The Month That Looked at April and Whispered, “You thought that was busy?” May didn’t arrive so much as it materialized, already mid‑sentence, holding a clipboard, a half‑finished latte, and a list of things I apparently agreed to do. It came in hot, loud, and determined, which, at this point, feels like the standard operating procedure for 2026. This month was a blur of Inklight prep, author wrangling, publishing deadlines, and the kind of last‑minute frenzy that only happen

Rights Retention: The Foundation of Ethical Hybrid Publishing Why Author Ownership Matters More Than Ever Overview As hybrid publishing continues to evolve, one principle stands above all others: authors should retain their rights. May’s insight explores why rights retention is the bedrock of ethical hybrid publishing, how rights grabs still appear in modern contracts, and what authors must understand to protect their long‑term careers. Transparent, author‑first models succee

ANGELS' BLOOD: MURDER IN THE CHORUS by author Roberta Mantell will be featured on WQXR (105.9 FM) this Sunday, May 17 at 3 PM on Annie Bergen’s Book Club. The program pairs a selected book with a piece of music that reflects its themes and atmosphere. This week’s episode highlights the 19th‑century British composer Edward Elgar, who appears as a character in Angels’ Blood. His evocative “Enigma Variations” is expected to be part of the broadcast, creating a rich musical backd

Live at Collected Works in Santa Fe If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to visit Santa Fe in June, this is it. Bestselling thriller author Sarah Lovett and international justice advocate Ron Schultz will be appearing at Collected Works Bookstore on June 7th for a special reading and signing of their new novel, Metal Viper, the first book in their electrifying new Kae Zhang Series. This is more than a simple bookstore signing — it’s a chance to meet two powerhouse st

Timothy R. Baldwin’s Dynasty of Deceit Earns 5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite Maryland author Timothy R. Baldwin’s latest mystery thriller, Dynasty of Deceit, has received a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite, with reviewer Grant Leishman praising the novel’s “fast-paced series of story arcs,” layered twists, and compelling lead investigator, Cassie Maddox. The second installment in the Cassie Maddox Mystery Series follows private investigator Cassie Maddox as she uncov

May Has Gone Off‑Script (But It’s Okay) By Lisa M. Orban If April felt like a juggling act, May took one look at the balls in the air, laughed, and said, “Adorable. Now try juggling flaming chainsaws while riding a unicycle.” This month didn’t just wander off‑script, it staged a full‑scale rebellion against the script, rewrote the plot, and then dared me to keep up. And honestly? I’m starting to think the universe is workshopping a new genre: chaotic realism with comedic unde

Bold Hearts, New Voices, and Pre‑Festival Chaos Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering, bookmark tail swishing, and heart doing a full drum solo because May has arrived, and ohhh, this month is bursting with youthful energy. The air smells like sunshine, fresh pages, and the faint panic of deadlines I definitely meant to dodge. Spring has officially hit the shelves, and every story feels like it’s stretching its legs and shouting, “Tag, you’re it!” A