Why your lack of traditional experience might actually be your greatest business asset. Unconventional preparation personified. In the last newsletter, I announced that I was writing Book #2: a non-fiction book about the twelve marketing strategies I discovered while researching my biographical novel, Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh. Today, I’ll begin sharing more. First up: a reveal of Strategy #1. Long-time readers of this newsletter know the origin story that beelin

Jo van Gogh Business Strategy: Brand Storytelling Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs Photo by Look Up Look Down Photography on Unsplash If only I had a crystal ball. . . If only the right tea leaf pattern could accurately predict my future. . . Because then I could make my move. Declare my decision. Swagger my strut! All with radiant inspiring confidence, right? Except that it’s becoming clearer to me that confidence does not lie in the future. It’s an illusion to cling to what

Joining author Ellen Barker to explore 1970s St. Louis, the architecture of inequality, and why biographical fiction is a masterclass in hope. Kate Sheppard Memorial in Christchurch, New Zealand—Photo by Dudlajzov People often ask why I spend so much time in the past. The truth? It’s because I’m deeply passionate—and occasionally terrified—by the present. Here’s an illustration: This week I’ll be interviewing sister author Ellen Barker to launch her new evocative novel, Nothi

How historical fiction authors can navigate "Presentism" to protect their work—and their characters—from the buzzsaw of cancel culture. I joined sister authors at the History Through Fiction Conference for our panel on “Historical Fiction and Presentism.” From top, me, Shelley Blanton-Stroud, Jody Hadlock and Terri Lewis is in front. In today’s cancel culture how does a historical fiction author walk the tightrope of writing accurately about past attitudes without insulting t

Looking back today, I realize that while the book is finished, the fire hasn’t dimmed—it has just changed shape. A year ago, I was reflecting on the struggle to get the facts right.

Top 3 Resources for Aspiring Children's Book Authors I prep for my trip to visit Egypt by checking out wonderful, easy-to-read children’s books on Ancient Egypt. True Story: About fifteen years ago, when my husband and I “downsized” (a polite word for “staging an intervention with our clutter”), we started clearing out the house we’d raised our kids in. I got to their bedrooms and had to go on an emergency quest for more packing boxes. And then more packing boxes. Apparentl

Six months ago, my book, Saving Vincent, rocketed out into the book-verse. Now, I’m taking a pause from the usual hair-on-fire meteor flame of book promotion to ask a simple, frightening question: Giiirrrlll, what difference are you making?

The Presentism question in historical novels Sister panelists at the 2025 Historical Novel Society Conference in June. Hey there! At the...

I am still processing a firehose of insights and impressions I plan to share in the future.

Here’s what I’m learning: Embracing vulnerability can be a catalyst for growth. Instead of a weakness to be hidden, I’m finding that so far it’s a necessary step for my (and the book’s) genuine progress.

How past connections created a perfect Saturday. Connecting with Vincent van Gogh fans at a book signing for Saving Vincent at...

Warning: May contain metaphors about mountains and manuscripts Winter hike in Sedona, Arizona. This is what it feels like: You're no...

A taste of what's brewing post-debut and strawberry-rhubarb pie. Caught mid-sentence at a book party at Neighborhood Reads in Washington,...

I’m still trying to find the right words to express the impressions and feelings and takeaways of seeing Jo’s story out in the world.

All along it was the word “could” that danced as a north star. A gift because I didn’t need to write. There was no one telling me what I should be doing.

It’s been a bit rough-and-tumble out here in Debut Novel Land.

Three Weeks to Go: Echoes of Elopements, Births, and a Battle for Historical Truth. You are invited to come to a Live Instagram Event to...

The Amateur's Advantage and What the Creative Process Is Writing on a Sunday in 2017 when it all began People like us want to matter. We...

How I challenged myself to change a false narrative Photo by Nishaan ahmed on Unsplash I’m attending the nine-day Sedona International...

You would not believe how the word on Jo van Gogh’s life is spreading.

It can be tempting to get stuck and ruminate on what didn’t happen as you’d hoped, but I want to offer a different course.

It’s the author craziness when characters take on lives of their own, elbowing and clawing to get their words on the page.

I have a forever-fond memory of a girls’ trip. Another long weekend getaway that contained one singular moment that stands still in time.

This initial assessment, often based on appearance, body language, and tone of voice, can have a lasting impact on how we perceive others.