Event starting soon!

Today is the day! House & Hazel in Maple Valley. Hope to see at least some of you there! More events planned (in different locations) for Feb, Mar, and May. Still looking for one for April.

Okay, I'm still doing the Patreon thing. Once a week, the lowest tier gets the "Peek Behind the Curtain" which is a look at the life of a fulltime writer. Also, you'll get a free short story. If you back at a higher level, I'll send you post cards once a month! www.patreon.com/posts/peek-b...

Woo hoo! Finished the first short story of the year. Feels good to be writing again.

And we're funded. Thank you one and all! Now, it's time to anticipate the fun stuff. Like the stretch goals! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

We're live! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

What's on the grill today? Cross rib roast. Used the CCP rub on it- cocoa powder, instant coffee, and lots of black pepper. Smoke and rest today, chill over night, slice and eat tomorrow!

My 2025 book recommendations. www.leahcutter.com/2025-recomme...

Today's post: 2026 Looking Forward www.leahcutter.com/2026-and-loo...

Yesterday's post was about looking back. Today's post is a change of perspective. Enjoy! www.leahcutter.com/2025/12/a-ch...

New post up on the blog. Looking back at 2026. www.leahcutter.com/2025/12/2025...

The pork butt "ham" turned out SO GOOD. It tastes like the best smoked, honey-glazed ham I've ever had. It's juicy and flavorful, really tender too. It's so good I'm planning on making it again in August for our annual BBQ.

What's on the grill? Canadian bacon, a pork butt that's been cured as a ham, and some shank steaks. More info as alt text.

Happy book day to me! "Alien Encounter," the third novel in the Live Alien Contact series, is available everywhere today! Come read all about the Wrench Kata (as one does). Fourth and last book in the series, "Alien War" will be available in February 2026. www.knottedroadpress.com/collections/...

What's on the grill today? A cross rib roast. Cooking low and slow, then slicing thinly for sandwich meats. Before and after shots.

This is your PSA for today. Beware of Chicken 5 just dropped. For those of you who need a holiday pick-me-up. You're welcome.

Would love to see you there!

What's on the grill today? Turkey, of course! Spatchcocked and slightly separated. Plus lots of smoke. Should be ready in a few hours.

Wow. I haven't been writing since October. Writer brain was pretty antsy this morning. Soothed her with a story told in six drabbles (100 words each stanza of a prose-poem). So about 600 words total. Feeling drained from the work but also feeling really good.

Because y'all deserve to know the results of the beef bacon experiment...we have deemed it a GREAT SUCCESS. Much yumminess to be had!

What's on the grill this morning? Beef bacon! Smoking it until it reaches a temp of 150. Then I'll rest it like a brisket, that is, put it in a bag in a cooler for several hours. Then into the fridge it goes. Will slice it once it's cool. Then can cook it up for bacony goodness.

First test of handmade bookmarks done! This is using paper that I marbled the other day. Will be giving these to readers at my various events!

What's on the grill today? Cross-cut shank steaks and beef short ribs. Will smoke for 1 hour, then steam until done. Should be yummy!

What am I making this week? BEEF BACON! I have a dear friend who doesn't eat pork. Once I got a better handle on making bacon from pork belly, I decided to try to make bacon out of the flat part of a brisket. Will let y'all know how it comes out!

I'm going to be at The Dusty Shelf on November 15, from 4-8, as part of the Enumclaw Wine Walk! This is one of the books that I'll have available. Hope to see you there!

What was on the grill today...top round. We make sliced roast beef for sandwiches from it. That red color comes from the smoke. I rest it like a brisket, that is, in a clean bag in a cooler for between 4-12 hours. Then, cool and slice.

I finished reconciling the Q3 accounts!!!! OMG tired but pleased.

NOT my favorite time of year. Windy, stormy, and the power has already flickered off twice now. Sigh.

Hey! I have a new book that's generally available TODAY! It's the second book in the Live Alien Contact series. Absolutely not 100% serious. Much quirkier than that. Pick up your copy today! www.knottedroadpress.com/products/ali...

Still a great book.

What was on the grill last night? It was too dark to take pictures, but here's the final product, pulled pork. I used a new technique. I sliced two deep cuts in the pork butt then made sure to get lots of the rub into the cuts. This gives me a lot more bark. It turned out really well. Very tasty!

I don't write romance. However, all of my cozy fantasies have a romantic element and characters do end up with a HEA. An author canceled at the last minute, so I'm joining in! It's this Saturday, up in Snohomish. You can get tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/romance-re...

October 26th, I'll be at the Island Book Festival! islandbooks.com/event/2025-1...

What's on the grill today? Ribs, with a suya rub. And yes, I'm trying a smoke tube for the first time. I'll report later on how it worked. Plus, more suya!

Woo and hoo! Reached the next stretch goal for the Death by Brisket Kickstarter! As of 2 PM October 10, there are only 19 hours to go. Be sure to get your serving today! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

Nothing on the grill today. I am curing pork belly though, turning it into bacon. My spice rub is heavy on corriander, fennel, black pepper, and salt. Add curing salts, water, seal, and let sit for 7 days, before smoking, slicing, then cooking as bacon! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

What's on the grill this morning? Pork chops! Used a five-spice rub on them. Once they're finished, I'll do the two skirt steaks that are currently marinading. Only three days left in the "Death by Brisket" kickstarter! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

OMG. I am SHOCKED, SURPISED, and PLEASED. Kickstarted just awarded "Death by Brisket" a COVETED "Project We Love" badge. Gobsmacked. I tell you. FOUR MORE DAYS. www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

ION, I'm attending a virtual cozy fantasy convention this weekend! Hearthcon. You can sign up here: www.lazydragonbooks.com/hearthcon-2025

What am I putting into my Las Chicas de Carne mug? Bone broth! Because, you know, meat. You can get yours at my Kickstarter! The large version, 20 oz. If you want a smaller one, they're available at the Knotted Road Press shop. www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! The "Death by Brisket" Kickstarter has funded! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183... Next up - POSTCARDS!

Almost there! So close! Please think about helping out an indie author and backing the Kickstarter for the Cozy Mystery novel: "Death by Brisket." www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

Pssst. Hey there. I have a Kickstarter running. I'd really like to bring this novel to the world. Won't happen unless it funds. Fortunately, we're almost there. www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

It's ALIVE! YAY! My kickstarter for DEATH BY BRISKET is live! The ebook won't be generally available until 2026 sometime (probably April, but we'll see). So get your copy now while you can! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

Pssst. I've been sick. And missing. But I'd still like you to go to my Kickstarter if you have a chance. Don't even have to back it. Just click the, "Notify me on launch" button. THANK YOU! www.kickstarter.com/projects/183...

Grrrr. 233 days since my last migraine. A new record, I believe. But this morning, I'm sitting in the dark and everything hurts. Typing, reading, etc. Time to go back to bed.

If you do sys admin stuff you probably already have some of Michael's books on your shelf. If you don't, maybe you should? Check out his latest Kickstarter!

Hey - did you know that I have a newsletter? Where I chat about stuff every week? Like this week, I talked about the grape harvest, what we did with it, as well as some Canadian bacon that I smoked. If you're interested in hearing more from me, sign up here. www.leahcutter.com/newsletter/

Yuck. Sinus infection. No voice yesterday or today. Already started the antibiotics. Fingers crossed I start feeling better tomorrow.