From a couple of good friends, I’m pleased to share this press release with you. The chapbook comes out soon. I first heard Armando read his work in Vermont in 2019 and his rhythm and sense of storytelling was mesmerizing, a perfect expression of all that is life within and how we can embody it. This book should be good! Click to download and share with your friends, thanks.

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As many of you know, I’m on Substack and have been sharing my short stories there for the last year. Would you be interested in reading a novel that way? Bit by bit? Or would it be too confusing to keep track of? Let me know what you think.

You see, I have a novel set in New Mexico called Rocket. I’m tired of trying to play the mainstream publishing game and thought I’d make it available there.

After fighting back when a neighbor attacked her and her rescued dogs, Rocket hides out in an abandoned homestead in rural New Mexico only to be trapped there during a winter storm.

Rocket explores ideas of rage, identity, family, belonging, and the tensions between locals and newcomers. Rocket adapts to life with blackouts, wondering what had happened after her neighbor tried to rape her and kill her dogs. She’d reacted but can’t remember for sure how but the dogs are alive so that’s a good sign. This novel is not the normal happy-ever-after story glimpses into the hardscrabble truth of trying to find a home in a seemingly unwelcome landscape. 

In this novel, and my other completed work, the characters navigate complex themes of gender, sexuality, class, power, poverty, drugs, and mental health in unexpected ways. With vivid descriptions of the American Southwest, its landscapes, animals, and lifestyle, you’ll have the visceral experience of those struggling to find a sense of connection. 

Would you want to read more of this?

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My winter project was to learn to paint and it’s been brilliant! I’ve been playing with online classes, different mediums and I find I’m drawn to a vibrant joyful mix of abstracts and folk art done with watercolors, acrylics and pen. I have gone back to the cartoon sketches of dogs and cats like I used to do – but stopped after Harold died…this time, the sketches are full of color and again, touched with that Mexican vibrancy. My time here has obviously influenced me. They look great framed, a real bright moment…

I’m selling prints of my work for only $5 each on Etsy here. If you like this sort of thing and have friends who do, please follow the shop as I add new work each week.

Lastly, a disclaimer, I’m all messed up with my email lists. I believe you receive these post because you signed up to do so. If by any reason you don’t want to hear from me, let me know. I’ll make sure to find and delete your info here on WordPress.

And…Thanks for being here if you want to keep getting the updates!

Explore. Create. Share

and take care, S

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