I could make a list as long as my arm of all the things the show Andor does right. Gosh, it does so, so many things right. It simply oozes with thought and care and precision. But as I settled contentedly (or, often as not, with tension) into each next episode, one word kept comingContinue reading “Andor and The Power of Patience”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
SPFBOX Update (A tie! And more)
So once upon a time–which is to say, roughly a year ago–I entered By Blood, By Salt into a book competition. So did 595 other people. Only 300 were allowed to compete so they had to randomly select 300 entrants out of the 595. I passed that first hurdle by sheer luck! Then the 300Continue reading “SPFBOX Update (A tie! And more)”
Birria Tacos and Chapter 25
THE TACOS I had never had Birria Tacos. Not at a food truck. Not in a restaurant. Not at someone’s house. But they were all over the internet and they looked like heaven to me. Call me “influenced.” I wanted to try them so bad. But we don’t go to restaurants very often–doing so withContinue reading “Birria Tacos and Chapter 25”
Audiobook! And other stuff.
I forgot to post about this! Two weeks ago the audiobook for By Blood By Salt released on audible. You can get it here And for those wondering (since I did have people ask, though I know replies sometimes go into spam! I promise I always answer all questions from my contact form, so ifContinue reading “Audiobook! And other stuff.”
Publication Day!
Today, A Haunt for Jackals is released out into the world! I loved this book dearly, and I hope you will too. After capturing a jinn-devil and fleeing to the desert, Azetla has exchanged the threat of execution for the weight of high treason. Thousands of men are now under his command—for the Emperor’s brotherContinue reading “Publication Day!”
Quite the Year: a summary in 4 parts
2024: The Books I wrote and related topics I published the first book in my Land of Exile trilogy, By Blood, By Salt on May 14 2024. I had been working on and off on this trilogy for nearly 2 decades. I had gone the traditional publishing route and would have held to it, exceptContinue reading “Quite the Year: a summary in 4 parts”
It’s only because they KNEW better
If I open a book with low expectations, and the author precisely hits that mark, I probably won’t be angry. I will conjure a shrug or a “meh” and give it two or three lethargic stars on goodreads and say something like “it just didn’t make much of an impact.” This was the Divergent seriesContinue reading “It’s only because they KNEW better”
The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read
First of all: Perseverance is Rewarded Once upon a time, in high school, I was assigned to read a book: The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis. For those who have read it, you’ll understand why the average Oklahoman teenager (such as myself) might not have totally grasped every last inch of that slim butContinue reading “The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read”
The Everlasting Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers
Well, well, well. If it isn’t the trope I’ve been avoiding like the plague. Not because I hate it, mind you, but because I hate that our collective obsession with it causes many of us to accept some very dumb plots/events/behaviors that we would never otherwise tolerate. Contrary to popular opinion, a sexy knife toContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers”
Aesthetics, Vibes, Tropes, and Premise
These are some of the most prominent tools people are using these days to discover (or pitch) their next book, because it’s a fast-fashion, low-attention world out there. I find them, for the most part, useless and exasperating. But not always. This isn’t meant to be a hoity-toity snobbish thing where I deride “the youths”Continue reading “Aesthetics, Vibes, Tropes, and Premise”
J. L. Odom 