Author: elizabethcaulfieldfelt

A Busy Author Weekend

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I have two book events this weekend:

Saturday, Nov 8, 9am-3pm. Holiday Fest at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 600 Wilshire Blvd, Stevens Point, WI. I’ll be there selling my books with more than 50 other creative artists, a bake sale, soup and salad lunch, door prizes, and more! Come join the fun.


Sunday, Nov 9, noon-3pm. Children’s Book Festival at the Burlington Public Library, 166 E. Jefferson St., Burlington, WI. I’ll be there selling my children’s novels with a whole crew of Wisconsin writers of children’s books.

Get your holiday shopping done early! I hope to see you soon.

AI email

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For the past few months, I’ve been getting about three to four of these emails a week. They are sent to me because I’m an author. Some are confusing–they appear to just want me to validate my email address, like this first one:

Hello Elizabeth,
How are you? I believe your week is going well as desired? I was wondering if I could find any of your books listed on Goodreads and Amazon?

Who sends an email like this? It’s from a name I don’t know. The English is a little off. If this person really wanted to know if I was on Goodreads or Amazon, wouldn’t they check those sites? I delete these emails.

The more annoying emails are the ones sent by “book marketing” people pretending that they have read and loved one of my books and wanting to discuss the book with me:

What I love about Wilde Wagers is how it takes Wilde’s razor-sharp wit and spins it into a weekend of disguises, cucumber sandwiches, eccentricities, and mayhem. It’s rare to find a historical novel that balances romance, comedy, and mystery while still feeling like pure escapist joy. In a world that feels too heavy most days, your book offers exactly the kind of reprieve readers are craving. As someone who has spent years teaching and nurturing stories, it makes perfect sense that you’d create a novel where laughter and cleverness carry as much weight as suspense and romance. I especially admire how you lean into the absurd without losing charm, something that not only entertains but reminds readers that even in chaos, delight has value. I’d really like to know more about you, Elizabeth, what you most want readers to carry with them after they’ve closed Wilde Wagers. And I’d love to help you bring this witty, escapist romp to the wider audience of readers who are yearning for clever stories that make them laugh out loud and escape the gloom.

At first, it might seem like this person has read my book, but the use of the exact vocabulary from my book summary and from reviews of my book show it is AI-generated text. I’ve made the mistake of engaging with a couple of these emailers. I was so sick of getting these emails that I responded to someone telling them I found their use of AI rude and insulting. They replied, assuring me that they were a real person (but not addressing the fact that they hadn’t actually read my book and had used AI to find me and write the email.) If I were going to hire someone to market my books, I wouldn’t use someone who uses AI so lazily.

I’d love to hear what AI is doing to your in-boxes.

Mark Your Calendars

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The release party for Snow White with a Twist will be Saturday, May 3, 2pm, at Bound to Happen Books, downtown Stevens Point. The book will be available, beginning next week, but the party will be in May.

I plan to have some kid activities and free Mobius-strip bracelets to accompany the first books sold. It should be a fun time. I hope to see you there!

Pre-Order Now Available

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You can pre-order Snow White with a Twist from your favorite retailer. Both print and e-book are available and will ship on March 22 or 29, depending on where your order. Why the two dates? I guess I messed something up, but I’m too tired to figure it out. It doesn’t seem all that important. Hitting the NYT best seller list seems unlikely. Here are a few links:

Bookshop.org (and support your favorite local bookstore)

Barnes and Noble (so they don’t go out of business)

Smashwords (ebook only; a great independent publisher)

Amazon (If this is where you shop, click the link. If you input Snow White with a Twist in the search box, it isn’t coming up because ?!!??!?)

Book Release Party

If you live locally, stayed tuned for information about the book release party. Bound to Happen Books will be the location with a date to be determined. April, yes, but which day??? Announcement to come! I want to make sure I have books in hand. A book release party with no books just wouldn’t be the same.

Read an e-book week

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Get my e-books this week for $1.49 !!

I recommend buying them from Smashwords, a great small company that does its best to compete against the large, monopoly-ish e-book company you all know. But, if that is where you buy your e-books, I’ve also reduced their costs there (as, per their monopoly agreement I can’t sell my book for less anywhere else.)

Wilde Wagers: at Smashwords and at amazon

Syncopation: A Memoir of Adèle Hugo: at Smashwords and at amazon

Smashwords has a lot of other e-books available for free or reduced prices this week, so shop around and support us small-time writers.

Unfortunately, Snow White with a Twist isn’t yet available. Stay tuned!

My Newest Book

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Cover reveal! I’m excited to announce my next book and its beautiful cover, designed by the talented Thomas Hardy. This middle-grade fairy tale-retelling will release on March 29. Intended for children ages 7-12, this is the Snow White story you know–with a twist!

Stay tuned for information about a book release party!

Feeling powerless?

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Today is Trump’s second inauguration, and I’m upset about it.

I’ve spent the past few weeks feeling powerless and thinking of ways to make a statement about how I feel. One thought I had was to dye my hair pink, as a sort of permanent pink pussy hat. I went as far as making an appointment, but then I thought more about it and canceled. It would be empty symbolism that doesn’t help anyone.

Instead, I decided to volunteer at a food pantry. Trump may not be the reason so many people are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity right now, but his policies of cutting taxes for the wealthy, eliminating the welfare safety net, and other pro-rich, anti-poor aren’t going to help those people any time soon.

If you, like me, are disgusted with our current political situation, here are some things you can do:

  1. Run for office!

Lots of people complain about “the government” but in the US, we are the government. Regular people like you and me can become politicians. If not you, reach out to your sibling or child or neighbor. Encourage good people to run for office! I happen to personally know several Wisconsin politicians, and they are amazing and wonderful people.

Lots of people say “all politicians are the same,” but this is not true. It is a way of dismissing the idea that anything can be done. While it is true is that right now our national government is filled with greedy, power-hungry egomaniacs, we can look toward a better future. What can we do? Encourage good people to run for office!

This can start small and local, such as school boards, county council, state reps, etc.

Don’t want to run for office but still want to make a difference?

2. Volunteer!

The need in the US right now is great. Homelessness, poverty, illiteracy, suicide, health care, domestic violence, … and so much more.

Reach out to a church, school, hospital, social service agency, or contact your local office of the Red Cross, the Humane Society, the United Way, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, or any other non-profit organization and find out what you can do to make a difference.

Don’t sit at home and grumble about what is wrong. Be a part of making things right. You’ll feel less powerless and be making a difference.

Best Books of 2024

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Happy New Year!

I read a lot of books in 2024. So many, I’m almost embarrassed to claim the number (shhh…110). Not only did I read a lot, but many, many, many of the books were really, really, really good. Here is a short list of the ones I liked the most.

MG=middle grade, ages 8-12; UMG=upper middle grade, ages 10-14; YA=young adult, ages 14-18; GU=grown ups (because calling a book “adult” makes it seem like it’s pornographic lol)

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow UMG

A very funny story about a boy who moves to a community where the internet is banned, trying to recover from something horrible that happened. It’s about making friends, hunting for UFOs, and dealing with trauma. A superb story. It received a well-deserved 2023 Newbery Honor.

A Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds YA

A poem-novel about a boy going down in an elevator with a gun, planning revenge on the person who murdered his brother, but he’s visited by “ghosts” that have a lot to say about his plan.

Ladies’ Rest and Writing Room by Kim Kelly GU

Australia, 1920s. Sydney is alive and bustling after the chaos of the Great War, but two women who struggle with grief are coping in very different ways. A gorgeously written novella.

Cutting for Stone and The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese GU

This is the year I discovered Verghese. I’d known about Cutting for Stone for a long time but was discouraged by the length of the book. Don’t be! These two novels are tour de forces with exciting plots and phenomenal characters doing extraordinary things. Fiction but you learn so much–about medicine, history, Ethiopia, India…..

Early Riser by Jasper Fforde GU

Need a silly escape? This book is for you. In an alternate world in which humans hibernate, our main character takes a job staying awake in the winter, taking care of the sleeping from those who wake early as slow-moving, zombie-like humans. This is a very funny book.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks GU

This is the story of a horse, his jockey, his owners, a painting of the horse, and those who come in contact with all of the aforementioned through several time periods. A fascinating story.

Ancillary Justice, Ancillary Sword, and Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie GU

Science Fiction. An ancillary is a man-like machine run by a larger AI system to do an assortment of tasks. When our main character’s ship is destroyed, he is suddenly an ancillary with no connection to what was his larger self. He seeks revenge on the god-like being who forced him to kill someone. Not a great summary, but a really incredible story. Great world building, exciting plot, and some thought-provoking ideas about technology.

The English Experience by Julie Schumacher GU

A grumpy English professor is cornered into taking a group of students on a study abroad experience to London. This hysterical story is told through emails, letters, and other correspondence.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik GU

Fantasy. Our protagonist is the most recent young woman chosen to work in the tower of the local sorcerer. She will need to learn to control her own magic if she can save her loved ones and the entire world from some bad people. Part of why I loved this book was all of the Polish names and references.

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera MG/UMG

In a post-apocalyptic, western United States, survival is difficult but made easier when our main characters discover animal-drones that can be controlled by their “becoming” the drones. I don’t remember the story that well right now, but I do remember the world building was incredible, the plot engrossing, and thought-provoking ideas cleverly presented.

The Bolingbroke Chit by Lynn Messina GU

You all know I’m a huge fan of Messina’s Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. This is one of her other series, a Regency romance that is smart and funny. A delight to read. I need to get more of her books.

Black Girl You are Atlas by Renee Watson UMG/YA

A powerful collection of poetry about what it means to be a young black woman.

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo MG

DiCamillo does a great job of bringing together quirky, lovable characters. Ferris’s little sister wants to be a bank robber, her grandmother is getting old, her crazy uncle has moved into the basement, and her best friend is a piano prodigy. A story that will make you feel good.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko MG/UMG

Although he’s only twelve, Hank has taken care of his baby sister more often and more responsibly than his mother. Now that his grandmother has passed, he has nowhere to turn when his mother disappears. How can he keep his sister safe and with him with no money? Bring a hankie for this incredible story. My vote for the Newbery.

The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig GU

Horror isn’t my favorite genre, but I’ve been hunting for good horror story to replace The Shining in my English 202 classes. This is the one. It starts out a bit like The Shining: a father, mother, and son (this time a teenager) move into a house that seems like it could be haunted. This story is actually nothing like The Shining except that it is an exceptionally well-written horror story.

Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy MG/UMG

The story of a girl who is rescued by her mother from a cult they were both living in. The girl is extremely upset with her mother and wants to go back. A really interesting idea for a story. I thought about this one a lot after I’d finished it.

American Kingpin by Nick Bilton GU

Nonfiction. The story of Ross Ulbricht and how in 2011 he created the Silk Road, a dark-web online marketplace where you could buy or sell drugs, guns, body organs, and nearly any other illegal good. It’s also the story of the government agents who caught him and how they did so. Reads like fiction. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. A fascinating, true story.

Book Challenge Complete

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I challenged myself to read all the books on my Women Writers mug this year, and I completed the challenge about a month ago. You can read more about my 2024 Reading Challenge here.

Most of the books are important historically more than because of good writing or engaging plots. One book stood out to me for personal reasons: The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I wasn’t sure if I’d already read it, so decided to read it in case I hadn’t. About a chapter in, I started thinking about my older brother, who died almost a decade ago. There was nothing about the book or characters that should have made me think about my brother, but all through my reading of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I thought about David.

As children and teenagers, David and I were big readers. We read a lot, and we talked about books too. Although I didn’t remember the book (even as I was reading it), I was certain that David had suggested I read it and then we must have talked about it together. It was definitely the kind of book we both would have enjoyed as teenagers.

So, I’m happy I did this challenge, although I don’t see myself doing a 2025 reading challenge. I already am constrained in what I read by my three book clubs and the books I read for work.

Stay tuned, as my post of the best books of the year, 2024 will be coming soon.

Non Serio in Stevens Point

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Last year, before we left Gdansk, when our friends in the Polish choir, Non Serio, suggested coming to visit us in Wisconsin, we said, “Yes! Do!” Meaning it but not expecting that it would really happen. Well it did! Lucky us!

The choir spent several days in Chicago, sight-seeing and singing concerts, then came up to Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

So, we held a welcome party for them with help from the Polish Heritage Awareness Society of Central Wisconsin. We ate, we sang, and we had a wonderful time.

Then, the Polish members of the choir met their host families and went off to experience life in small town America! Andy and I hosted Zbigniew and Brygita. Lucky us! Brygita made delicious potato and cheese pierogi. We showed them around downtown Stevens Point, popped in at the Riverfront Rendezvous, ate at the Cozy Kitchen (a real American diner), drank at District 1 Brewing , drove to DePere to visit the Oneida Nation Museum, and spent an absolutely incredible five days with them.

Of course, this choir wasn’t in Stevens Point only to socialize. They had concerts to perform! Non Serio performed at Michelsen Hall on the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point campus, both alone and with a pick-up “Yankee choir” of Americans.

Non Serio also performed on the Main Stage in Pfiffner Park for Steven Point’s Independence Day festival, Riverfront Rendezvous, finishing just before a downpour of rain that soaked yours truly.

Non Serio’s final performance occurred at St. Peter’s Church, where they sang at the Saturday mass.

They headed off to Chicago early on Sunday morning, to give one more Chicago concert before their flight to New York City, where they have several concerts before heading home to Gdansk.

I cannot express the depth of my gratitude to these wonderful people. When we were in Gdansk, they welcomed us into their choir family–even me, who cannot sing! They are kind, fun, interesting, and open to everything. They are wonderful people. I cannot wait to return to Gdansk, to re-connect with these friends. My heart overflows.