Click here for your FREE ebook: The SPARREW One-Year Anniversary Ebook!
****************************************************
Please help support the SPARREW Newsletter!
Your purchase of the Gift Sample Collection Ebook will help the newsletter remain a paying market for writers!
Purchase your copy of this ebook here.
****************************************************
SPARREW ISSUE FORTY-THREE
Welcome to the SPARREW Newsletter!
The newsletter for Self-Publishers, Authors, Readers, Reviewers, Editors and Writers!
Welcome to the July 2025 issue of the newsletter!
So glad to have you on board!
Sometimes, life gives us things to write about, and not in a good way.
Two days before this newsletter was supposed to go out, my older brother, Troy, passed away. He was 57. He leaves behind a wife, three children and six grandchildren. He was also the father-in-law to Lisa and Micaela. Troy was the oldest of seven kids and he was always supportive of our creative endeavors.
My heart broke when my brother left this world, but at the same time, I had words flood into my mind that I needed to write down. Some of them went into the blog post that I wrote about him, and some of them went into poems reflecting my grief. This type of reaction to the death of a loved one did not surprise me; I have often turned to writing in times of loss. I have written essays, poems, blog posts and even songs whenever Death took someone I cared about or loved. The story for my children’s book, Wolf Whispers, came to me after my mother died. I wrote many poems in the book, Poems for the Grieving Heart, after the passing of a friend or loved one. My current poetry collection about death and grief also includes poems written in times of loss, and I am also writing a collection of poems that are memorials to people who have passed away.
But with this recent loss, I have written a lot of poems stemming from my pain. Writing through my pain has been healing.
If there is one thing that writers know, it’s the value of how writing can help us get through the rough patches in life. By writing our thoughts and feelings, we are processing them and allowing them to exist in the moment. We are putting our emotions into our words and also into the act of writing them down, or even typing them. We validate our feelings and work through our pain. Writing while struggling with grief can indeed be beneficial and help us to face yet another day without that person at our side.
If you ever need an outlet to release your pain in times of loss, turn to writing. Allow writing to help you process your emotions and get everything that you need to say down into words on paper. Writers write, even in times of grief and sadness. It’s the one way we get through life and keep our sanity. It’s the one thing we can do to honor those who have passed away and memorialize our memories of them.
Fly high, Troy. Thank you for being a good brother. And thank you for inspiring so many to keep going after their dreams. I hope my words honoring your memory will bring peace and comfort to others.
It wasn’t easy to get this issue out this month, but here it is. And I dedicate this issue to my brother’s memory.
I am always looking for people to interview for this newsletter, and if an author I have been following on social media for some time reveals that they are a self-published author, that catches my eye and I’ll ask if they’d like to be interviewed! That’s exactly what happened with Maurice "Moz" Perkins, who I have been following first on Twitter/X (when I was on there!) and now on BlueSky. I recently learned that Moz is a self-published author, and when I asked if he’d like to be interviewed, he said he was interested. Yay! Check out my interview with Moz in the self-publisher section of this newsletter for some great insights on self-publishing!
One of the things that I love about being a part of a writing community is the opportunity to meet new authors! And not only did I get to meet a new author through my UK publisher, but I also found a new book to add to my TBR! Author Joseph Lewis has written a novel, The Girl Who Walked on Ice, and it certainly caught my eye! I was so intrigued by this book that not only did I want to grab a copy to read right away but I also wanted to interview its author! Thankfully, Joseph was able to set aside some time for an interview and share more about his experiences as a writer and about his debut novel!
In this issue, you’ll also get to meet the writer Robb Basham. I was first introduced to this writer when he submitted a story for the Halloween anthology published by Twisted Dreams Press, Halloween Horrors. I also connected with Robb on social media and have been apprised of his other writing accomplishments since then. Check out my interview with Robb in the writing section of this newsletter below! He has some interesting experiences to share with SPARREW readers.
And speaking of prolific writer, bestselling author Jerry Blaze returns to the SPARREW Newsletter with a new article! This time, Jerry has shared an interview with extreme horror writer Bambi Ortiz! Don’t miss it!
And, once again, the lovely Carolyn Howard-Johnson returns with the latest installment for her “Tricky Edits” column. Our regular Tricky Edits columnist has tried a bit of satire in her July column where she names the word “entitled” as the word most likely to make editors, agents, librarians and other influencers in the publishing world groan! Find out why in her column in the editing section below!
I hope you enjoy this issue! Feel free to drop me a note or connect with me on social media! I'd love to connect with you!
Enjoy this issue!
NOTE: The August issue of the SPARREW Newsletter has been canceled. I will be having eye surgery in August and I also need time to grieve the loss of my brother. We’ll be back with a new issue at the end of September! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Check out archived issues of the SPARREW Newsletter here:
https://sparrewarchives.blogspot.com/
All current issues will be posted on my website here:
https://www.dmcwriter.com/the-sparrew-newsletter
My latest post at Dawn Colclasure’s Blog:
“How Body Language Can Help Create Subtext in Your Writing”
**********************************************************************
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!
The SPARREW Newsletter is now a paying publication!
If you have an article you think might fight our needs, please send it our way!
We are interested in articles on the following topics:
Self-Publishing
Authors (interviews, articles promoting new releases, book marketing and promotion, website building and pointers, etc.)
Anything to do with books (analysis, reviews, breakdowns, etc.)
Book Reviewing
Editing and Editors
Writing
Each article should be no more than 2000 words. Must include a headshot and bio with your submission. Payment is $10 through PayPal, on publication. Reprints welcome and you retain all rights to your work. You grant SPARREW Books the right to reprint your article in a future ebook edition as well as the right to promote your article online.
Submit your work to Dawn at DMCWriter@gmail.com with "SPARREW Submission" in the subject line. Please submit your article as a .doc or .docx file. No PDFs. Any articles not relevant to the newsletter will be deleted unread. Please send your best work; articles will be published as-is.
**********************************************************************
ATTENTION WRITERS OF BOOKS AND ASPIRING AUTHORS!
A new publishing company is in town! This indie press specializes in horror, but it is also open to books in other genres.
Twisted Dreams Press is a brand new independent publisher accepting submissions of short story collections, novelettes, novellas and novels from authors in a variety of genres!
Check out the new website to find out all the details!
Be sure to follow us on our Facebook page and our other social media platforms, which are all easily accessible from our website and Facebook page.
Please like our Facebook page
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our news
**********************************************************************
MY JULY SUBSTACK POSTS:
Ideas for Stories Are Everywhere
Anyone at any age could still enjoy a children's book!
**********************************************************************
THANK YOU…
Thank you, Horror Tree, for publishing my drabble, “Left to Rot,” in Trembling With Fear. You can read it online here.
My drabble “The Cursed Book” was published in their latest edition of the print anthology, Trembling With Fear: Year 7. (Thank you, Horror Tree!) You can go to this link and get your copy.
Thank you, First Chapter Plus Magazine, for publishing my article "The Appeal of Science Fiction" in the July 2025 issue. My article is on page 18.
Thank you, Alien Buddha Press, for including my short story "The Dream Set" in Alien Buddha Zine #77.
Thank you, WritersWeekly, for publishing my article “6 Paying Fitness Markets” in the July 25 issue of WritersWeekly.
**********************************************************************
SELF-PUBLISHER CORNER
Self-Publisher Interview with Maurice “Moz” Perkins
1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
I used to write stories as a child and illustrated them with sketches but fell out of the habit when I was at high school. I worked in business development for about twenty years, in highways and transportation, operations, maintenance and construction which required me to translate client needs into a contractor offering. Being able to describe something again, albeit in a work environment, used quite a few dormant skills until I retired in 2018. I began writing again during the Covid lockdowns in 2020 and started with sharing some of my escapades as single stories on my Facebook page. It was only after a friend suggested that I compile them into a book that I thought I would have a go.
2. What made you decide to write a book?
Many of the escapades and incidents have an adult theme and I wanted to capture them whilst I could still remember them so that my young grandchildren could read them in ten to twenty years, when my memories may not be as good. I wrote three books of memoirs, pretty much my life told in a series of funny stories before I got the bug to write a novel. Since then, I have written a total of three novels and a further edition of memoirs. I am currently writing a prequel to one of the novels, a dark comedy thriller.
3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?
I had made some enquiries to publish traditionally but the responses all seemed to concentrate on ‘vanity publishing’ where I would have to pay the publisher a four or five figure sum to get a set number of paperback copies printed. I couldn’t justify spending that amount of money and so after discussing things with other authors on social media and on the telephone with friends of friends, I took the decision to self-publish using Kindle Direct Publishing. The first three books cost me nothing, as I wanted to tell my stories in my voice. The covers were made using the KDP process. Each of the novels have been professionally edited and the cost of that was paid for by the sales of my books. The cover graphics have been created by my niece.
4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?
The set-up process to self-publish seemed overly complicated when I first began but once I had created a format that worked for me, it was actually quite easy, though time consuming to get the book from a final edit to making them available as e-books, paperback and hardcover copies. Self-marketing can be a struggle but I combine mine with sharing humour, which is apt given my memoirs are funny stories and two of my three novels are dark comedy thrillers. I have over forty-six thousand followers on Twitter (X), three thousand on Blue Sky, and around two thousand connections on LinkedIn, which are my three primary platforms to engage with potential customers.
5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?
To be fair, I have rarely encountered any negative stigma to being an independent self-published author, quite the opposite. The fact I have sold over three and half thousand books across all three formats (e-book, paperback and hardcover), suggests I am doing something right. I am part of a massive community of authors and readers across social media, who contribute to the debate, offer advice and help on a weekly basis.
6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher so far?
Creating engagement is absolutely key. Independent authors need to be able to find their place in the social media world. I use Twitter (X), BlueSky, Facebook and LinkedIn but I know others have great success on TikTok and Instagram as well but I don’t use those. Other authors use YouTube as their main medium and invest in websites. Whilst I have tried those as platforms to promote myself, I haven’t really delivered any sustained activity yet. My Amazon author page.
7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
One of the things I did was to illustrate my memoirs, with photographs and cartoons and I use Microsoft Word. Whilst the Kindle Direct Publishing site suggested other formats, I chose Word, as it was the software I used to write my stories in. However, I now know that using Portable Document Format or .pdf as it is more commonly known, means I have far more control on layout and fixing the position of photographs and illustrations. I now use it all the time to upload my manuscripts.
8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their books. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?
I can understand that people have reservations and sometimes those thoughts do flicker through my mind. However, I have a gregarious and quite ebullient style in my everyday life and like to make people smile. So, I use humour as my preferred method of engagement on social media. Whilst others post stuff that is full of doom and gloom, I try to share happiness and fun, which is an extension of my general outlook on life. It helps that most of my work is humorous, as well as being slightly dark at times. I don’t see it as vanity at all. I see it as sharing my work in the hope that it entertains and makes readers smile.
9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
I use part of the book synopsis as well as carving out some extracts from the book. I use links to the Amazon site for each book along with links to book samples. That way I think it gives readers a free shot at reading what my books are about. Twitter (X) is by far the best platform for me, partly because I have so many followers, but it is the strength of the writing and reading community on there that helps to share my messaging and book promotions. I cannot underline just how powerful that is.
10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
Criticism is very direct and sometimes it can cause writers to wobble. I doubt that traditionally published authors ever experience the levels of negativity that some independently published writers receive. A book review is one thing but placing oneself out there in the world of social media by yourself can be a daunting place. Many traditionally published authors are not as active on those platforms. So, understanding that readers can be over critical is something you have to take in your stride when you are an independent. They have paid their money, in some cases direct to yourself, so you have to respect their opinion.
11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?
Yes, I do. Being a self-published independent author creates freedom of choice that some traditionally published authors on fixed retainers to produce ‘x’ number of books over ‘y’ period of time are not. That could feel quite claustrophobic and restricting to the way that self-publishing independent authors create their work.
12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
In my case, it has allowed me to tell my personal stories, my memoirs, in my own style. I elected to write exactly as I would tell those stories over a beer in the pub. I am an authentic person, and I wanted my escapades to read authentic, not sanitized or dumbed down in any way. I have sold nearly three thousand books of my four-part series, which gives me some degree of recognition and confidence that I am doing the right thing.
ABOUT MAURICE:
Maurice Perkins, also known as Moz, Polly and Mo (nicknames, depending on where he is known from) was born in 1957, a time when communities were still recovering from the impact of the Second World War when rationing had only just ended. His parents were from simple backgrounds but created a family with three young boys, built on love, key principles, and values. Elders on both sides of his family served in the military, either during the war or in national service afterwards, he listened to many of their tales. Moz always wanted to join the forces as a child and finally did.
Born in Stockport – Grew up in the Royal Navy (book synopsis). A three-book series. The life and times of how a troubled teenager came of age and matured to contribute to his community. Told by way of funny stories in a raw and gritty style, without ever losing sight of the rascal he was. Illustrated with photographs and cartoons. A unique series of memoirs that reveal everything about growing up with a glint in your eye. No-one else can tell his story like he can. The stories will make you laugh a lot and possibly cry a little.
QUEST (book synopsis). Raven is trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. She leads a motley group trying to find answers and a safe place to live. Beset by the challenges of nature, lack of resources and enemies. There are others though, from a different time and place, also trying to survive. Their futures are inextricably linked. A gritty survival thriller that has serious connotations to recent and current world events.
REVENGE (book synopsis). Gangs of Manchester fighting a turf war; old men, who are military veterans with skills, bent politicians on a power struggle; mixed with buckets full of raw dialogue, brutal action, with some kink and dark humour. If readers like Guy Ritchie type stories, then this book is for you.
THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN (book synopsis). A misguided hapless loser with questionable morals, comes to the attention of a ruthless serial killer on a murder spree. Hunting them is an aging detective nearing the end of his career, an investigative journalist chasing a payday and a young ambitious uniformed officer. A dark comedy thriller that will have you laughing and cringing in equal measures at it races towards its final climax.
I THINK HE’S DEAD – and other funny stories (book synopsis) This book is a continuation of my three previous memoirs, ‘Born in Stockport – Grew up in the Royal Navy’ and features on the many different, mainly funny, things that have happened to me and my friends over the years. Some of which are most clearly my fault but others where I can at least claim to have only been a participant or observer, rather than the instigator.
Contact details
Twitter: @MozPerkins
NEW IN SELF-PUBLISHING:
"10 Amazon KDP Secrets Every Author Should Know (and Most Don’t)"
via BadRedhead Media, LLC’s All Things Book Marketing!
"Print-on-Demand Books: Top 9 Services for Self-Publishing" by Alexandra Sheehan
via Shopify Blog
AUTHOR CORNER
Interview with Author Joseph Lewis
1. When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I was always writing comic books, stories. My dad was a writer on the side, and both of my parents were huge readers, so I was always surrounded by books as a child, and I loved storytelling.
2. What was your journey towards becoming an author like?
It was really in high school that I started looking at my writing more as an art form and less as a fun hobby. I had a few English teachers that really encouraged me to take it more seriously, to explore it. I think that’s so important for teachers and parents alike to do. But it took me years to learn the discipline to actually sit down and finish something I had started, then take the time to edit it, to really think about it. I was very undisciplined when I was a young writer, and had a horrible habit of leaving projects unfinished. I had a lot wonderful ideas, and then they’d get pushed aside by other ones, and nothing would ever really get finished. I studied film and creative writing in college, and it took me a long time to learn that discipline. I coasted on raw talent for a long time, and it never got me anywhere.
3. What can you tell me about your latest book? (Feel free to include an excerpt.)
It’s a ghost story set on a fictitious island on Lake Eerie, just off the coast of mainland Ohio. A woman, Sarah, had a traumatic incident as a child out on the lake, and now she’s bound to it forever by a phobia. But something from her past is coming back during a massive blizzard, and everyone on the island will have to face their pasts sins. It’s very much a slow-burn horror story. I was inspired by a lot of the classics when I wrote this. I’m less interested in jump scares and more drawn to the atmosphere itself. The mood. I’ve always wants to set a story in that part of Ohio, as I have so many wonderful memories there.
4. What sort of methods do you use for book promotion?
Outside of my own social media, my MFA program and the Ohio chapter of the Horror Writers Association have been kind enough to promote my work. I have a number of readings and in-person book events coming up, so I’m very excited about that. This is the first time I’ve gotten this far along, so it’s definitely been eye-opening.
5. Where do you get your ideas for stories?
I always like how David Lynch said all the ideas were already out there, and you just had to “fish” for them. He talked about fishing for ideas all the time. So, for me, I try to start with a single image or place. Something that draws me in. I’ll go for a long walk, or do something active. I listen to a lot of music when I do this, so it’s almost a sort of meditative experience. With this novel, I knew I wanted that part of Ohio. Then I thought of a character that could never leave it because of past trauma. And then the rest of it started taking shape. Place is so important to me as a writer, so I typically start there.
6. What are you working on right now?
I just finished my first draft of my next novel. It’s a historical horror story set in Ohio during the Civil War. I’m very excited about it. This one came along a lot faster than my first novel. It’s different than The Girl Who Walked on Ice. It’s much more grounded in reality. Much more brutal.
7. Any advice for other authors?
It may sound contradictory, but I’d say be patient, but write with a sense of urgency. Be patient with your story. Don’t rush to the end just so you can say you finished it. It has your name on it, so make it as good as it possibly can be. At the same time, make sure you’re always working. Always writing, even if it’s just a little every day. Try not to be between projects. A lot of people say they’ll write a novel or story one day, and so they kick that can down the road. And sadly, for many people, that day never comes. We only have so much time here, and we don’t know how much. Also, I it’s good to read what’s hot on the market now, but always read the classics too. It’s what the best authors do. Sometimes it feels like the classics are being phased out in our classrooms, but the great works are great for a reason.
ABOUT JOSEPH:
Joseph Lewis received his MFA in Creative Writing from the NEOMFA program at Cleveland State University. His work has appeared in several literary magazines, including Coffin Bell, Novel Noctule and Black Works. His work has also been published in Piece by Piece, a horror anthology published by Dark Moon Rising Publications. His screenplay, Retribution, won second place in the Ohio Independent Screenplay Contest. A former Peace Corps volunteer, he taught Western Literature and Film Studies at Sichuan University of Arts and Science in China. He currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Please visit his website for links to his other creative work and news regarding his novel, The Girl Who Walked on Ice.
NEW FOR AUTHORS:
"Authors and Alternative Social Media Platforms" by Alex J. Coyne
via FundsforWriters
"How These Ten Shortcuts Will Save Authors Time and Money"
via BadRedhead Media, LLC’s All Things Book Marketing!
REVIEWER CORNER
My Reviews:
Dawn Reviews Books:
Undead Toys: Zombie Ducks is a horrific and terrifying tale of zombie toys going on a murder spree
Interview with the Dead: Let the Ghosts Sleep stirs up past sins and shocking family secrets
Other Book Reviews:
"Piazza’s #Tradwife Murder Mystery Gives New Meaning to “Domestic” Thriller" by Pejuola Ransome
"Heartwarming Debut Captures Complexities of Love, Life and Second Chances" by Kristin Keaton
"Historical Chronicle of Roosevelt Brothers’ Grave Pursuit of Elusive Panda" by Claudia Keenan
"From War Zone to Classroom: Pilot’s Firsthand Account of Life in the Cockpit" by Joanna Poncavage
"Experience the Divine in Unique Blend of Scripture and Personal Revelation" by Peggy Kurkowski
"Former Military Pilots Coauthor Nail-Biting Ride Through International Terrorism" by Philip Zozzaro
Tick Town by Christopher A. Micklos
“Beyond the Bukubuk Tree” by Loretta Goldberg
“Blessings Abound” by Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh
“The Bleed-Through Effect” by A.A. DaSilva
“High-Tech Apocalypse” by Don Vellos
“From Ash & Darkness” by J.L. Sullivan
“From Plastic Parrots to Flying Kangaroos” by Geoff Cowell
“Dystpopia! Hero’s Quest” by David Horn
“Swim Melissa, Swim! by Melissa Marshall
“We’re Human. Not Resources” by Emily van Straten
“GoTube’s Story Compilation, Vol. 1” by Juan Luis Fernández Mañas
“Where We Land: A Boy, a Plane, and a Dream” by Donald Osborn and Anna Henkens Schmidt
“Waiting for Myself” by Timothy Walkley
“Grover Wilcox Goes to the Circus” by Martin Lastrapes
“Suddenly Silent and Still” by Nin Mok
“Boy of Heaven” by Morris Hoffman
“Teaching Adolescents the Fundamentals for Life” by James E. Puckett, Sr.
“Artificial Intelligence: A Martian Odyssey” by Alireza Mehrnia
“Hunting the Red Fox” by W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.
“What I Remember & What I Forgot” by Laura K. Soerensen
“Maverick Key” by Margot Keene
“AmeriCANS Who Made America: 19th Century” by Richard V. Battle
“Red Shadows at Saugatuck” by Randy Overbeck
“Guiding Your Child’s Athletic Journey” by Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu
“Indifferent Universe” by Joseph Blackhurst
“The WereCat of Pompeii” by Luna Eclipse
“Who Colored the Leaves?” by Robert D. Dean
“The Inclusive Leader” by Mustafa Nejem
“Malipolitan” by Christopher Dainton
“Bringing in the Creeps” by Ray Van Horn, Jr.
“True Nature: Hidden in the High Sierra” by Lisa Michelle
“The Tears of Tantalus” by Andrew Someone
“Wedding Planning” by Kathy Forbes
“Elco Parks” by Sandro Laudadio
“Forever Fly Free” by Jenny Brandemuehl
“The Miracle Morning after 50” by Hal Elrod and Dwayne J. Clark
“The Reluctant Bully” by Gary Rivera
“Changing Tides in Paris” by Don Vellos
“Charcuterie Girl” by JA Wright
“Retribution: Chronicles of Reaper Book II” by J.R. Lightfoot
“Engineer’s Primer on Investing” by Justin Masui
“The Sound of a Thousand Stars” by Rachel Robbins
7-3-25 — Guest Review from Donna Latham
7-5-25 — Danielle’s Dark Corners
7-6-25 — Christina Critiques (The Splatterpunk Nominees)
Rachel Schommer Reviews: 7.7.25
7-10-25 — Guest Review from Donna Latham
7-12-25 — Danielle’s Dark Corners
7-13-25 - Christina Critiques (SPA Best Anthology AND a special review)
7-17-25 — Special Guest Review with Donna Latham
7-19-25 — Danielle’s Dark Corners
7-20-25 — Christina Critiques (A Special Review and SPA Nominations Part 4)
Calls for Reviews
I’d love to find reviewers for my books! Contact me at DMCWriter@gmail.com if interested.
READER CORNER
BOOK BLOGS:
Killer Thrillers with the Book Blogging Mama
NEW IN BOOKS:
via A Guide to Unreality
"7 Short Story Collections Filled with Spine-Tingling Horror" by Archita Mittra
via The Lineup
via Writer's Digest
"The Leader of the Newts" by Elana Gomel
via A Guide to Unreality
NEW BOOKS:
M.M. Deluca
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Sarah Hornsley
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Odor of Sanctity: A Novel in Dramatic Form
Christopher Grosso
Genre: Fiction
Broken People: A Collection of Societal Misfits
Dawn DeBraal
Genre: Fiction
Penny (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Prequel Short)
Gloria Oliver
Genre: Urban Fantasy
The Secret Aftermath (The Discoveries of Julia Xero, Book 2)
Gloria Oliver
Genre: Urban Fantasy Thriller
The Secret Countdown (The Discoveries of Julia Xero, Book 3)
Gloria Oliver
Genre: Urban Fantasy Thriller
Fire Mountain (Part of the Elements of Danger series)
Dana Mentink
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Bad to Blue: The True Story of a Chinatown Gangster Turned NYPD Detective
Mike Moy
Category: Biography & Memoir
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant
Liza Tully
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Slanting Towards the Sea: A Novel
Lidija Hilje
Genre: Literary Coming-Of-Age Fiction
Christopher J. Yates
Genre: Literary Fiction
Sarah MacLean
Genre: Women's Fiction
Gary Shteyngart
Genre: Literary Fiction
The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick
S. Isabelle
Genre: Historical Romance
Jordyn Taylor
Genre: Historical Fiction
Helen Schulman
Genre: Short Story Collection
Nia Davenport
Genre: YA Romance
On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports
Christine Brennan
Category: Biography & Memoir
Alex Rose
Genre: Crime Thriller
Adam Parker
Genre: Fiction
August Reunion (Book 8 of the Tarrin's Bay Series)
Juliet Madison
Genre: Women's Fiction
Jay S. Bell
Genre: Spy Thriller
Thomas Stewart
Genre: Story Collection
Jorge Lopez Llorente
Category: Poetry Chapbook
Murder in the Monashee Mountains (Travis Daniels Investigations)
JP Behrens
Genre: Horror
Richard Clive
Genre: Short Story Collection
Don't Go Into The Woods At Night (Scareville Books - A Middle Grade Horror Series Book 6)
John Ward
Genre: Middle Grade Horror
Andrew Najberg
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Smile So Red and Other Tales of Madness
Mia Dalia
Genre: Short Story Collection
Edited by Lawdog
Genre: Anthology
Poems by John P. Drudge
Category: Poetry Collection
The Amazing Bulk: The Novelization
By Atom Mudman Bezecny, Based on the film created by Lewis Schoenbrun, Keith Schaffner, and Jeremiah Campbell
Genre: Horror Comedy
The Return of The Amazing Bulk
By Atom Mudman Bezecny, Based on the film created by Lewis Schoenbrun, Keith Schaffner, and Jeremiah Campbell
Genre: Horror Comedy
NJ Moss
Genre: Domestic Thriller
At Peace with the Night Owls: A Collection of Nature Poetry
Alex Grehy
Category: Poetry Collection
CW Blackwell
Genre: Short Story Collection
Adam J. Galanski-De León
Genre: Historical Fiction
Darek Thomas
Category: Poetry Collection
Stephanie Wambugu
Genre: Literary Fiction
Shadow of Chaos (Book One in the Zone 51 series)
Tim Mendees
Genre: Cosmic Horror
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Genre: Historical Mystery
If You Love It, Let It Kill You: A Novel
Hannah Pittard
Genre: Literary Fiction
Lisa Smith
Genre: Literary Fiction
The Greatest Possible Good: A Novel
Ben Brooks
Genre: Literary Fiction
Jackie Thomas-Kennedy
Genre: Literary Fiction
Kashana Cauley
Genre: Literary Fiction
Susan Wiggs
Genre: Women's Fiction
The House at Devil's Neck (Joseph Spector Series #4)
Tom Mead
Genre: Mystery
Kotaro Isaka
Genre: Mystery
Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fantasy
Amy Silverberg
Genre: Coming-Of-Age Fiction
Linn Ullmann
Genre: Literary Fiction
Kate Broad
Genre: Coming-Of-Age Fiction
Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar: A Novel
Katie Yee
Genre: Literary Fiction
J.B. Hwang
Genre: Literary Fiction
Esther Chehebar
Genre: Women's Fiction
Dan Fesperman
Genre: Suspense & Thriller
Danica Nava
Genre: Western Romance
The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood
Nina Willner
Genre: Biography & Memoir
Edited by John M. Olson
Genre: Anthology
Dead Scalp (Bark Bites Horror)
Jasper Bark
Genre: Horror
Fred Phillips
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Dark Web Investigation (Secure Watch, Book 1)
Katie Mettner
Genre: Crime & Mystery
SPECTRES: Three Scottish Tales of the Great Beyond (The William Meikle Chapbook Collection)
William Meikle
Genre: Fiction Collection
Edited by Jason Cordova
Genre: Science Fiction Anthology
Druid, Witch, and Wraith (The Excommunicated Witch Savant Book 3)
Isabel Campbell
Genre: YA Fantasy
The Fovea Experiments: A Novel
MJ Mars
Genre: Horror
Jerry Blaze
Genre: Horror
Ink: Two Tales of Tattooed Terror
David Charlesworth and DE McCluskey
Genre: Horror
Worlds of Unfreedom: West Central Africa in the Era of Global Abolition
Roquinaldo Ferreira
Category: History
The Colony and the Company: Haiti after the Mississippi Bubble
Malick W. Ghachem
Category: History
A Rumor of War (Backyard Starship Book 28)
J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert
Genre: Science Fiction
Echoes and Embers: Speculative Stories
Pedro Iniguez
Genre: Short Story Collection
Wendy N. Wagner
Genre: Horror
Deathly Rose
Genre: Horror
Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar
Genre: Horror
Lisa Scottoline
Genre: Thriller
First Wave (Book 3: Powerless)
Daniel Young
Genre: Science Fiction
Always Darker Inside: A Cursed Objects Anthology
Edited by D.W. Hitz and Heather Ann Larson
Genre: Horror Anthology
Survivors (Comet Clement series, #19)
Kevin George
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Fairy Tale Fantasy
Alphabet Monsters (Alphabet Explorers)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Children's Book
Alphabet Dinosaurs (Alphabet Explorers)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Children's Book
Paul Tremblay
Genre: Horror
Cassandra Khaw
Genre: Fantasy
Neverthorn (Of Quirks and Curses Book 1)
Shannon Mayer
Genre: Dark Academia Urban Fantasy
Jeff Strand
Genre: Horror
The Red Letter (The Orphanage by the Lake, 2)
Daniel G. Miller
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Lindsey Goddard and Suzie Lockhart
Genre: Poetry and Short Story Collection
The Weight of Order (The First Peacemaker Book 3)
J.N. Chaney, Terry Maggert and Aaron Bunce
Genre: Science Fiction
Fried Plantains and Fatal Secrets (Cozy Cove Mysteries)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Mystery
Nighty Night Fox Rhymes (Nighty Night Rhymes)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Children's Book
Nighty Night Frog Rhymes (Nighty Night Rhymes)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Children's Book
Nighty Night Hamster Rhymes (Nighty Night Rhymes)
Samuel DenHartog
Genre: Children's Book
Something Whiskered (Book 17 of 17: Cat in the Stacks Mystery)
Miranda James
Genre: Mystery
Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith
Category: Science & Technology
Tami Hoag
Genre: Crime Fiction
Double Fudge Brownie Murder (Book 18 of 29: A Hannah Swensen Mystery)
Joanne Fluke
Genre: Mystery
Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy Book 1)
Elise Kova
Genre: Paranormal & Fantasy Romance
EDITOR CORNER
Tricky Edits from Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Unofficial Most Improperly Used Word of 2025
The Most Embarrassing Tattletale Word of All
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I have unofficially named the vocabulary word most likely to embarrass a writer. I feel entitled to do that because as a once-upon-a-time journalist I pay attention to things like real newspapers (you know, made of real newsprint!), great magazines (made of beautiful heavy-grade slick or textured paper that get delivered to my door), and TV hosts widely accepted as reliable resources as well, letting TV subtitle errors entertain me as I work at maintaining gratitude for the grammar tips they offer up—apparently unaware of their brilliance—to new ideas for this column that Dawn graciously lets me share with her audience and my Twitter (X) stream apparently provides enough characters unknowingly so I can share them with my followers there! (I’m @frugalbookpromo!).
Perhaps you’ve guessed. It gets used incorrectly often, sometimes in different ways—but we authors are faced with more occasions for using this award-winning blunder more than often than most. The word is “entitled.”
Here is the tweet I fashioned that meets X’s requirements: “When authors try to substitute the word “title” with “entitled,” they are sure to make some editor—some influencer—groan.” I have some replies ready for those who dare respond including, a little more elucidation on ways it can/should be used: “Entitled” and its cousin “entitlement” might be put to better use for a little subtle satire,” or “Avoid this mistake and other tricky edits by grabbing an e-book copy of my booklet Great Little Last-Minute Edits for Writers. It’s a frugal way to avoid humiliation or worse!”
PS: Did you notice the way I used the word “entitled” in the second line in this column, implying “snide,” and then went on to prove it for my pleasure and your edification? Aren’t we having fun with words today?
PPS: Did you notice the length of the second sentence in this column? It’s proof that correct English does indeed let a sentence go on and on. Some authors have even become famous using sentences like that as trademarks—certainly as a form of branding. It’s my closing tip reminding authors that everything they read that’s “correct” needn’t be emulated. Please keep in mind that telling readers your book is “entitled” isn’t “correct” and, though it may appear “smarter” than plain old “titled,” that’s an illusion lying in wait to snare the uninformed.
MORE ABOUT CAROLYN
Once a month Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares something writer-related she hopes might save some author from embarrassment (or make the task of writing more fun or creative.) The third edition of The Frugal Editor Modern History Press includes a chapter on some of the words most misused by the very people whose business it is to know exactly what those might be—like agents. It is the second multi award-winning book in her multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers. The Frugal Editor, now in its third edition, has been fully updated including a chapter on how back matter can be extended to help readers and nudge book sales.
Carolyn blogs sporadically on editing at The Frugal Editor and at her SharingwithWriters blog on other aspects of the publishing world and welcomes guest posts with ample author credit lines and links and welcomes guest posts complete with credit lines and ample links for her guests. She also tweets writers' resources and tips at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo using #FrugalBookPromoterTips hashtag.
More About SPARREW’s Regular Contributor
Once a month I share something writer-related I hope might save some author from embarrassment (or make the task of writing more fun or creative.) The third edition of The Frugal Editor from Modern History Press includes a chapter on editing back matter you’ll love because it can help sell more books. It is an award-winning book in her multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers. Find it on Amazon’s new buy-page offered in paper, hard cover, or as an e-book. (The availability of that new page for book series is another of her #FrugalBookPromoterTips.) The Frugal Editor has been fully updated including a chapter on how backmatter can be extended to help readers and nudge book sales.
Carolyn has a shorter book, Great Little Last Minute Edits for Writers. It is full of difficult edits that aren’t so easily figured out or remembered as Wi-Fi that you can keep at by your desk or in your car’s glove compartment—if your car has one! Ahem!
New in Editing:
Possessives of names ending in S
No, sentence-ending prepositions don't create passive voice
Love semicolons? Find some love in your heart for your reader
WRITER CORNER
Interview with Writer Robb Basham
1. How did you get started writing fiction?
I have always had ideas (even as far back as elementary school). Lots of those early ideas were probably derivative of other materials at the time, but I was driven. While I was attending OCTC (Owensboro Community and Technical College), I started submitting poetry to their literary magazine, The Skylark. My earliest published work (besides a poem in a senior creative writing book) appears in several of Skylark’s volumes.
2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing? (Such as fantasy, romance, horror, or unspecified)
My writing tends to gravitate more towards horror fiction (although other genres/interests tend to creep their way in). In my story for Halloween Horrors (“The Doom That Came to Lot 19”), I dabble ever so slightly in urban fantasy. I have a novella in the works that blends horror with crime (for an inspired mix of country murder ballads and revenge from beyond the grave).
3. What was it about writing short stories that just seemed to "click" with your writing career?
A lot of avenues open up when crafting short fiction. You can create one-and-done stories that are standalones, waiting to be collected. You can also write stories that are pieces of a larger, shared universe of your own creation. The options are just about limitless.
4. Is there a type of short story that you enjoy writing most? Please explain.
I love writing stories that make slight-to-moderate references to my other work, but can also be read as a standalone story. It’s so much fun crafting these kinds of stories and seeing how they fit into one another when/if I were to decide to collect them in an omnibus or anthology.
5. What was it like when you sold your first short story?
Like many people (I’m sure), it was exhilarating. My first story submission/approval came from Nadine Stewart and her anthology, Curbside Curses. I am so proud of that story for many reasons. It introduces a villain/scourge that becomes a recurring character in my Elysian Grove universe (even though this story exists outside of those stories, paradoxically) and it includes an Easter egg involving the murder ballad story I mentioned earlier. It became so much more tangible when I held my copy of the physical release in my hands. I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
6. Where do you find short story markets to submit to?
I follow all kinds of publishers and authors on my various social handles, which helps me see when submissions are open and if my style would fit with theirs. Along with that, I have plenty of friends in the community that give me a heads-up about submission calls. I’m thankful for the community for all they do.
7. What is one lesson you have learned as a writer when it comes to writing short fiction?
Let your friends/peers read your work as you go. Their insights can be helpful (especially if you take breaks in between your writing sessions) and their praise helps you keep going.
8. How is writing short fiction different from your work as a writer of longer fiction?
I’ll let you know when I get a piece of longer fiction out there. I’m kidding. But, in all seriousness, writing shorter fiction gives it a sense of urgency due to deadlines. Longer fiction gives you some breathing room and a bit more play room as well.
9. What is some of the best advice you have received from other writers or editors when it comes to writing short fiction?
Let the story tell itself. I can’t remember who told me that, but it’s true. Trying to force a story tends to leave less-than-desirable results. Let it guide you and tell you where to go.
10. Do you have any advice of your own to share with other writers?
I personally love listening to music while I write. The genres I listen to depend on what kind of story I am writing. It sets the mood and allows a bit more immersion.
ABOUT ROBB:
Robb Basham was born, raised, and currently resides in Owensboro, Kentucky. He has been writing stories and poetry (with sporadic consistency) since high school and has had three stories published as of this interview. When he isn’t working on his latest writing projects, he avidly watches films and reads novels of all kinds of genres. Since getting sober in 2020, he also enjoys a cold N/A brew with a good book on the porch. He is at work on his first novella, You Drove Me to It (a country murder ballad horror story).
New for Writers:
“Moral Rights: What Writers Need to Know” by Victoria Strauss
via Writer Beware
"Dana Elmendorf on Cold Cases Reopened by the Dead" by Dana Elmendorf
via CrimeReads
"Finding Cozy Inspiration in Darkness" by Alex Erickson
via CrimeReads
"5 Writing Tips from Kurt Vonnegut That Still Hold Up" by Sreenidhi Podder
via No Film School
"How to Write When Your Brain Feels Like Oatmeal" by Sabyasachi Roy
via Sabyasachi’s Substack
"The Eric Roth Method: A Unique Writing Process" by Jason Hellerman
via No Film School
"A Stanford Professor Breaks Down Characterization and Story" by Jason Hellerman
via No Film School
"The Secrets to Writing Unforgettable Villains" by Jason Hellerman
via No Film School
"Lit Fic Is All About Style" by Fallon Clark
via MetaStellar
"How to Master Plot Development in 7 Simple Steps" by Nick Bailey
via NowNovel
"Mastering Atmosphere in Literature: 6 Essential Tips" by Megan Hay
via NowNovel
"8 Major Types of Narrators: Examples and When to Use Them" by Linnea Gradin
via NovelNow
"Book title ideas: How to come up with the best" by Martin Cavannagh
via NovelNow
"To Write Good, You Have To Write Bad First" by Jason Hellerman
via No Film School
"Write Your Manuscript Like an Endurance Athlete Trains" by Miffie Seideman
via Writers In The Storm
"The What Ifs of Building Believable Alternate History" by Daniel Ottalini
via Writers In The Storm
"Should Dialogue Be Used For Exposition and Description" by Karen Cioffi
via Writers On The Move
"How to Find Symbols in Your Settings" by Becca Puglisi
via Writers Helping Writers
"Is This a Dream or a Weird Metaphor?" by Sabyasachi Roy
via Sabyasachi’s Substack
"What Many Writers Get Wrong About Building an Audience"
via Writing to (L)Earn
"Cohesion in Fiction--A Place for Everything, and Everything in Its Place" by Susan Matteucci
via The Writer's Workout
"Why Intentional Storytelling Matters in an Era of AI and Algorithm-Driven Content" by K.M. Weiland
via Helping Writers Become Authors
"10 Most Important Comma Usage Rules" by Matthew Adams
via Writer's Digest
"The Way We Were" by Jeff Somers
via Writer's Digest
"5 Strategies for Writers to Keep Writing" by Gregory Galloway
via Writer's Digest
"The Perfect Puzzle: 7 Tips for Creating Fiendish Mystery Plots" by Tom Mead
via Writer's Digest
"How Playing D&D Can Help You Beat Writer’s Block" by Raj Sidhu
via Writer's Digest
"Story-vision mismatch? Try this." by Fallon Clark
via MetaStellar
"Platform-building for writers burning out on social media" by Fallon Clark
via MetaStellar
"How to Reclaim Joy in Your Writing Life" by Colleen M. Story
Via Master Writer Mindset
"5 Steps to Building a Strong Foundation for Your Writing Career" by Colleen M. Story
via Master Writer Mindset
"10 Paying Humor Markets for Writers" by Karoki Githure
via WritersWeekly
"How I Barter My Freelance Clips For Free Real-World Experiences" By Alice Amayu
via WritersWeekly
"The Art of Rewriting: Where Good Writing Goes to Die (and Get Resurrected)" By Sabyasachi Roy
via Authors Publish
"How to Find the Heart of Your Story" by Rachel Toalson
via Writer Unboxed
"Sovereignty: Owning Your Voice is the Ultimate Power Move" by Sarah Sally Hamer
via Writers In The Storm
"Voice Matters, Part 2" by Kathryn Craft
via Writer Unboxed
"How and Why to Bring Novelty into Your Writing" by Ratika Deshpande
via Authors Publish
"Writing 101: Avoiding Purple Prose" by Beccau Puglisi
via Writers Helping Writers
"3 Ways to Add Tension to a Scene" by Janice Hardy
via Janice Hardy's Fiction University
"What Your Favorite Book Can Teach You About Writing" by Janice Hardy
via Janice Hardy's Fiction University
"Fail More, Fail Better: On Writing a Novel Without Knowing or Planning Anything" by Issa Quincy
via Literary Hub
"How a Professional Screenwriter Outlines a Project" by Jason Hellerman
via No Film School
"How to Get Started With Writing Essays" by Ratika Deshpande
via Authors Publish
"Why Every Great Character Duo Needs a Love-Hate Dynamic" by Sabyasachi Roy
via Sabyasachi's Substack
"What Isn’t Said Still Screams: Writing Subtext in Horror Fiction" by Lindy Ryan
via Jane Friedman
"Writing in the Age of GEO" by Lisa Norman
via Writers In The Storm
"Throwing Yourself Out There" by C. Hope Clark
via FundsforWriters
"Ethical AI Use for Authors and Journalists" by Alex J. Coyne
via FundsforWriters
"Your Name Is Important" by C. Hope Clark
via FundsforWriters
"How “Almosts” Can Help Get a Writer Noticed" by Barbara Weddle
via FundsforWriters
"How I Landed 4,253 Writing Projects!" by Bill Vossler
via WritersWeekly
"Your Journal Might Be the Therapy You Need…and the Side Hustle You Didn’t Expect!" by Sophia Latamaniskha
via WritersWeekly
"6 Paying Fitness Markets for Writers" by Dawn Colclasure
via WritersWeekly
FEATURE ARTICLE
A HORROR INTERVIEW WITH AN EXTREME HORROR FANATIC!
By Jerry Blaze
Do you like Extreme Horror books? Do you find yourself encapsulated in the world of grisly torture and graphic violence? Bambi Ortiz sure does! Bambi Ortiz is an Extreme Horror Fan and Reviewer who regularly reads & reviews books in the horror community. Bambi was sweet enough to allow me, Jerry Blaze, to interview her for SPARREW Newsletter.
This interview took place over Facebook Messenger.
(JB = Jerry Blaze, BO = Bambi Ortiz)
JB: So, obligatory question, who are you?
BO: Bambi Ortiz, an extreme horror reviewer and podcast manager
JB: What inspired you to be an author, reviewer, horror fanatic?
BO: It all started when I was 5 and watched Nightmare on Elm Street by myself in the dark. There was just something about the horror, the way people fought for their lives, that just kept me coming back for more
JB: When did you just decide you would review books?
BO: It wasn't until about 2 years ago that I decided, hey, why not share my love of horror with others and also see what other people in the horror community love
JB: What do you look for in a particular book?
BO: A great storyline with creative shock value. I want to be left questioning what I just read
JB: What earns a high rating from you?
BO: Creativity, relatable characters, and the author's ability to not just tell a story, but to pull me into the story
JB: What makes you DNF a book?
BO: Oh man! I don't DNF very often. In order for me to DNF a book, the flow, storyline, and writing that just feels like the author didn't take pride in their work is what can cause me to close a book and walk away
JB: If you could choose a book you’ve read to become a film, what would it be?
BO: Damn it! House Call by Matthew Vaughn, Am I a Monster by J. Boote, Made a Monster by Rob Nelson, Last Call by K.L. Allister, and Master of Bodies by Robert Essig
JB: What kind of horror is your favorite, genre-wise?
BO: Slashers, of course.
JB: What are your top five books (thus far)?
BO: Stop doing this to me! Taste Like Candy by Ivy Tholen, My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, Ass Slasher by RJ Benetti, Knightmare! by Jerry Blaze, Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
JB: If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
BO: I would definitely write about my almost Hills Have Eyes experience
JB: What authors would you like to see write together?
BO: Honestly, you and Robert Essig
JB: What do you think of reviewers who ask for money for reviews?
BO: I think it's pretty ballsy and disrespectful
JB: What are your thoughts on AI elements in books, covers or writing?
BO: Using AI in writing is tacky. I mean, can a person even claim it as their story at that point? AI for book covers I'm up in the air about. Some authors can't afford a cover designer, and most cover designers won't do it for free, and is an author just not supposed to write because they can't afford a book designer? It's definitely a touchy subject.
JB: What do you think the future holds for the Extreme Horror community?
BO: I think it holds a lot of potential and growth when it comes to new authors, collabs and continued support
JB: Final question, any words of wisdom for aspiring reviewers?
BO: Don't worry about other people's reviews and their style. Be you, and be honest. But don't ever, ever, EVER, tag an author in a bad review. That's just tacky!
Find Bambi Ortiz and her reviews at the following links!
ABOUT JERRY:
Jerry Blaze is an award-winning author of Horror and Bizarro fiction.
After achieving success in the erotic market, Jerry decided to undertake Extreme Horror/Splatterpunk/Bizarro fiction writing and released several books. Some of his books have been bestsellers on Amazon. He has been awarded the 2025 Golden Wizard Book Prize and the Literary Titan award.
Jerry is a fan of Grindhouse and exploitation films from the 70s and 80s, often modeling his work on them. He currently lives in the American Midwest, but travels often to get inspiration or to run away from angry mobs.
***************************************
Thanks for reading! See you at the end of September!