July: ANOTHER Free Book of Your Choice ...

This went so well in June, let’s try it again. The winner of this month’s raffle will win the e-book/paperback/audiobook of their choice from Amazon (written by anyone, not just me!), priced at $25 or below. But there’s a catch! There’s a typo in this newsletter: find it! Then, by July 31st, send it to me via an email note to dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com to be entered, with the subject line: July Newsletter Raffle. Also in that email, indicate which book you’d like, the form you’d like it in (e-book, paperback, or audiobook), and either the email address you’d like it sent to if you win, or your snail mail address if you’re looking for a paperback. I’ll draw randomly from among the correct entries by early July and let you know if you’ve won. I’m looking forward to seeing what interests you!

NOTE: The winner of June’s raffle was Nicki Piersol-Freedman, who will receive the book of her choice in either hardcover, paperback, e-book, or audiobook form, as long as it is priced at $25 or less. Congratulations, Nicki!

My gift to you: a link to free books offered by other mystery and suspense authors for you to download.

Here is this month’s link:

Discounted and Free Action Reads of July

https://books.bookfunnel.com/actionreadsjuly/qn528kofvu

The weather’s been so hot, I’ve been taking it easy. I’ve been doing a lot of comedy improv in the city and in the Hudson Valley because it frees up my mind and creativity. I’ve been reading about comedy and researching the first book of my new series. This book will actually be a sequel to my first book, Expired Listings, and will tie in characters from that book as well as introduce a family that solves crimes in ways as unique as their oddball professions. I’ll reveal more as time goes on.

I also did a final proof of a new anthology coming out from the Mavens of Mayhem, the Sisters in Crime upstate NY chapter and took up half of the presidential reins at Sisters in Crime NY/Tri-State.

I’m also very excited to announce that Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England was named a finalist in the nonfiction category for the Macavity Awards, to be given out by Mystery Readers International during the upcoming Bouchercon Conference in October. The Anthony Awards will also be named at that event, so I’ll be doubly nervous! It’s also been named a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award (True Crime Category), to be given out at Killer Nashville in August. I feel blessed!

I’m still on a Don Winslow kick, having completed The Final Score at the end of June. This is a compilation of six short novels, and it’s really great. I also read The Eight Characters of Comedy by Scott Sedita.

Editing:

If you’re a writer attending Killer Nashville, I’ll be meeting with authors to discuss the manuscript snippets they send me in advance. This looks to be an amazing conference, and I hope to see you there.

Personal Appearances:

Upcoming;

August 21-24: Killer Nashville, Franklin, TN

October 21-25: Bouchercon, Calgary, Alberta

November 10-14: Author Nation, Las Vegas, NV

I love interacting with readers! If you’d like me to speak at your organization or appear at your book club (in person if in the NY Tristate area, otherwise via Zoom) please contact me at dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com.

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Do you know someone who needs a good editor? Refer me, and if they use me, you’ll get a referral payment as a thank you! Contact me for more details. You can see information and pricing at http://suggesteddevelopment.com. I edit everything except science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and anything with discriminatory or hateful content. I am also a book coach if you need accountability, hand-holding, and someone to walk you through the querying process.

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My past post from Miss Demeanors (www.missdemeanors.com) was about how how to get more involved in short-story writing. Be sure to check it out here. Miss Demeanors is a great blog that was voted #25 in the Top 400 Mystery/Suspense Blogs list for 2025, so be sure to subscribe!

Don’t want to wait a month for updates on everything D.M. Barr? Remember to follow me on Social Media:

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I love hearing from readers! Write to me anytime at dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com!

Until next month…