Wednesday, February 4, 2026

IWSG Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 


The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling. 

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the

February 4 posting of the IWSG are:   

J Lenni Dorner  https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/ 

Victoria Marie Lees https://www.victoriamarielees.com/ 

Sandra Cox  http://sandracox.blogspot.com/ 

 

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional.

February 4 question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later.  Have you reread any of your early works?  What was that experience like for you?

No matter when or how many years later, I can always find something I need to rework or correct.

January/February Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

 

PROMOTE YOUR BOOK ON A SHOESTRING…OR LESS by Dawn Colclasure 

This is a very quick read of solid suggestions on how to promote your book cheaply or free.  Definitely helpful for a beginner, and while I’ve been writing since dinosaurs roamed the earth😊it was a worthwhile investment for me because it listed cost-effective blog tour groups that I was unaware of. PROMOTE YOUR BOOK ON A SHOESTRING...OR LESS is an inexpensive, helpful aid on how to get the word out on your new/latest release.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

WHISPERS OF A SOUTHERN MOON By Priscella Bettis 
 
A configuration of poetry and short stories with a Southern Gothic flavor successfully blended with deep-seated inspiration and beliefs.

Descriptive prose brings each offering to life:

“The front door opens, hurling chandelier light and furnace heat onto the stoop.”

“Beneath her, heat from the asphalt seeped through the soles of her sneakers.”

One of the shorts included that abounds with the author’s vivid prose: FIX YOUR FACE is a priceless piece of Southern Gothic with an ending that’s both subtle and sardonic.

After the stories and the poetry, the author shares a portion of herself with her readers. Her background. Her religion. Her writing. Something that I’ve always felt is difficult to do.

Much talent went into this work and will be loved by Bettis fans and fans of Southern Gothic flavored with faith.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

THE KIND MOON AND THE HARDWORKING SUN by Zea Perez

This is such a sweet little story. Ms. Perez’s love of both children and nature shine through.  I love the idea of a kind moon and a hardworking sun😊  It’s also an excellent tool to use when parents must work outside the home—which is the situation for most of us in today’s society—instead of being a stay-at-home parent. A quick read that will be a joy for both adult and child.

 Available at Amazon

 

NULL SPACE by MK Alexander

This series keeps getting better and better.

NULL SPACE is Book 2 in The Seven Sisters Series.

Once again York, now made a lieutenant and given a spanking new ship with a mysterious mission, takes us on another wild romp through space. He and the bird-people—beings with feathers and backward knees—have banded together to try to save the galaxy from worm-like parasites that are bent on taking over the universe and destroying all other species in the process.

In NULL SPACE, we are reunited with the beloved characters of Book 1 that Alexander introduced us too.  The author’s world-building is, as always, rich and textured.  I thoroughly enjoyed the second in the series and look forward to the third.

Available at Amazon 

 

NOISELESS by Dawn Colclasure

 NOISELESS tells a non-fictionalized account of deafness in poetry form, written from the author’s perspective. It delves into such issues as discrimination, misconception and situations the author has encountered due to deafness, including social isolation. I found it both amazing and wonderful that the author can hear in dreams.

A very well-written account of an invisible disability. Kudos to the author.

Recommended for everyone.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

BALANCE OF NATURE by Jacqui Murray  

A mystic adventure set in prehistoric times. 

“They tore deep into Nature’s flesh with their digging sticks.”  And so, begins the story.

After Mother Nature has pummeled the tribe for their disrespect, the Neanderthals are once again looking for a place to call home. They must endure much and overcome many obstacles: the weather, the conditions, the travel itself, and hardest of all—betrayal.  

If you’ve been following this series you’ll encounter many familiar characters. Yu’ung and her mother. Fierce. Shanadar. And, of course, the Canis pack😊.

Once again, the author digs deep into prehistory to help us become better acquainted with our distant ancestors and, in the process, weaves a story of resilience and courage.

A must read for Murray fans, of which I am one.

Available at Amazon 

 

AND

 

Did you know, that even though Lewis Carroll was a Mathematics scholar at Oxford he was terrible at finances?

 

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]