MISSY

Here's a big announcement: Randy Pierce has a new novel coming next summer. It's called Missy.

I've had the privilege of publishing Magnolia Mud in 2014 and The Peter Bay in 2016 (as well as re-releasing his debut, Pain Unforgiven, in 2016), and Missy compares very favorably. The writing style is comfortable and familiar, like a conversation with an old friend, and you'll be immediately drawn into a tale of love lost, tragedy, and redemption. The best compliment I can give Missy is that I couldn't put it down. I wanted to keep turning the pages and find out where Randy took protagonist Wayne Jacobs and the rest of his especially well-drawn cast. 

It seems like yesterday that this picture of Randy signing copies of The Peter Bay was taken. It was spring 2016, the truck just having arrived with the first printing. We'll soon recreate that happy scene when Missy arrives. Watch for it in August 2020, just ahead of the Mississippi Book Festival.

Missy will be here before you know it!

John Floyd, as always, has been very busy and productive. He attended Bouchercon in Dallas several weeks ago, sitting on a panel and participating in a signing of the 2019 Bouchercon anthology. He has have a story in the current (December 2019) issue of Mystery Weekly, one in the current (#5) issue of Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and stories in the recently-released Eyes of Texas anthology, the 2019 Bouchercon anthology, and the November 25th Woman’s World. 

 

In addition, John has two stories upcoming in the next few days: the Jan/Feb 2020 issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (on sale mid-December) and the anthology Crime Travel on December 8. Three more are ahead in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and others will be out soon in Sherlock Holmes MM, Black Cat MM, and several anthologies.

Last but not least, of course, is the forthcoming gem pictured immediately below. If you enjoy humorous verse, you'll love Lighten Up A Little. Think bite-size poems a la Ogden Nash, and you know how clever John is with the endings of his short fiction--all 300 of the poems will make you smile. Coming in April 2020.

Can't wait!

Need a Christmas recommendation or two? Glad you asked! Visit the Dogwood Press website right now (www.dogwoodpress.com) and order signed copies of our work. In need of a page-turning thriller? Try Janet Brown's Deadly Visits. Looking for a modestly-priced inspirational story? Try Molly May's My Crowning Achievement (Beating Cancer). Those two and many more will make great Christmas gifts!

Molly at the public library in Louisville, Mississippi, during a Breast Cancer Awareness talk in October.

Janet gives a potentially "deadly" talk at the Starkville Public Library.

Lots of author events in December: Janet will sign copies of Deadly Visits at Books A Million of Meridian this Saturday, December 7, at noon. John will be at the Hattiesburg Books A Million at the exact same time and day. Valerie Winn will visit Barnes and Noble in Gulfport on Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. Stop by and say hello!

Nearly every title in the Dogwood Press catalog is available for download through Amazon Kindle, so if that's your reading preference, we're glad to accommodate you, though I understand that authors can't sign downloads! The most important thing, of course, is you finding a great new read, whether in a physical book or via your preferred device.

Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful holiday season. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE

So you're saying, "What's with the title of your blog post? What did I ever do to you?" Don't misunderstand--I'm not telling you to calm down or take yourself less seriously. I'm merely taking the opportunity to share the title of short story writer extraordinaire John Floyd's new book of poetry--

WAIT a minute ... Golden Derringer Award-winning John Floyd, whose mystery/suspense stories have graced nationally-read publications like Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, and Woman's World for more than two decades ... THAT John Floyd ... is a poet?

Yes ... and he's fantastic! Think Ogden Nash, he of the bite-size, humorous verse for all those years. John's work is a lot like the great stuff Nash did for so long, and we've compiled 300 doses of humorous verse into one neat little book you'll absolutely love! Here's your very first look at the cover, which features a cartoon John drew himself--with a big assist from our super-talented friend Chuck Galey. Lighten up a Little is coming in April 2020!

Doesn't this sound like fun???

We braved the heat at this year's Mississippi Book Festival and were very thankful for the pretty day--I'm not so sure there was even a cloud in the sky this year. Janet Brown (pictured below with a nice lady who was glad to purchase a signed copy of Deadly Visits), Valerie Winn, Randy Pierce, and I all met a lot of great folks. And there were many; a record-breaking crowd of 9,300 turned out for what has become a highly-anticipated literary event and a true feather in Mississippi's cap.

A deadly purchase!

Book clubs are so much fun! That's Valerie Winn right in the middle of a bunch of enthusiastic readers from Biloxi, Mississippi, who gathered at Southern Bound Bookshop to discuss Valerie's first novel, Forsaking Mimosa. Remember, if you haven't picked up a copy of Valerie's recent release, The Dance Between, it's a wonderful sequel to Forsaking Mimosa!

Thanks, y'all!

The Dogwood Press website has been updated and has a sleek new look. Take a look when you can at www.dogwoodpress.com, and keep in mind that first-edition signed copies of our work are available through the site. Also, nearly all titles are available for download to your Kindle. Our authors are always interested in meeting other readers and writers and give interesting presentations, so keep us in mind the next time you need a speaker for an event. Thanks for your time. Have a great day!

SIX WEEKS AWAY

Wow, it's July! Any remaining vestiges of spring are gone. Everything is green. The days are long and begin early. And it isn't just hot. The mornings are a veritable sauna as one walks the dog at daybreak or gets a bit of light exercise before the sun breaks out high in the pink sky. Thoughts on such days turn to something only Mississippi has, the state's one and only literary lawn party ...

We've had Saturday, August 17 marked on our calendars for an entire year as we've anticipated the fifth Mississippi Book Festival. It's safe to say that the big day will dawn a lot like every other summer day in this region of the country: hazy, humid, and full of promise. We can't wait, even though it means getting up well before dawn and having our Dogwood Press tent set up before the sun is good and warm in the sky. 

Please save the date, and come say hello. Meet several Dogwood Press authors, including Janet Brown, whose wonderful suspense novel DEADLY VISITS is a perfect read for all the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer ahead--days you don't want to venture out into the heat if at all possible.

Makes a great gift!

It remains an honor to have John Floyd on the team. I vividly remember the two of us carpooling to the inaugural Mississippi Book Festival and wondering many things: would it live up to the hype, would the weather hold up, would we find a parking place in Hinds County. John continues his great run of fantastic short stories in major publications, like "The A Team" in the July Saturday Evening Post. Grab on and enjoy!

A legendary publication, classed up even more with the presence of one John Floyd!

John and Janet were included by publisher Johnny Lowe in a unique short story collection entitled 

What Would Elvis Think? It features a cool book cover and is loaded with Mississippi stories from Mississippi writers, including several from former students of the aforementioned Mr. Floyd when he taught creative writing at the Millsaps College Enrichment Program. Below the cover is a picture from Lemuria at the grand opening--John is with old friends (and illustrators extraordinaire) Chuck Galey and Chuck McIntosh).

                                                

 

I think Elvis would approve!

Nobody is more creative than Valerie Winn when it comes to promoting books. To understand the idea behind this imposing little lady of the cloth, you need to read Forsaking Mimosa. Then, of course, grab a copy of Valerie's most-worthy sequel, The Dance Between.

Happy reading, kids! 

One more reason to attend the Mississippi Book Festival: While this is NOT a book Dogwood Press published, I had the privilege to serve as editor of Margerita's Gridiron Adventure and spent a lot of time with the author. Margerita is a Slovenian lawyer who came to Jackson for law school and studied under (among other law professors) my friend Mike Frascogna Jr. The Mississippi Sports Council is publishing this wonderful book, which is a fascinating account of Margerita's crash course in the sport of American football as well as her observations about all things Mississippi and living in the Magnolia State. She'll be on the sports book panel at the festival, and you'll be able to meet her and purchase her memoir!

Paced like a two-minute drill and packed with interesting insights!

As I've said before in this space, we love autographing books, but I completely understand if you've shifted your reading preferences to a device in recent years. With that in mind, nearly all Dogwood Press titles are available for digital download through Amazon Kindle, including Deadly Visits. Get started clicking now, and be reading in a mere minute or two!

That's everything! Go put on the sunscreen, grab a quart of water or Gatorade, and go find a cozy spot to read, even if it's a foot from the air conditioner! We look forward to seeing you at the Mississippi Book Festival! Thanks for your time.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The Dogwood Press website includes information about our editing services, including exactly what constitutes a conflict of interest regarding what I can and can't publish. Let me see if I can explain further, since a good many writers have questions in this area.

First, Dogwood Press is a traditional publishing house, meaning we make the financial investment in your book from top to bottom and pay royalties as copies sell. There are hybrid presses which involve the author contributing to the financial investment, and there are vanity presses, where the author pays for everything. Both publishing options certainly have their place, but I don't do it that way. I will never accept money from a writer to publish his or her book under the Dogwood Press umbrella.

That said, I work with several editing clients each year and gladly accept money from all of them. It's under this condition, however: It's completely understood--and written into the contract--that that particular manuscript is not eligible for publication by Dogwood Press. Why, you ask? 

Let's say I read your manuscript and like many things about it, as well as finding areas in which I would need to see improvement. When I recommend that you find an experienced editor to work with you, you ask me to handle that role, which I do. Here's the key: If I don't rule out your manuscript for publication at that time, it's natural to assume you will have a better shot at landing a contract with Dogwood Press than many (or most) writers I'm considering--because of your investment in me. Later, if you've done everything I asked during the editing and I still tell you that your work just isn't quite what I'm looking for, you have every right to feel misled, if not cheated. Hence the conflict.

If we do work together on your manuscript, you have the option of looking for literary representation and a publishing contract with that newly-minted, edited product, or self-publishing if you wish. You can also submit a different work to me at a later date, as it's my hope that the writing improvements you made in working with me would find their way into your future efforts.

Valerie Winn, with whom I worked extensively on her wonderful novels The Dance Between and Forsaking Mimosa, is more than qualified to put on writing workshops and had a very successful one in April in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Topics included how to query literary agents, marketing, writing groups, and this very topic--how the editing process works.

Hands-on instruction from Valerie at Pink Rooster Art Gallery

You never know ... one of these writers with whom Valerie worked may just hit it big ...

It's great fun for me to speak alongside the authors I've published, especially when their books are brand-new. Janet Brown and I had great fun with the nice folks that visited the Winston County Public Library in Louisville during National Library Week in April. Beth Edwards (at far right) is the librarian and an especially nice lady. John Floyd will speak there and sign The Barrens on May 21, and Molly May will visit in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Getting the word out about Deadly Visits 

Speaking of Janet's book, we just made Deadly Visits available for download through Amazon Kindle this week, so if you've been waiting for the electronic version, you're now about a minute from reading. It's a great beach book, or one to enjoy while at the pool.

Hopefully it won't keep you awake at night!

And a quick SAVE THE DATE from the marketing department: The fifth annual Mississippi Book Festival is set for Saturday, August 17 at the Mississippi State Capitol in downtown Jackson. If you haven't been, it's a must-attend, and I'm thinking total festival attendance will bust 10,000 for the first time. We'll have the Dogwood Press tent out there, with authors that would love to meet you.

Can't wait!!!

Thanks for your time, and please visit www.dogwoodpress.com to order signed books. As someone once said, they make great gifts!

BRINGER OF RAIN

When author John Floyd had a conflict and couldn't get to Pontotoc, Mississippi, in March as scheduled to speak to the Friends of the Pontotoc County Library, I suggested Janet Brown as a replacement speaker. The response was a hearty YES after I described Janet's brand-new suspense novel Deadly Visits, and I was confident the first printing would arrive just in time for Janet to have books to take with her to Pontotoc.

What none of us counted on was a line of severe storms that moved through the region. Janet drove through some horrid weather that day, and attendance was down from the usual packed house at the Pontotoc library. A number of avid readers showed, though, buying personalized copies of Deadly Visits and making Janet feel welcome. 

Fast forward to last Thursday, April 4, and the big launch at Lemuria Books of Jackson. The weather was horrendous, and Janet and I wondered if we would be the only people at the store, other than Lemuria employees. But we were thrilled at the turnout, as a whole slew of Janet's umbrella-sporting friends braved the storms and stayed for the reading.

Bringing Deadly Visits to life ...

So into the story that the claps of thunder outside didn't register!

  

Next stop for Janet is the Winston County Public Library in Louisville TODAY (Monday) at noon, where she and I will both discuss our books and take questions. Will Janet bring rain? We'll hope not, but if so, it will still be a fun trip. Another fun excursion will be the annual multi-author event at the Mendenhall Public Library in nearby Simpson County. This one is Wednesday at 2 p.m., and as many as two dozen authors, including Janet, John Floyd, and me look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

Valerie Winn is making stops all over the Mississippi Gulf Coast to promote The Dance Between. When she arrived last Saturday for a signing at Southern Bound Book Shop in Biloxi, she found an especially unique chalkboard announcement waiting for her, courtesy of Jacked Up Coffee Bar next door! Look at the menu item being promoted!

It goes great with a copy of The Dance Between!

It does my heart good when book clubs and especially writing groups are launched. Case in point: published Rankin County authors Tom Dole and Marcus Whitman decided recently to start a group called "Kick the Tires and Write the Fires", and I was honored to be their first speaker. I described how the publishing process works, but I was most interested in hearing from all of the attendees about what they were working on, whether a short story, a novel, or a non-fiction piece. A little encouragement can go a long way.

Signing 40 Days, my most recent Oakdale series novel. 

Speaking of book clubs, a woman Susan Cushman met at the 2017 Mississippi Book Festival invited her to speak to a group at the public library in Hernando, Mississippi. As I tell every author I publish, you just never know who you'll meet who will spread the word about your book, and you never know when someone will contact you out of the blue with a speaking invitation. Susan's host told Susan she loved Cherry Bomb, and quite a number of the attendees brought their already-purchased copies for her to autograph. That's a wonderful feeling!

Long live book clubs!

John Floyd will sign copies of The Barrens and discuss the book at Bryan Public Library in West Point, Mississippi, at noon on Thursday, April 11. Susan will sign copies of Cherry Bomb at an event in Jackson, Tennessee, on Thursday, April 18 called "Word. Wine. Dine." I'll sign copies of 40 Days on Saturday, April 20 (the day before Easter) at Barnes and Noble in Ridgeland, Mississippi. For a complete list of Dogwood Press author signings, please visit www.dogwoodpress.com. And our fantastic deal on selected Dogwood Press Kindle titles is still on, for only $4.99 each:

SUSAN CUSHMAN / Cherry Bomb

RANDY PIERCE / The Peter Bay

JOE LEE / 40 Days

JOHN FLOYD / The Barrens

VALERIE WINN / Forsaking Mimosa

Grab one (or all) as soon as you can and start reading, as they say, in less than a minute. Janet Brown's Deadly Visits will be available via Kindle very soon.

Lastly, make sure Saturday, August 17 is not just marked on your calendar, but permanently etched where it can't possibly be forgotten or replaced with something else to do. That's the date of the Mississippi Book Festival, which is in its mind-boggling fifth year (!) and will take place once again at the Mississippi state capitol.

Thanks, as always for your time. Keep reading, keep writing, and please come say hello at a book event. Have a great day!

DEADLY VISITS

I'll go way out on a limb and guess that your cell phone is within easy reach. Correct? Okay, indulge me, here ... pick up your phone and take a good look at it. Why? Because once you've read new Dogwood Press author Janet Brown's electrifying suspense novel Deadly Visits, you'll never look at your phone the same way again. Heck, you may not want to get near it.

We'll have copies of Deadly Visits just in time for Janet to grab a stash on her way to speak to the Friends of the Pontotoc Library on March 14. The big grand-opening, though, takes place at Lemuria Books of Jackson on Thursday, April 4 at 5 p.m., with a reading at 5:30 p.m. I love talking up this book to friends, especially those with IT backgrounds! I think they'll really enjoy it.

Can't wait!

My alma mater, Mississippi State University, puts on their second annual New Narrative Festival and Conference on March 22-23 at The Mill in Starkville, adjacent to campus. The NNF is similar to the Mississippi Book Festival in that it promotes unity and diversity through arts, entertainment, and creativity. A new aspect this year is a Pitch Slam, where both MSU students and non-students can bring their Big Ideas and pitch them to one of four publishing representatives. An important caveat: You have no more than 90 seconds, so do some research, determine the publisher that would be the best fit for you, and refine your pitch until it's the best and most incisive it can be. I'm proud to be part of the event and delighted at the roster of publishing houses represented:

Joe Lee of Dogwood Press (mystery/suspense fiction)

Lisa McMurtray of University Press (coffee table/literary/scholarly)

Sinclair Rishel of Nautilus Press (textbooks)

Mike Frascogna Jr. of The Mississippi Sports Council (sports books/DVDs)

Sinclair Rishel and me (far left) at a workshop hosted in 2016 by Neil White of Nautilus Press

Admission to the pitch slam is FREE. For more information about the New Narrative Festival and Conference, and to register, visit www.newnarrativefestival.msstate.edu. I'll most likely sign copies of 40 Days at some point during the NNF, too. 

The ever-prolific John Floyd has a story in the current (Jan/Feb) Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and another in the current (20th Anniversary Collector’s Issue) Strand Magazine. He also has a Valentine’s Day story in Woman’s World’s February 25 issue and one coming out in the March/April print edition of The Saturday Evening Post. Make it a point to read John's weekly blog, Sleuthsayers, which is always entertaining and can be found on Facebook. 

A truly excellent magazine, only made better with contributions from John!

Know what? We're six months, give or take, from the 2019 Mississippi Book Festival. Put your cell phone down and think about that. Save the date and start planning now. We certainly are. The date is Saturday, August 17, at the Mississippi State Capitol. We're ordering up some comfortable weather. I'll go out on a limb once more and predict hot and steamy with a chance of afternoon storms. I also predict close to 10,000 attendees this year, and I sure hope you're one of them.

If you somehow haven't been, make this your year to go!

And how cool is this? Valerie Winn's junior high English teacher, Mrs. Antira Williamson, stopped by Miss Mattie's Munch-A-Lunch at the McComb Public Library and bought a signed copy of The Dance Between. She also bought Forsaking Mimosa from Valerie when that book was new. I'm not sure my junior English teachers (or ANY of them, for that matter), were completely sure I could read.

Enjoy, and be sure to give Valerie a good grade!

A quick reminder from our marketing department: Nearly all the Dogwood Press catalog is available to you through Amazon Kindle download, including five titles currently on sale for just $4.99:

VALERIE WINN--Forsaking Mimosa

JOHN FLOYD--Dreamland

JOE LEE--40 Days

SUSAN CUSHMAN--Cherry Bomb

RANDY PIERCE--The Peter Bay

Grab a couple (or all) as soon as you can and start reading within a minute or so! We have lots of author appearances coming up, too, so please visit www.dogwoodpress.com to see where we'll be and come say hello! You can always pick up a Mother's Day or graduation gift, or treat yourself to a happy--books make great gifts! And if you have dreams of being published, do your best to get to Mississippi State for the pitch slam. You just never know ... it could change your life!

Thanks for your time. Have a great day!