Brenda Spalding | Updates

October Event news

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Do you ever just sit and watch people walk by while you wait for that all-important reader to come to your table? I was people-watching at the Witches Night Out on October 9th at the Edson Mansion, and the costumes were unbelievable. Some were straight out of Walmart, but some were out of this world. Witches with LED wands, hats that sparkled with lights, dresses that glowed with tiny LEDs, and one even had an animated crow on her arm. It was magical. Book sales were not great, but people-watching made up for it.

On October 10, I was at Art and Soul; again, sales weren't great, but the people were. No costumes this time, but a fantastic guitar player who had people dancing. I'm not a fan of music when I'm trying to talk to readers about my books but he did have some of the other vendors dancing and singing along. The organizer, Michele from ICreate, did a wonderful job pulling it all together. It was great fun.

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Art and Soul Bazaar

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The road trips never stop. I'm at the Art Advocates Gallery for this one. A unique event blending art and authors with music to enrich your inner being.

I'm bringing my Florida books this time. A blend of fact and fiction. Things you didn't know about the area you live in.

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Witches Night Out

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'll be showcasing my Green Lady Inn mystery series and bringing my children's books to the Edson Mansion to the Phillippi Creek Park in Sarasota. The fun event is a great family evening out with music, a costume contest, and games.

So come on out and join in the fun and support your local community.

Click here to see the Green Lady Inn books, Murder and mystery with a touch of spooky in Salem, Massachusetts.

https://amzn.to/3W89z2C

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The Reading Cellar Featured Author

Brenda Spalding — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm pleased to share that I will be a featured author at the Reading Cellar on Sept. 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Vino Bistro, 1419 5th St. It's my first time there, so I really don't know what to expect, but I'm bringing my Florida books and hope to see some of my readers there.

They offer great wines and snacks, plus a chance to talk to the authors, learn more about our process, and ask questions. So grab a glass and let's have a chat. I'd love to meet you.

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Children's book reading at Salt Your Soul

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Come out to Salt Your Soul in Sarasota. 7256 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Bring your young reader for a fun experience as authors read their children's books from 12 p.m. to 2 pm. I'll be reading my award-winning Sailing Away to Nod and bringing along some of my other children's books. I'd love to see you.

https://amzn.to/3JyBoJu

Listen to Sailing Away to Nod on YouTube;

https://youtu.be/iFWiWCsTvZU?si=XF87OJsIRQYSrjmV

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book two in series launching soon

Brenda Spalding — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

It took a while, but I finally finished it. Book two in the Detective Harlow Mystery series will be out in a couple of weeks. Readers are going to love it.

Set in Sarasota, when Lindsey and Matt Monroe decide their marriage is beyond saving, the only thing standing between them and freedom is the ironclad prenuptial agreement they signed years ago—back when love made forever seem certain.

Now, both of them want out.

Desperate to save his failing construction company, Matt turns to dangerous lenders who don't accept excuses—only payment. With mounting debt and nowhere to turn, he finds himself trapped.

Lindsey believes she's found a way to escape the contract through the help of a trusted friend. But every solution comes with a price, and someone is determined to make sure she never walks away.

As accidents become attacks and the body count threatens to rise, Detective Harlow and Sergeant Markowski race to untangle a web of greed, betrayal, and deception. With guidance from forensic expert Dr. Claire Murphy, Harlow uncovers chilling truths.

Someone is willing to murder for a signature.

The question is... who will survive long enough to break the contract?

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Christmas in July arts and craft show

Brenda Spalding — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm out and about this Saturday at the Christmas in July arts and craft show on July 18th, at the Venice Community Center. Come out and start your Christmas shopping and pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for that special person on your list.

These shows are great fun for me. I love meeting my readers, old and new. Sharing what I learn as I reach for my books makes me happy. When I'm at these events, I meet some of the same vendors, so it's more like meeting up with old friends.

Enjoy a day out and see what this event has for you. I'd be delighted to sign one of my books for you.

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The Preserve wins a medal

Brenda Spalding — Fri, 3 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Preserve is book four in the Florida Wildlife Hero series. It all started with the Alligator Dance. Book Two, The Turtle Thieves, won silver, and Book Three won gold from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. I can't wait to see where The Preserve will land in the medals.

I loved writing this series and really got involved with the characters and their lives, and I hope my readers did too.

I will not be able to attend the FWA conference at the end of July to collect my award. I usually do make the trip to Orlando, but circumstances beyond my control have gotten in the way.

Please read and review any Indi book you read. Authors are counting on you.

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Authors need reviews

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that authors are counting on their readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads? It is so important to independent authors because it lets us know what you think of our writing and how we can improve. Yes, it hurts to get a bad review, but every review counts.

Did you also know that only customers who have spent at least $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months can submit ratings and reviews? So even if you submit a review, it may not show up. Amazon is sneaky like that. It's also not fair.

Amazon will not post a review if it determines that the review is from a friend. How they figure that out, I don't have a clue.

When I sell my books at events directly to readers, I ask them to post a review on Amazon. I sell a lot of books but get very few reviews. So please, if you buy a book from an independent author, please try to leave a review. We are counting on our readers support.

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So much fun on a podcast

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I was recently on a podcast hosted by a member of the Florida Writers Foundation. I haven't done a podcast in ages and wasn't sure how it would work out.

I spoke on marketing, which I love. It tied it in with the talk I gave to the Space Coast Writers Guild in March. My book The Author's Platform: What is it and why you need it, has been revised because of all the changes. It's amazing how fast social media evolves these days.

Some of you know how I love in-person events. I keep telling authors to get their butts out the door and meet their readers. When I'm out, I do meet my readers and get feedback on what they like. I find they like the size of the font I use, 12pt, and the spacing, 1.15. I also get invited to book clubs and other writers' groups. Sometimes I even get invited to talk at conferences. Getting out the door is so important.

Here is the link to the podcast. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fh26p-1abb949

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Charlotte County Book and Arts Festival

Brenda Spalding — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm off again to the Port Charlotte Town Center on April 18th from 10 am to 3 pm. I'll be joining other authors that I know down there, and hoping that you will come along and check out this new event.

Jeanelle Havlin and Kevin Kuhnes will be there with me. There will be a wonderful selection of books to choose from.

It's the end of the season, so we don't know what to expect. It's still time to get a great book and spend some time on the beach. Come by and say hello.

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Pioneer Day

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Get ready for a fantastic day out at the Pioneer Day and BBQ in Arcadia, March 28. I'll be there with Jeanelle Havlin and her books from 9 am - 3 pm. We did this event last year, and it was so much fun that we're doing it again this year.

We had the strawberry shortcake last year, and it was yummy. This year, we want to try the BBQ and more short cakes. They also have a plant sale, and lots of other vendors and music. You can spend the whole day out there. It's fun for the whole family.

Come on out and stop by and say hello. We would love to sign a book or two for you. Some of my books are set in the Arcadia area.

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Trip to Space Coast highlights

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm back home after my trip across Florida from Bradenton to Melbourne. The Space Coast Writers Guild is a great group, very welcoming. After my presentation, they asked questions which I happly answered. I did go off-script and ad-lib, but I had a great time, and they enjoyed my talk. My computer died towards the end of the presentation, which was probably a good thing. I got to be myself.

It's a four-hour journey each way, which I'm not happy with. My husband drove, and we stayed overnight at the Melbourne Hilton. It had been a long time since we had any time to ourselves like that. We took all the back roads and avoided I-4.

I love speaking for writers groups, especially when they get engaged, as this group did.

Next stop, Pioneer Day in Arcadia, March 28.

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Do you need more sales?

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A lot of authors are introverts. They love writing but hate trying to sell the darn thing. Authors moan about no one buying the wonderful book they have written. It's not the book's fault. The author has to get out the door and meet their readers. I have a small 60-page book on how to try to find those readers.

I love getting out the door and finding that arts-and-crafts events are a great place to sell my books. While I'm out, I meet and engage with readers who have book clubs where I can be invited to speak. Other writing groups need speakers, too. You just never know where it will lead you. This month, I have two Arts and Crafts events, and I'm giving a talk to a writing group. I'll also be doing a workshop for another group.

All that is in addition to the social media promotion I put out for my books. My eBooks are with Draft2Digital. They have several promotions during the year that I get involved with. An author needs to stay on top of these and keep promotions going to make those sales.

If no one knows you exist, how can they buy your book?

https://amzn.to/3pPWXjZ

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Le Marche Market

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Outside in Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota. I'll be with fellow author Lucy Tobias, Saturday, March 7th, from 10 am - 4 pm. We attend this event twice a year. It's a great fun place to meet readers and people-watch. The Farmers Market is only a block away, so stroll along Main St, take in the sights, and support your local community.

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UUCOV Library

Brenda Spalding — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Celebration for the opening of the UUCOV library. It's show-and-tell for other authors and me. I'll be speaking about my books and networking with book clubs and guests. Stop by and meet some of the areas authors.

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Smashwords winter sales

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hi!

I’m excited to announce that all of my books will be available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! This is a chance to get my book, along with books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount.

You can find the promo here: http://smashwords.com/sale

If you wouldn’t mind lending a hand to the other indie authors taking part in this sale and me, you can share this promo with your friends and family. Just forward this email to anyone who would love a chance to find their next favorite book!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!

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Nokomis Art Market

Brenda Spalding — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The last event before the New Year, Saturday, Dec. 20, 9:30 am - 3 pm. This one is outside, and the weather is going to cooperate. It's a small event with local vendors and one of my favorite places. Located at 106 Pocono Trail in Nokomis at the Cottage Gallery, right behind Captain Eddy's on 41.

It's one of my favorite events of the season. There is jewelry, pottery, artwork, and of course, my books.

Check out the cottage for original cards, prints, and other items by local craftspeople.

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Author and Illustrator Book Fair

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It's been a while since the Art Center in Sarasota did a book Fair, and I'm so excited to be included. The art center has been the hub for art in the area since after World War 11. It's a great place to visit when you are in the area.

The book fair will run from 12 pm to 4 pm. I know that two other award-winning author friends of mine will be there, Lucy Tobias, a great travel writer, and Kevin Kuhens, who has a fantastic thriller.

Please stop by and check out the authors and illustrators and pick up something for that special person on your gift list.

Located at 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, next to the Municipal Auditorium.

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The trend in children's books

Brenda Spalding — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sixteen years ago, I wrote and published my first book. It was a children's book called Just Batty. I was so proud to hold that book in my hands. The illustrations were dreadful, and it had some spelling and grammar errors, but I was selling it.

I was also learning my craft. I found a new illustrator, Jackie Gill, who is terrific and would continue to be my illustrator for several more books. I republished minus the errors. But things had begun to change. Technology was changing, and children were no longer reading books the way they had been. Kindle was taking over for paper books.

Another thing I've noticed over the years. Parents do not buy children's books. Grandparents buy children's books. I take my children's book to the craft fairs, and they sit there. Occasionally, someone will pick one up, say how cute it is, put it down, and walk away. Parents with children in tow do not even glance at the books. A grandparent will come along and buy one for each grandchild. I wonder if that child will even turn a page of that gift.

It seems that many of the new authors I meet want to write a children's book. I question why. The darn thing will not sell unless it is exceptional, and the author can market the hell out of it. I say good luck to them. I had fun writing my children's books and still love them.

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