Summertime Reading And Relaxing
A short list of Authors on and off Substack
One of the things I love to do in the summer is to take an old blanket and a pillow to a park, the beach, or the backyard and spread it out on the cool green grass (or warm sand) under a shady tree. Beside me is a hamper with a few snacks and, of course, some water. Most importantly, there is a book or two.
These days you can pack not only paperbacks and hardcover books, but you can also take a whole library of ebooks with you on an iPad or other reader.
You can also surf and read online. There is a whole community of writers who publish short stories and articles in a newsletter format on Substack.
These are great if you don’t have time to get into a 500-page book, although it is also good to lose yourself for a while in a novel or a big self-help book.
The Backstory Serial on Substack
“Join THE BACKSTORY SERIAL,
and you will never miss a
cliffhanger!”
with
MARY TRUMP,
E. JEAN CARROL,
AND
JEN TAUB.
Mary Louisa Locke
“I was inspired by a passage in a diary
by a domestic servant that suggested
a perfect setting
for a cozy “locked room” mystery.
The germ of the plot
of my first historical mystery,
Maids of Misfortune was born.”
Why Self-Publish, an interview with M. Louisa Locke on YouTube.
You will find just the right mix of history and Cozy Mystery in Mary Louisa Locke’s several books in her Victorian San Francisco Series. See them all at this link.
Mary Louisa Locke is a retired US Women’s history professor and appeared in USA Today.
Mary Louisa is a prolific writer who received her Ph.D. in history from the University of California, San Diego. Her historical mysteries come from research she did for her doctoral thesis on women who worked in the urban far west at the end of the 19th century.
She also earned two degrees in history from Oberlin College and Kent State University.
Mary Louisa lives with her husband and a rescue dog, Leeza, in San Diego. In between her busy writing schedule, she enjoys time with her two grandsons.
Mary Louisa Locke taught high school history for some years before pursuing her dream as a writer. She is the best-selling indie author of the Victorian San Francisco Mystery series and the science fiction Caelestis Series. You can discover The Paradisi Chronicles Science Fiction Series of books at this link.
You can enjoy Mary Louisa Locke’s daily posts by subscribing to her newsletters on Substack. The daily newsletter is called “An Aging Author’s Daily Diversions.” It is about what it takes to age gracefully and the dedication it takes to be a successful self-published author. You can also subscribe to her monthly newsletter called “Mary Louisa Locke’s Monthly Newsletter,“ which announces new publications and book discounts on her work. The monthly newsletter features links to discounted or free books in her two genres (historical mysteries and science fiction.) Both newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with Mary Louisa Locke.
Katie Stack
A fan of short stories? Read N.T Lazer Short Stories on Substack.
Weirdo Poetry with Jason McBride
“Life is full of unexpected turns.”
Barnett Singer
Maxime Weygand, a Biography of the French General in Two World Wars, by Barnett Singer
“Weygand’s private papers contribute to a fascinating biography of one of World War II’s unsung heroes.”
Barnett Singer, Author and Professor Emeritus of History at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, is a prolific writer with many titles you will enjoy reading.
Barnett Singer’s in-depth research and understanding of the subjects in his books is inspiring.
Amy Bragdon
“If my book, “Beauty for Ashes”
can help one person have a happier life,
it will be worth it!”
Joan Havelange
Joan, a Cozy Mystery Writer, has won the BWL Publishing Award for Best Selling Author for two years, in 2021 and 2022.
“I find writing is a lot like directing, except all my characters show up on time and always know their lines. But, sometimes, they go off in a direction that even surprises me!”
Gwen Tuinman
Gwen has written several books, including, The Last Hoffman, We Are Enough, and Portrait of Escape. Her next novel, UNREST, will be published 2024 by Random House Canada.
“How we respond under pressure tells the world who we are. When a young mother’s mental health deteriorates, does her husband stand by her? If a wealthy woman’s privilege doesn’t buy the results she wants, how does she retaliate? And when a family rejects their expectant teenage daughter, how will she move forward.”
Yvonne Rediger
Author of several book series, including Death and Cupcakes, a Musgrave Landing Mystery. Yvonne engages in a great deal of research to give her novels as much realism as possible.
“My readers have come to expect a twist or two of humor along with the mystery. My Siamese cat sits next to me as I write and grins when I find those lines that tickle my funny bone.
After all, we have to have a laugh or two in this house! “
Nancy M. Bell
A multi-genre author, one of Nancy’s romance novels is called Kayla’s Cowboy.
“Every storyline needs a good plot, a well-crafted backdrop or world, and characters who grab the reader by the throat and won’t let go.”
V.L. Murray
Among Lynne’s accomplishments are a novel called “The Witches of Ravenswood” - “Prayers – A Little Book, Volumes 2 and 3 - “Proverbs For a New Day,” and “A Winter Poetry Collection.” She also works as a book editor.
“I love curling up on the couch with a good book! Editing and coaching others seem to come naturally. It is rewarding to help another author. Editing is demanding, and I work hard to balance time between all my interests, music, teaching, and writing.”
Jefferson Knapp
“Twelve years and two months from when I started writing THE BRAVE JOURNEY, I wrote the last line of the sixth and final book, THE EMPTY THRONE.
It’s hard to say goodbye to these ‘friends’ I’ve had in my head for so many years. They allowed me to use them for a career I never imagined I could have and to share them with kids from all over the USA.
They’ve brought so many smiles to children who never liked to read. Even scared a few along the way, too! “
Trina Astor-Stewart
Trina has published books, including a gluten-free cookbook and some children’s books, and is currently working on the illustrations for two new picture books.
“Butterfly Baby meets Mr. and Mrs. Toad” begins with a story of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly from egg to caterpillar to butterfly and her adventures along the way. The Teacher-Student-Parent Companion Book contains much of the research with illustrations to encourage children to learn about insects, habitats, and ecology.”
Please share this post with your friends, and have a great summer!
Read the whole article and book list in Astoria Magazine.
Enjoy your summer, and if possible, find some time to sit and relax with some good books.
Summer reading can be a vacation, transporting you away to some other world, to entertain and let go, inspire you, or help you learn something new. Actually, summer reading like this is a pastime that enables you to remember that you had a summer on cold winter days! Too often, we hurry about in summer, trying to fit in all those things we want to do or have put off until the good weather. With your time off, you have projects.
Relaxing and re-fueling should be a priority—something you do for yourself. Enjoy the breezes, ground out on the grass, and listen to nature’s sounds. Remember these moments of relaxation, and at any moment, you can be transported back, even if it is winter, to this beautiful feeling.
Thanks so much for the shout-out, Trina!