My Character Love Affair

I have an essay in Wild Ink Publishing about putting a character up a tree, falling in love with them, and getting them down.

Check it out! 

And pre-orders for BLACK RIVER open today. My main character isn't literally up a tree, only in hot water.

Or should I say cold?

Published by Unsolicited Press, the gutsy, small indie publisher from Portland, Oregon.  Available now for pre-order from Asterism Books, a boutique distributor with deep indie-bookstore relationships. Thanks for supporting me, Indie publishing, and independent bookstores everywhere!

p.s. Book Friends, I made a playlist!  My first attempt and it was fun matching songs to the mood and progression of of the story.  

COVER REVEAL

This is the cover for my new novel, BLACK RIVER, to be published on July 27th by Unsolicited Press. It's dark, ominous feel is exactly what I was envisioning for this story. 

What do you think??

THE AUTHOR'S VISIBILITY KIT

The wind is howling across the Upper Midwest and through the Great Lakes region to make driving hazzardous and rattle the windows of this old house. I wonder if the power will hold, if the trees will stand and the animals find shelter. Snow in the forecast for this frozen but barren land and my garlic would benefit from it's insulating layer. 

I've received the cover art for my new novel and my editor signed off on it after I gave my "thumbs-up". It's nice to be afforded some input on this very important step. I know many writers are not given any. As I wait for permission to share,  I think its dark, portentous look will pique a reader's interest, entice them to stop and open it up. That magic moment when a reader steps into another world where they want to stay.

I received an Author Visibility Kit from my publisher, Unsolicited Press. The writer's job might start with the blank page but doesn't end with an ISBN number. From pre-publication, to a book's launch, to six-months out, to long-tail sales, the author's job is a relentless slog. 

Of high importance throughout the process, according to UP, is making use of social platforms. Their suggestion is to pick two or three and stay active, posting at least twice a week. The main ones are Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and X. I am already on Instagram and Facebook, and, with less frequency, Bluesky. Along with this blog and my website and newsletter, I think that's enough. One can only do so much social media and retain sanity and writing time. The newsletter is highly recommended. If you haven't subscribed to mine, here's the link to my contact form.  If you get bored, you can always unsubscribe. Are there any social media platforms you use and recommend? Which ones are you on? I'm curious to know.

Even as I've been writing this, the snow has begun to fall. Snowfall always lifts my spirits, maybe from back when "snow days" were a thing and strapping on skates or grabbing a sled was commonplace. For now, I’m happy to snuggle in my slippers in this writing space

as I wait for the OK to reveal my new cover, first to newsletter subscribers, and then to a wider audience. And about those social  media platforms you use....I'd really like to know.

Peace out and Happy New Year. May 2026 leave 2025 in the ashbin of history to be learned from but never repeated!!

I GOT BOOKS!

What the UPS guy brought me yesterday!

Now that I have my advance copies,  I'm counting down the days to the release of my novel on April 2nd. I'm extremely nervous about how the public will receive it. I practically have the darn thing memorized, but what you think is what matters.

"Let Evening Come is penned by author Yvonne Osborne in the literary style and the interpersonal drama and coming-of-age subgenres. Author Yvonne Osborne has crafted a truly emotionally resonant novel that delves into themes of loss, displacement, and cultural conflict. The up-close and detailed portrayal of Sadie and Stefan's budding romance against the backdrop of their respective struggles was both captivating and poignant. 

I loved the way their unique dialogue was presented and readers will feel the dynamics between the lines. The exploration of cultural misunderstanding and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities was an incredibly poignant touch that is really focused on and never used as a gimmick, fostering genuine empathy and understanding. As the characters navigated adversity and sought connection across borders, I found myself deeply invested in their journey, rooting for their love to transcend the obstacles in their path. Overall, Let Evening Come is a recommended read and a compelling tale of love, resilience, and the human capacity to overcome adversity amidst cultural divides."  

--Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

I understand it can be intimidating to leave a review. Even if you enjoy a book, it puts you on the spot. But honestly, it doesn't have to be long. It can be one sentence, or even one word!  They mean so much, especially for a new, unknown author.  Editorial reviews might carry more weight but reviews from readers are more personal and meaningful to the author.

This Daylight Savings Times gives us late morning darkness but my inner clock tells me it's time for a cup of coffee! 

A Path To Publication and Preorder

THE OFFER

As those of you who are familiar with my blog know, I have long been on the winding road to publication, ever since the Indie publisher, Unsolicited Press first notified me back in September of 2021 that out of thousands of submissions, my manuscript was selected as one of 40 projects to fill out their 2023/2024 list.

From that initial euphoria to signing a contract, to multiple angst-filled edits and settling on a cover, to the gally proof I now have in hand, it has been an arduous process. But, all of a sudden things are happening. Fast!  So I come back to you with an update and the big news that Let Evening Come  is now available for pre-order! 

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS

Let Evening Come is the love story between the son of an Indigenous family displaced from their ancestral home on the Tar Sands of Canada and a motherless farm girl from Michigan who struggles to overcome loss while navigating the pitfalls of young adulthood. Together they combat suspicion and bigotry on both sides of the border and the cultural differences that separate them.  

Pre-Order Here

PREORDERING

Preordering helps the author like this: When you preorder a book, it seeds excitement. It tells bookstores people want this book, which makes them typically stock more copies of the book, which of course means more people see it and buy it. Not only do publishers look at preorder numbers to determine their print run, but early sales are key. Experts say the first two weeks of a book's shelf life are the most important.

So, if there is a book coming out from one of your writerly friends 😊 via traditional publishing, or one that sounds interesting and you plan to purchase it anyway, the best way to support them is to preorder.

I never used to know any of this. I never knew anything. And yes, I'm shamelessly groveling. 

I appreciate all of you who make up this vibrant blogging community and, truthfully, I would have faltered on the path if not for the ongoing encouragement and generous sharing of time, support, and ideas.

Thank you,

Yvonne

Human

(Because in these times I think that needs to be said.)

P.S. I have a newsletter sign up form on my website and there will be a drawing from the first 50 subscribers for free signed copies!! 💖💖 

P.S.S. The Friday prompt from Poets and Writers is to be inspired by Don McLean singing Starry, Starry Night, his lovely song about artist Vincent Van Gogh. There might be a heavy cloud cover overhead but it's a starry, starry night for me and I hope for you, as well.

No Bullshit. Just Books. And Farming......

 Because it seems the only writing I have time for in the summer is my farm newsletter, I feel compelled to share part of one here. My blog needs entries and followers and more attention then I can properly give it.  But first, an important caveat, meet my publisher.  UNSOLICITED PRESS.   "No bullshit. Just books." For all you poets out there, they publish a good deal of poetry. And, of course, cutting edge fiction.

Now, for the dirt.

                                                               Sister

                                            Earlier Tomatoes

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. The rain in the Thumb falls mainly elsewhere. Sister swears there was a sprinkle in the night, a mist, a dewdrop, a splattering of wind, a phantom in the night on a whoosh of vapor.

 

I woke to a full moon, the light shining on the plastic of the high tunnel stretched taut across the braces. The air is still and the crickets chirp. I step outside to test the air, the dampness on the wide walk, a trace of rain in the night. The moon rides high in the sky, a beacon over the Earth, and a car passes swiftly on the road. The eastern sky is bright with the new day, yet still the moon outshines it, high above the highest tree that banks the creek bed. The rain gauge measure three-tenths of an inch. We've been extremely dry so count the tenths as a blessing.

 

Thus begins the day—coffee time, writing time—till the rooster crows, the cat jumps on the windowsill demanding breakfast, and the corgi thumps up the stairs, all thirty pounds of him, wanting outside. He likes to chase the chickens, but with the new poultry fence installed none are getting out, and his fun has been stymied.

This week our CSA contains our second planting of cabbage. We planted more lettuce and hid it from the rabbits. The summer has wearied us with his weirdness. In checking last year’s garden log, I pulled all the winter squash between Sept. 1^st and the 8^th. Here we are, as I write this, on September 12, 2022 and none appear ready. I thump the watermelons with my knuckles waiting for the hollow drum sound, I turn the acorns in search of the telltale ground spots. I wonder what imp stole my eggplant for surely there had to have been more. We pull onions to dry and wonder why they are small. We pray the peppers will turn red before frost. Our major successes have been our beets, chard, tomatoes, and garlic. What garlic is left must be saved for replanting, and we need speak no further on the tomato bounty.

For those of you who don't know (or care?) the tomato harvest has been phenomenal. Heirlooms can be finicky, but this summer's heat has agreed with them. Even the Costoluto, the Italian heirloom that craves Mediterranean heat, has been happy here in the Great Lakes Basin. 

Now, back to writing before I have to pick up the hoe.

Over and out and hoping for comments. I insist, some day I'm going to be famous. 😃📖📖

Publishing Contract

I just signed a publishing contract with Unsolicited Press out of Portland Oregon. I'm so excited! It's a long process and the novel won't be published until early 2024. It seems like a long time, but I know that is to be expected. Out of the thousands of submissions they received, they said mine was one of forty projects they seclected for publication in 2023/2024. 

I wanted to share this with my blogging community, and expressly today with Poets and Storytellers.  Many of you have been so supportive over the years. You know who you are, and a huge thank you goes out to each and every one of you. And remember,  the only failed writer is the one who quits. 

Here's a toast to poets and writers who never quit!

"What do you plan to do with your one wild, precious life?"

                    -Mary Oliver