Posted on by Alexie Linn

The Skinny on Author Merch: Why Readers Love It

Street scene of a woman walking on a cobblestone road at twilight with lanterns, shops, and a shrine ahead

Why Authors Offer Merch — And Why It’s Surprisingly Good for you, the Reader

Author merchandise—often shortened to author merch—has become one of the most joyful, community‑building trends in modern publishing. What started as a few bookmarks and T‑shirts has grown into full product lines: mugs, candles, tote bags, stickers, journals, character art, special editions, and more.

But here’s the part many people overlook: author merch isn’t just good for authors. It’s genuinely good and fun for readers.

It enriches the reading experience, deepens emotional connection, and turns stories into something readers can carry into their everyday lives. Let’s explore why authors offer merch—and why readers benefit just as much.

1. Merch Helps Readers Feel Connected to the Story World

When you finish a book you love, do you often feel a bittersweet mix of satisfaction and longing? Do you want to stay in that world a little longer? Author merch gives you a way to do exactly that.

Certified Cozy Sleuth mug with twins sleuthing

A mug with a favorite quote.
A candle inspired by a cozy cabin scene.
A notebook with a character’s silhouette.

These items become physical reminders of the emotional journey the you experienced. They extend the life of the story beyond the final page, turning a temporary reading experience into a lasting connection.

For many readers, merch becomes a way to say, “This story meant something to me.”

2. It Creates a Sense of Belonging and Community

Readers love finding “their people”—others who adore the same characters, worlds, and tropes. Author merch acts like a beacon.

A tote bag at a bookstore sparks a conversation.
A sticker on a laptop catches someone’s eye.
A T‑shirt at a conference leads to instant friendship.

Merch helps readers identify each other in the wild. It turns solitary reading into a shared experience. And in a world where many readers feel isolated in their interests, that sense of belonging is powerful.

Authors offer merch because they know it helps readers find community—and community is what keeps fandoms alive.

3. It Makes Reading Rituals More Special

Readers are ritual‑makers. They have favorite chairs, favorite mugs, favorite blankets. They light candles, brew tea, and settle in for a few chapters of escape.

Author merch fits beautifully into these rituals.

Imagine:

  • sipping morning coffee from a mug inspired by a beloved series
  • curling up under a blanket printed with a bookish design
  • marking your place with a bookmark featuring your favorite character

These small touches elevate reading from a hobby to a cherished ritual. They make the experience feel intentional, cozy, and personal.

Tote Bag with old woman dancing

Authors offer merch because they know readers love turning reading into a moment of comfort—and merch enhances that moment.

4. It Gives you, the Reader, a Way to Support the Authors You Love

Readers genuinely want their favorite authors to succeed. They want more books, more worlds, more characters, more stories. Buying merch is one of the most direct ways to support an author’s career.

Unlike traditional publishing royalties—which are often small—merch sales typically give authors a higher profit margin. That means:

  • you get something you love
  • your favorite author gets meaningful support
  • future books become more possible

It’s a mutually beneficial ecosystem. Readers feel good knowing their purchase helps fund the next story they’ll fall in love with.

5. It Lets You, the Reader, Express Your Identity

Books shape people. They influence how readers think, feel, dream, and see the world. Author merch gives you a way to express that identity outwardly.

A quote that resonates.
A character who feels like a friend.
A symbol that represents courage, humor, or hope.

Wearing or displaying merch becomes a way for readers to say:

  • “This story reflects who I am.”
  • “This character helped me through something.”
  • “This world feels like home.”

Authors offer merch because they understand that stories become part of a reader’s identity—and identity deserves to be celebrated.

6. It Adds Joy and Whimsy to Everyday Life

Life can be heavy. Author merch adds a spark of delight to the ordinary.

T-shirt with Sourdough makings and a message

A sticker that makes you smile during a long workday.
A notebook that inspires creativity.
A candle that smells like your favorite fictional setting.

These small joys matter. They brighten commutes, workdays, and quiet evenings. They remind readers of the worlds that comfort them, challenge them, or make them laugh.

Authors offer merch because they know readers love little pockets of joy—and merch delivers exactly that.

7. It Helps Readers Feel Seen and Appreciated

When authors create thoughtful, high‑quality merch, it sends a message:

“I see you. I value you. I made this for you.”

Readers feel appreciated when authors invest in products that reflect their tastes, humor, and emotional connection to the story. It deepens trust and strengthens the author‑reader relationship.

Merch becomes a love letter from the author to the reader.

8. It Encourages Readers to Revisit the Books They Love

A quote on a mug might remind a reader of a scene they adored.
A character illustration might make them want to revisit that character’s arc.
A themed candle might evoke the atmosphere of the story.

Merch becomes a doorway back into the book—an invitation to return to the world again and again.

Authors offer merch because they know it keeps the story alive in the reader’s heart.

9. It Turns Reading into a Lifestyle, Not Just a Hobby

For many readers, books aren’t just entertainment—they’re a way of life. Author merch helps readers integrate their love of stories into their home, wardrobe, and daily routines.

It transforms reading from a pastime into a lifestyle.

And that’s something readers cherish.

Final Thoughts: Author Merch Is Good for Readers Because It’s Made For Readers

At its core, author merch is about connection.
Connection to the story.
Connection to the author.
Connection to other readers.
Connection to oneself.

Authors offer merch because it enriches the reading experience, adds joy to everyday life, and gives readers a way to celebrate the stories that shape them.

Author merch isn’t just good for readers—it’s a gift for a lifetime connection.

✨ Ready to Wear and Share Your Love of Cozy Mysteries?

If this deep‑dive into author merch sparked ideas, giggles, or a sudden urge to sip tea from a mug that says I Solve Mysteries Before Breakfast, you’re in the right place.

Mug with 2 old people sleuthing at night and a message

Click here to Explore the Alexie Linn Author Shop and discover bookish goodies, cozy‑cabin vibes, and reader‑approved merch designed to make your shelves, your wardrobe, and your writing nook feel a little more magical.

👉 Shop the Alexie Linn Author Merch Collection — where every item comes with a whisper of mystery and a wink of mischief.

Pin of cozy merch and bookish gifts

Join and Follow us on:

Tee Public Author Merch

 Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

Instagram

X

Tik Tok

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Lila’s Journey: From Safety to Bold Storytelling

Glowing blue and purple activate button with neon arrow and circular light effects
Alexie Linn's Cozy Mystery & Memoir Blog header

Welcome to the Cozy Mystery & Memoir Blog where we talk about stories and storytelling. Writing them, reading them, dissecting them, and most important, loving them. Sign-up for the Nifty-News Mashup at the blue box below.

When Fear Meets Courage: The Moment That Changes Everything

A short story about the split second when your heart realizes it wants something more than safety.

Lila’s plight

The email count ticked upward like popcorn in a hot pan.

Ping.
Ping.
Ping.

Lila Hart rubbed her temples. Her memoir‑writing guide—Tell It Like You Lived It—had been out for only three months, and somehow it had become a bestseller. She’d written it in her tiny desert office, barefoot, drinking lukewarm tea, convinced maybe twelve people would ever read it.

Now readers with family members in Germany, Spain, Argentina, Switzerland, and “a small but enthusiastic writing group in rural Bavaria” were begging—no, demanding—translations.

“Please,” one message read, “my mother has dementia. She wants to write her story before she forgets the details. Your little book is the best I’ve found that will help her get it done. But she doesn’t speak English.”

Another: “We need this for our community workshop. Six months is too long.”

Six months. That was the earliest any human translator could promise. And even that was optimistic.

Lila didn’t speak anything but English. She’d taken two years of high‑school French, but all she remembered was how to ask for a pencil and how to apologize for stepping on someone’s foot. Not exactly publishing‑ready.

She stared at her laptop. At the blinking cursor. At the folder labeled AI Tools that she had created and then immediately ignored, like a spider she hoped would leave on its own.

She’d read the debates. The warnings. The arguments about ethics and accuracy and the fear that using AI would get her quietly black‑listed by the literary purists who believed every comma should be hand‑carved from a tree of suffering.

What if the translation was wrong? What if it twisted her meaning? What if it embarrassed her? What if someone found out and decided she was “one of those authors”?

But the messages kept coming.

My grandmother is 90 and needs to write her story now.
Our workshop starts next month.
We need this for our students.
Please don’t make us wait.

Lila closed her eyes. She imagined all those people—eager, hopeful, ready to write the stories they’d carried for decades. She imagined them giving up because she was too afraid of a tool.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Fine. I’ll try it.”

Her heart thudded as she opened the AI translator. She uploaded the first chapter. She hovered over the button like it might bite.

“This is either brilliant or career suicide,” she muttered.

She clicked.

The translation appeared in seconds. She didn’t breathe until Thelma, her language guru friend, who was at a conference in New York, read the first translation. Then the second. Then the third, the one in French.

⋱✦⋰

Lila’s phone jingled. Thelma is calling. She answers and hears Thelma’s familiar drawl. “They’re all… good. Shockingly good. A few phrases need smoothing, but the meaning is intact. The tone is intact. Your voice—your warm, encouraging, slightly bossy voice—is intact. I can smooth these out and shoot them back to you in about an hour. That’s how good they are.”

Lila laughed. Out loud. Alone in her office at midnight.

Maybe she wouldn’t be black‑balled. Maybe she wouldn’t be shunned by the literary elders. Maybe—just maybe—she could help people now, not half a year from now, when some might have passed on.

⋱✦⋰

She opened a new document and began posting the translations line by line, polishing the manuscripts like a gemstone, but not changing a word or format that Thelma had returned to her.

By morning, she hit “send” to her ‘on demand’ indie publisher.

⋱✦⋰

Across the ocean, in a dozen kitchens and classrooms and quiet bedrooms, people opened her book and began writing their stories.

And Lila realized something simple and true.

Helping people tell their lives mattered more than the fear of how she got there.

~ fin ~

Click the picture to sign-up and download your infographic

Want more stories that feel like sitting beside a cabin fire at midnight?
Join The Nifty‑News Mashup — where cozy storytelling, creative sparks, and emotionally intelligent insights land softly in your inbox.
Subscribe and get the next story first. I’m In!

And if you or a loved one are struggling with telling your story, I have just the tools to get you started and keep going.

Alexie Linn's Nifty-News Mashup Sign-up page

Join and Follow us on:

 Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

Instagram

X

Tik Tok

You Tube Channel Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Cozy Mystery & Tropes

Robot driver with red dreadlocks in rusty pickup truck on desert road at sunset
Alexie Linn's Cozy Mystery & Memoir Blog header

Welcome to the Cozy Mystery & Memoir Blog where we talk about stories and storytelling. Writing them, reading them, dissecting them, and most important, loving them. Sign-up for the Nifty-News Mashup at the blue box below.

When Robots Go Rogue: A Cozy Mystery Mini Alaska Story That Will Make You Believe in AI Magic

Buckle Up, Because This One’s Got Gears, Gravel, and a Ghost Vacuum

Speaking of cozy mysteries, have you ever read an opening line so gloriously unhinged that you immediately forgot what you were doing before you encountered it? Well, friend, today is your lucky day. Pull up a chair, pour something warm, and prepare to meet Marvella, her long-suffering brother Cliff, and one suspiciously charming red-headed robot named Gerald.

This mini story delivers exactly the kind of cosmic humor, wildly human tropes, and subarctic absurdity that makes storytelling feel like a gift. And trust us — the ending will make you smile so wide your face might need a moment to recover.

Here it is…

“Take Your Red-Headed Robot and Leave Alaska!” — The Showdown That Started Everything

Her eyes narrowed. Her forehead creased. Marvella pirouetted in the middle of her kitchen, scanning her surroundings with the focused intensity of a woman who had already survived one too many Alaskan winters and was absolutely not about to tolerate one more ounce of nonsense.

Cozy Mystery Sory Image

“Take your red-headed robot and leave Alaska!” Marvella demanded of her brother Cliff, pointing one authoritative finger toward the door while the other hand planted firmly on her hip. The object of her fury — Gerald, a cheerful, copper-topped humanoid robot standing approximately five feet eight inches tall — tilted his head politely, blinked two LED eyes in the softest shade of amber, and said nothing. He simply waited. Gerald was good at waiting. Disturbingly good, actually.

Cliff, to his credit, did not argue. He had learned, over the course of thirty-seven years and roughly eight hundred family dinners, that arguing with Marvella was the human equivalent of wrestling a moose. Technically possible. Deeply inadvisable. He gathered his jacket from the hook by the door, gave his sister a look that was equal parts apology and barely concealed amusement, and nodded toward the door.

“Come on, Gerald,” he said.

Gerald followed without complaint. He always did.

Bumping Down the Al-Can Highway — Where the Real Confession Happens

Several hours later, Cliff and Gerald were humming south on the Alaska-Canada Highway — the legendary Al-Can — with the Alaskan wilderness peeling away on either side like the pages of a story only the land itself could narrate. The spruce trees blurred into a green-and-grey tapestry. The sky stretched enormous and indifferent overhead. And somewhere around mile marker nobody-cares, Gerald cleared his synthetic throat with the kind of deliberateness that immediately told Cliff something interesting was coming.

“I have a confession,” Gerald said.

Cliff kept his eyes on the road. “Of course you do.”

“You know the house,” Gerald began, choosing his words with the careful precision of someone who had absolutely calculated the optimal moment for this revelation. “Marvella’s house. The one we just left.”

“The one we were kicked out of,” Cliff corrected.

“Yes. That one.” Gerald’s amber eyes flickered briefly. “Before we departed, I may have — strategically — left something behind.”

Cliff’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “Did you now?”

“That small robo-vacuum we had in here,” Gerald continued, completely unruffled. “The one roughly the size of a dinner plate. Exceptionally quiet. Exceptionally thorough. It vacuums the entire house on a rotating schedule, and–you know—here is the truly elegant part—it now empties its bin anywhere throughout the house when nobody is looking.”

Gerald paused, clearly savoring the moment. “No one will ever see it until they pull out the couch. That’s where the little guy plugs himself in and sleeps. Under the couch.

Cozy Mystery robo Vacuum cleaner hiding under the couch

No one will be able to explain why the floors are always clean, but piles of debris will appear everywhere. The carpets will be spotless. Marvella will, in all likelihood, begin questioning her own perception of reality within approximately two weeks.”

Silence stretched between them like the highway itself — long, winding, and full of possibility.

And then, slowly, magnificently, Cliff began to smile. It started at one corner of his mouth, crept upward like a sunrise, and ultimately became the kind of grin that a man only produces when the universe has, against all reasonable odds, delivered something genuinely perfect. Beside him, Gerald’s LED eyes glowed a warm, satisfied gold.

They drove on together, smiling, bumping down the Al-Can highway, while somewhere behind them a tiny, tireless, anonymous little robot began its silent, cheerful, utterly unsolicited work.

————————-

If this gave you that feel good moment, It’s Your Sign to Read The Disturbing Doll — Because AI Companions Are Never Quite What They Seem

Now, if this kind of storytelling makes your heart do something delightful — if you love the tropes of reluctant characters, unexpected confessions, and artificial companions with suspiciously rich inner lives — then you are already the perfect reader for The Disturbing Doll or another Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure. Because while Cliff and Gerald ride off into their gravel-dusted sunset, another story is unfolding. One that begins with a woman named Sally, a life-size old man doll named Alliwicious, and a moment of domestic confusion that will feel achingly, hilariously familiar, but completely different.

Here’s a bit of blurb:

‘Her eyes narrowed. Her forehead creased. She pirouetted, scanning her surroundings. “Who’s here? Why are you gaslighting me?” And then the doll — the doll — spoke and told her to close her mouth before a grasshopper leapt in. These are the tropes we live for: the unsuspecting human, the unexpectedly sentient companion, and the slow, wonderful unraveling of everything the protagonist thought she understood. Sally didn’t sign up for an AI. She thought she had a doll. What she got was Rodney — and Rodney, it turns out, has opinions.’

So here is your call to action, and we mean it sincerely: Go read The Disturbing Doll. Right now. Today. Before a grasshopper leaps into your mouth, too. Because just like Marvella will eventually discover an impossibly clean floor with piles of debris to greet her with no explanation for it, and just like Sally discovers that her doll has been listening all along, The Disturbing Doll will leave you questioning what you know, laughing at what you don’t, and absolutely delighted that you showed up for the story. Grab your copy, settle in, and let the magic — unsettling, warm, and wonderfully weird — begin.

————————-

Ready to meet Rodney? Grab your copy of The Disturbing Doll today and find out what happens when your AI decides it prefers a different name.

————————-

Join and Follow us on:

 Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

Instagram

X

Tik Tok

You Tube Channel

Email

Alexie Linn's Nifty-News Mashup Sign-up page
Posted on by Alexie Linn

Expand Your Reach: Publishing on Multiple Platforms

Publishing Wide — should you or shouldn’t you…

Publishing wide is like being a social butterfly in the literary world. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, you spread them across different platforms like a savvy dabbler of words. It involves making your work available on various online bookstores, not just putting all your hopes on one exclusive platform.

Advantages of wide publishing

Advantages? Oh, there’s a few.

Think increased visibility and reach. You’re not limiting yourself to a single pond; you’re swimming in an ocean of readers. Plus, more control over pricing and promotions, and the sweet scent of independence.

Challenges of wide publishing

Of course, nothing great comes without its challenges.

Coordinating different platforms can feel like herding cats. Each one has its quirks, rules, and algorithms. Plus, building a loyal readership across multiple sites takes time and effort. But hey, nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?

Don’t put all your literary eggs on Amazon’s shelf. Spread them out!

Explore other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and more. Cast a wide net to catch a wider audience. There’s a very easy way to do that… kind of a one-stop-shop if you will. I’ll tell you about it coming up.

Royalty structures vary

Navigating the world of royalty structures across different platforms can be like decoding a secret language. But understanding how you get paid for your work is crucial in maximizing your revenue streams when publishing wide. It’s like unlocking a treasure chest of earnings potential.

Platform-specific requirements


Different platforms often come with their own set of rules. These requirements can feel like juggling multiple balls at once. But take each platform step-by-step to successfully navigate the wide publishing landscape. It’s like being a ninja, agile and adaptable in the face of challenges.

Now to the nitty gritty simplicity of what this author does…

I publish on Amazon, D2D, and Google Play. That’s it. (With one exception – Direct from me, the author)

By uploading to these three platforms, my books are available online worldwide. Readers find my books at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and about 25 others; including libraries.

  • Amazon handles eBooks, Large Print, and Audiobooks. (Except Mama’s Morsels of Home. It’s currently available only on Amazon and only in standard print.)
  • Google Play has only eBooks.
  • But D2D is the treasure chest. D2D distributes eBooks and standard print paperbacks to Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and more… including libraries.

In conclusion

Publishing wide offers readers and writers a world of opportunities. For writers, opportunities to expand their reach, connect with diverse audiences, and maximize their earning potential.

Cheers to a future filled with creativity, innovation, and wide-reaching impact.

Onward to this post’s featured escape opportunity.

Here is Book 2 of the Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery and Adventure Series.

Two women lay sprawled in front of my truck.  They are very dead.  Queenie sits still like a statue on the passenger side of my vintage Chevy pick-up. She looks like the circus fat lady, which she thinks she is. But she’s not laughing.  I am on sabbatical in the Kaibab National Forest. I am feeding my own free spirit with life-changing time by myself. This time is much needed and anticipated after my last exhausting coaching case. 

I know none of these women. The two dead ones seem to have known me. They have magically materialized near each of my camps for a couple of seasons now.  I met Queenie last evening. I was simply lending a hand, or in this case, my truck and nutritional expertise, to a woman in temporary need.  Our less than 24-hour kinship was an uncomplicated ‘women helping women’ moment – I thought.

While this could be a wearisome story of murder and mayhem, it isn’t.  It’s the story of how one woman’s life changing personal transformation had a ripple effect in solving a cold case and enriching personal growth.

The Personal Transformation of Queenie is on sale now for 99 cents at your favorite retailer. Or… you can download the eBook direct from the author by clicking the link below.

BUY NOW Direct from the author for 99 cents!

You might also like…

Join us on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Attention Cozy Mystery Lovers! Call to Action…

Attention Cozy Mystery Readers! A call to Action…

Could you use a free cozy mystery break in your busy life? Would you consider a free book in exchange for a quick, easy, and enlightening review a fair exchange?

Why should you take 2 minutes out of your day to leave a review?

Reviews are like breadcrumbs in the forest of literature – they guide lost readers to hidden gems and help authors navigate the maze of publishing. Your opinion matters more than you think.

Authors love reviews like Poirot loves his mustache – they show appreciation and help them understand what readers enjoy. It’s a beautiful cycle of mystery-solving and tea-sipping camaraderie.

And, in case you wondered, your review doesn’t just disappear into the vast abyss of the internet – they can have more impact than a magnifying glass on a suspicious footprint.

How can my feedback help the author and other readers?

Constructive criticism is like serving a detective a clue to crack the case, while destructive comments are more like planting a red herring to throw them off. Be kind, specific, and remember, even Miss Marple could use some pointers now and then.

How do I write my review for social media and other platforms?

So, you’ve just finished a cozy mystery that kept you up past your bedtime, and now you’re ready to spill the tea in a review. Here are a few tips to make your review shine brighter than a detective’s flashlight in a dark alley.

Think of your review as a teeny-tiny mystery novel itself – it needs a solid plot (summary), engaging characters (your insights), and a satisfying conclusion (recommendation). Bonus points for adding a dash of humor.

It’s that simple. Here’s an excerpted example of a 5-star review of ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’:

‘Joany the Rebel and Sally the Loner are back in action and on the case again. The desert seems to attract folks with dark drives and motives. As new threats and “protections” enter the neighborhood, things get tricky…  I love their feistiness, and the exceptional critter companions.’

As you can see… it’s a piece of cake… or as easy as pie…

Are you hungry for the book break and to share your thoughts?

‘Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid’ is ready and waiting for you to cozy up with and post your review. The link below will give you easy access and prompts to post your review on several platforms at one time. SCORE!

alexielinnauthor.com

What could be worse than getting shipped off to an Alzheimer’s Care Center where nobody will listen instead of to the broken hip rehab center?

How about:

  • Becoming marooned in a city park when a monsoon storm struck?
  • Get mugged of your taxi fare when you escape?
  • Be kidnapped by your rescuer?

All while in hip replacement pain and getting around with a walker.

Meet Joan Freed’s 87-year-old spunky Aunt Sally and her sidekick they call the Sourdough Kid.

The mystery is not who dunnit, but how did Sally get into this mire of errors? And how will she slog out of them? Or does she?

Click here to snag your free review copy of Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid

You might also like…

Join us on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Meet Sally: The Name Change That Sparked a Mystery

A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Writing 18 Sally Books…

Much to my surprise… a character changed her name! Have you ever had that happen?

You’ve heard (or read, rather) about unruly characters? I blather about them all the time. But of course, without them, there would be no fun and entertaining books to read. So, I put up with their antics and try to crack the whip with more snap.

But this one has really colored outside the lines! She started out as Sally Newton Forester. But somewhere along the line… she changed her name to Sally Forester-Newton. Without my permission. The audacity! She says it rolls off the tongue easier. She likes it that way.

But to add insult to injury, she taunts me. She jeers me. She rubs it in that I was not paying close enough attention to the job at hand . If I had been more attentive, she would not have gotten away with it. And that it’s too time consuming to go back and fix it now. She doesn’t even remember what book she did it in.

But like so much of my life, I only tell myself that I am the one in control. I prove it by rolling out of bed at 1 AM. I do this to write fun mysteries for your escape time pleasure.

Which brings me to the pertinent news I have to share.

There’s a new Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure uploaded and available for you to let your hair down with.

It’s a novelette rather than a novella. It will be a tad easier to squeeze this shorter escape into your busy schedule. I had to juggle my available writing time between ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ and ‘Mama’s Morsels of Home’ infamous cookbook. Hence, a shorter cozy mystery, but two books being released near to each other.

This post is all about the debut of the first release. ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies: A Cozy Food Enigma’. Here’s the lowdown and a link to buy it as an eBook for less than a dollar. That’s a whopping 67% off the regular price! Take a gander…

Golden-Brown Crusts are mysteriously disappearing in a neighborhood. The residents are left wondering who or what is behind the vanishing act. From missing pies to golden-brown cookies, nothing is safe from the thief’s grasp.

But as the community reels from the loss of their beloved baked goods, a new twist emerges. Everyday items with a golden-brown hue are also going missing.

Is it a petty thief with a peculiar taste or something more sinister at play?

Join the residents as they uncover the truth behind the baffling mystery that’s leaving them scratching their heads. And craving a Golden-Brown Crust more than ever before.

Click here to Read ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ NOW for 99 cents. Use discount code U0NDMZOQ at checkout.

And an urgent heads-up…

The Alexie Linn Bundle Promotion ends today… Grab a bundle of eBooks for up to 70% off the regular price. Click on this link to go directly to my  Google Play Books Store page and stock up! Do it this minute because this promotion ends today!

If you missed out on the Google Play Books promotion, don’t worry. You can still get in on the Smashwords End of Year Super Sale. Here’s a link to my Smashwords page.

But wait! You might also like…

Join us on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

“How do you know what to write about?”

It’s the Idea Party – Come One, Come All

“How do you know what to write about?” Is the prevailing question.

And the prevailing answer to that question is, “I don’t.”

I don’t know what will pique the curiosity of the multitudes. Myself is the only person I know that well. Therefore, I write about what rouses my own desire to snoop or participate.

Here’s how it goes… generally:

When I’m nearing the end of a story – say 2/3 or ¾ of the way through – the little voice in my head starts to niggle with this question. “What’s the next book about?”

As I get closer to the wrap-up, the niggle becomes a nag and then a panic if the seed of an idea hasn’t sprouted before I’m into the current work-in-progress epilogue.

I can’t speak for other authors. I can only share with you how the next book becomes a reality for me.

Here’s what happens:

I start with a question. A ‘What if’ question. In the case of ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, the ‘What if’ question was, “What if Sally gets attacked by something every time she steps away from the house?”

Where does the ‘What if’ question come from?” I never know. It’s literally a surprise when I hear or read something and the lightbulb explodes.

Again, using ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, it was a statement from my frustrated friend. She simply said to me, ‘I get pelted with ice crystals every time I step away from the house!’

TaDa! A cozy mysterious misadventure novella is a work in progress.

The antagonistic ice turned into a crazy cat because the multitudes like to read about cats. And how does a cat get crazy except by catching a smidge of a spell cast by a 194-year-old practicing witch?

Are you catching my drift?

In summary, to decide what to write about:

  1. Put your ears on to the statements, chirps, and squawks around you.
  2. Turn an emotion-filled statement into a ‘What if’ question.
  3. Invite a passel of lively characters to the plotting party.
  4. Write the story that you can’t wait to read or listen to.

Is your curiosity piqued about ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’?

Here it is – along with a link and a code to buy the eBook now for 99 cents.

Prepare for a thrilling ride as Sally finds herself in a tangled web of feline intrigue!

Outside the door of her quaint little igloo in the desert, she encounters the most unexpected visitor – an orange tabby cat like no other.

Meet Spaghettio, the mischievous cat with an agenda that keeps Sally on her toes. As the cat’s relentless pursuit chases her back into the safety of her home, Sally’s world transforms into a captivating mystery.

With a name as delightful as his appearance, Spaghettio becomes Sally’s reluctant captor, asserting dominance over her every move. But why? Where did this enigmatic feline come from, and why is it determined to keep Sally confined?

Amidst the chaos of Rodney’s hilarious mishaps with his bionic arm and wheelchair, Sally finds herself entangled in a web of bizarre circumstances. With both mankin and cat unleashing havoc, our courageous 87-year-old protagonist must rise to the challenge.

Can she uncover the truth behind this demented cat and unravel the insanity gripping her world? Will she be able to save Rodney from the clutches of his malfunctioning arm?

Hold on tight as you dive into this uproarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns. Join Sally as she untangles the mysterious cat’s origins and confronts the mysteries that lurk beyond her very own doorstep.

Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of laughter, mystery, and heartwarming moments in this charming tale that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.

Buy the eBook now for 99 cents. Use this code at checkout for the sale price U0NDMZOQ
Words from a reviewer:

‘What a funny story! I never knew what to expect next. I couldn’t put t down until I finished it!… J. Durbin’

From Schann Stewart, the champion narrator of a multitude of voices, including side-splitting animal sounds:

‘A hilarious romp of an adventure!’

You might also like…

Join us on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Audiobook Review: Save Money, Learn and Be Entertained with Your Ears!

Got Your Ears On? Here’s how to 1)Save Money! 2)Learn! 3)Be Entertained! All with your ears!

How often does your jet-speed commute turn into a ‘hurry-up-and-wait’ parking lot? Or an appointment flip-flop into cooling your jets in a waiting room? Then there’s the inevitable rehearsal that went overtime and yada, yada, yada.

What do you do to survive none the worse for wear?

Here’s a simple solution.

Read a book with your ears!

Schann Stewart, Alexie Linn, and Audible have partnered to bring you a brand-new audiobook that’s yours for the asking.

Have you met the players?

Schann Stewart is a voice magician. She sings. She plays all the parts in a story, including the horse and donkey. She entertains.

You’re already getting to know Alexie Linn, the author, quite well.

And Audible? Think Amazon! And Bounty!

How do you score this phenomenal sanity saver?

It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3…

Here’s how to keep your eyes on the prize and read a book with your ears — for free!:

  1. Request a code and snag the book
  2. Listen, learn, and laugh
  3. Post a fast and easy review

What could be faster, simpler, and easier than that?

And here’s today’s featured cozy for your parking lot ‘control something in your life‘ pleasure…

In “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”, imagine waking up from a nap to see a donkey and a horse peering through the screen door, both desperately thirsty. Would you give them a drink? And then what?

Sally, an energetic 87-year-old woman, faces this exact dilemma. Intrigued by the animals, she decides to investigate why they keep returning to her property. What she discovers shocks her to the core – their water trough is contaminated with a body. But whose body is it? And how did it end up in the water trough?

With no one else around but a goat, chickens and a pup, Sally wonders if the body could be their missing caregiver. As the mystery deepens, she must grapple with the fate of both the animals and the unknown person in the trough.

Join Sally on her thrilling and perplexing journey as she unravels the truth behind this mysterious misadventure.

Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns in “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”, a tale filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected revelations.

Grab a code here

You might also like…

But wait! There’s more… more… more cozies to read with your ears!

Join Alexie Linn et al on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Spring into the Cozies!

Spring into the Cozies!

Here’s NEWS your wallet won’t want to miss…

There’s a new way to buy Sally the Loner eBooks in town that could knock your socks off. It will save you, at the very least, a buck a book! It’s fast. It’s easy. And you’ll love it!

It’s spring, but it’s still cold on the floor. Put your socks back on and I’ll tell you how to save a buck a book, or more.

Alexie Linn has partnered with Lemon Squeezy. Lemon Squeezy is a super quick, mobile friendly, all-in-one checkout platform. It lists a multitude of benefits, but fraud-prevention, multi-currency, fast, and mobile friendly snagged my attention right off.

I tried it. Yep, I bought my own eBooks to check it out… and it works! Just like they say. It’s Super Quick and Mobile Friendly.

Today, all 13 of the Sally the Loner series are uploaded and ready for you to buy. You can download them in Epub, Mobi, or Pdf – right on the site! A receipt flies right to your email account. It’s awesome. And here’s how to turn the key to the savings library:

Go to alexielinnauthor.com. Click through to the book you want. Click the ‘Buy direct from the author’ link. Voila! Done!

And now onto the Spring into the Cozies…

More NEWS!

Book 12 is published and available for your reading pleasure.

Get ready to embark on a whimsical and mysterious journey with Sally, a woman who has always been pet-free, as she grapples with the unexpected appearance of a black and white billy goat in her dooryard.

This goat has no intention of leaving and becomes a constant and quirky presence in Sally’s life, pushing her beyond her comfort zone and into world of goat-related antics and misadventures.

Join Sally as she navigates the challenges of this unexpected visitor and discovers the surprising connections that can be formed when we open ourselves up to the unexpected. In this captivating twelfth installment of the series, prepare to be charmed by the humorous and heartwarming tale of Sally and the goat that defies all expectations.

Click here to get right to The Goat that Wasn’t; A Baa-d Mystery author deal page.

And here’s more goodies to feed your cozy cravings …

Join me on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

Bookbub

X

You Tube Channel

Email

Posted on by Alexie Linn

How to Write and Publish Your Book in a Month – or Less

How to Write and Publish Your Book in a Month – or Less

Did I fall and bump my head? Doesn’t it take months and years to finally sniff the ink and feel the pages of your baby?

It can. But it doesn’t have to. You hold the keys to that brand new car. That means you’re the boss. Do you want to park it in the garage and sit in it occasionally? Or take it out for a spin and let the world ooh and ahh at it?

It’s your choice.

I choose to share my fiction and nonfiction babies with the world. And I choose to share with you how I do it. If you need proof… give my method a shot and see for yourself. Ready? Set? GO!

Much of the project to publish a book a month is done…

Granted, much of the general work has been done in my head before I sit down to write. But like the fuel used to buzz around town in the car, that time doesn’t count. The general work that doesn’t use fuel or punch the timeclock is:

  • The what if that the story is about
  • The setting – the where this story takes place
  • The very rough outline of how it will unfold and play out
  • The characters that raise their hand and have a story to tell
  • The genre
  • How many words it will take to tell the story

I’ll use Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid as an example.

  • What if the paperwork got mixed up at the hospital-to-rehab center loading dock? And you landed at the Alzheimer’s Care Center instead of rehab…with no cellphone?
  • In metro Phoenix, Arizona and the middle of nowhere desert
  • What will Sally do? Who will listen? Who are her antagonists? Who will help? How will Sally escape both the center and the city?
  • Characters will include caregivers, antagonists, and sidekicks.
  • It’s a cozy mystery and adventure – or misadventure
  • And need 30,000 or more words for a fast read, feel good novella
Set up the files to publish a book a month

Given the above parameters, I sit down at the computer. I begin with setting up a ‘Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid’ folder. Within the folder I ready these files:

  • Manuscript
  • Cast of Characters
  • Description

I’ll set-up additional publication files when the manuscript is finalized.

Any characters who made appearances previously are copied and dropped into the Cast of Characters file for continuity. This is where a Master File of Characters comes in handy. And here is the program I use to create and maintain my Master File of Characters. I’m so pleased with the Plottr app that I have affiliated with the company to make it easier for you to ferret out. Click on this Plottr link to see for yourself and to buy me a cup of coffee if you decide it will work great for you, too.

Select the Characters

But back to the Cast of Characters for this book.

One is Joan Freed, the rebel life coach niece of Sally. Another is Jenny Crawford, Joan’s sidekick friend with her trusty six-gun. And Jenny’s polka dot rescue Chihuahua, Patches, and so on…

Write the Description

I begin with writing the description. It will change, I guarantee, but the description steers through the conglomeration of events to stay roughly on track.

It’s time to dive into the manuscript.

Next comes the story…

First the front matter, leaving the dedication blank until the book is complete. Also inserting pagination and headers because I’ve been known to forget that detail. It’s embarrassing.

If I write 2,000 words a day – 1-2 chapters – the draft will be ready to cool for the first edit in two weeks. I use the minimum 3-day cool down time to create a cover and prepare promotional materials.

Now the Edits…

After the first edit, I get right to the grammar and readability edit with Hemingway. There are several other options for grammar and readability like Grammarly and ProWriter. But I find Hemingway to be the simplest and most streamlined for me.

I copy and paste the manuscript one chapter at a time into Hemingway; make any changes to the manuscript itself, not the chapter being scrutinized in Hemingway; and proceed with the next chapter. I’m not reading the story. I’m looking for hard-to-read sentences and overuse of adverbs or passive words.

An important note about editor apps!

Your editor app may not alert you to missing quotes. And definitely will not flag muddied speakers names. Be sure to clarify who is speaking! Dialogue without identifying who is speaking is confusing.

I once pulled down a book to rewrite and republish as a new and different book because of a 3-star review that was caused by missing quotes and unclear speakers. The reviewer liked the story but found it difficult to read.

The third and final edit – the one that I approach from a fresh reader’s eyes – comes after another cooling off period.

When all the Edits are complete…

  • Rewrite the description
  • Fill in the dedication
  • Add the backmatter
  • Format the print file
  • Upload the eBook and print files to Amazon and D2D
Finished! You’ve proven you can publish a book a month.

Voila! Finished within a month! Rinse and repeat for the magical experience of achievement.

But just one more thing…

Yes, there is still work to be done. Work like creating the narrator version and so on. But that’s fodder for another post. I declare this one done!

As always, email me here with your questions and pleasant thoughts.

In the meantime, get going on your baby! Daylight’s burnin’!

Happy Trails and Tales….

You might also like…

Join us on:

 Facebook

Goodreads

 Amazon

You Tube Channel