Hey, babes!
Thank you so much for rocking last week. The information from the poll has been super helpful, and I’m going to give you a little information about how I’m going to implement it—and how you can choose the experience you have with this newsletter.
First, the results:
Most of you are on board with blended content, and a healthy number asked for different kinds of content every week—and I’m 100% for that.
I also completely respect the 5% who said they wanted only book-related content and updates, and I have an option for you to ensure you see only the content you’re looking for.
There are several ways to interact with Substack—via emailed NL, on the web browser, and in the Substack app. I have four newsletter segments on Substack (called “sections”) and you are currently subscribed to the main segment, called “Mariah Thayer Writes.” This one publishes weekly, and will remain a mashup of content with a focus on books (but allowing for conversation about art, travel, parenthood, and other topics).
I have a second segment strictly for book-world-related news called “What’s New” that you are not automatically subscribed to when you become a subscriber of my newsletter. It publishes only once or twice per month with relevant book-related news—releases, sales, discounts, promos, and some updates regarding the writing process on occasion.
If you are part of the group who prefer to only see book-related content from me, this is how you get there: go to the bottom of this email and hit “unsubscribe” to go to your content management page. (No, I’m not telling you to go away! It’s a two-step process and takes you to the page where you can see all the publications I currently have, and control which you receive emails for.)
When you get to the subscriptions management page, hit “Turn On Emails” for What’s New, and “Turn Off Emails” for Mariah Thayer Writes.
Now…
Something new.
I’ve gotten feedback regarding my paid subscription serial, and I’m super stoked to get started putting those words down—just as soon as I finish the three books on my plate, which are tentatively scheduled to be wrapped up by April 15.
To give you a preview, next week I’m going to share the flash fiction this serial will be derived from, originally published in March of 2021 as “Unlucky.” It’s an MFM paranormal romance, and I’m excited to share more details in a few weeks.
Book Recommendation
Who loves a good monster romance? One of my very favorite monster writers, CM Nascosta, recently released a regency monster romance titled “How to Marry a Marble Marquis.” I devoured it in one sitting.
It’s just the right blend of steamy and elegant, with a pinch of special anatomy, and Not Like the Other Girls. There’s love and self-sacrifice, there’s despair, and there’s meddling relatives topped with a satisfying HEA. This book really does have it all.
I appreciated that the author depicted the MMC as such a perfectly flawed, rakish individual, who doesn’t immediately reform his rakish ways upon realizing that he’s fallen in love, because that’s a whole internal process. I loved the internal war he fought to become better, and the way he had to grow into the relationship. The FMC had a lot of her own growing to do, and I enjoyed watching her develop in her confidence and determination—even as I hated watching her struggle.
What’s Next?
Breaking News (my co-write with T.K. Eldridge) is over the hump and completion is coming on fast! If you’re looking to pre-order, you can do so on her website or at any retailer you prefer. Just a head’s up, the book will be available at a reduced price when you buy it from T.K.’s online shop directly.
As always, thank you for coming on this ride with me. If you have any specific thoughts about what kind of content you want to see in the free newsletter (I have plans, but I’m always open to suggestions), comment or email me at mariahthayer@substack.com. I love hearing from you!
XOXO,
Mariah