Mary Louisa Locke's Monthly Newsletter

April 2025

Dear Reader,

April has been one of alternating sun and clouds, with occasional fog that creeps in at night and disappears in the morning. But we had enough rain in March so that suddenly the neighborhood is awash in rose blooms. Even better, my health has improved so that I am back to taking my two walks a day, so I am getting to enjoy all their beautiful colors.

Perhaps even more exciting, I have started writing the next Wong story in the Victorian San Francisco Mystery series (which I am pretty sure is going to be a novella.) The title is definitive now, Mr. Wong to the Rescue, and I have, to date, gotten over 10,000 words written, keeping up a steady pace of at least 500 words a day, six days a week.

I do confess I am working equally hard not to be brought down by the headwinds caused by the daily news of one new (and unnecessary) crisis after another in my country (and throughout the world.) And, if you want to read one of my rare attempts to address this, you might check out this post in my daily newsletter. For my part, I do believe one of the things I can actually do is write my stories about people who in the past have faced but over-come problems. And this spurs me on.

Meanwhile, I am continuing to put up my already published short stories, for free, in my daily newsletter. This month the story is the long (almost a novella) short story, Mrs. O’Malley’s Midnight Mystery. If you want to start reading this story, or others that I have put up, Click HERE.

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I am also participating in this Cozy Mystery Giveaway, so Click HERE to see what is available.

Special Audiobook Discounts on Chirp:

Through April, I have continued to discount the audiobook editions of Maids of Misfortune and Victorian San Francisco Stories (Vol1). Click HERE where you can get these discount editions.

A reminder of my Ebook Perma-free books:

Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery (Book 1) This first book in the series permanently free and you can get it on Kindle and all other Retailers.

Between Mountain and Sea: Caelestis Series (Book 1) This first book in the series is temporarily free and you can get it on Kindle and all other Retailiers.

AudioBook Spotify Giveaway:

I am once again giving away codes that will permit you to download audiobooks on Spotify. This month’s winners will get a code to download Deadly Proof. These codes are available primarily for listeners in US, UK, CA, Australia. All you have to do is reply to this email and tell me you wish to participate in the the giveaway by April 24, 2025. Do check your spam folders if you participated. Also, it is important that you reply to this email to participate (comments don’t work because then I don’t have your email address to tell you you’ve won!)

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For more information about either my mystery or science fiction series, check out my website. For daily information on my journey as an indie author trying to age gracefully, check out my newsletter, An Aging Author’s Daily Diversions.