(5/13/26)

Lately, I’ve received quite a bit of “back channel” communication—mostly emails to addresses I’ve not advertised for the purpose. Certainly most of it is spam; everyone gets it; but some of what I’m getting is different, much more pointed and detailed. These requests also seem to be all over the map, so I’ve decided to tackle them here all at once.

For months now I’ve been inundated with all sorts of various requests to pay for AI book trailers, pay for reviews, pay Listopia gangsters, “collaborate” with book clubs, and that’s not all. Some assure me I need to somehow to re-jigger my Amazon listings; others remind me of the importance of audiobook conversions. There have even been multiple people offering to take my books to executives, studio executives that produce for television and the movies.

Here’s the thing: I’m not going to pay you to make me a book trailer, nor do I need or want an expensive new website. My listings on Amazon are what they are, and if you have a Listopia on Goodreads, great, go ahead and add my books! Just stop trying to shake me down.

In short, I’m not buying. I’m the one that’s selling—three books and counting, all over the world. So STOP already. This is the sign; don’t make me tap it. It’s very rude to fill up a box with fliers, email or otherwise.

As for “collaborating” with book clubs, I don’t know what this means. These emails have been vague, leaving me to guess. Does it mean recommendations? Creating reading guides? Whatever the case, the lack of details makes me incredibly skeptical. If your club is considering one of my books, but you’re not quite sure if it’s right, contact your local library and check me out first. I still have a few promotional copies for libraries on a budget. And nothing beats Hoopla and Overdrive if you’re armed with e-readers.

Regarding audiobooks, I have an ACX (audible creators) account, but I haven’t yet done anything with it. This is where authors post their books, soliciting vocal talent collaboration. It’s going to happen at some point, but I’d like to finish my fourth book first. However, I am open to making an exception here should the right opportunity come along (i.e. If you absolutely love one of my books and are an experienced audiobook reader, by all means let me know; I might just drop everything to work with you first!). 

Lastly, on the topic of studio submissions (book to screenplay conversion): Since you’ve asked, I alone control ALL RIGHTS to each and every one of my books. There’s not a one of ‘em I consider in any way un-filmable. So, if you want to discuss the rights to film, I am ALL EARS. What I’m not going to do, however, is entertain generic solicitations. Don’t say you can put me in front of a producer when you have no official links, and the name you provide doesn’t even match the one in your email.

If you’re curious, here’s my thinking on this topic broken down by book:

A Witch’s Burden would be the trickiest one to capture in its complexity. My thinking would be live action with a really brilliant director.

A Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure Story could really go either way. What’s anime in my mind could easily be done live with today’s technology.

I’ve already mentioned HERE what inspired me to write Meet Maybeth. Boom! Just literally make another American Girl period picture, and Bob’s your uncle, Fanny’s your aunt, you’ve got yourself another star maker! Surely there’s another little AnnaSophia Robb out there somewhere just itchin’ to carry a movie and wear period dress. You could even put a little wig on her, whatever it takes. My novella is practically a screenplay already. This one is just too easy.

In summary, if your solicitation on any of these topics is genuine and sincere, contact me only through my official contact form HERE. And BE SPECIFIC. Who are you? Who are you with? What is your website? Do you have references (authors you have previously collaborated with)?

With spam being what it is and AI getting better (creepier?) every day, perhaps none of these scores of emails I’m getting are serious attempts at collaboration but instead just data mining. However, if even one or two of what I receive is real, I don’t want to miss out on making a real connection. I’m being absolutely real with you, so please be real with me.

None of this, of course, has anything to do with fans. You guys are welcome—always welcome—to contact me as much as you like!

(2/19/26)

For over a year now I have been plugging away on a sequel to my second book, the fantasy novel. The manuscript is a hot mess, and still far from alpha, but the bones are laid to the end for the parts still awaiting flesh.

It’s about two-thirds done (with the rest at least an outline) and going to be another big book like the first, surely at least 100K words.  

To our surprise this past August we received an extended visit from the story’s spirit animal; “Pia” and two other foxes set up housekeeping right in our suburban backyard! Lest a neighbor accuse me of harboring wild animals I can confirm that they only stayed about a fortnight. I’m sure it was our wicked Big Bend drought that finally chased them off. That’s probably why they came in the first place, passing through on an expedition for water.

I did slip her a couple of eggs. How could I not? But I drew the line at a water bowl that would only attract dread mosquitoes.

It really was amazing having foxes in our yard. Sorry the pictures suck. I had to take them from inside the house for fear of chasing them off; at one point there were three of them all out sunning in the yard. We’ve had hawks, owls, buzzards, bats, turtles, snakes, possums, and bunnies, along with unwelcome coons, but this was the very first time we’ve ever seen a fox, never mind three.

Usually it was just the one probable vixen. She’d wake up around nine in the morning and poke her head from the boxwood, then yawn and stretch and scratch before a peaceful lounge in the grass.

Pia’s of course in my sequel along with all of the other heroes off on another epic adventure.

I have a new working title—“Even Further South: Another Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure Story.” It did have another name for a while after a certain McGuffin, but this one makes more sense overall and has a better ring to it. I still use mostly real geography, so you might imagine where they are going. Why, though? Not sure if I’m ready to spill, but suffice it to say they’re leaving the country—off to a wild, lawless volcanic jungle where Saurians and ancient Elves dwell.

If it seems odd that I would write a sequel to a book that doesn’t even have a review on Amazon, remember, it’s my policy to never solicit or buy spurious reviews. Because it isn’t published by Amazon I’m not allowed to run a Goodreads Giveaway, which was how I got such interest as I did upon the release of Maybeth. One thing I am able to do, however, is keep apprised of when my books are checked out. Participating libraries seem to confirm my second book is actually my most popular.

This confirmation of a steady readership is more than enough for me. I’ve wanted to write a fantasy sequel anyway despite my confusion on how to promote it. I hope to have some good marketing ideas by the time the book is done. One idea under consideration is to re-release the first as an Amazon exclusive, or I might do something on Substack instead. We’ll just have to see. In any event, I just wanted to confirm today that a sequel is definitely in the works.

In the meantime, please enjoy the foxes along with my poor photography. And keep praying for peace. Nothing wrecks my writing more than the antics of those warmongering dipshits in Washington!        

(11/17/25)

I am very excited to announce that Volusia County has adopted all three of my novels! My wife and I had the pleasure to visit the Daytona area this past summer.

It was actually my first time over there. I just never had the chance before. After all, we have plenty of beaches over here. It was super fun, not only in sand and sun; we toured a lighthouse, an aquarium, and ate some great meals.

So, to all you Volusians admiring your snowy plover, don’t forget to also check out my books.

(1/20/25)

Maybeth’s “down upon the Suwannee River…”

Thanks to the enduring support of the librarians of the Suwannee River system, Meet Maybeth: A Confederate Girl can now be checked out in Lee, Live Oak, and Madison, Florida.

In other news, I’m already on chapter two of the sequel to my fantasy novel. It’s going to take quite a while to finish, but plot lines and ideas are coming together nicely.

(12/24/24)

…and Happy New Year! (2025 couldn’t get any worse, right? The wretched world remains on fire.)

Things are proceeding apace here at Two Goats Press. Meet Maybeth is now on Hoopla, an eBook service I absolutely love. It lets you check out books electronically from hundreds of participating libraries! If you’re socked-in somewhere snuggled up from the cold, please check out my book.

My friends in Southwest Georgia have also recently added me in Decatur, Miller, and Seminole Counties.

I’m still hopeful I’ll show up in a few more places yet. I sent out quite a few promotional copies this time.

Two other pieces of news I have to report:

The planning stage has begun on my fourth book. I’m gonna write a sequel to my fantasy story. What I’ve got planned is epic with lots of surprises, but don’t expect even a sniff of it for at least a year and a half.

Also, you may remember when I mentioned someone messing with my book. Well, that outfit persisted in spite of my warnings, so they’ll soon be getting the horns. (More on this bit later. And I’m no Kris Kringle, but I do now have representation. Those punks should beware.)

Though it may not be where you are, the weather here in Florida has been wonderful lately. Lesly and I recently attended an evening celebration in Monticello, and with the almost full moon it couldn’t have been any more perfect.

Pray for Peace.

D.W.

Oh! P.S. Check out Dragons Down. It’s a new 2024 mega adventure board game. We just cracked it open and it’s been a blast. I used to own its inspiration (Magic Realm) back in the day.

(3/27/24)

Let me start by saying thank you very much to the Calhoun County Library in Blountstown who recently adopted my latest novel (in which they might’ve been name checked). One of these days I’ll have to tell you the story of how that came to be…

You may recall that I expected to have a beta manuscript on my third project by now, but that was before the various catastrophes we suffered back in January. One after the other my wife and I lost three essential appliances: first it was our stove that we used pretty much daily, then our dishwasher died, followed closely by our damned garage door opener! Ugh!

I had hoped to spend the end of winter (such as it was) getting things finished up, but now here we are in spring and my manuscript still isn’t ready. I only have one polish left, but it’s an important one. I call it my “historical/descriptive” pass—a fun part, but time consuming. The field trips are fun, if not necessarily the rewrites.

My best guess for being done now is near the end of spring.

It hasn’t been all bad, however; I have met some very wonderful people.

I got myself a state library card and pored through the archives.

I visited a certain museum which was very informative!

A kind passing stranger in Monticello lent me a book!

I had a great lunch at The Social, which I highly recommend!

I got an amazing private tour of the historic Wirick-Simmons House!

And if all that hadn’t been enough, I’m now a bona fide member of the Jefferson County Historical Association!

Anyway, I’m done runnin’ around for now; it’s time to get back to work—to see if I can’t get this thing wrapped up so I can move on to the next.

(12/7/23)

Merry Christmas! Though this season hasn’t been very “merry” at all so far. Must be something about all the wars, and the rumors of more yet to come…  

Since the last update and my speaking engagement in Perry, I’ve been steadily pecking along, slogging through a pesky edit. Here’s where we are (including the new details revealed back in September at the library):

Project #3, a historical novel set in Jefferson County, FL in the 19^th Century, featuring a ten-year-old protagonist named “Eunice”* is well under way. The first draft was completed some time ago, and first author edits are over half way done. The wife is pokin’ behind a bit at around chapter six, but there are only fourteen (including the epilogue) in the whole thing. Once I get done, I will need to do quick passes to tune voices and the history, but I can’t see that lasting beyond the end of winter at the latest.

It’s not a very big book, more a novella; weighing in fewer than 50K words, it’s still pretty substantial for its audience. Originally conceived as a middle-grade work, it might skew a tad over that.

*The title was picked at the outset, which is why I’m cagey about her name. Her nickname is what will be on the cover—definitely not Eunice. Speaking of the cover, for art, I currently have no idea. I’m hoping something will come to me in the next few months. I can’t say much more now than that the theme is upbeat; you’ll know it, instantly, the moment you hear the full title.

In other news, physical copies of A Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure Story are now in two more libraries (technically, one here recently, since it’s been in the other for a while (I missed it)).

Library patrons here in Florida, in Sarasota and Jefferson Counties, can check me out from these two fine institutions:

The Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library in Monticello, and the Shannon Staub Library in North Port, on Career Lane there by the interstate. Thank you, librarians, for your enduring support of this independent author! I will continue to work very hard to put out a high quality product.

Lastly, I’ll mention, mainly for my own benefit (since this blog helps me accurately mark certain times), that a central plot has coalesced on what will be my fourth project, when this current one is finished. Unless, amid the next year when I hope to release my third book, I come up with something else, I’ll be returning to my adventurers. I even have a title: “The XXXXXX XXXX: Another Southern Fried Fantasy Adventure” (redacted to prevent astute readers from prematurely guessing).

This next book will have more everything, including more lore and character backstories. I’m one of those authors who thinks readers should first come to care, before they’re hit with a life story.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Again, have a Merry Christmas!

Pray for peace or, even as I, the failure of warmongers.     

Romans 12:18-20