categories on our local bookstore's bestseller list. Not sure if any husband/wife team has ever done that. But if they did, then we tied them. So below is the proof (scroll down to the red text). If you want to... Continue Reading →