May Recap
Lots of Good Things from May!
Note: If you’re using an agentic browser, please don’t have it summarize webpages. Read 0x03 of this article to learn why.
With June starting, I wanted to showcase some great articles/stories from May, as well as my Book Recommendations and original fiction from last month in case you missed some.
But first, some news from last month and the start of this month!
Last month, Ciro Capao added me to a growing list of sci-fi authors on Substack! If you like science fiction, check out the most recently updated list!
Thank you for including me and my serial on your list, Ciro Capao!
Also, I had a middle-grade short story, “Dragons Love Chocolate” published in the anthology Short Tales 12 by Storm Cloud Publishing!
It’s available for FREE here.
(Or you can download a PDF copy below.)
As of last month, my friend Anne Social’s emotionally gripping YA novel Skinless (I wrote a Book Recommendation for it here) is available in paperback! Check it out here.
My friend Elizabeth Klein’s exciting fantasy/sci-fi series Elizion (I posted a recommendation for its first book, The Elizion Shield, here), is the 2025 CIBA SERIES Book Awards Long List Winner. You can check out her series here.
My friend S. E. Grosskopf’s latest book in the Lowan series, The Pesticide Plot, is available for preorder here. If you like high stakes, well-written action, plot twists, and lovable characters, you’ll love this mystery.
Also, S. E. Grosskopf’s third book in the Lowan series, Murder on Harrisonville Road, is coming to Substack. I recommend it and Orchid Hunter here.
And here’s Bugguffin from The Moon Station again (hand-drawn by me):
And now, some articles/stories from May.
A poem/song about “social anxiety of speaking up” (Paragraph 1).
Don’t forget to check out more of Cory. There you’ll find personal reflections, poetry/songs, and fiction.
28 (free) writing resources by Gigi Vella | Author
Free writing resources.
Don’t forget to check out more of The Next Chapter. There you’ll find personal thoughts and information/updates related to the author’s debut novel.
Writing in Sounds. Learn a New System with IPA by Meow Factor by Edith
An interesting article on phonetic symbols.
Don’t forget to check out more of Purrspectives in Language. There you’ll find more articles on linguistics and cats.
Steel & Silk: Story Index and Table of Contents-Writing Rural With Alley by Alley Hart
A story index for Alley Hart’s Steel & Silk publication and a table of contents for her Writing Rural With Alley publication.
Don’t forget to check out more of Steel & Silk: Tales From Z Kingdoms where you’ll find Alley’s romance serial.
And don’t forget to check out more of Writing Rural with Alley. There you’ll find great information and practical advice for writing realistic rural life in your stories—including what is and is not likely to go wrong for your characters in specific situations.
Never Take Your Eyes Off Your Opponent. Even When You Bow. by tonyblauer
An insightful article on self-defense.
Don’t forget to check out more of Tony Blauer’s “Be Your Own Bodyguard®” Publication. There you’ll find additional articles on self-defense, training, and how to respond in dangerous situations.
Galactic Odyssey by C. J. Charles
A sci-fi flash fiction piece.
Don’t forget to check out more of C. J. Charles. There you’ll find more flash fiction, personal Posts, writing advice, and FREE prequels to his different series (you can find links for two of them at the bottom of his post here.)
Your opening line might push readers away by Writer's Unblock
Advice on writing great opening lines in fiction.
Don’t forget to check out more of Writer’s Unblock. There you’ll find articles that are quick reads yet full of practical writing advice. You’ll also find prompts that give you practice applying the advice.
Top 10 Self-Editing Challenges by Allison Ink
Ten self-editing challenges and advice on how to overcome them.
Don’t forget to check out more of Allision Ink, where you’ll find advice on writing, editing, and publishing.
Strangest thing I’ve ever written! by S. E. Grosskopf
Download another FREE story from S. E. Grosskopf!
Don’t forget to check out more of Author’s Substack. There you’ll find book reviews that might introduce you to your next great read, as well as chapters of Lowan’s Checkmate (find its Table of Contents here) and Shamrock Hunt (find its Table of Contents here).
S. E. Grosskopf’s Welcome Post includes links to the full first book of the Lowan series and its prequel—both of which are FREE!
New Book in Progress: How to Read People Like a Detective by Dalibor Zivkovic
New book announcement!
Don’t forget to check out more of Dalibor’s Substack. There you’ll find practical security advice on making yourself and your home safer. You’ll also find personal stories that may make you smile and personal stories that will make you think.
Grey Man Home Security: Why Looking Boring Is Your Best Defense by Travis Wolfe
Excellent article on home security.
Don’t forget to check out more of Ready For Anything: Prepping For Disaster for a wealth of practical advice on home and personal security and disaster preparedness.
What happens after your KDP account is shut down by Nuria Corbi
What to do if Amazon shuts down your KDP account.
Don’t forget to check out more of Create & Prosper. There you’ll find advice about turning your knowledge and creative work into income.
Your Headaches Are Hormonal. Here’s Exactly Which Hormone Is Behind Each One — and Why Ibuprofen Will Never Fix the Cause. by Victor
An article on different kinds of migraines and what can help them.
Don’t forget to check out more of Victor. There you’ll find more information about women’s hormonal health.
Ninja Survival Guide by @robopulp
An interesting and hilarious discussion of different film presentations of ninjas.
Don’t forget to check out more of @robopulp. There you’ll find insightful articles and videos on writing, other forms of art, and pop culture.
Typesetting Rules Every Indie Author Should Know by Alliance Independent Authors
Helpful advice (and a link to a full list of rules!) on typesetting.
Don’t forget to check out more of Alliance Independent Authors. There you’ll find publishing advice for indie authors.
Google Chrome installed a 4 GB AI model on your machine without asking by OSINTech
A must-read for Google Chrome users.
Don’t forget to check out more of OSINTech’s OSINT Anatomy Substack for more articles on tech.
KDP Should Not Be Your Whole Business and Best Print on Demand Platform for Authors by Dale L. Roberts
A helpful article on book selling options and a helpful article comparing print on demand platforms.
Don’t forget to check out more of Self-Publishing with Dale. There you’ll find more publishing news, information, and advice.
10 Things I Saw in the ER That Can Actually Kill You by Dr Poonam Desai
A must-read.
Don’t forget to check out more of Longevity Newsletter by Dr. Poonam Desai. There you’ll find more articles on health and longevity.
Regardless of month, I recommend Shadows of Control, for information and advice regarding domestic abuse, coercive control, and how they harm victims.
And if you have elderly parents or friends, check out Vance Frost, who writes about potential medical and legal dangers for seniors.
Also check out ToxSec for articles and videos on the current state of AI.
May’s Book Recommendations Are…
My Dawg Koa by Kelly Brakenhoff
Emerald Deception by S. E. Grosskopf
Short Tales 12 by Storm Cloud Publishing
May’s Original Fiction Includes…
“Informed Consent” (Part 3) and (Part 4) and “Firewalls” (Part 1), (Part 2), and (Part 3)
Also “Short Story Shenanigans” which is a sometimes-growing collection of flash fiction, most of which was inspired by writing prompts from S. E. Grosskopf! (Thank you for the prompts!)
That’s all for the May Recap.
This month, I hope to share at least three Book Recommendations and four installments of The Moon Station series.
I hope your June is the best it can be.
Is there anything you’re looking forward to this month? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
And if you’re a writer who is looking for writing prompts, check out this list of prompts for June from Writer's Unblock.
Also check out this story written from a SnipFic prompt by Angie Thompson.
If you’d like to send a sci-fi story to be considered for publication in an anthology with Gemini Valley Publishing, check out this link for details. (Please always research a publishing opportunity before you send in anything or pay for anything.)
Finally, if you’re looking to hire a beta reader or proofreader, check out Autumn Reid | Indie Is Awesome’s note here.
Thank you so much for being here—and I don’t just mean on this list.
Very nice stories and poems.
And Li? Chocolate is always a winner! 😉
Thank you for the shout-out ☺️
And congrats on publishing your short story!