This issue tells you about the Amiga giveaway (sign up before September 30), the latest on my work in progress, an upcoming event, my high school's anniversary, and interviews.

Time is running out for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway! Win one of 100 eBook copies of Amiga. Author Erika Modrak said about Amiga, "The story beautifully came together for me, and Stern does a fantastic job creating strong, believable female characters and reveals only enough each chapter to leave readers wanting to know more."

The giveaway ends on September 30. Sign up for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway today!

Filling in the details of Escape from Arzack's Castle has been a challenge. I'm starting over with one of the characters because I didn't like the direction she was going. I also have to balance between developing the characters while keeping up the action and giving enough detail to bring the story to life without bogging down the plot.

This has slowed down my progress and required lots of extra work, but it will all be worth it when I'm done.

Along the way, I made a few discoveries that have helped my story. I talk about them in these TikTok videos. (View them while you still can!)

• I needed a name for the company where Julie and her colleagues work. That's when I remembered eUniLink, the company from my first novel, Offline. This company name appears in the excerpt shown above. This is a good way to solve a story problem and revive interest in an earlier work. 
• Every video game has music, and I realized I needed to add some to my story. The music that appears in the video game foreshadows what happens when my characters are trapped in the real-life recreation of it.
• Any situation can give you an opportunity to do research. When I tested the Rejuvenate feature of the Lincoln Nautilus, it reminded me of the relaxation chairs that appear in my story. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thank you for your support.

Indie Author Day returns to Anaheim on Saturday, November 15 at the Anaheim Central Library. We are putting together a great program with informative panels and author readings. I will have updates as we get closer. If you're in the area, it's an event you don't want to miss!

In the meantime, you can read more on my website about how these events benefit readers and authors.

I write a lot (and I do mean a lot) about my high school. So much so, you might think that's where I peaked. Absolutely not. I wouldn't want to remain the shy, naive, and awkward teenager who floated in an innocent, sheltered bubble back then. Besides, if you're in your 60s, and you still think high school was the best years of your life, something is wrong with your life.

Reseda High School still has significance to me because it was a pivotal time in my life. It was there where I decided to be a writer, and Darlene Loiler, my English teacher, got me started on that path. It was where I faced mortality when one of our classmates was brutally murdered. And earning Eagle Scout and being one of the valedictorians was the first time I was recognized for my hard work.

This year, the school that is now called Reseda Charter High School is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Next month, the school is starting an alumni association and having a big homecoming game. I plan to make the trip to the Valley to participate.

Touching base with my past gives me clarity and a renewed sense of purpose in the present. As a character in Christina's Portrait (my novel set in Reseda High School) says, "History is a story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Where we came from. Why things are the way they are. What we had to overcome and what we have to learn." 

In that spirit, Happy 70th anniversary, Reseda Charter High School. Go Regents!

I've interviewed a number of authors including N.J. Mastro, Nicole Zelniker, Jann Alexander, Karen E. Osborne, Joseph Lewis, and Lucy McLaren. Recently, I interviewed bookstore owner Lonnie Owens.

If you are an author or someone associated with the book community 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.