by jphilo | Mar 27, 2025 | Book Updates, West River Mystery Series
Jane is going non-linear for now. And yup, it’s complicated. So complicated that the linear lady behind Jane and her hijinks has yet to add recent changes to the wall calendar that usually makes her heart go pitter pat.
Jane is going rogue for several reasons. The reason behind her reasons were the subject of my March 2025 newsletter, which you can read here if you haven’t already. With the background reasons out of the way, you can join me for a tromp through the non-linear weeds that are Jane’s existence, at least for a while.
Weed one–– that phrase may hold a meaning quite different from what I want to convey if you live in a state where marijuana has been legalized––is the See Jane Ride! (Book 5) cover reveal in January of 2025. At that time, See Jane Ride! was still slated for publication in October of 2025. It has now been moved to October of 2026 due to the changes outlined in the March newsletter.
Are you with me so far? Good.
Weed two––again, this has nothing to do with legalized cannabis––is The Plot Thickened post that went live in February. In it I was giddy to announce that the plot outline for See Jane Stop, Drop, and Roll! (Book 6 in the series) was a done deal. The plot outline is done indeed, but that book’s release date has been moved to October of 2027.
Still with me? Then let’s keep going.
Weed three––refer to the previous two weeds for a disclaimer refresher––is where it gets complicated for Jane’s highly linear and calendar-loving creator. If you’ve lost track, I’m her creator, and I’m making pretty good progress on the first draft of See Jane Stop, Drop, and Roll! Nine chapters are already completed and it’s still March.
Now for a recap, which is where things get mindbendy for me. Maybe you as well.
- It’s March of 2025 yet I’m writing the first draft of a book that comes out in October of 2027.
- In a couple months (hopefully shortly after the current first draft is finished), the publisher will send the concept edits for the October of 2026 book that used to be the October of 2025 book, and revision process for it will begin. Probably through the summer so the revised book can enter the publication pipeline by early 2026.
- In early 2026, I’ll begin preliminary research for Book 7, which will come out in October of 2028. I have a title in mind, but don’t want to confuse you until I’m less confused. We’ll see how that goes.
- In February of 2026, the whole process starts all over again with a plot thickening workshop for the 2028 book and then the writing of the first draft.
- Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat until the eleventh and final book in the series comes out shortly before the apocalypse.
Are you still with me? That’s amazing because I’m not. I am not pleased that Jane is going non-linear for now. However, my editor assures me that I will adjust to their new publication schedule and like it. I hope that’s case. If not I may have to move to a state with legalized marijuana and take up a new hobby.
by jphilo | Jan 7, 2025 | Book Updates, See Jane Run!, West River Mystery Series
Midwestern Books lost its renaissance man and founder, Tom Walker, this past December. Tom succumbed to pancreatic cancer just two months after his diagnosis. Those who knew and loved him––his wife Kris, his three children, his eight grandchildren, his siblings, his nieces and nephews, and many more––are still reeling.
Our family was among those who attended his funeral. Tom’s brother-in-law gave the eulogy and described him as a renaissance man, a person who is educated and knowledgeable in a number of fields. That was certainly true of Tom. He assembled his own computer when they were just coming onto the scene. He was a musician, an athlete, a theologian, a pastor, and an avid fisherman. He operated a sawmill, constructed several buildings, read widely, was an IT director, and founded a publishing company. He was a lover of books, and was both a reader and a = writer.
He wrote sermons, seminary curriculum, and computer code. He created elaborate Dungeons and Dragons back stories in his role as a Dungeon Master. He helped his parents write books about their lives and wrote children’s books for his grandkids. When he retired, he started Midwestern Books to showcase writers who represented the values and stories from a poorly represented area of the United States. See Jane Run! was the first manuscript he acquired.
Tom was more than the renaissance man who published The West River Mystery Series. He was also my husband’s cousin and an appreciator of my daughter’s editorial talents. To that end, he asked her to become his partner at Midwestern Books. She accepted and they worked closely together for five years. After his cancer diagnosis, he signed the business over to her at no cost.
Midwestern Books lost its renaissance man and founder. In the midst of our grief, Anne and her husband, as well as Hiram and I, are aware of the opportunity he created for our daughter’s family before he died. Our hearts testify that Tom Walker exemplified more than a renaissance man. He exemplified Christ. We were blessed to know him and grateful beyond words.
In loving memory of Thomas “Tom” Hayes Walker,
November 7, 1953 – December 22, 2024
by jphilo | Nov 12, 2021 | Book Updates
Excuses and updates from See Jane Run! HQ are in order after close to a 2 month silence. They run the gamut from pathetic to praiseworthy. You can decide which ones belong in which categories as you run through my list.
- House construction contractor woes. Specifically, the lack of a functioning heating system after months of repeated promises from the heating/cooling contractor that he would send someone “tomorrow.” Well, tomorrow stretched well into October. Cold weather was breathing down our neck, and I can’t write with someone breathing down my neck. Tomorrow arrived on November 9, when the work was finally completed to our satisfaction with the warranty filed and in effect. Wahoo!
- The Great British Baking Show. Netflix began broadcasting Season 12 several weeks ago, so I had to rewatch the previous seasons to prepare for the momentous event. Kind of like having to rewatch previous seasons of Downton Abbey before a new season came out. Loyalty is a virtue, right?
- Airplane travel. Hiram and I flew to Idaho for a week in October. After 2 1/2 years with my feet planted on terra firma, I underestimated the time involved in packing 3.5 ounce containers of liquids in quart zip lock bags, recovering from jet lag, and unpacking afterwards.
- Online teaching. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the online college class I’m teaching. It’s just that it’s taking more minutes to do a good job on behalf of my students than anticipated, so there’s less time to write than anticipated.
- West River Mystery Series progress. Stuff is starting to happen as the publication date for See Jane Run! inches closer. The first proof of the book cover arrived, and it makes me laugh. Marketing details like designing business cards (see above) and developing a marketing plan eat up hours and hours. Writing the first draft of See Jane Dance!, book 3 in the series, devours entire mornings and afternoons. I’ve reached chapter 5 of 50, which means much devouring remains to be done.
If you want more excuses and updates from See Jane Run! HQ, leave a comment below and I’ll try to oblige. Please indicate if you want a real or imaginary excuse and/or update. Fiction writers often struggle with that differentiation, so your guidance is appreciated.
by jphilo | Sep 17, 2020 | Book Updates
What to do? What to do? What to do?
I’ve been pondering that question since my agent emailed to say the 4 Christian market publishers who had looked at See Jane Run! this summer had passed on the manuscript. This has happened before so I’ve had plenty of practice generating answers. They always boil down to these four options.
- Abandon the project. In many ways this is the easiest option as it would remove something from my crowded plate. But every time I try to walk away from See Jane Run! and the rest of my ideas for The Tipperary County Mystery Series, I have no peace. An internal motivation compels me to keep at it. Until that motivation goes away, option #1 isn’t going to happen
- Pitch to general market publishers. My daughter, who is a book coach and the proprietor of Novel Spirits Books, thinks this is a viable option. Mainly because See Jane Run! doesn’t quite fit into Christian publishing’s cozy mystery box. The problem is that my agent is not familiar with general market publishers and pitching to them without an agent is almost impossible.
- Pitch to independent publishers. My daughter thinks this path is also viable, especially since we both know some indie authors whose brains we can pick. The problem is that my schedule is tight right now, which leaves little time to research and pitch to independent publishers.
- Self-publish. If the most recent rejections had come before COVID, this would be my next step. But self-publishing requires cash up front, all my speaking engagements have been canceled due to COVID so I have no income. Once speaking engagements pick up again, this option will be more attractive because I’ll be able to afford to self-publish and sell See Jane Run! at speaking events.
So here’s what I’m going to do for now.
What do you think of the plan? What am I missing? I’d love to hear your thoughts about what to do, what to do, what to do.
Sign up to receive website updates and See Jane Run! book news on Gravel Road’s home page right under the picture of–you guessed it–the gravel road.
by jphilo | Oct 12, 2015 | Book Updates
Life’s getting more and more exciting on our little Gravel Road these days. Not only is October 13 the official release date for Does My Child Have PTSD? What to Do When Your Child Is Hurting from the Inside Out, but the book also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. You can read the entire review at Publishers Weekly or celebrate with me right here on our gravel road where I’m showing off the sentence I like best.
Philo can make a dramatic statement (e.g., trauma “changes the very structure of the brain”) and then evenly explain the physiology behind it. Though occasionally heart-wrenching, the book is organized so simply and logically as to be easy to follow and digest. ~ Publishers Weekly
Would you please join me in praying that the review increases its visibility so it gets into the hands of families who need it?
Also, if you’re part of a family who could use the book, or would like to give it to someone, Gravel Road is hosting a book give away. To enter, leave a comment in the box below about why you’d like to win between today, October 12, 2015 and midnight on October 31, 2015. The give away is limited to residents of the United States and Canada.
by jphilo | Aug 17, 2015 | Book Updates
The advance copies of my newest baby book, Does My Child Have PTSD? What to Do When Your Child Is Hurting from the Inside Out have arrived. As you can tell from the picture, meeting this 9″ X 6″, 186 page, soft-covered beauty made me very, very happy.
But I feel a little guilty about its arrival, too. Since it’s the third baby book to arrive in less than a year, the poor little tyke didn’t receive the undivided attention my firstborn book did. Truth be told, the box sat on the dining room table for three days before I got around to opening it. Then it received only a cursory once over and didn’t have an in-the-box picture taken for two more days.
I keep meaning to do a happy dance, but taking care of the other four kids blogging about and marketing my other four books keeps distracting me. And to add insult to injury, this baby can’t go out in public for two more months the official release date won’t arrive for two more months, though it can be pre-ordered on Amazon now.
In addition to feeling guilty about the lack of attention the new baby book has received, I’m consumed by worry. Because, as the book makes clear, neglect can be very traumatic for children. So I’m not even practicing what I preach to other parents.
Therefore, I am taking steps to rectify the situation. Step one is to make regular eye contact with the baby book, so it learns to trust its mother author.
Step two will be to sit down with the baby book on my lap and read it from cover to cover as soon as time allows. Because as I also learned during my pregnancy during my researching and writing, babies and very young children who have experienced trauma can experience great healing when they have a loving and consistent primary caregiver to provide security and reassurance.
Which means that in the next few months, given a choice between spending time with our three grandchildren, all under the age of three, and reading or marketing my latest bouncing baby book, I’ll choose the grandkids every single time.
