Category: On Writing
From Barnyard to Bookshelf: Writing My Life as a Dairy Vet
By Linda Rhodes Other than various essays in college, all I had experience writing were scientific papers published in peer review journals. I’m not sure why I signed up for a weeklong course in memoir writing. I knew I had some crazy stories from the late 1970’s when I was the only woman large animal […]
How Science Shapes What I Write
On a freezing night in Illinois, I received a phone call from India. A scene from a Bollywood movie flashed through my mind: a beautiful heroine, phone slipping from her hands, her life fracturing into a before and after, aptly depicted by the movie screen splitting into two. But I was not, am not, a […]
Rae Dumont Interviews Lyman, from In the Shadow of Silence, a Novel
In the Shadow of Silence, a Novel A novel that follows the pursuit of love and joy—until the descent of untreated depression ends with unbearable loss, forcing a family to deal with the shocking and immediate aftermath of suicide. Eva’s lonely childhood has given her an intuitive connection with kids and teenagers. She is a […]
The Inspiration for A Woman in Pink
Before A Woman in Pink, I wrote only in the short form. Small spaces allowed me to say what I wanted to say, and the relatively low stakes kept me comfortable. If I wrote a story or essay that no one wanted to publish, I saved it for later revision or abandoned it. Either way, […]
The Inspiration behind The Stepsister’s Secret by Karen King
by Karen King The Stepsister’s Secret is my eight psychological thriller. I’ve also had thirteen women’s fiction novels published with another one due out in April. I’m often asked where I get the ideas for my stories from – as I’m sure are other authors. It’s sometimes difficult to pin down where the inspiration actually […]
The Role of Cats in My Writing
by Sharon Marchisello Cats have been in my life since I was four years old, when I got my first pet. They’re great confidantes and companions. But they haven’t played a big role in my writing, apart from climbing on my keyboard to divert attention from my WIP. However, in my new series—the DeeLo Myer […]
Small Press Pages February 2026
We’re halfway through Black History Month here in the US, and to celebrate, I’m highlighting books by Black authors whose work pulses with truth, insight, and depth. As a white reader, this month’s column isn’t about speaking for anyone; it’s about paying attention and reading widely, gratefully, and with joy. Across genres and generations, these […]
What Makes a Hero?
By Magda Mizzi Some years ago, I was asked to write a senior high school unit for a new syllabus at the school where I was teaching. I jumped at the chance. Immediately, I knew what I would focus on: the narrative of the hero, because who doesn’t like to learn about the heroes that […]
The Story Behind the Story By Elene Catrakilis
By Elene Catrakilis My debut novel, Under an African Sky, is a story close to my heart because it’s set in South Africa, the country of my birth. In 1989, the country stood on the brink of change. The story follows two women from different backgrounds who share an unlikely friendship and must navigate a […]
Where I Find Inspiration For My Stories (And How You Can Find Yours)
By Elle Mott As writers, we are expected to be able to write even when its tough to do so. Inspiration seems to be a prerequisite that comes with the territory. Yet, this pleasant thing called inspiration doesn’t always come so easily and when we don’t have it, feelings of doubt can creep in. Yet, […]
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