reading

Another Reason to Celebrate!

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

July 4th is a big day for our country. I’ll be wearing my 250th Birthday shirt and I intend to celebrate!

Another reason I’m looking forward to the 4th of July this year? The launch of Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us.

Set in the 1970’s, this novel is the first of a series of three books that will follow four families up to the present time.

Heartaches? 

Sure.

Twists and turns? 

Of course!

Moments to cherish and ponder?

That’s what it’s all about.

For the next few days, I will be sharing excerpts from my first editorial review . . . FIVE STARS!

Happy Fourth of July!

Answer These 10 Questions

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-31737660.jpeg

Please give your opinion on current books vying for your consumer dollar.

Do you look for books which have:

1- A story spanning a number  of years -or- a story that is more of a “snapshot” of an incident or brief period of time?

2- A mystery, suspense, emotion-packed, roller-coaster of a book -or a lazy, slow-moving, descriptive, “feel good” experience?

3- A book that has a moral or truth to be discovered and applied to the reader’s life?

4- A historical book, whether fiction or non-fiction?

5- A shocking read, the product of a writer’s imagination that will “blow your mind”? A funny, light-hearted read?

6- Non-fiction or fiction?

7- Having a satisfying ending -or- a conclusion that is left “up in the air”– to the interpretation of the reader?

8. Is about 250 pages -or- more than 250 pages?

9. Even though the story might be fiction, it contains real information about a topic you might be interested in. For example, you may want to read ROMANCE, but are intrigued to learn about the life of Olympic skaters (who are the main characters in the love story), the way they train, the role of coaches, the process of being “discovered”, and so on.

10. Inspirational, changing your thinking or the direction of your life . . . having emotional impact?

**Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your answers will help guide writers in their quest to give you the best possible choices in contemporary literature!

America Reads the Bible

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: image.jpeg

Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

From April 18-25. 2026, a week-long event, America Reads the Bible took place in our nation’s capital. 

Lasting eighty-four consecutive hours, nearly five hundred people read scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Pure Fix carried the reading into homes nationwide. 

There was no commentary. Just reading from the Word of God. 

Pastors, worship leaders, entertainers, and so on honored God in this reading of the entire Bible, hoping to see families awaken back to simple Christianity.

The Tiny Story

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: image.png

I recently came across a term I hadn’t heard before. 

Micro-fiction. Also known as Flash Fiction.

A few minutes of research later revealed the following:

Micro-fiction is  a VERY short story, often 500 words. 

Featuring strong imagery and emotional impact, this type of writing is often found in magazines and online platforms.

This type of writing forces writers to convey character, emotion, and plot in only a smattering of sentences.

Research You’ll Love

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-32950396.jpeg

According to a 12-yr. research study (published in 2026) readers may live as much as 20% longer than nonreaders.

The study states that reading produces changes in “brain structure, emotional intelligence, and long term-health”. 

Scientists say the human brain is capable of repeatedly reorganizing itself.

And one of the most powerful drivers of brain reorganization is reading.  

These changes are mostly found in the brain’s left hemisphere, in which white matter pathways connect comprehension, visual processing, and language. 

And guess what?

Reading fiction in particular, helps readers socially, in that they better understand how others feel (empathize).

All of these benefits can be due to reading only one chapter, or 30 minutes per day!

amazon.com/author/brendapoulos

Coming Soon

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

It’s important for authors to know the optimal time to schedule the release of each book in a series.

If books are lengthy, publishing them farther apart gives readers enough time to read them before the next book comes out. If an author waits too long, their audience may lose interest.

So what do experts consider “optimal”?

Experts seem to agree that somewhere around six months allows readers time to get excited about the next book without making them wait so long that they lose interest.  

Taking their advice has been difficult for me. 

The first book in my new series, Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us has been “ready” for publishing since December of 2025. (I even announced that it was Coming Soon!) However, I am just now nearing the halfway point in writing the second book in the series. That puts me out of its six month “window”.

And I must consider the timing of the third book, too.

While you’re waiting, consider reading my Simon Says series of four books: Simon Says, Truth or Dare, Tug of War, and Cat’s Cradle. (All available on Amazon, of course!) While you’re there, please browse through my other titles, as well!

Lifetime Readers

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: image-2.jpeg

Dear Readers,

My husband and I have just returned from a book signing at an assisted living facility in Nevada.

Although perhaps an unlikely place to find readers, I met some wonderful people who are still growing strong. People who have enjoyed reading throughout their lives.

Yes, they may need large print, now.

Yes, they often fall asleep after only reading a few pages.

But they still like having that physical book in their hands and the gift of a colorful bookmark.

These residents openly shared about themselves at a complimentary lunch. They are still very much a part of our society.

They touched my heart.

They purchased a wide variety of my books, but most resonated (as you might guess) with my I REMEMBER series: I Remember the Seasons, I Remember the Holidays, and I Remember Bible Stories.

A Tip For Writers

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-30945617.jpeg

I submit the required number of pages to my critique group each week.

Before “turning my submission in” I reread it several times.

Then, I check for white space.

I don’t want my pages to appear black with print. That “turns off” readers nowadays. They want to digest what writers have to say at a pretty fast clip—and move on.

Texting, Facebook, Instagram and others have changed both how we write and read.

Short, chopping sentences.

Bursts of activity.

Lots of white space. 

If You Love to Read, You Can Write

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: image.jpeg

If you’re an avid reader, it’s likely you could become a writer if:

Writing has been your long-time dream.

You have the discipline to write daily.

You are willing to learn from other writers, conferences, podcasts.

You are willing to market your books—or hire someone who to do it for you.

You are willing to spend the money it takes to publish— pay editors, cover designers, formatters, website fees, and so on.

You have “thick skin” and can take criticism without being discouraged.

You are tenacious and persistent.

You like public speaking, book fairs, and other social events.

You don’t tire easily.

You can function with minimal sleep!

Resolutions for Readers

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: ad-1.jpg

You’re familiar with diet and exercise resolutions for the new year, but readers often making resolutions, too.

These are usually in the form of reading MORE books or reading books on a particular subject.

Here are some you may not have considered:

  1. Begin reading a series in a genre you enjoy.
  2. Read a book in a genre you have never read before.
  3. Diversify by reading books in several different genres and/or on several different subjects.
  4. Read from a list of CLASSICS, which are timeless.
  5. Try reading YA. Even more mature readers enjoy the newly trending YA books which have evolved to offerings which are full of complex characters with lots of emotion and suspense!
  6. Listen to Audiobooks.
  7. Join a book club.