Welcome back, my fellow creatives!

School’s in session around these parts. My not-so-little Bs are filling their backpacks with books, comfort stuffies, and germs galore.

Literally five days of school, and we’re all snotheads. Ugh, these schoolyard colds are the worst.

Anyway, it IS good to be with a new term of students, too. I’ve got quite a robust group this term who are eager to explore the importance of critical reading and writing with me–a touchy topic these days thanks to AI. As one who’s had to sit through MANY hours of AI training in order to build her own “AI literacy,” I can understand why folks are decrying its use in the creative arts, not to mention classrooms.

That’s why I’m happy to share fellow Story Empire resident Nicholas Rossis‘ latest post on the state of publishing. He highlights some genuinely good uses of AI for writers (as well as the double-plus-ungood uses), and he also notes some of the challenges authors have been facing. I know I feel his points about marketing in my bones.

“Total Meltdown”? The State of the Publishing Industry in 2026

For those of us who sit with our coffee outside to watch the morning chill transform into a gossamer sheet across the marshes, some of this news may be a bit hard to take. I loathe marketing, for one. But I appreciate Nicholas’ message here that indie writers can and should continue on, for readers are seeking US. WE are the difference. We are the storytellers that defy the Trope of the Day and share what we love because we know someone out there will love it, too. That uniqueness is something no robot can ever hope to duplicate.

Coming up, it’d be nice to visit the countryside, especially as we must say goodbye to something very dear to one’s imagination. I also have a couple more interviews, podcasts, and mayhaps some inspirational sounds to share before a long winter’s nap. 🙂

Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!