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Saralyn Richard
July 31, 2024

My dear friend,

Since the last newsletter, we’ve had a hurricane, widespread power outages, damage assessment and repairs, fun visits from relatives and friends, several family birthdays, book clubs, work on the sequel to BAD BLOOD SISTERS, and reading of lots of books.* It seems like summer just came spinning out of the turn, yet we are already approaching the finish line. (I see ads for school supplies, a sure sign.)

I hope you’ve had a _________ July. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate adjective: healthy, exciting, fun-filled, productive, comfortable, satisfying, cool, hot, rewarding, prosperous, etc.)

In honor of the beginning of Back to School, the ebook of A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL will be on sale for just $1.99, wherever ebooks are sold. If you haven’t read this mystery set in an urban high school, now is the perfect time. Or send a copy to a friend—but only if you want them to know what goes on behind the scenes with teachers and administrators.

This is the first (and perhaps the only) time this book will be on sale, and the sale price will only last for three days!

A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL is purely fictional, but it’s based on my decades of experience in high schools. Educators who have read it comment that it must be their school that I’ve written about. That tells me that the high school educator experience is quite universal. (I’ve worked in more than 15 high schools in my career as a teacher and administrator.)

Here is the link for A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Principal-Saralyn-Richard-ebook/dp/B0CW1FVBR4/ref

*My reading summer

I’ve read more than 18 books this summer, which may be a record. I’ve enjoyed them all. Some of the authors whose books I’ve read are fellow Blackbird Writers, Margaret Mizushima, Tracey S. Phillips, Sheila Lowe, Laurie Buchanan, Sharon Michelove, Sherrill Joseph, and Sharon P. Lynn. You can find them and their books at www.blackbirdwriters.com.

Others are fellow Stiletto Gang members, Gay Yellen, Lois Winston, and Susan P. Baker, whose books you can find at www.thestilettogang.com . And my writer critique partners, Phyllis H. Moore and Regina Fite.

In between, I’ve read books by S.A. Cosby, Jeffrey Deaver, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, Damyanti Biswas, Linda Stewart Henley, Leigh M. Hall, Ellen M. Collier, and more.

Knowing the work of writing, revising, editing, publishing, and marketing books, I appreciate my fellow authors and do all I can to support them. How do I do this? Here are some of the ways (suggested by my friend Laurie Buchanan in her post (https://blackbirdwriters.substack.com/p/laurie-buchanans-tips-on-how-to-feed ), and excerpted:

Your role as a reader is crucial in supporting authors. Social media is a modern-day town square where authors connect with their audience, share their stories, and build a community. By championing your favorite author(s) online, you extend their reach and help them connect with a broader audience:

  • Repost and amplify: Like, share, and comment. Your interactions boost visibility and introduce their work to new readers who might otherwise miss out.

  • Spread the word: Talk about your favorite authors! Share their latest releases, intriguing plot twists, or memorable characters with your family, friends, and social networks. Word-of-mouth recommendations are priceless.

  • Post book reviews: Rate and post short, honest reviews for their books on Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. Even a four-word review helps!

  • Gift a book: Surprise a friend or family member with a copy of your favorite author’s book. It’s a thoughtful gesture that supports the author and the joy of reading.

  • Your enthusiasm and advocacy make a significant difference in the author’s literary journey.

Photo by Gabriel Martin on Unsplash

Reader Input Time:

In the sequel to BAD BLOOD SISTERS, Quinn and Josh decide to bring a new West Highland terrier puppy into their home to keep Calvin company.

What should they name the new female pup?

· Holly

· Frankie

· Lexie

· Mandy

· Other: ­­­­______________

Award-winning mysteries to lighten up your August…

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who might be interested. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Visit, subscribe, or purchase books at https://saralynrichard.com.

I love hearing from you! Let me know what you’re reading this summer and whether we might have a chance to visit, in-person or virtually, during the month of August. 

Much love,

Saralyn