(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!

(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.

(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.

(5/19/25)

It’s been a while since I’ve made a post. This spring has been busy, with all sorts of things going on, including horrible distractions.

First off, respecting my title, I thought I’d provide a comprehensive update on where you can check out and read my latest book for free.

Here are the counties with libraries in Florida: Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Jefferson, Leon (at the State Library), Lafayette, Levy, Madison (2 locations), Pasco, Polk, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

And here are the counties in Georgia: Decatur, Grady, Miller, and Seminole.

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Maybeth’s in the Chapin Memorial Library, and up in Indiana she can be found in the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

Thanks again very much to all the librarians supporting my work! I’ll continue to try and put out only the best that I can manage.

As a reminder, if you don’t live in any of these areas, you can still ask your local librarian to consider stocking one or all of my titles. There’s also inter-library loan, of course, as well as free library eBooks. I’m now in both the Overdrive and Hoopla networks.  All you need is a library card and a participating local institution.

In other news, I’m on something like chapter nine of the first draft of my sequel to the fantasy story I released in 2023. I know, slow going, right? I was on chapter two in January! But remember, I was in the midst of a fight with one of my distributors—a fight I’ve since won, but it didn’t come cheap!

So, it will be a while yet before my next book. But I’m still really happy with how it’s progressing. 

From here on out I’ll try and do a better job of keeping you posted.

As for the “horrible distractions” I mentioned, I really probably shouldn’t say anything, but I’ve been so disgusted lately that I’ve got to get this out… CLICK HERE for that separate post.

(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.

(11/26/24)

Recently, in the midst of promoting my book, I got a question I wasn’t quite ready to answer: Can shops that aren’t primarily bookstores also order my book wholesale?

Answer: Yes!

I was sure they could; I just didn’t know the procedure; I’m talking about gift shops and the like that sell other general merchandise. After a little research, I discovered this handy link that should put retailers on the path to getting almost 50% off:  https://www.ingramcontent.com/get-started  Obviously bookstores are already set up, but this is how any shop can establish their ordering account with Ingram. Ingram, the largest book distributor in the world, is the outfit that prints and distributes my newest book.

In other news, Meet Maybeth is now in three more libraries, and hopefully still more soon as I just finished mailing all my promotional copies.

As of this blog post, library patrons can check me out for free from all eleven of these wonderful facilities:

(IN FLORIDA) The State Library of Florida, the Jefferson County Public Library, the Wakulla County Public Library, the Franklin County Public Library, the Dixie County Public Library, the Gilchrist County Public Library, the Lafayette County Public Library, the Taylor County Public Library, the Levy County Public Library in Chiefland, and the Zephyrhills Public Library down in Pasco County.

(IN GEORGIA) The Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo