Thinkingdog Publishing

 There is a moment — somewhere between hitting "publish" and refreshing your sales dashboard for the seventeenth time in a single afternoon — where you realize something: you can do everything right and still have absolutely no control over the outcome. You can write a great book, the kind where you sit back after the final sentence and think, well, that was mildly brilliant, someone alert the literary authorities. You can edit it within an inch of its life, polishing every comma, wrestling every sentence into submission, whispering sweet motivational speeches to your manuscript at 2AM while cradling a cup of tea that went cold hours ago.  You can position it and promote it and send it out into the world dressed in its very best metaphorical outfit. And still, none of it belongs to you once it leaves your hands.  You don't control the reviews. You don't control the rankings. You don't control whether people get it — and that last one, I'll admit, carries a...

You ever notice the meanness authors pour on other authors on social media just now? Like they are thinking - “But what if other authors are my competition?” Nope. Not today. Not in this cozy, coffee-fueled universe. ☕️ If you’re an author, and your friends are authors, congratulations—you’ve accidentally built yourself a dream team. They’re not your competition. They’re your brainstorming buddies when your plot goes sideways, your cheerleaders when you hit “publish” and immediately want to hide under a blanket, your reality checks when your villain starts sounding a little too reasonable, and your emergency chocolate providers (this one is non-negotiable) Here’s the thing: readers don’t read just one book. They’re not out there saying, “Well, I’ve read ONE mystery novel, that’s enough for my entire life.” No. Readers are glorious little book dragons, hoarding stories like treasure. 🐉📖 When you support another author, you’re not losing anything—you’re expanding the ent...

I am tired. Not the “oh I stayed up a little too late reading” kind of tired. Not even the “my dog insisted 5:47 AM was a perfectly reasonable time to begin the day” kind of tired. No. I am the kind of tired that comes from falling down a social media rabbit hole so deep, I’m fairly certain I passed at least three alternate dimensions and a dancing algorithm named Chad. Somewhere along the way, I watched approximately ten thousand videos—give or take a dramatic exaggeration—on how to “optimize your content,” “hack the algorithm,” and “go viral overnight.” Yech. Every single one promised a formula. A trick. A secret. A step-by-step plan to become wildly successful if I would just… be slightly shinier, slightly louder, slightly more something . And do you know what I realized? None of them were me. Not one. I am not a 30-year-old with flawless contouring, botox and a ring light that could guide ships safely to shore. I do not have a “hot take” about anything except ...

There comes a time in every author’s life when she must face the truth. Not the kind of truth involving plot holes or suspiciously disappearing characters… No. The real truth. That her Papillon is running the entire operation. Hi. Blueberry here. ✨ Professional muse. Magical consultant. Snack supervisor. Occasional ghost liaison. You’re welcome. Let me explain—slowly, clearly, and with just the right amount of sass—why Mommy (yes, that cozy mystery author) would be absolutely, catastrophically lost without me.   1. I Am the Original Magical Papillon (Pixie Wishes She Had My Resume) Listen. Pixie is adorable. She’s iconic. She’s fictional royalty. But where do you think Mommy got the inspiration? Exactly. From this face. From my dramatic stares into the void. From my ability to sense things no one else can (like ghosts… and cheese wrappers opening three rooms away). From my natural flair for the supernatural and the theatrical. Without me, Pixie would ...

7 Totally Accurate Truths About Being a Cozy Mystery Author (With a Diva Papillon) If you think writing cozy mysteries involves sipping tea and quietly plotting in a sunlit nook… I regret to inform you that you’ve been misled. Especially if you share your workspace with a Papillon who believes she is both royalty and your direct supervisor. Here’s what author life really looks like:   1. You are not the main character. You may think you’re writing the book. But the Papillon has already decided she’s the star, the plot twist, and the emotional arc. You’re just… transcription services.   2. Your writing schedule is snack-based. Forget word counts. Your productivity is measured in: Treats dispensed Belly rub breaks Number of times you got up “just for a second”   3. Every scene requires approval. Romantic subplot? Ignored. Murder reveal? Mild interest. Crinkling treat bag? IMMEDIATE FULL ATTENTION. You learn quickly what truly matters.   4. “Quie...

There was a time—oh yes, gather ‘round, it feels slightly historical now—when Friday arrived like a dramatic movie soundtrack moment. You know the one. The clock hit five, and somewhere in the distance, invisible trumpets played. “It’s Friday!!!” Back then, that phrase meant freedom. Escape. Two glorious days where I did not have to think about spreadsheets, customer service emails, or that one person who believed—deep in their soul—that the phrase “the customer is always right” was a legally binding personality trait. Friday was less a day and more a rescue mission. I would shut down my computer with the kind of energy usually reserved for action heroes walking away from explosions. Weekend mode: activated. Brain: off. Joy: cautiously returning. And then… plot twist. I became a full-time author. Now let me tell you something no one puts on the inspirational Pinterest quote boards. When you start doing what you love for a living, you do not suddenly become someone who l...

Forget the selfies, the algorithms, and the “build your personal brand” advice. When it comes to writing my magical Papillon mysteries, my uniform is a little different. Here’s what it really looks like: 1. Sweaters, messy buns, and keyboards Cozy comfort is key. Whether I’m chasing ghosts or crafting enchanted mysteries, nothing fuels the magic like a warm sweater and a comfy workspace. Bonus points if there’s a Papillon curled up nearby! 2. Manuscripts covered in ink and coffee rings Every story starts messy. My pages are filled with handwritten edits, scribbles, and notes to myself. It’s proof that magic (and mysteries) are never perfect on the first try. 3. Stacks of books and endless research I invest in worlds, not trends. Research is my secret ingredient—whether I’m weaving in haunted mansions, enchanted gardens, or a clever canine sidekick, the details matter. 4. Steaming mugs of inspiration Coffee or tea? Yes, please. These little rituals keep me going while ...

There’s something rather magical about this particular moment in time. Here we are… suspended gently between Canada Day and the Fourth of July. Like the literary equivalent of sitting on a porch swing with a cup of tea in one hand and something slightly stronger in the other, watching the world celebrate in bursts of red, white, and… well, more red and white. Full disclosure: I live in Canada. Further disclosure: many of you do not. In fact, you are everywhere. The United States, Australia, New Zealand, across Europe… scattered beautifully across time zones and continents like the most delightful cast of characters I could never quite fit into one book (though don’t think I haven’t considered it). And that got me thinking. Why on earth would I limit myself to celebrating just one country… when I could celebrate with all of you? It feels like the most natural thing in the world, really. After all, stories don’t belong to borders. A cozy mystery doesn’t check your passpo...