My fascination with Egypt began long before I started writing The Exploress and the Pillars of Eternity . There is something about the ancient world along the Nile that captures the imagination—the towering temples, the mysterious tombs, and the sense that countless stories still lie hidden beneath the desert sands. For centuries, explorers, scholars, and adventurers have journeyed to Egypt in search of lost knowledge and forgotten history. Their stories of discovery, danger

Hello, March! It’s hard to believe February has already slipped by. With St. Patrick’s Day and the return of Daylight Saving Time just around the corner, a new month brings fresh energy and new stories to share. But before we dive into what’s ahead, let’s take a moment to look back. Here are the most popular blog posts from February 2026 - selected by you, the readers: International Epilepsy Day 2026: Understanding Canine Epilepsy and Raising Awareness I'm changing things up

I’m truly honored to share that I am a contributing author in the non-fiction anthology For the Love of Memoirs: An Anthology of Emerging Authors, edited by Kathleen M. Kline and published by Dragonfly Editing & Publishing . The paperback edition was released on February 18, 2026 — a date I won’t soon forget. This collection brings together deeply personal and courageous stories from emerging writers who explore the memories and moments that have shaped their lives. Memoir w

If you’re an author, chances are you’ve already received one of these messages—an enthusiastic invitation promising instant reviews, guaranteed exposure, or a “featured spot” in a mysterious book club you’ve never heard of. I receive these sort of "offers" several times a week, with the promise of swift and fantastic results, meant to catapult my writings to a whole new level. The truth is, in today’s digital publishing world, authors are constantly looking for ways to promot

Valentine's Day Cookies. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor. My dogs love these drool-worthy treats - and soon, your furry friends will crave them, too! Since Saturday is Valentine's Day, I thought this the perfect time to share this yummy dog treat recipe with you. Show your furry companions that you love them, with homemade Valentine's Day Cookies. They are made with all the things dogs love, such as peanut butter (please read the label beforehand and make sure it doesn't

Epi-warriors Lana and Darren sitting in front of the fireplace. I'm changing things up this week for a cause near and dear to my heart: This week is not only Valentine's Day but today is  International Epilepsy Day ! This initiative is jointly sponsored by the International Bureau for Epilepsy and the International League Against Epilepsy. It is a global event which takes place on the second Monday of February each year with the aim to improve epilepsy awareness and highlight

Welcome to Birthdays in Literature ! Many people know when Shakespeare was born or when J. K. Rowling celebrates her special day, but I wanted to shine a light on the talented authors who may not be household names—yet still enrich our lives through their stories. While their names may not appear in history books, their words matter, their creativity inspires, and their contributions deserve to be celebrated. Join me each month as we honor an author and help wish them a very

Oops—I almost forgot to post my January recap, and to make matters worse, I nearly wrote 2025  instead of the current year. Please tell me I’m not the only one still adjusting! But before I get completely sidetracked by my own disbelief at how time works, let’s rewind and recap last month. So, without further ado, here’s the list of the most popular blog posts for January 2026 , as chosen by you, the readers. Wholesome Canine Nutrition: Dog-Friendly Gingerbread Cookies Dogs b

Most writers have fought with a MS Word document that seems to have developed a mind of its own. You hit backspace—nothing happens. You fix one tiny line break—and the whole page jumps like it’s haunted. If you have ever struggled with strange formatting, unexpected line breaks, or odd spacing in your Word documents, hidden characters might be the cause. These invisible marks control how your text flows and appears, but they can also make your document misbehave. Understandin

You’re a writer—and like most writers, you probably keep a copy of every story you’ve ever written. Chances are, your computer (and maybe even a few drawers or boxes) is filled with files and folders brimming with creativity: Story ideas, outlines, character sketches, and snippets of dialogue scribbled on sticky notes. Maybe you even have printed drafts in every stage of editing, from rough beginnings to polished masterpieces. Writers are meticulous when it comes to their cra