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Weekly Roundup for Nov 1, 2025 + Book Announcement

In Case You Missed It… Murder at the Savoy Is Up for Preorder!

So, in case you didn’t catch yesterday’s post (or you were off doing something much more glamorous, like alphabetizing your bookshelves), I finally have actual, honest-to-goodness news to share: Murder at the Savoy is officially up for preorder! Yep, the first book in my Lucien Knight Mysteries series is stepping out into the world in a crisp trench coat and a suspiciously haunted fedora.

This one’s been a long time coming. I’ve been yammering about it forever—plot tweaks, ghostly shenanigans, 1930s detectives with secrets—and now it’s finally real. The series blends detective noir with the paranormal, which basically means moody lighting, cigarette smoke curling in the air, and the occasional ghost who refuses to stay quiet. Lucien Knight is my prickly, skeptical detective who’d prefer to deal with cold cases over cold spots, but fate has other plans.

If you’re an ebook reader, you can snag your preorder now and have it magically appear on your device when it’s released (technology still feels like witchcraft sometimes). But if you’re like me and love the feel of a physical book—the smell of ink, the weight of a story in your hands—you don’t even have to wait. The paperback and large print editions are already available on my web store, and if you’re loyal to Amazon, the paperback’s up there too.

Below is the big cover reveal, and I’m ridiculously proud of it. It’s got that smoky, vintage noir feel I’ve been chasing since I first dreamed up Lucien skulking through a rain-slick alley with his overcoat collar turned up.

Anyway, thank you all for being so patient with me while I fussed, rewrote, and talked your ears off about this book. It feels wild to finally say: it’s out there.

Murder at the Savoy book cover

Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing

My author friends may find this of value: Tawny Lara on Embracing the Sh#tty First Draft https://lithub.com/tawny-lara-on-embracing-the-shtty-first-draft/

My writer friends may find this of value: How Proper Body Position Fuels Health and Creativity https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/10/the-writers-stance/

The 20 most important LGBTQ+ films of the past 20 years https://www.queerty.com/the-20-most-important-lgbtq-films-of-the-past-20-years-20251024/

Kit Connor stepping into his movie-star era under an iconic gay director? Yes please.
The queer film world keeps getting richer. https://www.queerty.com/kit-connors-link-up-with-an-iconic-gay-director-has-fan-ready-for-his-movie-star-era-20251023/

My author friends may find this of interest: When Your Imaginary World Becomes Real https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/10/when-your-imaginary-world-becomes-real/

My writer friends may find this article about reviews of value: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/10/reviews-light-the-way/

James Whale—openly gay, brilliantly bold—and behind Frankenstein, The Invisible Man & The Old Dark House. The 1930s didn’t know how lucky they were. https://www.queerty.com/this-handsome-out-gay-director-was-behind-some-of-the-biggest-horror-films-of-the-1930s-20251021/

Lukas Gage says his brief, high-profile marriage to stylist Chris Appleton cost him acting opportunities — and that kind of honest candour? It matters. https://greginhollywood.com/lukas-gage-says-brief-but‐high‐profile-marriage-to‐chris-appleton-cost-him-acting-opportunities-248216

‘Playing for both teams’ took on a whole different meaning: 6 queer agents from history working in the shadows. 🕵️‍♂️🌈 https://www.advocate.com/news/gay-queer-spies-double-agents

My author friends may find this piece about censorship of value: Yiming Ma on the Future of Censorship https://lithub.com/yiming-ma-on-the-future-of-censorship/

My writers friends may find this piece on ‘dialog tips’ of value: 10 Dialogue Tips to Consider before You Start Writing https://www.livewritethrive.com/2025/09/29/10-dialogue-tips-to-consider-before-you-start-writing/

Pablo Alborán is ready to dominate …with a new album, tour & Netflix series alongside Manu Ríos https://www.queerty.com/pablo-alboran-is-ready-to-dominate-with-a-new-album-tour-netflix-series-alongside-manu-rios-20251014/

These folks nailed Halloween — From clever DIYs to full-on showpieces, check out the best costume wins of the year! https://www.boredpanda.com/best-creative-halloween-costumes-2022/

When drag meets storytime and reading meets revolution — Nina West shows how her childhood love of books paved the way for a drag career and a mission: to give all kids a hero who sees them. https://lithub.com/why-drag-queen-story-hour-matters/

Monochrome magic: These 9 winning photos from the 2025 Black & White Photo Awards show why stripping away color can still tell the strongest stories. https://www.peta pixel.com/2025/08/20/the-9-marvelous-winners-of-the-2025-black-and-white-photo-awards/

Weekly Roundup for Nov 1, 2025 + Book Announcement Read Post »

Guess What’s Finally Happening? Murder at the Savoy Is Up for Preorder!

Okay, deep breath. After talking your ears off about this one for what feels like forever, Murder at the Savoy—the first book in my Lucien Knight Mysteries series—is officially available for preorder! Cue the dramatic noir saxophone.

This series has been brewing in my head for ages: picture 1930s Chicago, a haunted nightclub, a skeptical detective with a knack for attracting the supernatural, and just enough danger to make you check behind your curtains at night. It’s detective noir with a paranormal twist, served with a splash of whiskey and a dash of ghostly menace. Lucien Knight is the kind of man who would rather mind his own business, but trouble (and the occasional ghost) keeps finding him anyway.

If you’re an ebook reader, the preorder is live and waiting for you—but if you’re more of a hold-it-in-your-hands kind of person, the paperback and large-print paperback are already up on my web store. And yes, for those loyal to the Big A, the paperback’s available on Amazon too (as always, the Large Print edition is a web store exclusive on my site).

It’s such a weird feeling seeing it out there—the book that’s been haunting my to-do list for months is now an actual thing you can buy. I’m equal parts thrilled, nervous, and slightly caffeinated. Below is the official cover reveal, which I am completely obsessed with. It nails that smoky, vintage atmosphere I’ve been chasing since page one.

Murder at the Savoy cover

Thanks to everyone who’s followed along while I muttered about plot holes, ghosts, and suspicious detectives in fedoras. You’ve been my sanity through the chaos.

Guess What’s Finally Happening? Murder at the Savoy Is Up for Preorder! Read Post »

New Nick Novella Coming Soon

book cover for Nick's Awakening

Okay, so I’ve gotten quite a few emails lately—more than a few, actually—from readers asking if I’m ever going to write another book in the Ghost Oracle world. Some of you were super polite about it, like “Would you ever consider it?” and others basically shouted “MORE NICK MICHELSON, PLEASE” (you know who you are). And honestly? I’ve thought about it. Not in a “clear my calendar, it’s happening now” way, but it’s definitely been lurking in the back of my brain like a ghost that never fully crossed over. So while I don’t have any immediate plans to write a whole new book in the series, I have decided to do something a little fun. A little extra. A little haunted.

I’m working on a brand-new Ghost Oracle novella. Yep. It’ll feature Nick, some supernatural shenanigans, and—this is your teaser alert—a haunted video arcade. (Because of course.) I just started outlining it, but it’s already got that weird, goosebumpy energy I love writing, and I think you’re gonna have a blast with it. Best part? It’s going to be completely free for newsletter subscribers. Past subscribers, current subscribers, new subscribers, time-traveling subscribers from the future—I’m not picky. It’s a thank-you gift, really. You’ve all been so supportive, and this is my way of saying I see you and appreciate the heck out of you.

Anyway, thanks as always for reading and being part of this little spooky book club we’ve accidentally created. More updates soon—probably with ghosts, possibly with neon lights. Stay tuned.

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