On Pens and Needles: May 2026 newsletter
Hi, Book Friends, Old and New --
If this is the first time you're hearing from me, it's because we connected during the whirlwind, book-eventful month of May -- either at the Atlanta Writers' Club Conference, or in Portland, OR, at the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Publishing University and Book Awards (where the photo below was taken, with the Oregon Convention Center out the window). Hope you'll want to continue to receive these monthly updates on my work, along with reviews of books I've found noteworthy, special offers, and some yarns from my knitting life as well. If you’d like to join my list, please sign up below!
Afterglow of the IBPA Book Awards, Portland, OR
The happy look on my face is because I just won a silver medal in the Romance Category in the IBPA Book Awards on May 15th. The gold in that category went to a charming Southern confection called Leta Pearl's Love Biscuits, a story that's about as much like my historical/supernatural romance, Stones River, as the Love Biscuits themselves would be to the hardtack crackers that my starving Civil War hero considered himself lucky to get. I delighted in Arlon Jay Staggs' debut novel, and hope readers will want to devour both of our books!
Speaking of first-time authors, I'm a member of the Atlanta Writers Club's Debut and Emerging Authors Program, a several-month-long course in publishing and marketing our books. Our cohort of 4 in the Historical Fiction Group is mentored by bestselling author of the genre, Denny S. Bryce.
Hawking my wares at the Atlanta Writers’ Club Conference
The photo above was taken at the May 2nd AWC Conference, which I had the great pleasure of sharing with two of my fellow course participants, Rachel Gates and Vicky Oliver.
Both writers have exciting books either recently published -- like Rachel's The Perils of Poison and Former Husbands, a tasty, twisty Victorian Christmas murder mystery/romance -- or forthcoming, like Vicky's Firebrands, a turn-of-the-20th century story of a spirited young activist who puts her life at risk to improve labor conditions for exploited women factory workers, while also trying to keep her beloved younger sister from marrying a despicable boor (pubbing in October). The storytelling and historical richness in both books are impressive. Next on my reading list is Birthing Pains by the fourth member of our AWC cohort, author/physician Denise Raynor.
Writers -- Stronger Together! is my own new activist slogan.
Coming in June from Apprentice House Press is a book I'm wildly excited about. The Geography of Desire by Linda Gambill, a member of my Chattanooga, TN "Radish Farm Writers' Group," is a gorgeous memoir of Linda's Peace Corps service in the 70s. As the jacket copy so eloquently puts it, it's about "one woman’s transformative journey amidst the challenges and beauty of West Africa, showing how the people we set out to change, in the end, change us.
On the knitting front, I'm embarking on this beautiful sweater, "Arco Iris" by designer Joji Locatelli. I love the cabled ribbing on hem, neckline, and sleeves. With my usual talent for finishing garments appropriate for one season deep into the next, this summery creation will probably be completed just as fall's chill arrives. Have to get my husband to go somewhere warm with me next winter, just so I can swan about in it.
So many projects, so many books, so little time! My own book, Soldier's Joy, the sequel to Stones River, is well on its way to its September 25 publishing finish line. It's available for preorder at a large discount here: Soldier's Joy preorder.
As always, friends, may your own creativity flourish and bring you joy. And, if you've read or listened to Stones River and are moved to leave a rating or comment on Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible, I will send you wishes for all the delectable baked goods -- sweet or savory, soft or crunchy -- you may desire!
Warmly,
Mimi
www.mfjoneswriter.com
mfjones@fieldwoodbooks.com
