The face of a dog who got a pig ear on Christmas morning and then, while everyone was opening presents, found the pig ear bag and helped herself to a second one. Merry Christmas!

Regarding the earlier post about my agent search, the one bright spot is the next novel, CUPID IN BLOOM, is almost ready to go. I'll start querying for it in January.

Oh, did I mention I started the next novel? This is my sixth. So far it seems to be set in the desert of southern Nevada. #amwriting

I have to remind myself that early in a novel I may only get 200 words in a day. It’s slow until I start to see the big picture and know the characters. #amwriting

I bet some of you will be interested in this information. After six months of trying to find an agent for my southern gothic mystery THIS VIOLET NIGHT I have some stats to share. - 122 queries sent - 6 full requests (2 full requests still pending) - 61 passes - 55 no response #writing #queryhell

I just finished reading this and DAMN, y'all. You're gonna love this one.

My best-of-the-year list is up this morning at the NYTBR, books I found to be the “pinnacle of pleasure” in crime fiction reading:

I get all my DVDs from the public library!

Exciting news. My fifth novel finally has a title! I've never wrestled with names like I have for this book. It comes from the main character and plays on several themes in the book. I officially love it. Thank you to @gwenda.bsky.social for the help. Drumroll... CUPID IN BLOOM.

My fifth novel is finished! As you can see, it still has no title. @gwenda.bsky.social and I have been describing it as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape meets Bonnie & Clyde. Heading to beta readers next. I have high hopes for this novel—I think you’re going to love it.

I took a week's vacation from my day job so I could finish the second draft of my new novel. Done with a day to spare! Still no title, but I'm telling right now, this book is good. I'm proud of it. More soon.

Noir in the Bar was an absolute blast last night in Richmond, Kentucky with a sold out crowd. Heard some great stories and made some new friends.

This’ll be a good time. I am honored to be part of it. I’ll be reading from my new novel. Come on out and see us this weekend. #noiratthebar

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness came out 30 years ago. I remember opening that double CD case.

“Invention does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos.” Mary Shelley, in the author’s introduction to Frankenstein #writing

First draft of the new novel is FINISHED! 95,000 words. @gwenda.bsky.social and I have been describing it as "Bonnie & Clyde meets What's Eating Gilbert Grape". 😂 Stay tuned... #writing

SUBS OPEN NOW THRU NOV. 22! We want stories that detail life at the bottom or at the margins of human society. Make it sad. Make it dark. Make it the tiniest bit hopeful. More info here: bit.ly/4onmEBw

Halloween fun with @joshaboldt.bsky.social — who am I? Answers within 18.207.115.111

Working on the climax of my latest novel now. 91,000 words. Maybe another 5k left to finish the novel. I love this book, y'all. #writing

When’s the last time you wrote a scene that made you cry?

Yesterday @joshaboldt.bsky.social and I went on a spirits and spooks walk at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill after a whole day of rain — maybe your Monday needs the magical rainbow we saw at the very end.

I want to appreciate Poor Richard's Books in Frankfort, Kentucky. One of my favorite bookstores around, and they are heroic supporters of Kentucky authors. Thank you! #bookstores #books #kentuckywriters

Whether you’ve lived in Lexington all of your life or you’re a relative newcomer, there’s probably a story you haven’t heard, or a question you’ve always had, about some of our fascinating spots or quirky spaces.

Current project just crossed 80,000 words. Longest novel I've ever written and still going. Damn, it's a fun one. #amwriting

Best pilot I’ve seen in a while.

😘 Happy birthday, beautiful Ruby!

Indianapolis Readers! I’ll be signing copies of PINEVILLE TRACE at the Proof: Midwest Lit Fest in Indianapolis at the Harrison Center on Sat. Oct. 11 from 10 - 11:30 am. Hope to see you! #booksigning #PinevilleTrace

My dog is also named Ruby & is soon to turn 15! Hope yours has just as good a life for just as long. HBD, other Ruby!

happy tenth birthday ruby!

Ruby’s 10th birthday is this week. Three years after the cancer diagnosis that she beat, and she is going strong. Still in remission and as healthy as ever! The vet says she is the poster dog for fighting cancer. Happy birthday, Ruby!

Beginning a process that I have long considered, which is creating a small press. For now, this is a placeholder. But look for more details soon. We will be seeking offbeat fiction and literary mystery, with a sweet spot for Southern Gothic. @brownhoundpress.bsky.social

This makes so much sense to me. Exactly the thoughts I have been having while querying. HT @gwenda.bsky.social nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/09...

The baby bunnies left the form (nest) today. They’re all chilling together outside of it. #wildlife

The WIP just crossed 70,000 words. Thank you, that is all. #writing

Finally, FINALLY (truly) about to finish this book, bemoaning it isn't done already and @joshaboldt.bsky.social gave me the BEST pep talk and maybe you need it too: Do it because you want to and because you love the characters and want them to have peace! They are ghosts and need to be freed. 🤯😍

Got to celebrate @silashouse.bsky.social's fab new poetry collection ALL THESE GHOSTS last night--champagne, cake, friends. Had the opposite of a stress dream after, in which Dolly Parton assured me that I was going to finish my book very soon and gave me a delicious cookie shaped like her head.

Look at this sweet baby. Would you just look at her?

Reading the new Elmore Leonard biography, and feeling validated. 😆

A great honor and great fun to talk to @silashouse.bsky.social about publishing TWO new books this fall www.kentucky.com/opinion/lind...

@lblackford.bsky.social talks with author Silas House about his first book of poetry — and his first mystery novel. Both are coming out soon. FREE LINK www.kentucky.com/opinion/lind...

just write stuff that no one will ever care about, forever

I’m going to hang a shingle and start doing freelance book cover design. Working on a Reedsy account now.

Long weekend is for continuing to deadline like the wind--with breaks for friends, movies, sunshine. Last night, @joshaboldt.bsky.social and I took a magic hour stroll in Lexington's newest park, which has a free library stand and he found an Elmore Leonard he didn't already own. Auspicious.

I opened the new issue of Kentucky Monthly Magazine this morning, and look what I saw. Love it!

Had a blast at the Gathering of Authors at the Paul Sawyier Public Library talking to readers and other writers! Above with my table mates @browneallover.bsky.social & @ellenbirkettmorris.bsky.social front of books by @joshaboldt.bsky.social . Thanks to Diane and everyone at the library!

The novel 1984 or now? - “Whatever the party holds to be truth is truth.”

I'm pretty freaking proud of this event we're putting together on Friday evening at the Loudon House -- I think it's going to be even more epic than our usual party. You can pre-register for the open mic here too: www.lexwritersroom.com/nevermore

The novel 1984 or now? - “All this marching up and down and cheering and waving flags is simply sex gone sour.”

The novel 1984 or now? - “Sexual privation induced hysteria, which was desirable because it could be transformed into war fever and leader worship.”