Black History Month

 In order to celebrate history recognizing the influence of Black Americans, I want to share this list of 150 Black-owned businesses in North America!

Get Your Neat Stuff Here!

Also to help create a more equal society, here are my  posts on writing inclusive fiction.

 Don't Surf in Sewage

Okay, You Screwed Up. 

How to be More Diverse in Your Writing 

At long last!!

Kensington Press and I released the first edition of Dracula Unleashed, the third book in the Blood Wings Trilogy, in early 2013. I had to write the book in less than four months, while doing promo and edits on the first two books. As a result, I wasn't terribly thrilled with the results. I got my rights back to the trilogy and released Dracula's Secret in 2016, Dracula's Desires in 2017. And then....nothing. 

My well had run completely dry. I had no idea how to strip this book down past its bare bones and completely rebuild it. 

It took several books for me to get even an inkling of an idea for Valerie Tate's final adventure. It wasn't until I finished The Cafe of Hopes and Dreams that I realized what she needed. She needed sweetness, dreams, and her own hopes. At last, the words flowed. 

And now, the book is available for pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0934FVTBS?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_2&storeType=ebooks!!

After centuries as the Dracula of legend, disguised as a male, Valerie Tate's current incarnation is the last thing she expected: mother of a precocious half-angel, half-vampire, and wife to two men. But Valerie is more familiar with battlefields than domesticity. . .

Some overwhelmed mothers relax with a glass of wine. Valerie soothes her immortal soul with a refreshing blood and coke. How else can she deal with her toddler Minerva's psychic powers--not to mention her determination to throw knives. Thank goodness for Valerie's two loves, John Jante and Lance Soleil. Without them, the trauma of her dark past and her primal, urges for violence and power would overtake her. Yet in a world where humans and paranormals uncomfortably co-exist, Valerie's peace will be short-lived. . .

Someone is killing the world's best paranormal diplomats. And Valerie's vampire brother and nemesis, Radu, is at the center of the conflict. Now Valerie finds herself as vulnerable and as weak as she had been as a human....

Words to live by.

 

Yum, yum, yum.

Almond Flour scones. Perfect for eating and reading together.

 

While I was cooking, might as well make almond shortbread with chocolate.

These were super yummy. :)

Of course, after publishing a book about a bakery, I had to do some baking.

And eating. :) 

Buy links: 

Where to buy
My Web Store
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple

Help survivors of domestic abuse!

 Every year, the Emerald City Romance Writers host a raffle for survivors of domestic abuse. DAWN supports, empowers and shelters survivors of domestic abuse in South King County and helps to keep us all safe by educating our community to respond to and prevent violence.

I have donated two goodie baskets to the cause. Please come see all the fabulous things people have donated!
























Here is my first donation!

Item Description

We know that 2020 has been a hard year. With the pandemic and the West Coast fires, we know that there are many worthy organizations that need your support. So we have created 8 auction packages with a Buy it Now option to give 8 people the opportunity to support DAWN with a $25 donation.

Items in this package -
- Naughty Notes by PNW Author Linda Mercury (Signed)
- Cloth Mask (Donated by https://www.facebook.com/groups/249630659482235)
- Swag shown in the photo.

And this is my second donation. When I went to the Romance Writers of Australia's conference in 2019, I nabbed so many cool things. Here is the link to bid.
 

Item Description

Linda Mercury (https://www.lindamercury.com/) gave a presentation at the Australia RWA Conference and brought home some goodies to share with one lucky winner --

White Gum Creek by Nicole Hurley-Moore
The Art of Preserving Love by Ada Langton
Falling for the Pregnant Heiress/Rust Creek Falls Cinderella
Ocean Light by Nalini Singh
Die cut Melbourne Tram Card
Australia themed postcards
Cute Penguin bookmark
4 Fake Tattoos
2 Romance Writers of Australia themed notebooks
Romance Writers of Australia Tote Bag
Signed - Vamping It Up by Linda Mercury

Please note that the physical basket is for visual display only. Since this item will be shipped to the winner, only the items within the basket (and listed in the description) will be sent to the winner

 

I hope to "see" you all at the auction. :) Domestic violence is on the rise due to the tensions of sheltering at home. Please nab some great books (if I say so myself) and support people in need.

Love to you all,
Linda Mercury

Where to buy
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple

What is the best that could happen?

Let's be honest. Right now, the world truly sucks. We are dealing with a global pandemic, the rise of fascism, and incompetent world leaders. We are anxious, exhausted, and consumed with fear. In order to find at least a tiny bit of cope, we must ask ourselves:

WHAT IS THE BEST THAT CAN HAPPEN?

"Covid-19 numbers infection rates go down."

"Nationwide, all police departments destroy the traces of white supremacy that foul the system."

Then, we ask:

HOW DO WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

"I can continue to wear a mask and social distance. It's really hard, but I've done hard things before."

"I will write and call and protest to the best of my ability. It is scary and feels small, but it is less scary than doing nothing."

We cannot make the best happen if we do not know what it is.

Ten Minutes: Activism if you have depression or other limitations.

The reality of injustice has been uncovered in the most horrific ways possible. We have work to do to make the country a place where people can live in peace.

If you suffer from depression, chronic pain, or other conditions that keep you from the front lines, you can still help people. The trick is to start small. If you make your goal too big, you will inevitably fail and slide into despair. So begin with ten minutes, just like if you were starting an exercise program.

You can get a lot done in ten minutes. Write a tiny email to someone you admire, telling them thank you for their hard work. Or write a tiny email to the city council, saying you want the police to learn new ways of interacting with their people of color.

No need to worry about making it perfect. Just start. For example, here's a tiny note I just made up on the fly:

Dear Police Department,

Seriously, guys, I think you need some help. The way you work now kills people, both officers and populace. Please expand to include social workers and mental health professionals. I want everyone to feel safe on the streets.

Or, you could be more assertive, depending on your personality:

Dear Police Department,

What the fucking fuck, dudes??

In ten minutes, you can create a draft about a situation or system that needs to change. If the email triggers your anxiety or your condition, you can wait for tomorrow's (or next week's) ten minutes to edit and send.

Perhaps you are awesome on the phone. Or you design excellent protest signs. Maybe you are in the absolute pits and can barely get out of bed. At that point, play some protest music, for yourself or your neighbors (my favorite protest musician is Mavis Staples).

Start small.

Small actions do add up and do make a difference.

Mental Health in a time of pandemic; Part IV

The last in a series on dealing with the Covid19 isolation!

Stay Grounded

Pandemics are naturally anxiety-producing. This is something that is going to affect millions of people, and there is no clear message about the future and when things will get back to normal. However, there are some things to consider when thinking the worst and feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances.

-          Unplug from the 24/7 COVID-19 reporting. In order to stay grounded, it’s important to limit exposure to the constant news cycle that discusses this and only this. Be sure to stay on the lookout for important announcements, but check in with the news once a day rather than have it on constantly. This also includes searching for COVID-related stories, reading articles online, and getting caught up in social media.

-          While it feels like there is a lot out of our control, we do have control over our actions and how we view things. Choose to focus on what you CAN control. There is a lot of change and also uncertainty occurring right now, which is notoriously scary for us. There are likely a number of worried thoughts running through our minds about having to stay home, not having enough resources, getting sick, and things closing. Remember:

o   You greatly minimize your chance of getting sick if you keep physical distance from others, clean surfaces, and wash your hands thoroughly.

o   You have likely gone to the store or ordered things online in preparation, so you are able to use your items wisely and have everything you truly need for the next week or so.

o   While businesses and leisure activities are shut down, essential places, like grocery stores, hospitals, and pharmacies are open and provide necessary resources – you will be able to access them.

-          Psychologists know how anxiety-producing this time can be, so some have produced podcasts about ways to manage stress and anxiety during this time. Yale psychologist, Dr. Laurie Santos has a podcast, “The Happiness Lab,” where she has two COVID-19 specific podcasts about things we can do to decrease stress and anxiety. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/id1474245040?fbclid=IwAR3qG8CC6H8CLLJrsHr4wgA8fYQGkLzR0IwmzEr_0HReDc1zXuYMzLBjGR0

-          Seek out professional resources, such as therapy for additional support. A lot of therapists are transitioning to telehealth services. If you have insurance, most likely, there is an in-network provider currently accepting new clients via telehealth (phone or video chat sessions). For those without insurance, there are also resources that are sliding scale, ranging from $20-$60 per session.

o   Open Path https://openpathcollective.org/client/

o   Clear water Counseling http://clearwatercounselingchicago.com/

o   Better Help https://www.betterhelp.com/

 

Mental Health in a time of pandemic: Part III

From the Rice Museum near Portland, OR

This instillation on caring for our well-being during the pandemic focuses on curiosity and connectivity!

Stay curious

Since everyone is in this together, many places that would have required in-person attendance are now providing virtual resources. Take advantage of this free opportunity to enjoy sights and sounds that would have cost money to enjoy before!

-          Take a virtual tour of an art museum. Many museums, including Chicago's own Art Institute, are allowing for virtual tours of exhibits. https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

-          Watch a professional performance. Since live performances are not possible, watch a Broadway show or popular artist streamed right through your computer! https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/all-musicians-streaming-live-concerts.html

-          Read a new book. Here is a list of some great books you can download to an e-reader https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011

-          Try a new recipe. There is no better time to try out some new meals than when you have plenty of time at home! Here are some simple ingredient recipes that don’t take too much time and have household ingredients. https://ifoodreal.com/clean-eating-recipes-dinners/

-          Watch a new series, movie, or documentary. Most of us have some type of streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.) and if we don’t, we have a friend or family member’s login information J. There are even some new movies in theatres that are currently streaming on these services. Plus, there is a wide array of new series and documentaries to watch. Here is a list of some recommended series: https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/best-shows-on-netflix/.

Stay connected

Human beings are not meant to exist in isolation. Studies from solitary confinement in prisons demonstrate the damage that social isolation has on our emotional health. The good news is that we can still stay connected even if we can’t be physically with others.

-          Video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, WebEx, and Microsoft Groups offer free accounts and allow you to talk with multiple people at once. Set up a family Zoom call and see everyone’s face at once! https://zoom.us/

-          Schedule individual FaceTime or Skype dates with friends and loved ones. Have a meal together, watch a show together, do a workout together, or just chat. This can be a way to connect and still feel like you are engaged with others.

-          Start a book club. Perhaps you have a text thread with a group that you don’t get to spend a whole lot of time with anymore. Pick a book, read it, and discuss all together!

-          Write a letter. Snail mail might be making a comeback! Take time to write a personal note and send it to a family members (perhaps one who is less technologically inclined).

-          Join or start a group meditation or group prayer. Many congregations are streaming services and engaging in prayer virtually – if a place of worship is important to you, join!

-          Start or join a virtual dance party. There are DJs hosting sets, where multiple people are tuning in and having a living room dance party at night – this is also a chance to get active! https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9340211/dj-d-nices-virtual-social-distancing-dance-party-drew-vips-like-michelle-obama-missy-elliott-more

Mental Health in a time of pandemic: Part II

As a continuation of my last blog post on dealing with Covid19, here is the second part of the University of Illinois-Chicago's recommendations.

Stay Active

Another thing we know from research is that physical activity releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood. Staying active can also help you feel healthy and accomplished, and it is another way to help bring structure to your day.

-          Schedule a time of day, a duration, and physical space for your workout that has a high likelihood of happening. For example, if you’re not a morning person, it wouldn’t be wise to go for a 6am 2-hour workout. Similarly, if you typically eat at 6pm, a 6:30 workout also wouldn’t be the best idea. Shoot for a time when you have a break in your schedule, a duration that fits your pre-COVID behaviors, and a space that is conducive to working out.

-          Try one of the dozens of free workout apps or websites! This is a link to 50 (five-zero) of the best free, at-home workout sites/videos/routines. There is every type of workout you could ask for, from yoga to high intensity interval training (HIIT), to Pilates.  https://makeyourbodywork.com/how-to-exercise-at-home/

-          Instead of viewing this as a time where you are unable to be as active as you would like (i.e., go to the gym, commute to work, take walks), use this as a time to explore fitness genres you may never have tried before. Perhaps you have always gravitated toward weightlifting – give kickboxing a try. Maybe you have been a core power person – see what a HIIT workout feels like. This could easily be turned into a specific goal on your daily to-do list.

-          GO OUTSIDE. Quarantined and/or sheltered in place does not mean you can’t still walk/run/bike outside (just maintain 6 feet of distance from your neighbors). People need fresh air, and nothing makes you want to be back at home more than a little Chicago weather fatigue. Luckily it’s not too cold at this point to enjoy being outside, so take a walk on your lunch break, walk the stairs of your local park, take an animal for an extra long walk, or take a nice jog outside.