Finally! I got to meet a dozen of my fellow members of the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) New York chapter. We don’t all live in NY, obviously, and this was the first time they held an event for us Garden Staters. More, please! And let’s get some younguns in the organization. At this rate we’ll all be dead from natural causes soon.

Coming very soon … Frank is reading it now, and I have just about four chapters left to finish it. Julius Tide will wait an eternity if that’s what it takes. His beloved Charlotte was stolen form him by the evil sorcerer Jathan Rubel, and Julius’s only reason for living is to get revenge.

This is Book I in the three-book Warlock Wars series. Arriving later this summer.

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Click for the audio version. Narration provided by WondervoxAI.

With all the efforts being made in states across the country to force LGBTQ people into silence, out of public view, re-marginalized as outlaws whose very lives are once again being made criminal, it was beyond refreshing to walk in the Lambertville (NJ) and New Hope (PA) Pride parade. It rained all day long, which didn’t dampen our spirits. It was a big, wet, glorious day.

Some thoughts on Pride

Pride for LGBTQ people is not the opposite of humility. It does not come before a fall, but after rising from the weight of discrimination and hatred. Pride is not arrogant or self-serving.

Pride, for us, is:

Learning to love ourselves and each other despite the lies we’re told about ourselves.

Learning to care for ourselves and each other, despite having been abandoned by families and institutions.

Learning to be free, and to celebrate the freedom of others, whether they are like us or not.

Learning to hear the inner voices of kindness, encouragement, and daring, until they drown out the voices of condemnation, contempt, and mockery.

Pride does not mean we’re ‘proud’ to be something we naturally are. It means we reject the rejection, the bigotry, the scorn, the ridicule, the hatred of others, the self-hatred we’re taught from pulpits and state houses and governors’ mansions and laws meant to defeat us. Pride is the conviction that we won’t be defeated, and that we have nothing to hide.

Click to hear audio version. Narration provided by WondervoxAI.

If you’re like me and your eyes aren’t always in the mood to focus properly, audio can be a way to make things more accessible. This is certainly true of those of us into our 60s and beyond. I’ve heard from readers who are visually impaired, or who have trouble reading fonts. Now I can offer them something that makes LGBTSr inclusive of our readers, and our listeners, too!

Every post, article, and news item will include an audio version. Simply click on the audio file at the top of each item, and enjoy the narration. I’m currently using my own venture, WondervoxAI, to provide the voices. The technology is exciting for a tech nerd like me, and the opportunities it offers to be more efficient and provide more service to various audiences is pretty amazing.

Fasten your headphones!

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Mark McNease

After a week of rain, it was a delight to get out in the Sunday sun. Planting in our garden could wait a few hours – first we had to hit the farmers’ market at Dvoor Farm for opening day. Bread, pizza, fresh produce, soaps! We were welcomed by a dozen local artisans and merchants, offering salves for the rain-weary soul. More vendors will come on board as the weeks pass, making this farmers’ market the local treasure it’s been for years. Stop by, browse, say hello, and support the Hunterdon Land Trust while you do!

The Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market is officially reopened at Dvoor Farms in Raritan Township on Sunday, May 7. After a long winter of waiting, you’ll now be able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers as well as homemade goods from talented artisans, thanks to the Hunterdon Land Trust. Whether you’re in search of a weekly grocery shop stop or just looking for an afternoon stroll with friends, this lively marketplace has it all. Reach out to your neighbors and get ready for an incredible day filled with unique wares and delicious food – the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ market awaits!

About Dvoor Farm

This historic farm is a popular destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and take advantage of what nature has to offer. Learn all about the history, attractions, activities, and amenities that make this farm so special. Explore the grounds with its picturesque scenery, visit the on-site store for some old-fashioned goodies, or join in one of the many events held throughout the year.

Whether you’re looking for a unique wedding venue, an educational opportunity for your children, or an escape from the everyday grind, Dvoor Farms has something for everyone. Learn about its history and discover what makes this farm one of New Jersey’s best-kept secrets. Enjoy all that nature has to offer by taking advantage of the many activities available at Dvoor Farms, such as the farm’s historic walking tour, hay rides and corn mazes, nature trails and fishing ponds. You can also take part in special events held throughout the year, like “Bluegrass Jams” on summer evenings or live music performances during Apple Picking Season. At Dvoor Farms, you can also pick your own apples and other fruits as well as buy fresh produce from the on-site market.

With a wide range of activities and amenities to enjoy, Dvoor Farms is an ideal destination for those looking to get away from it all. Whether you’re visiting for a day or planning an extended stay.

Copyright MadeMark Publishing
Contact: Mark @ MadeMarkPublishing

Mark McNease

I’ve been a self-published (independent) author and publisher for over 12 years now, and I still vacillate between making my books available widely or keeping them exclusive to Kindle Unlimited. I’m in the go-wide-phase now, with my books available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and through various audiobook retailers via Findaway Voices. I’ve even begun publishing AI-narrated audiobooks through Kobo, with one up and more to follow.

The biggest advantage for authors to being Kindle-exclusive are the Kindle Unlimited reads: subscribers pay Amazon a monthly charge to read unlimited eBooks, and the authors get (literally) pennies per page read. That was fine for a long time, since it can make up a significant percentage of the author’s monthly royalty payment. But it can also feel like a cage, and for someone like me who wants to roam freely and explore any and all options, the time came to put-up-or-shut-up. I have enough of a catalogue, and enough projects in the works, to take the plunge once again and stay there. Here are some pros and cons of the wide-versus-exclusive debate that never seems to fade.

Self-publishing Widely vs. Being Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited – A Comprehensive Comparison

With the proliferation of electronic publishing and self-publishing platforms, authors now have the option to choose between publishing their work exclusively on Amazon Kindle or going wide by publishing on multiple platforms. Here are some pros and cons of both options.

Kindle Unlimited

Kindle Unlimited (KU) is a subscription-based service offered by Amazon that allows readers to read an unlimited number of books for a monthly fee. Books enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program are exclusive to Amazon, providing authors with a higher revenue share of the subscription fees.

Advantages:

1. Higher Revenue Share: For books enrolled in KU, authors receive a higher revenue share from the subscription fees than books sold on the store.

I’ll be tweaking this cover a little, but for now you can enjoy a one-chapter sample of my next audiobook. Kill Switch: A Kyle Callahan Mystery, is the fifth book in the series and the second audiobook produced and narrated by my WondervoxAI venture. CLICK TO LISTEN, and save the date! This will be available exclusively on Kobo by the end of May.

About Kill Switch: A Kyle Callahan Mystery

In the 5th installment of the Kyle Callahan Mysteries, Kyle finds himself in therapy after ending the life of the Pride Killer, the most successful serial killer New York City has ever known. Putting an end to evil was the right thing to do, but it left Kyle in need of the services of psychotherapist Peter Benoit. Kyle decides the best way to re-engage with life is to do what he can’t stop doing: solving murders. Joined once again by his friend Detective Linda Sikorsky, Kyle takes on his first cold case, the murder of a teenager three years ago. Corinne Copley was killed on a Manhattan side street for nothing more than her cell phone. Or was that really the reason? Come along as Kyle delves into the murky undercurrent of New York City politics, pursues a crime boss who kills as easily as she breathes, and seeks justice for the father of a murdered child.

It’s a Smashing Discount on Smashwords!

You can get seven of my book on Smashwords for 50 percent off through May! Settle in for a few nights of mystery and suspense at half the cost. CLICK HERE.