Find out about giveaways, be among the first to read new books ...
Hello! You’ll find posts here for readers, writers, and anyone interested in life. Check out the categories to the right for your favorite topics, or just start browsing. Sometimes I throw in a recipe or a poem, share my writer’s life, or tell you how I came up with one of your favorite characters. I’ll announce contests and share pics from events. Sometimes I delve into how to handle tough political, social or religious topics in your own books if you’re a writer, or share what I learn about the ever-evolving world of publishing. Whatever the topic, I promise to do my best not to waste your time. There’s enough clutter online without my adding to it.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to comment on any post or write to me directly through the Contact page.
Pho, Food Trucks and Family
MEMORIES FORMED AT PIVOTAL TIMES IN MY LIFE often pop up as I’m imagining Logan’s next adventure. FOREST PARK is a good example. When I returned to school as an adult, part of my Anthropology coursework involved collecting the life histories of Vietnamese refugees,...
Use What You Know
ALMOST AS MUCH AS I LOVE WRITING, I love research. Every time I sit down to write a new Logan McKenna novel—actually, long before that, when the story first starts stirring—obscure bits of knowledge or experiences pop into my head that spark story elements, plot...
Happy Easter/Passover/Whatever…!
EVERY SPRING THE EARTH RENEWS HERSELF and we humans celebrate in many ways. Whether you'll be dancing around the May pole, enjoying Easter Sunday dinner or sharing Passover with relatives and friends, I hope Spring 2019 brings you an opportunity to refresh and renew....
Ditching Your Traditional Publisher?
SWITCHING FROM TRADITIONAL to Self-Publishing? Why would anyone do that, you ask? Well, as hard as it is to believe, more than a few authors are ditching their publisher and either completely self publishing their books, or partner publishing with someone experienced...
Finding Your Story
RESEARCH IS THE GARDEN from which our stories grow. How much do you appreciate good research? I love learning new things, so the authors I enjoy generally bring something to the table for me to gnaw on - spiritually, intellectually, personally. If you're a writer, how...
Little Whale Cove Artisan Showcase
COME JOIN THE FUN! If you're going to be in town Saturday, November 10th, be sure and stop by. I'll have autographed copies of my new book, VANISHING DAY: Logan Book 4, which won't officially be released until November 20th! Grab one for yourself for a little holiday...
10-Day Book Cover Challenge!
FACEBOOK HAS ITS ISSUES, but sometimes I see great stuff on there. Take the 10-Day book cover challenge. Every day, you post the cover of a well-loved book that had an impact on your life, and of course, invite someone else to do the same. No explanations! Here are...
Whales are Out!
MID-MORNING WRITING BREAKS are always fun this time of year. Whales are out in force this week! Every day I see at least 8 to 10 cruising past the rocks, hanging out and snacking in the kelp beds. Beautiful creatures. Just knowing they're there makes me happy. I have...
CITRUS-GLAZED COD
WHILE DOING RESEARCH FOR LOGAN BOOK 5, I managed to snag a spot in the last Shop at the Dock event of the summer in Newport, OR. The 90-minute walking tour teaches locals and tourists alike about the fisheries, boats, and what to look for when selecting fresh fish....
Fun with Finn
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY makes Jill a dull girl, so I look forward to playing with my new best bud, Finn, our 7-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever. He is such a delight. It took me forever to name him, but when our grandson Sawyer was born on the same day, Finn for...
About Valerie
A self-admitted book addict, Valerie was the kid with the flashlight under her pillow. A life of travel with exposure to many different cultures led to a pervasive interest in people, with degrees & teaching credentials in Cultural Anthropology & English. Logan McKenna Series
