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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 2d

September 19 to 21, 2025. The third annual Pen & Pier retreat!
open.substack.com/pub/penandpi...

September 19 to 21, 2025. The third annual Pen & Pier retreat!

By Ute Orgassa

open.substack.com

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you, @dragon_soul_press, for accepting my book!

Here is a link to preorder:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 3d

My MC is a real scoundrel. He's morals lie on the wrong side of the law. He likes the ladies and making a buck. He is confident, charming, and persuasive. Despite all this, he loves his family, his wife and his son. He swears a lot, which is a taboo in that day and age.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 4d

#PlotTober Day 9: MC personality & behaviors

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

9. What are some personality traits and behaviors, both positive and negative, that you think would suit your main character(s)? How do these traits affect your main character's goals and motivations?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 5d

The WIP I am plotting is inspired by a true story. An innocent man is convicted and sent to jail for the murder of his wife. It is not a mystery novel, per say but one where he searches for justice for himself and for his family.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 11d

#PlotTober Day 2: Initial ideas

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

2. What are your initial ideas for this WIP? Are there specific tropes, plot or character achetypes, and/or themes you'd like to explore?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 5d

This month, I am working on plotting the next novel that I will be writing. It is a historical fiction novel set during the early 20th century in the midwestern state of Indiana.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 12d

#PlotTober Day 1: Introduce yourself & your WIP

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 6d

This castle in Schwering, Germany, is seen twice in the novel I am currently writing. The first time is on a journey to new lands, and the second time escaping from absolute terror.

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 7d

I'm raising funds for my year of Scouting. Would you be willing to support me? You can use this link to help me reach my goal: trails-end.com/store/scout/...

Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

journey-on.bsky.social @journey-on.bsky.social · 8d

Autumn is a good season for sunset skies near Pismo Beach, CA. I was lucky to catch this on an evening hike — another time I’m glad to not stay home.

Also trying out my iPhone 17 Pro. Pretty good resolution: at 300DPI the pano could print 42” wide. #getoutdoors #photography #nature #sunset

Orange sunset light catches wisps of cloud settling towards the ocean from thicker, darker clouds above. The silhouette of a low hill frames the bottom left of the photo.

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Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · 8d

Hello! It's Pen & Pier. We finally decided to join social media. Our group's been meeting regularly for 2 years. We do things like annual retreats, critique groups, in-person & online meetings. We're just a bunch of writers helping each other out. Come check out our website and join us on Discord.

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 11d

It is in its first draft stage, but this is the chapter I am working on right now, just about 2/3 of the way in.

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 14d

It is important to take time away from writing to spend time with the man I love more than anything. Without him, my inspiration would fall flat!

Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Michelle Dornish @mdornish.bsky.social · 17d

Hey y'all!
My writing group is publishing an anthology and I am so stoked! We are currently looking for ARC readers. If you like short stories of various genres then please fill out this survey! Looking at end of 2025 for our release!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Ute Orgassa @uteorgassa.bsky.social · 20d

When Pen & Pier writers get together, it's always a fun time. Featuring @bsmbooks.bsky.social , @mdornish.bsky.social , @kevincarver.bsky.social , @journey-on.bsky.social , @katelynsweigart.bsky.social @katherinebonn.bsky.social , among others, & also my awesome @shortwavebooks.bsky.social T-shirt!

A group of happy writers having breakfast at a long table.

Two writers roasting marshmallows over a bonfire.

Three writers playfully fighting with their smores sticks at a bonfire.

Several writers showing off their arts and crafts work, specifically the hand bound books they just made.

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Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Kevin Carver @kevincarver.bsky.social · 21d

Congrats to @cateyepress.bsky.social and fellow #PenandPier writer @uteorgassa.bsky.social on a fantastic new anthology, MODERN MUMMIES! That’s a wrap!

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · 26d

I realize today that much of life can seem like you are stuck in the fog, that you can't see past the current crisis going on. But, if you just take a step back and take a deep breath, you'll find that the fog is only temporary, and as you are going through it, it is slowly disappearing.

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Sep 8

"The Other Side of the Door" by David Wayne is a powerful memoir that gives you a raw and unfiltered look into what goes on behind the scenes of Mental and Verbal Abuse. It is now available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ68MR68

The Other Side of the Door

The Other Side of the Door [Wayne, David, Miller, Barbara Swihart] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Other Side of the Door

www.amazon.com

Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Cat Eye Press @cateyepress.bsky.social · Jul 31

100% this. We’ve got an incredible bog body story in our upcoming Modern Mummies anthology from @uteorgassa.bsky.social. You won’t want to miss it (or the other stories). www.cateyepress.com/modern-mummies

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Jul 25

Trying to write while you kids are on vacation? Good luck! i know I need it! I count every little bit written as a win.

Tell me. How do you do it?

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Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller

Ute Orgassa @uteorgassa.bsky.social · Jul 7

Look at that, I am a highlighted author!

Cat Eye Press @cateyepress.bsky.social · Jul 7

We’re back with more #ModernMummies author highlights. Today, we have @uteorgassa.bsky.social whose short stories have been published by Shortwave Publishing, Haunted Words Press & more. Her Modern Mummies story “Going Home” is an eerie exploration of what happens when you disturb the dead.

Modern Mummies Author Highlight: Ute Orgassa

Snippet from the story "Going Home" by Ute Orgassa

Preorder Modern Mummies at cateyepress.com/store

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Jun 5

I am walking on Saturday to raise awareness for Epilepsy. Epilepsy comes in all different forms, and we have run the gambit in our family. Any donation is much appreciated as we strive to support further research into bringing an end, or at least better control!

donate.epilepsy.com/participant/...

Together, let's Walk to END EPILEPSY!

I just signed up for the #WalktoEndEpilepsy with @epilepsyfoundationofamerica! Join me in making a difference for the epilepsy community today. Every mile walked makes an impact for the 3.4+ million A...

donate.epilepsy.com

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Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Apr 4

www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Mar 25

New Author Kevin Carver's amazing soundtrack to his soon-to-be-released novel is absolutely stunning. Check it out here:
open.substack.com/pub/kcarver/...

Streaming Now: "Jah'ri's Theme" from The Forbidden Parallel: Soundtrack to the Novel

The first single from my fantasy novel's soundtrack

open.substack.com

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Mar 25

www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Mar 24

barbaraswihartmillerbooks.substack.com/p/new-beginn...

New Beginnings

Here on the Central Coast, tiny signs of spring are making themselves known in the subtlest of ways.

barbaraswihartmillerbooks.substack.com

Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Mar 18

An amazing author is about to have his first book published. Check it out here! www.instagram.com/p/DHUUZLVqEg...

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