Whatcha Up To?:

• One of the greatest gifts I’ve received this last year, is the opportunity to read for shortlists / prizes / awards.
• Sometimes I receive the loveliest emails from people with quick snippets of what they’re reading or pictures of their TBR piles.
• Congratulations to January’s Writing Prompt Winner: Heather Saint!
• Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club 02/19/25 to discuss Miss Benson’s Beetle.
• Did you know I do monthly book talks and occasional readings posted on YouTube?

Reading Opportunities

One of the greatest gifts I’ve received this last year, is the opportunity to read for shortlists / prizes / awards. As a creative nonfiction reader for Kitchen Table Quarterly, I get to read for their shortlist, which always feels like a best-of-the-best thing and can sometimes be very difficult to narrow down. Unexpectedly, I was given an opportunity to read for Proximity’s essay contest as well. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to read what people submit, to take the time to help narrow down the good to the excellent…and it’s a relief to know I’m not the final word.

TBR Piles

This picture of a TBR pile was titled “Book Stack 2” and was sent by Bob C. Pictures like this make my heart sing because there are titles I’ve read, titles that are on my own TBR, and titles I’ve never heard of that I can add to my list. But even without all those bonuses, piles like this make my day because they prove that reading isn’t dead, that everyone has insane piles despite having bookcases/shelves, and because I can practically smell the books and that brings me joy.

January Timed Writing Prompt Winner

“promises of possibility”

By Heather Saint

How many times have I told myself I will do it today or soon?  How many times have I not done so?  This is why, in my family that I made, we do not promise lightly. We always keep our promises so we are very careful when we make them.  We taught the children when we promise we keep.  I have made only a few promises in my life.  One was to be with my spouse “until death do us part”.  Another one was to always be there when my children needed or wanted me.  I have never lightly promised to do something that in my heart I knew I wouldn’t or couldn’t do.  Remember the “promise cross my heart”?  Nope to me.  Maybe I am shallow, maybe I am deeper than you think.  But when I tell you, I Promise, you can count on me unless I’m dead.

Heather Saint is a world traveled native Montanan, settling into retirement in NW Montana.

February Timed Writing Prompt Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, and Patreon accounts? Become a supporter and you’ll have access to my monthly timed writing prompt. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the February prompt here.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us on Zoom February 19, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.