This issue shows how to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, gives a preview of my work in progress, and offers advice to readers in 2025.

As you know from my books, I have a deep connection to Los Angeles, especially the San Fernando Valley where I grew up. A number of my friends were affected by the recent wildfires in the area. One of them lost their home.

Those affected by the wildfires need long-term support. Even if you've already donated, consider making another donation to one of the organizations who have been helping in the area. If you visit my Linktree, you'll find links for making donations, volunteering, and getting assistance.

Thank you for your support of the people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Communication is more important than ever. Be prepared to give well-organized answers to questions with my bestselling guide to impromptu public speaking, Mastering Table Topics. Learn how to analyze questions, organize your thoughts, and get your ideas across in less than three minutes. Practice your skills with 750 topical questions. This book is perfect for Toastmasters and public speaking classes.

Get your copy in paperback or eBook from these retailers:

• Lulu (Paperback and most ePub readers)
• iTunes (iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch)
• Amazon (Paperback and Kindle)
• Barnes and Noble (Paperback and Nook)

Also look for Mastering Table Topics at your local bookstore and library.

What you're looking at is my work in progress, Trevor and the Eight of Swords. In this tarot-inspired dark romance, a young man gets into a torrid affair with a woman twenty years his senior. He is forced to confront a trauma from his past and question many of his beliefs.

I'll keep you posted on my progress with Trevor and the Eight of Swords and Christina's Portrait, which is still in submission. I hope to have more novels to share with you soon. 

This has already started off to be a challenging and disorienting year. In addition to natural disasters, we've had TikTok shut down (and come back), and the start of a new administration in the United States. I won't make any assumptions of where you stand politically. Regardless of your beliefs, there are things you should be aware of as readers in 2025.

Social media is changing.

The situation with TikTok has caused authors to reconsider their social media strategy. Some authors have left platforms and shifted activity to others. New social media apps will arrive soon, such as Neptune.

I'm not leaving any app, but I'll be more active on some more than others. The best way to find me on social media is through my Linktree.

We need to stand up against censorship. 

We've seen plenty of book bans in schools and libraries, but these restrictions can spread with the new administration.

These crackdowns aren't just for controversial subjects. If your romance has too much spice, your historical drama covers unflattering periods and events, or if a character has even a touch of queerness, your favorite books and authors can be targeted.

Here are ways you can fight censorship as a reader: 

• Stay informed about book banning initiatives by school boards, library districts, and governments.
• Support targeted authors by buying their books, posting reviews, and expressing your solidarity.
• Join advocacy groups like the American Library Association (ALA), National Coalition Against Censorship, and PEN America.
• Write to local officials and publications expressing your opposition to book bans.
• Support and vote for political candidates who will defend freedom of expression.

We need to foster a society of readers.

When we find ourselves bombarded by misinformation and outrageous social media posts, we need reading more than ever. Reading encourages critical thinking, empathy, concentration, and imagination. And after a stressful day, nothing beats escaping into a great story.

We need to promote reading to others, especially those who haven't opened a book since school. Here are things you can do:

• Join a book club and invite your friends to come with you.
• Attend author events at your local library or bookstore.
• If you have children, read to them once a day. This helps with their brain development and gives them a life-long love of reading.
• Listen to more audiobooks. (That's reading too!)
• Talk about your favorite books with your friends.

Together, as readers and authors, we can face the challenges of 2025.

I met with Introverted Indies to talk about The Remainders and my writing experiences. The interview is now available on their YouTube channel.

I also spoke with Joseph D'Urso for his Rough Writer channel about my experiences with indie publishing, getting my books into local bookstores, and writing character-driven stories. See my interview on YouTube.

On the Authors Answer site, I talk about how I use playlists, the supposed difference between "authors" and "writers," my love for baseball, and what brings me joy as an author. Read my interview here.

And in case you missed it, check out my interview with Rayanne Thorn Krueger about The Remainders, why I chose to be a writer, my thoughts about the future of writing and much more on the Real Words podcast.  

If you are an author who wants to be interviewed, send me an email to admin@matthewarnoldstern.com with the following information:

• Your name.
• A brief bio (100 words or less).
• Your books.
• What you would like to talk about in your interview.

By supporting each other, we can all grow!

I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments and suggestions, feel free to email me at admin@matthewarnoldstern.com. 

If there is someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, pass it along and encourage them to subscribe. A simple subscription form is on my website.

I'll be in touch again next month with more news and content. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!