Why Do I Give Books Away? (Hint: It’s Not Just Because I Like You

Why Do I Give Books Away? (Hint: It’s Not Just Because I Like You—Though I Do!)

I have a confession. You may have noticed that I give books away. A lot. It’s not because I enjoy throwing my hard work into the literary void like a parade float tossing candy to a sugar-starved crowd (though that does sound fun). No, there’s a method to my madness. A sneaky, strategic, brilliant (if I do say so myself) plan behind the generosity.

But before we get to that, let’s talk about something I have waxed poetic about many times: Amazon reviews.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I treat book reviews like they’re a rare and precious mineral. You may have even caught me dramatically swooning over a five-star review. (Or whispering sweet nothings to my laptop screen when a particularly glowing review comes in. Don't judge.) The truth is, for indie authors like me, reviews aren’t just nice—they’re survival. They tell Amazon’s mysterious algorithm that my books are worth recommending to new readers. They help readers decide if my story about a ghostly sidekick and an enchanted Papillon dog is their kind of thing (spoiler alert: it totally is).

So, why do I give books away? Simple. Because I’m hoping you’ll read them, love them, and leave a review. That’s right—I’m bribing you with free stories in exchange for your kind and thoughtful words. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, like those adorable symbiotic relationships in nature. I give you a book. You (hopefully) enjoy it. You (hopefully) tell the world. I do a little happy dance. Everyone wins!

But wait—there’s another reason.

You see, I write series. Which means that if you enjoy one book, there’s a highly likely chance you’ll want more. And if I can get you hooked on Book One, well… let’s just say I’m not above a little literary bait-and-switch. One free book leads to an entire bookshelf of my stories. Sneaky, right?

I like to think of it as the book equivalent of a bakery handing out free samples. You walk in, thinking, Oh, I’ll just try a tiny bite of that cinnamon roll. Next thing you know, you’re staggering out with three loaves of sourdough, a dozen cookies, and a cake you definitely don’t need but absolutely deserve.

That’s my dream scenario for my books. I give you a taste. You fall in love. You come back for more. And bam, you’ve got a new favorite series, and I’ve got a new devoted reader. Everybody’s happy.

So, the next time you see me giving away a book, know this: I’m not just being nice (though I do like you, really). I’m on a mission. A mission to bring more book love into the world, to rally support for indie authors, and—if we’re being completely honest—to lure you into my series like a literary Pied Piper.

And hey, if it works, let’s just agree not to call it manipulation. Let’s call it… strategic generosity.

Now, go read that free book and leave a review. You’ll make this indie author’s day.

The Absolute Madness of Naming Characters

Let’s talk about one of the most ridiculous struggles of writing a book. No, I’m not talking about the part where you stare at the blinking cursor like it personally insulted your ancestors. I’m talking about naming characters. It should be easy, right? Just slap a name on them and move on? Oh, my sweet summer child. If only. See, naming a character is like naming your kid—except worse, because nobody is going to complain if your kid and their cousin both end up being named Liam. But if your main villain is named Liam and you accidentally give the quirky coffee shop owner in book three the same name? Cue the existential crisis. Let’s walk through the madness. The Overthinking Spiral of Doom You start writing, and there’s that moment: your brand-new character walks onto the page, full of potential. All they need is a name. A simple name. Something strong, something fitting, something— Oh no. Nothing sounds right. This one is too complicated. That one is too simple. ...

Stories Are Everywhere: The Writer’s Endless Inspiration

As a writer, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do you come up with your stories?” It’s a question that often makes me smile because the answer is as simple as it is profound: stories are everywhere. Inspiration doesn’t always strike in grand, dramatic moments. More often than not, it emerges quietly, weaving its way into the fabric of everyday life. Conversations with friends, the sights and sounds of a bustling city, or even the stillness of a room can spark the seed of an idea. Writers aren’t just storytellers; we’re observers, collecting fragments of life and spinning them into tales. Let me share a recent example of how a simple evening turned into the genesis of a new story idea. Over two perfectly crafted negronis, I was discussing the schedule for an upcoming event with a friend. Their house, a treasure trove of artwork, surrounded us. Every piece of art seemed to hum with a story of its own. Midway through the second drink, I remarked, “One day, someb...

Negronis, art, and the Next Mystery

You know you have the best readers in the world when they politely demand the next book—with extra exclamation marks and not a hint of shame. So many of you have been asking (some quite insistently, and with the kind of enthusiasm that makes my day) about the next Magical Papillon Mystery . Those of you who asked on social media — thank you!!! To all of you, I say — bless your sweet, book-loving hearts, and fear not. Pixie will return! Here’s what happened… Last Christmas, after one (or more) festive Negronis with my very talented artist friend, I made the kind of pronouncement that can only come after equal parts gin, vermouth, and orange. I looked around her house — absolutely overflowing with paintings, colors, and canvases stacked like leaning towers of artistic chaos — and said something like, “Wouldn’t it make a great story if someone inherited a house full of original art, and every painting had a secret behind it, and they had to solve the mysteries one by one…?” Well. One...

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