First Frost

by Tam Linsey

Autumn is busy for me, scrambling to bring in the harvest before hard frost ruins everything. Winter arrives quickly and decisively here in the High North. So without further preamble, I leave you with photos and haikus from this week's first (and late, I might add) frost. Now back to my garden; it's supposed to get cold tonight.

Sun cuts through first frost

in gentle reminder that

winter is coming

On sigh of chill wind

the sun warmed curves blush crimson

and fall to the earth

Vines taken by frost

pumpkins glow with autumn's kiss

a call to harvest

Tam is the author of the Botanicaust series of post-apocalyptic romances. When she's not writing, you can find her in the garden or in the kitchen. If you'd like to read more about her self-sufficiency experiences in Alaska, sign up for her newsletter or visit her website.

Botanicaust has Arrived

by Tam Linsey

I've stepped over the edge. I'm now officially a published fiction author. Botanicaust is available both as an eBook and a paperback.

Blurb:

After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's croplands, much of humanity turns to cannibalism to survive. Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race, and her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.

Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.

Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?

Chapter 25 Heading

Indie publishing has truly made me understand why big sellers like Amanda Hocking went ahead and accepted traditional contracts after successfully self-publishing. The non-writing parts of making a novel available to readers is time consuming. And I find myself caught up in the visual artistry of the book as much as in the writing. The cover design and interior layout have been fun adventures all by themselves.

My goal is to give readers more than an excellent story. I want the reading to be an experience. More value for their time and money. My readers deserve the very best.

Do you think the interior layout of a book affects the way you read?