{"id":24516,"date":"2023-06-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/?p=24516"},"modified":"2023-06-25T10:10:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T16:10:59","slug":"a-semi-not-horribly-regular-newsletter-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/26\/a-semi-not-horribly-regular-newsletter-21\/","title":{"rendered":"A Semi-Not-Horribly-Regular Newsletter #21"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;text-align: center;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Email\",\"Print\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"big\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_twitter_via=\"bxwretlind\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"A%20Semi-Not-Horribly-Regular%20Newsletter%20%2321\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this issue: <a href=\"#tiktok\">TikTok, Progress, and a New Book<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#iae\">Weaving Magic with Words<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#freescifi\">Free SciFi<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#newposts\">New Posts<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#author\">Author Highlight<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#street-team\">Street Team<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"#iarpsel\">Indie Author Program Selection Reviews<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.&#8221;<\/em><br><em>~<\/em>Ray Bradbury<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tiktok\">TikTok, Progress, and a New Book<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bxwretlind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"163\" height=\"57\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24674\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ve never been good at social media. Ever since putting up my first MySpace page (who remembers that?!?), I&#8217;ve had no idea what to do or even if people would see all that work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bxwretlind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a> was good to see what friends and family are up to, but that&#8217;s about it. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bxwretlind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a> is, well, Twitter. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bxwretlind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> is growing on me, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bxwretlind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pinterest<\/a> has always been more a repository of ideas for me than anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I first heard of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bxwretlind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TikTok<\/a> I was lost as to its purpose. The answer, I&#8217;ve discovered is simple&#8211;it&#8217;s just fun. I get to create whatever I want, and if people see it, great. If not, I still had fun creating it. If you&#8217;re curious, check out what I&#8217;ve been doing over there at this link and give a follow: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bxwretlind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bxwretlind<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shortly before the last&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/conference.pikespeakwriters.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pikes Peak Writers Conference<\/a>, I got into pre-launch mode for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NkbcVT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aebris Rising<\/a><\/em>. Just before it kicked off, I found myself elbows-deep in pre-launch shenanigans. It was akin to juggling flaming torches while balancing on a unicycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being busy birthing a new series meant my beloved work-in-progress had to take a backseat for a bit. But now I&#8217;m back at it, and it feels good. For those who&#8217;ve joined the <a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/become-a-beta-reader-or-arc-reviewer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Street Team<\/a>, offers for Beta Reading will be coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May, my wife and I visited <a href=\"https:\/\/visitsedona.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sedona<\/a> and recharged our spiritual batteries. If you haven&#8217;t been, do yourself a favor and book a trip now. Not because of it, but with amazing timing, I have a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jr3ubn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new book full of that same insight<\/a> which will be released on July 25th. It&#8217;s more a daily or weekly walkthrough than something you&#8217;d read in one sitting. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"iae\">Weaving Magic with Words<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Coming July 25&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3PpkrH8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Ink and Enlightenment: 100 Insights &amp; Exercises for the Writer&#8217;s Soul<\/em><\/a>\u00a0invites you to delve into 100 meticulously crafted prompts and exercises that will inspire you to explore themes of mindfulness, compassion, and interconnectedness. From mindful rituals to mindful relationships, these prompts will ignite your imagination, fostering personal growth and illuminating the transformative power of storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guided by the rich tapestry of Eastern philosophy, you will engage in 100 writing exercises that delve into topics like forgiveness, communication, and self-care. With each prompt, you are encouraged to contemplate the complexities of life, weaving together threads of silence, gratitude, and suffering into your literary tapestry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This intelligent and inspiring companion will empower you to infuse your work with depth, meaning, and profound insights, creating stories that touch hearts and minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/blog-series-ink-and-enlightenment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read some Excerpts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3PpkrH8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Preorder this one of a kind creative writing companion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jr3ubn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IAE_ad.jpg\" alt=\"Ink and Enlightenment\" class=\"wp-image-24155\" width=\"400\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IAE_ad.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IAE_ad-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IAE_ad-768x595.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\" id=\"freescifi\"><a href=\"https:\/\/books.bookfunnel.com\/scififorscififans\/xgmad00cbv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/bf_promo_june_2023-e1687346568555.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24673\" width=\"419\" height=\"104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/bf_promo_june_2023-e1687346568555.png 838w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/bf_promo_june_2023-e1687346568555-300x74.png 300w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/bf_promo_june_2023-e1687346568555-768x190.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Searching for your next favorite story?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of science fiction books. And they&#8217;re all free! Hurry! There&#8217;s only a few days left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Includes a link to get your copy of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/books.bookfunnel.com\/scififorscififans\/xgmad00cbv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aebris Rising<\/a><\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/books.bookfunnel.com\/scififorscififans\/xgmad00cbv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check them out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"newposts\"><p id=\"newposts\">New Posts<\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/18\/back-to-it\/\">Back to It<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>I took a break, but I&#8217;m back to it. What break and what the hell am I talking about?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/04\/3-practice-compassion\/\">3\u2014Practice Compassion<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Explore the power of compassion in your storytelling. Create characters who demonstrate empathy, kindness, and understanding toward others.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/29\/2-cultivate-mindfulness-2\/\">2\u2014Cultivate Mindfulness<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Engage in mindful writing practices to enhance your creative process.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/22\/1-embrace-impermanence\/\">1\u2014Embrace Impermanence<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Reflect on the transient nature of existence and how it shapes your writing.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/14\/writers-block-tips-and-strategies-for-getting-unstuck-from-someone-whos-stuck-often\/\">Writer\u2019s Block: Tips and Strategies for Getting Unstuck from Someone Who\u2019s Stuck Often<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Explore writer&#8217;s block causes, learn effective strategies to overcome it, and reignite your creativity with prompts.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bxwretlind.com\/blog\/books\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/all_together_now_sm.jpg\" alt=\"Books by Benjamin X. Wretlind\" class=\"wp-image-24268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/all_together_now_sm.jpg 900w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/all_together_now_sm-300x50.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/all_together_now_sm-768x128.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"author\">Author Highlight<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of getting to know many authors over the last several years, and I thought I would start highlighting them in my newsletter. I mean: you like to read, they like to write, and the two of you would make a wonderful couple.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B.R. O&#8217;Hagan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brohagan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Author B.R. O&#8217;Hagan<\/a> studied history at UCLA and later taught the subject before transitioning into the film and television industry. After working in series development and as a script-doctor, he returned to his native Oregon and settled in a secluded farmhouse surrounded by vast forests. In the following years, O&#8217;Hagan established himself as a prominent ghostwriter, crafting articles and books for influential figures across various fields. He has authored 24 published books, including bestsellers, and contributed to numerous national and international publications. Recently, O&#8217;Hagan has ventured into producing his own works, including novels and compilations. Currently residing in the Willamette Valley, he writes in a converted barn near world-renowned pinot noir vineyards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am jealous of that barn, for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out his book, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3XeOnHT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scoundrel in the Thick<\/a><\/em>, which <a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/28\/review-scoundrel-in-the-thick-by-b-r-ohagan\/\">I reviewed last year<\/a>. This historical fiction is the first novel in a six-book series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"street-team\">Join the Street Team<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you interested in being a beta reader for my upcoming novels or works in progress? Would you like to be notified when Advanced Reader Copies are available so that you can get your hands on them long before they\u2019re released to the wild? Join the Street Team and get <strong>a free novel of your choice<\/strong>! It\u2019s easy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re interested, check out this page: <a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/become-a-beta-reader-or-arc-reviewer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/become-a-beta-reader-or-arc-reviewer\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"iarpsel\">Indie Author Program Selection Reviews<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/incident_395_cover.jpg\" alt=\"Incident 395\" class=\"wp-image-21266\" width=\"164\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/incident_395_cover.jpg 328w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/incident_395_cover-197x300.jpg 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Incident 395<\/em><\/a> by John Riha<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imbued with a deep-rooted appreciation for the Pacific Northwest&#8217;s resplendent beauty, my childhood fascination for Oregon&#8217;s landscape drew me towards John Riha&#8217;s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Incident 395<\/a><\/em>. The novel&#8217;s vivid depiction of nature&#8217;s power and the tenacity of those daring to confront it resonates deeply. <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Incident 395<\/a><\/em> is more than a disaster narrative; it submerges readers into the high-risk lives of individuals wrestling with an environmental calamity\u2014a wildfire ripping through southern Oregon. A rich ensemble of characters, from the firefighters on the front line to a father and his blind daughter lost in the wilderness, enhance the plot with their personal narratives, giving deeper significance to the overall catastrophe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Riha masterfully takes readers on a gripping, educational odyssey. The narrative cleverly imparts intriguing insights about the forest&#8217;s biome, wildfire behavior, and the impact of weather on firefighting efforts, striking a balanced mix of technical knowledge and storytelling. The book confronts the harsh truths of wildfires, underpinning each character&#8217;s increased peril and making their experiences profoundly resonant. A comprehensive glossary and well-integrated explanations ensure an uninterrupted reading experience, enhancing the readers&#8217; understanding without sacrificing the narrative flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Incident 395<\/a><\/em> artfully intertwines an exhilarating adventure, personal struggles, and the grim realities of a life-threatening disaster. Its well-paced, character-driven narrative effortlessly engrosses the reader while also revealing the profound bravery of those battling wildfires. Furthermore, Riha deftly threads the narrative with political undertones surrounding such events, enriching the story. <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG6hQD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Incident 395<\/a><\/em>, with its authentic, raw depiction of disaster management, stands as an insightful homage to the courageous souls safeguarding our lives, making it an unmissable read for anyone seeking a thrilling, enlightening experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG92S0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/trapped_in_tranquility_cover.jpg\" alt=\"Trapped in Tranquility\" class=\"wp-image-21272\" width=\"167\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/trapped_in_tranquility_cover.jpg 333w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/trapped_in_tranquility_cover-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG92S0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Trapped in Tranquility<\/em><\/a> by Brody Coy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As someone who always enjoyed delving into dystopian themes and exploring how our societies could evolve in unsettling directions, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG92S0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trapped in Tranquility<\/a><\/em> by Brody Coy caught my attention right away. The concept of tackling today&#8217;s societal problem of depression and mental health issues through a futuristic solution that includes a chip implantation that can alter emotions was intriguing. Coy&#8217;s insightful representation of these issues had me flipping through the pages faster than I had anticipated. His ability to craft an Orwellian-like narrative, full of emotional highs and lows, left me with a resonating message: there are no easy answers, and we must be careful with what we wish for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coy has skillfully weaved a story that made me question our perception of happiness, the lengths we would go to attain it, and at what cost. The novel presents an intricate exploration of identity and relationships, making me reconsider the importance we place on human connections and self-perception. The narrative builds a chilling vision of a world where we might lose touch with who we really are, a world where our inherent values and individuality can be sacrificed for an ephemeral sense of happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What made <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3NG92S0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trapped in Tranquility<\/a><\/em> stand out was the way Coy provoked thoughts around moral questions without making the reading experience feel heavy. The ease with which he crafts the dialogue and the pace of the plot ensured that the book was always engaging. As the narrative unfolded, I found myself invested in the well-portrayed characters, and the plot twists kept me on my toes. To anyone interested in exploring thought-provoking themes wrapped in a captivating narrative, I would wholeheartedly recommend this novel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/16\/2023-indie-review-program-selections\/\">Check out the previous reviews.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please let your friends know if they\u2019re interested in blog posts about writing and all the other odd things you might find on this site. You can forward them this newsletter or they can sign up at this link:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bxwretlind.com\/blog\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.bxwretlind.com\/blog\/subscribe<\/a>. They will get a free novella for joining through that link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That does it for this issue of the newsletter. I\u2019ll see you back here next time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Ben<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/newsletter-archive\/\">Visit the Newsletter Archive<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;text-align: center;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Email\",\"Print\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"big\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_twitter_via=\"bxwretlind\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"A%20Semi-Not-Horribly-Regular%20Newsletter%20%2321\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue: TikTok, Progress, and a New Book \u2022 Weaving Magic with Words \u2022 Free SciFi \u2022 New Posts \u2022 Street Team \u2022 Indie Author Program Selection Reviews<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[128],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-24516","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter","tag-newsletter"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6.1 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Semi-Not-Horribly-Regular Newsletter #21 - Benjamin X. Wretlind<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this issue: TikTok, Progress, and a New Book \u2022 Weaving Magic with Words \u2022 Free SciFi \u2022 New Posts \u2022 Street Team \u2022 Indie Author Program Selection Reviews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/26\/a-semi-not-horribly-regular-newsletter-21\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Semi-Not-Horribly-Regular Newsletter #21\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this issue: TikTok, Progress, and a New Book \u2022 Weaving Magic with Words \u2022 Free SciFi \u2022 New Posts \u2022 Street Team \u2022 Indie Author Program Selection Reviews\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/26\/a-semi-not-horribly-regular-newsletter-21\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Benjamin X. 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