Blog Bytes

by Kristopher Zgorski

Let’s start this month with a fun website that all readers and writers can get behind. It’s called I Heart Bookstores (www.iheartbookstores.com). Just as the name implies, this website celebrates bookstores—namely, non-chain stores around the U.S. Upon opening the link, visitors will find a map with thousands of area bookstore locations pinned (somewhere between 4,000 and 10,000 stores). The About page explains what types of bookstores are and aren’t included (for example, college bookstores are not covered). Clicking on a pin will open up a side window which includes the address, phone number, and website link to that particular bookstore. This is incredibly valuable for travelers. The site is updated with recent closures clearly indicated, as well as what new bookstores were added most recently. Home-page links also spotlight things such as which bookstores have First Edition Clubs that readers can join, trivia topics (such as how many bookstores have animals in their store name), and a Resources tab that is a pathway to sites involved with book collection, bookish merchandise, and more. Before your next trip, be sure to stop by to plot out your indie-bookstore journey.

The diversity of the crime-fiction world continues to be discussed and examined. Queer Crime Writers (www.queercrimewriters.com) is a newish organization highlighting the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to our beloved genre. (Full disclosure: I am a member of this organization, but I would feature it regardless.) On this website, you will find biographical and bibliographical information about the many members of this group, along with links to their websites where you can further explore their work and contributions. A scroll through the Books tab will show the covers of crime fiction by and/or about the LGBTQ+ community, again with links to publisher sites where the books can be purchased. Their Events tab doesn’t appear to be active at the moment, but that may be a placeholder for future efforts. For those who are interested in joining Queer Crime Writers, there is a handy link on the home page making it easy to contact and communicate with those in charge.

DeadLies (www.deadliescrimeblog.com) is a blog collective out of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Featuring a group of female writers—all authors of genre fiction, literary fiction, and/or poetry—who regularly provide introspective blog posts on all manner of writing-based topics. Should your write what you know? How do you measure success? You’ll find essays with these themes and many, many others. Since the blog started in July 2023, there is a wealth of coverage for newer visitors to discover. The posts are short, so as not to provide too much of a distraction from the act of writing, while also always containing inspiration for the writing life. The We Recommend tab is less frequently updated, but when these women stumble upon TV shows that need to be streamed or books that shouldn’t be missed, you will find them mentioned here.