Diane Wahn Shotton
@deshotton.bsky.social
I write tories of ordinary people making extraordinary choices—strong women, complicated families, quiet heroes history missed. Exploring grit, love, sacrifice, and how personal stories intersect with larger forces. DianeWahnShotton.substack.com
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Diane Wahn Shotton
@deshotton.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Check out my debut novel, Motty's Vow. Against the backdrop of Civil War-era Cincinnati, Motty’s Vow offers a unique perspective on civilian life and the enduring power of hope and perseverance. Available in Kindle and Paperback format. bit.ly/3CfYXIe
#HistoricalFiction #FamilyDrama #ComingOfAge
#HistoricalFiction #FamilyDrama #ComingOfAge
My newest book, historical mystery, is written in present tense and is unusal for the genre. One beta reader said she does not care for anything written in present tense and in particular for historical. Kindle Unlimited readers seem to start then stop. Should I consider changing to past tense?
October 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
My newest book, historical mystery, is written in present tense and is unusal for the genre. One beta reader said she does not care for anything written in present tense and in particular for historical. Kindle Unlimited readers seem to start then stop. Should I consider changing to past tense?
I’m so grateful for these words. Now the book is out in the world for you, too.
👉 Available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
👉 Available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
September 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I’m so grateful for these words. Now the book is out in the world for you, too.
👉 Available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
👉 Available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
📚 100 readers received their free copy from the Goodreads Giveaway. Congrats to the winners!
For everyone else: The Dictograph Case is now out in the world.
👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
Thanks to the #wipsnips community for supporting my Word of the Day posts!
#thedictographcase
For everyone else: The Dictograph Case is now out in the world.
👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
Thanks to the #wipsnips community for supporting my Word of the Day posts!
#thedictographcase
September 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
📚 100 readers received their free copy from the Goodreads Giveaway. Congrats to the winners!
For everyone else: The Dictograph Case is now out in the world.
👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
Thanks to the #wipsnips community for supporting my Word of the Day posts!
#thedictographcase
For everyone else: The Dictograph Case is now out in the world.
👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
Thanks to the #wipsnips community for supporting my Word of the Day posts!
#thedictographcase
🍸 In 1911, Ohio bars served a “Dictograph Cocktail”—named after a spying device used in political scandals. The recipe’s lost… so I’m reviving it. Invent your own & win a signed book! 📚
Subscribe to my newsletter for more information on how to enter
🔗 dianewahnshotton.substack.com
#TheDictographCase
Subscribe to my newsletter for more information on how to enter
🔗 dianewahnshotton.substack.com
#TheDictographCase
September 10, 2025 at 2:21 AM
🍸 In 1911, Ohio bars served a “Dictograph Cocktail”—named after a spying device used in political scandals. The recipe’s lost… so I’m reviving it. Invent your own & win a signed book! 📚
Subscribe to my newsletter for more information on how to enter
🔗 dianewahnshotton.substack.com
#TheDictographCase
Subscribe to my newsletter for more information on how to enter
🔗 dianewahnshotton.substack.com
#TheDictographCase
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Early Goodreads reader praise!
🎁 Enter the Goodreads Giveaway of The Dictograph Case
Ends Sept. 20 — don’t miss your chance to win a free copy.
👉 bit.ly/DC-GR-Giveaway
#thedictographcase
🎁 Enter the Goodreads Giveaway of The Dictograph Case
Ends Sept. 20 — don’t miss your chance to win a free copy.
👉 bit.ly/DC-GR-Giveaway
#thedictographcase
September 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Early Goodreads reader praise!
🎁 Enter the Goodreads Giveaway of The Dictograph Case
Ends Sept. 20 — don’t miss your chance to win a free copy.
👉 bit.ly/DC-GR-Giveaway
#thedictographcase
🎁 Enter the Goodreads Giveaway of The Dictograph Case
Ends Sept. 20 — don’t miss your chance to win a free copy.
👉 bit.ly/DC-GR-Giveaway
#thedictographcase
👉 Kindle Monthly Deal — Just $2.99
⭐ 4.5 stars on Amazon & Goodreads
Includes a FREE Book Club Guide
Readers call it “riveting” and “unputdownable.”
Read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.
⭐ 4.5 stars on Amazon & Goodreads
Includes a FREE Book Club Guide
Readers call it “riveting” and “unputdownable.”
Read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.
September 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
👉 Kindle Monthly Deal — Just $2.99
⭐ 4.5 stars on Amazon & Goodreads
Includes a FREE Book Club Guide
Readers call it “riveting” and “unputdownable.”
Read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.
⭐ 4.5 stars on Amazon & Goodreads
Includes a FREE Book Club Guide
Readers call it “riveting” and “unputdownable.”
Read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.
August 26, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The Dictograph Case has an official launch date!
A 1937 historical mystery about family secrets and small-town conspiracies. What journalist Michael and teacher Olivia uncover, threatens powerful forces.
Available for pre-order amzn.to/4mKTWJs
#wipsnips #historicalfiction #historicalmystery
A 1937 historical mystery about family secrets and small-town conspiracies. What journalist Michael and teacher Olivia uncover, threatens powerful forces.
Available for pre-order amzn.to/4mKTWJs
#wipsnips #historicalfiction #historicalmystery
August 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The Dictograph Case has an official launch date!
A 1937 historical mystery about family secrets and small-town conspiracies. What journalist Michael and teacher Olivia uncover, threatens powerful forces.
Available for pre-order amzn.to/4mKTWJs
#wipsnips #historicalfiction #historicalmystery
A 1937 historical mystery about family secrets and small-town conspiracies. What journalist Michael and teacher Olivia uncover, threatens powerful forces.
Available for pre-order amzn.to/4mKTWJs
#wipsnips #historicalfiction #historicalmystery
🕵️♂️ COVER REVEAL! The Dictograph Case is coming Sept 30. A historical mystery about buried secrets, loyalty, and the cost of silence. Preorder now. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
What do you think of the cover? #thedictographcase
What do you think of the cover? #thedictographcase
The Dictograph Case
The Dictograph Case - Kindle edition by Shotton, Diane Wahn. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Dictograph Case.
www.amazon.com
July 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
🕵️♂️ COVER REVEAL! The Dictograph Case is coming Sept 30. A historical mystery about buried secrets, loyalty, and the cost of silence. Preorder now. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5XQ1CC
What do you think of the cover? #thedictographcase
What do you think of the cover? #thedictographcase
ARC Readers Wanted
Do you love a good historical mystery?
#TheDictographCase is a gripping story of legacy, betrayal, and the price of silence—set in 1937 Ellington. Looking for read and review before the book launches on September 30.
Interested? Fill out the form here:
👉 forms.gle/VMKY4zt42kZN...
Do you love a good historical mystery?
#TheDictographCase is a gripping story of legacy, betrayal, and the price of silence—set in 1937 Ellington. Looking for read and review before the book launches on September 30.
Interested? Fill out the form here:
👉 forms.gle/VMKY4zt42kZN...
The Dictograph Case ARC Reader Sign-Up
Thanks for your interest in becoming an Advance Reader for The Dictograph Case. ARC readers receive early access to the ebook in exchange for an honest review around launch (September 30, 2025).
Advan...
forms.gle
July 24, 2025 at 12:25 AM
ARC Readers Wanted
Do you love a good historical mystery?
#TheDictographCase is a gripping story of legacy, betrayal, and the price of silence—set in 1937 Ellington. Looking for read and review before the book launches on September 30.
Interested? Fill out the form here:
👉 forms.gle/VMKY4zt42kZN...
Do you love a good historical mystery?
#TheDictographCase is a gripping story of legacy, betrayal, and the price of silence—set in 1937 Ellington. Looking for read and review before the book launches on September 30.
Interested? Fill out the form here:
👉 forms.gle/VMKY4zt42kZN...
When you get Beta reader feedack that's not bad but now you have alot of work to do which means you have to move the publishing date. It's overwheming, yet freeing, in that I control what happens next. The initial date was set by me. Adjusting it, so the book is better, is a good thing. Right?
June 22, 2025 at 1:51 AM
When you get Beta reader feedack that's not bad but now you have alot of work to do which means you have to move the publishing date. It's overwheming, yet freeing, in that I control what happens next. The initial date was set by me. Adjusting it, so the book is better, is a good thing. Right?
Did anyone watch "Good Night and Good Luck" live from Broadway? OMG what a timely and provocative play. Well done George and Company!
June 8, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Did anyone watch "Good Night and Good Luck" live from Broadway? OMG what a timely and provocative play. Well done George and Company!
I’m working on a project to better understand what kinds of stories stick with readers.
What do you read—and why?
What’s one book that stayed with you long after you finished it?
What surprised you most—something that challenged you or made you see things differently?
#noagenda #learning #thanks
What do you read—and why?
What’s one book that stayed with you long after you finished it?
What surprised you most—something that challenged you or made you see things differently?
#noagenda #learning #thanks
June 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Does 100K pages read make me a six-figure author?! 😂
Technically yes… emotionally? For sure.
Motty’s Vow—my debut novel—just crossed 100,000 pages read on Kindle Unlimited.
It took seven months to get here, but let’s be honest… most of it happened in the last two.
Goooooo Motty!
#historicalfiction
Technically yes… emotionally? For sure.
Motty’s Vow—my debut novel—just crossed 100,000 pages read on Kindle Unlimited.
It took seven months to get here, but let’s be honest… most of it happened in the last two.
Goooooo Motty!
#historicalfiction
June 5, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Does 100K pages read make me a six-figure author?! 😂
Technically yes… emotionally? For sure.
Motty’s Vow—my debut novel—just crossed 100,000 pages read on Kindle Unlimited.
It took seven months to get here, but let’s be honest… most of it happened in the last two.
Goooooo Motty!
#historicalfiction
Technically yes… emotionally? For sure.
Motty’s Vow—my debut novel—just crossed 100,000 pages read on Kindle Unlimited.
It took seven months to get here, but let’s be honest… most of it happened in the last two.
Goooooo Motty!
#historicalfiction
I wish KDP had a bell ring everytime someone buys my book. For many, it would be annoying. But most of us would trade a thousand page refreshes for one joyful chime. Ding!
#selfpublishing
#selfpublishing
June 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I wish KDP had a bell ring everytime someone buys my book. For many, it would be annoying. But most of us would trade a thousand page refreshes for one joyful chime. Ding!
#selfpublishing
#selfpublishing
Oh dear. My debut novel is #1 in HIstory of Women in the Civil War. I know this is fleeting but I'm gonna milk the hell out of it!
#mottysvow #debutnovel #amwriting
#mottysvow #debutnovel #amwriting
May 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Oh dear. My debut novel is #1 in HIstory of Women in the Civil War. I know this is fleeting but I'm gonna milk the hell out of it!
#mottysvow #debutnovel #amwriting
#mottysvow #debutnovel #amwriting
'Tis the peonie season. My mother grew these until she passed in 2000. My sisters and I have moved them, split them, nurtured them for the last 25 years. Her spirit's in the roots.
May 29, 2025 at 12:30 AM
'Tis the peonie season. My mother grew these until she passed in 2000. My sisters and I have moved them, split them, nurtured them for the last 25 years. Her spirit's in the roots.
It’s happening. The Dictograph Case is going out for beta reads this week. I’ve lived with this story for a long time—and now I’m handing it over. Nervous? You bet. But ready for the feedback that makes it better. #TheDictographCase #amwriting
May 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
It’s happening. The Dictograph Case is going out for beta reads this week. I’ve lived with this story for a long time—and now I’m handing it over. Nervous? You bet. But ready for the feedback that makes it better. #TheDictographCase #amwriting
NYTimes "The Morning" quote hit me:
“The goal is to make it harder for journalists to ask questions they don’t want to answer or to make public things they would rather keep secret.” A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher
My Substack explores this parallel to #thedictographcase set in 1937
bit.ly/3ZmuSPG
“The goal is to make it harder for journalists to ask questions they don’t want to answer or to make public things they would rather keep secret.” A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher
My Substack explores this parallel to #thedictographcase set in 1937
bit.ly/3ZmuSPG
Free Press, Free People: Why Journalism Still Scares the Powerful
What a New York Times interview says about the media of today and 1937
bit.ly
May 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
NYTimes "The Morning" quote hit me:
“The goal is to make it harder for journalists to ask questions they don’t want to answer or to make public things they would rather keep secret.” A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher
My Substack explores this parallel to #thedictographcase set in 1937
bit.ly/3ZmuSPG
“The goal is to make it harder for journalists to ask questions they don’t want to answer or to make public things they would rather keep secret.” A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher
My Substack explores this parallel to #thedictographcase set in 1937
bit.ly/3ZmuSPG
It’s been six months since Motty's Vow had her debut.
That story began as a way to understand my own family’s past—but now, it belongs to everyone who's felt Motty’s quiet courage, her determination, and the weight of what she carried.
I don’t share this to boast—it's for me and Motty to thank you.
That story began as a way to understand my own family’s past—but now, it belongs to everyone who's felt Motty’s quiet courage, her determination, and the weight of what she carried.
I don’t share this to boast—it's for me and Motty to thank you.
May 14, 2025 at 12:48 AM
It’s been six months since Motty's Vow had her debut.
That story began as a way to understand my own family’s past—but now, it belongs to everyone who's felt Motty’s quiet courage, her determination, and the weight of what she carried.
I don’t share this to boast—it's for me and Motty to thank you.
That story began as a way to understand my own family’s past—but now, it belongs to everyone who's felt Motty’s quiet courage, her determination, and the weight of what she carried.
I don’t share this to boast—it's for me and Motty to thank you.
This girl, Motty, has quietly made her way into nearly 200 households over the past six months.
She made a promise—and readers have been showing up to see if she keeps it. 💙
Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it.
amzn.to/3SbB7BP
#mottysvow #histfic #historicalfiction #womenincivilwar #resilientfemale
She made a promise—and readers have been showing up to see if she keeps it. 💙
Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it.
amzn.to/3SbB7BP
#mottysvow #histfic #historicalfiction #womenincivilwar #resilientfemale
May 11, 2025 at 1:55 AM
This girl, Motty, has quietly made her way into nearly 200 households over the past six months.
She made a promise—and readers have been showing up to see if she keeps it. 💙
Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it.
amzn.to/3SbB7BP
#mottysvow #histfic #historicalfiction #womenincivilwar #resilientfemale
She made a promise—and readers have been showing up to see if she keeps it. 💙
Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it.
amzn.to/3SbB7BP
#mottysvow #histfic #historicalfiction #womenincivilwar #resilientfemale
🎬 Imagine this:
All the President’s Men go to the movies to see Spotlight
That’s the inspiration for The Dictograph Case—history, journalism, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Read the full story at Substack with BONUS Movie Clips
bit.ly/watergatespo...
#thedictographcase #histfic #wipsnips
All the President’s Men go to the movies to see Spotlight
That’s the inspiration for The Dictograph Case—history, journalism, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Read the full story at Substack with BONUS Movie Clips
bit.ly/watergatespo...
#thedictographcase #histfic #wipsnips
May 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
🎬 Imagine this:
All the President’s Men go to the movies to see Spotlight
That’s the inspiration for The Dictograph Case—history, journalism, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Read the full story at Substack with BONUS Movie Clips
bit.ly/watergatespo...
#thedictographcase #histfic #wipsnips
All the President’s Men go to the movies to see Spotlight
That’s the inspiration for The Dictograph Case—history, journalism, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Read the full story at Substack with BONUS Movie Clips
bit.ly/watergatespo...
#thedictographcase #histfic #wipsnips
Has anyone entered into the Kindle Book Awards for Indie Books? Thinking of entering but not sure it's worth it. www.thekindlebookreview.net
Get Daily Kindle Book Deals, Reader Giveaways, And Author Resources.
The Kindle Book Review is the #1 Site for Reader Giveaways. Check out our Current Deals and Reader Giveaways Today!
www.thekindlebookreview.net
May 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Has anyone entered into the Kindle Book Awards for Indie Books? Thinking of entering but not sure it's worth it. www.thekindlebookreview.net
Today I typed THE END on the nearly final draft of The Dictograph Case.
Then Motty’s Vow crossed 10k Kindle Unlimited page reads for April.
And with 18 Amazon reviews, Motty has a 4.7-star rating.
Thanks for reading, sharing, reviewing—and for being part of this journey with me. 💛
Then Motty’s Vow crossed 10k Kindle Unlimited page reads for April.
And with 18 Amazon reviews, Motty has a 4.7-star rating.
Thanks for reading, sharing, reviewing—and for being part of this journey with me. 💛
April 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Today I typed THE END on the nearly final draft of The Dictograph Case.
Then Motty’s Vow crossed 10k Kindle Unlimited page reads for April.
And with 18 Amazon reviews, Motty has a 4.7-star rating.
Thanks for reading, sharing, reviewing—and for being part of this journey with me. 💛
Then Motty’s Vow crossed 10k Kindle Unlimited page reads for April.
And with 18 Amazon reviews, Motty has a 4.7-star rating.
Thanks for reading, sharing, reviewing—and for being part of this journey with me. 💛
Bluebells and Battlefields—Spring paints the forest floor with bluebells, their soft petals rippling like memory. Peaceful now. This photo was taken at Monocacy Battlefield, where I did on-site research amid nature reclaiming beauty from the horrors of war in 1864. #mottysvow
April 25, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Bluebells and Battlefields—Spring paints the forest floor with bluebells, their soft petals rippling like memory. Peaceful now. This photo was taken at Monocacy Battlefield, where I did on-site research amid nature reclaiming beauty from the horrors of war in 1864. #mottysvow