(7/17/25)

Three more libraries have added Meet Maybeth to their collections: the Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg, TN, The Northwest Regional Library System in Bay County, FL, and a very special library over in Hattiesburg, MS.

As I told the friendly staff at the Panama City Beach branch, Bay County used to stock A Witch’s Burden. However, over a year ago, some jive turkey apparently checked it out and never returned it. Now, as flattering as it is to learn that folks like my work enough to steal it, it’s definitely not cool to pilfer a book from the library! That first novel of mine is so cheap now at Amazon. Such a selfish thing to take a public book from others…

Anyway, when I took them a replacement copy, I also gave them a Maybeth, and now both books can be checked out right there at the beach! Next time you visit your condo, or if you live in the area, be sure to hit the library and check out my work!

Gatlinburg, TN, which Les and I visit almost every year, has a great library that has always supported my work. I am very pleased that Anna Porter stocks Maybeth now as well. Thanks again to the staff there—it was wonderful to meet you last fall! And thank you for showing me your super cool 3D printer!

Now for the fancy one: Did you know—I DIDN’T until recently—that The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hosts one of the most important, if not THE most important, collections of children’s literature in the world? Fancy that! For much of my middle and high school years I lived in Mobile, AL, not too far down the road and across the border from USM in Hattiesburg. My favorite teacher of all time (my old band director) actually got a job working in Hattiesburg back when I was in high school. I would later come to enjoy visiting USM’s campus when we would go to watch my UAB Blazers play USM’s Eagles. USM began as a teachers college, and during the 1960s one of their professors started the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection. Managed by USM’s University Library, it’s very prestigious. And since I think quite highly of my work—I do my very best!—I sent them a copy of Meet Maybeth, and recently received a wonderful acceptance letter in return. I am delighted that they added my book to their collection. As I told them, it may be the only children’s book I write.  Thank you, thank you to the de Grummond staff! May your collection continue to flourish well into the future!  

P.S. Speaking of children’s literature, you must know that I was supremely flattered by an early Maybeth reviewer who mentioned my work alongside Ms. L.M. Montgomery’s.

Did you know that The Answer studio Co., Ltd. over in Japan has apparently embarked upon a definitive anime telling of Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables? Les and I love it. You will as well. It’s in its second cour now. Watch it! Watch it! It’s charming.

(4/29/23)

My latest book is now available for checkout from five more public libraries!

Thank you VERY MUCH to the staff of the following wonderful institutions:

Wacross-Ware County Public Library in Georgia https://okrls.org/

Warren P. Sewell Memorial Library in Georgia (Bremen!!) https://wgrls.org/

Taylor County Public Library in Florida (See you guys soon!) http://3riverslibrary.com/

Haines City Public Library in Florida https://pclc.ent.sirsi.net/

Joplin Public Library in Missouri https://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org/

That’s twenty-two separate libraries now in four states who’ve adopted me. There might be a few more soon as well—we’ll just have to see. I still have a few more promotional copies left (operative word, ‘few’) that I will only make available to libraries. Please, if you know one that’s interested, let me know, and I’ll ship it to them for free.

I also have some other news that might be of interest to my readers. I’m already on chapter six of my next big project! Here’s what I can share about it so far:

My third book will be a short novel, perhaps even a novella, intended for a youthful audience. How ‘youthful’? Well, just wait until you hear the title! Once you do, you’ll know almost precisely what you’re in for! LOL

No! I can’t reveal that title yet; let’s just say it’ll be interesting…

It’s another historical piece, told in third person limited, set in the nineteenth century like my first book.

And why, you might ask, don’t I write anything set in the twentieth century or beyond? Well, I suppose it’s possible—one day—but writing horror holds no interest for me now. Yes, you heard me correctly: I said, if I were to write anything set current, or even more recent, the only genre it could be would be horror, abject horror.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Oh! One last thing!

Let me tell you about a new K-Drama I’m hooked on. It’s called “Queen & I”/ 인현왕후의 남자. I found it on Tubi. Here are a couple of links: TUBI  https://tubitv.com/series/300010048/queen-i?start=true WIKI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_and_I_(South_Korean_TV_series)

You should really check it out. It’s about a nobleman three hundred years ago who, amid trying to help his beloved deposed queen, travels through time with a charm and meets the actress currently playing her on TV. Their timelines intertwine in a most interesting way, and I refuse spoil it for you. Actually, I couldn’t; I’m only half-way done watching but am already sure enough about the show to highly recommend it. 

‘til next time!

D.W.

(10/30/21) Do you remember back in April last year when I recommended a show? I don’t talk of TV often, but how could I not when so certain your fancy?

Well, I’ve another jam for you that I cannot recommend enough:

Detective Anna  Анна – Детективъ

This one’s Russian, instead of Korean, but I’m watching another of those* as well.

It’s impossible for a Witch to watch netflix no matter what truths** may rarely be told there.  

*Oh, yep. We found another K-Drama, and so much fun it is! I feel when I watch it like a pot boiling Baa-san! I’m referring to the Strongest Deliveryman  최강 배달꾼 Watch it, or don’t, either way. But if you don’t, don’t pretend you’re not a hollywood fool!   

**Guess. I think you can guess. Surely you are capable of guessing.

P.S. Still editing that first draft!!

(4/20/20) My Hoopla E Book has been sighted in the Dover Public Library in Delaware and in the Enoch Pratt free Library in Baltimore, Maryland.

If you live in either of these fair cities, please check me out!

I hope everyone out there is staying safe amid this coronavirus thing.

Hey, if you’ve gone to ground like we have and need something cool to watch, my wife and I discovered a wonderful Korean telenovela on Tubi (a free streaming service) entitled, of all things, The Legendary Witch.

I think its Korean title is 전설의 마녀

It was a hugely popular show a few years back, and has since been subtitled for distribution all over the world. One of its many alternate titles is “4 Legendary Witches”. See if you can find it. It is a TV series, technically a K-Drama, but you’ll get why I call it a telenovela as soon as you get started. It’s the best show I’ve seen in ages! It has absolutely everything—from high over-the-top drama to low knee-slapping comedy; there are endearing romantic heroes, odious villains, a plethora of knuckleheads, and even a cheeky twin-tail!

It’s no wonder South Korea is winning best picture Oscars these days…

Anyway, we’re not even done with it yet, and I’d already give it six stars out of five (******/*****): certified witchy!