This issue features an interview with author Joseph Lewis, a milestone on my latest novel, and the importance of community.

There's still time to save big on paperbacks of Amiga and The Remainders when you buy them directly from my publisher's website, Black Rose Writing. Use promo code SEASON20 to save 20%.

While you're there, check out the other great titles from other Black Rose Writing authors, including Joseph Lewis, who is interviewed in this newsletter, and Cam Torrens, who is the winner of Black Rose Writing's Lisa Febre Award.

The sale runs through the holidays and ends January 31. Order your books today!

Last week, I reached a major milestone in my work in progress, Escape from Arzack's Castle. I completed my line edits and made some further refinements to my manuscript. At 75,500 words, it was ready to send to my first set of beta readers. 

I'm using the same paid beta reader service from Entrada Publishing that was so helpful when I worked on Christina's Portrait. 

After I get their feedback, I'll incorporate their changes and send it to another round of beta readers. If you would like to participate, please send me an email. I'll let you know when it's available.

I plan to have Escape from Arzack's Castle ready for submission in the second half of 2026, but it's not too early to start writing pitches and query letters. Here's what I've written. Please let me know what you think.

I can't wait to share it with you! In the meantime, I created a playlist like I do for my other novels. It is available on Spotify.

Look for more news about Escape from Arzack's Castle and my other novels on my website.

I interviewed author Joseph Lewis in 2022. Since then, he's released a new novel from Black Rose Writing, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One). We talked about his new book and changes in the publishing industry.

How do you think the Packers will do this year?

Being a life-long Green Bay Packers fan, I've experienced the highs and the lows. Not that I'm numb to it at all. It's just with my own coaching experience and watching so many athletic teams succeed or do poorly, I don't set my hopes too high. I think any team is an injury or two away from crashing out. For the 2025-26 season, I think the Packers might win the division, though the Lions look mighty tough most of the time, and while the Packers did well in their first two games, they looked only above average lately. I'm guessing they will make the playoffs, but I expect that run not to go so deep. [Ed: The Packers are currently 9-4-1 and the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs. They're in second place in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears.]

Since we last spoke, you came out with your latest novel, Black Yé’ii (The Evil One). Tell us about this book.

Black Yé’ii (The Evil One) takes its name from a Navajo mystical/spiritual belief. They have many Yé’ii, and most are considered to be good or at the least, helpful. But there is one they seldom if ever speak of or mention by name: Black Yé’ii because it translates to the Evil One. The belief is that if you speak of it or mention it by name, you are inviting it into your life. It is evil and ugly, and if we compare it to a Christian belief, we would call it sin or sinful. So the story, Black Yé’ii (The Evil One) is a story of good vs evil; love vs death, and at the least, life vs death. It explores the difference between true family love and gang belonging.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

Because I am not Navajo or of an Indigenous heritage, I had to rely on research for background. The research included hours of email back and forth with the Navajo Nation Museum, with various Navajos who helped with language, religion, spirituality, and mysticism. I watched YouTube videos of a Navajo elder talking about Navajo culture and beliefs. When I write, I feel I owe it to the reader to "get it right." I don't want the reader to be misled in anything I write. I also feel obligated to tell my stories accurately when discussing Navajo life—past and present.

How do you feel the publishing world has changed in the past three years?

My first four books were published by a small publisher, which has since gone out of business. My current publisher, Black Rose Writing, picked up those books and have published each of my books since. I couldn't be more pleased or satisfied. I've not ventured out of that world since. No agents. Just BRW and me, along with about 700 or 800 other authors. But what most people don't know is the amount of work that goes into the writing and publication of any book. Advertising is expensive. Getting your book into the hands of readers is time-consuming, and it takes away from what the writer truly enjoys doing—creating stories. Being an author is not a get rich quick business. All that being said, I'm happy where I am and with the stories I've written. I wouldn't change a thing, except maybe for a few more bucks in my wallet.

What advice would you give writers who are interested in writing police procedurals?

Make sure you do your research. I typically use a forensic scientist, a police chief, three deputies, one of whom is a former SWAT team member. I believe what Stephen King wrote in his book On Writing when he says, unless you read as much or more than what you write, you won't have the tools in your toolbox to write. I bounce ideas off of them, I ask questions, I run scenarios by them. All because I want to be as accurate as possible. Anyone writing in this genre needs to do the same.

Where can people learn more about you and your books?

My website is an excellent source for finding out more about me and my books. It is located at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com but I also have other social media sites readers can explore. The can be located at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjosephlewis/

TikTok: @josephlewis5566  

Substack: https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh

When I was a Little League president long ago, I told the players and their parents, "Inside the fence, we play hard to win. Outside the fence, we are all friends and part of one community." It's an attitude I've carried with me throughout my life, and it's especially true in publishing.

This year, Black Rose Writing, publisher of my novels Amiga and The Remainders introduced the Lisa Febre Award to honor our late author by recognizing a BRW author who provided the most support to their fellow authors. This year's winner is Cam Torrens. Cam has supported a lot of us authors by reviewing our books (including mine) and providing support. He's a great part of the BRW community. 

When you get into the writing world, you quickly realize other authors aren't your competition. All our opportunities come from other authors, and we pay it forward to offering support to those coming up. We are strengthened by helping others.

It's a message we need to apply to other areas of life.

This has been a challenging time for a lot of people, and the coming year may be more difficult. We need community to help us through, but it's not enough to just support people in our immediate circle. We need to reach out to others. Offer refuge to the outsider, comfort to the mourning, and protection to the vulnerable. This is the core of the Christmas message, and it applies to all of us.

Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays, I wish you happiness and health now and in the coming year. And I hope you find the peace that comes when you step outside the fence.

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 and school librarian Amanda Prosin.

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.