I had my gargoyle gecko out for some running around time and she jumped off my shoulder onto the shelf and ran halfway up one of my Stoker awards and has just zoned out there.

I have had very good luck herding mourning geckos into a finely-woven soft shrimp net, like this one:

I don't know who needs to know this, but: mourning geckos are MUCH easier to catch than yellow-headed dwarf geckos. Mourning geckos tend to scurry a few inches and freeze, but the yellow-headed dwarf geckos will rocket away and thrash around wildly if you get your fingers on them.

I and @jarodkanderson.bsky.social, @quotidianwriter.bsky.social, Mindy McGinnis, Nelson Rolon, and Thao Thai are mentoring emerging Central Ohio writers through the Writers Rising program, which is free and open to applications now through 8/20: www.quotidianwriter.com/writers-rising

Here's a map of where we'll be:

Speaking of horrible ideas ... AARP is telling their elderly, computer-naive subscribers to use AI.

The heat is brutal, so a couple of days ago I put shades over both my ponds ... so far the water temperature is staying reasonable. You would never know I pulled a bunch of frogbit out of this one just yesterday. (There's a bubbler so the oxygenation is fine.) (Yes, that is a tree in the pond.)

Alas, she is committed to using AI:

The audiobooks were narrated by Devon Chandler and @dandossantos.bsky.social did the cover art.

And you can borrow the audiobooks through your public library by using services like @libbyapp.com or @bibliothecaglobal.bsky.social libbyapp.com/search/clc/s...

All three books in my Jessie Shimmer series are out today as audiobooks! They're available for purchase through Audible and Spotify, of course, but if you want to support indie bookstores consider @libro.fm libro.fm/audiobooks/9...

I found an exceptionally tiny frog when I was out taking care of my ponds this week! Half inch clay planter balls for scale.

My housemate's cat was incensed that we are not my housemate, who was off with her game group.

View from my bedroom window this morning ... we don't normally have lakefront property! Or ducks! Ducks are very cool. Our basement is fine.

The FCC is floating the idea of making shows put up a warning if they include or discuss trans people and trans lives. A short paragraph objecting to this would be helpful! The deadline for comments is May 22: www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings...

Made a new friend this afternoon. He or she was very happy on my hand and resisted efforts to be escorted onto a bush. But was finally repatriated to a more camouflage-appropriate perch.

Lord of all he surveys.

Tree frog.

Baby mourning gecko. As size reference, that "branch" she's on is about 0.25" thick.

I wonder where my gecko went?

I'm about a month out from my deadline to deliver the follow-up novel to Sister, Maiden, Monster. Making good progress. Preliminary title (but subject to change): In The Bones of a Sundered World

The second audiobook in my Jessie Shimmer series releases on June 16h! Audible, Spotify, etc. Narrated by Devon Chandler. Cover art by Dan Dos Santos.

On June 16th, my Spellbent series will finally be available as audiobooks! Look for it on Audible, Spotify, and elsewhere. Narration by Devon Chandler. Cover art by Dan Dos Santos.

Hey folks. A lady I know who is a former social worker is in danger of becoming homeless over the holidays. If you have a couple of bucks to spare, her Venmo details follow. If not, please share!

Halloween Horror Fest at The Book Loft of German Village! Please join me and authors @themordashin.bsky.social, @cybergodwrites.bsky.social, Jason A. Wyckoff, and @mattbettsauthor.bsky.social at @thebookloft.bsky.social (631 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43206) on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Join me, @dmguay.bsky.social, @ramiungarwriter.bsky.social, @sarahhans.bsky.social, and many other area horror writers at the @columbuslibrary.bsky.social this Saturday, October 25th at noon!

My book HALLOWEEN SEASON is on sale over at Twisted Tales until the end of the month! twistedtalesbooks.com/halloween/

If you read Sister, Maiden, Monster, and you liked it ... what did you like about it?

This coming weekend (July 12-13) find me in the Ohio HWA tent (#79) at the Columbus Book Festival. The festival is free & runs from 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. A HUGE number of authors will be at the festival. www.columbusbookfestival.org

A corner of my blue shrimp tank.