Thinkingdog Publishing

There is a weird silence at book fairs before the doors open. If you've ever done a signing, a craft show, a library event, or one of those enormous convention halls that smell weird, you know the one I mean. It's the sound of folding tables being adjusted for the fifth time, bookmarks being straightened into perfect little fans, and someone two tables over whispering, "Do you think this tablecloth looks okay?" And underneath all of it, every single author in the room is having the same thought. What if nobody stops at my booth? Not just the new ones. Not just the shy ones. All of us. The cozy mystery author with her paperbacks arranged beside a ceramic teacup, the fantasy writer with dragons on his banner, the artist behind the watercolour postcards trying not to stare directly down the aisle like a hungry raccoon waiting for snacks. We're all worrying about the same thing, and almost nobody admits it out loud. Oh, there's always someone performing bravery li...

There are few sounds in the life of an author more emotionally loaded than the groan of an old printer waking from hibernation. Not the cheerful hum of a modern office machine, mind you. I mean the old one. The dusty beast squatting in the corner like a retired dragon guarding ancient toner cartridges and unresolved grudges from 2017. The printer you haven’t touched in so long that when you finally press the power button, it sounds personally offended. As a cozy mystery author, I spend most of my days happily tucked inside the digital world. My manuscripts float safely in cloud storage. My notes live in apps with color-coded tabs. My editor leaves comments in neat little bubbles instead of scribbling in red pen like an irritated schoolmaster from a Victorian boarding academy. And yet. Every now and then, despite all our noble intentions to save paper and become streamlined digital creatures of the future, an author needs a hard copy. Maybe it’s edits. Maybe it’s proofreading. Maybe you...

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’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...

The world of indie publishing is a vibrant and dynamic space filled with talented writers who pour their hearts into their work. Unlike authors backed by major publishing houses, indie authors wear many hats. They’re not just writers; they’re also marketers, designers, and their own PR teams. And while their journey is fueled by passion, they rely heavily on their readers for success. Here’s why your support means everything to an indie author: 1. Every Sale Matters For indie authors, each book sold is not just a transaction—it’s a validation of their hard work. While big-name authors can count on extensive marketing campaigns, indie authors rely on grassroots efforts to spread the word about their books. When you buy an indie book, you’re directly supporting the author’s dream. 2. Positive Reviews Make a Difference Online reviews are the lifeblood of indie publishing. Platforms like Amazon and Goodreads prioritize books with higher engagement, meaning that your thoughtful review can h...