Tui Snider - author & speaker

paranormal

Oakwood Cemetery Saints & Sinners Tour

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[ For my FREE book about cemetery symbols, click here. The following article is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places called, Paranormal Texas. Full disclosure: it’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Win/win, right?]

Oakwood Cemetery gates in Fort Worth, Texas. photo (c) Tui Snider
Oakwood Cemetery gates in Fort Worth, Texas. photo (c) Tui Snider

Oakwood Saints and Sinners Tour 

What do you get when you combine live theater regional history and a beautiful texas burial ground? Why the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour, of course!

Every October the North Fort Worth Historical Society chooses interesting characters from Oakwood Cemetery’s residents to “bring to life” through well-researched performances by costumed historians.

Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

2020 Consolation Prize!

Unfortunately, if you’re watching this in 2020 then I must tell you that there is no cemetery tour this year. (I’m sure you can guess why!) But that’s why I made this blog post and video. Since we can’t go this year, consider this a consolation prize!

I’ve been going to the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour in Fort Worth, Texas since 2015. I’ve taken so many photos (and even a little bit of video.) I hope you enjoy this little blog post and companion video that I’ve put together. (To see the companion video, click this link or the image below: Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour.)

Cemeteries are Open-air Museums

I often say that historic cemeteries are open-air museums. That’s what I love about the Oakwood Cemetery Saints and Sinners Tour. It really brings history to life in a special way.

The performances are often quite funny, but some will bring tears to your eyes. I learn so much each year. I wish more historic cemeteries had tours like this.

Horse drawn hearse in Oakwood Cemetery (photo by Tui Snider)
Horse drawn hearse in Oakwood Cemetery (photo by Tui Snider)

Fort Worth is “Where the West begins”

Since Fort Worth is considered to be “Where the West begins,” these tours often give you a glimpse into Wild West history. You’ll learn about cattle barons, oilmen, gunslingers, cowboys, soldiers, suffragettes, shopkeepers, and more!

There’s even a section called Bartenders Row where Wild West saloon workers are buried. Another plot is nicknamed Soiled Doves Row. A soiled dove is a euphemism they used in the 1800s to describe what we would call a prostitute or sex worker today.

I go into more detail about the ladies in Soiled Doves Row, Bartenders Row, and other historic people in Oakwood Cemetery in my new book, 6 Feet Under Texas.

Me playing Faro! (photo by Larry Snider)
Me playing Faro! (photo by Larry Snider)

Faro versus Poker in the Wild West

One year I learned how to play Faro. I’d never even heard of it before! Faro is the card game you see people playing in Wild West movies. I always thought it was poker, but Faro was a very popular card game for gamblers.

And get a load of those guys’ mustaches! That’s a major commitment to history, am I right?

There's a trap door in the chapel floor - for raising & lowering coffins! (photo by Tui Snider)
There’s a trap door in the chapel floor – for raising & lowering coffins! (photo by Tui Snider)

Unique casket “elevator”

Whether you go before or after your tour, make sure you visit Oakwood’s Chapel. Not only will you see some really gorgeous stained glass windows. but they have a rectangular door in the floor up by the altar that has a rather unique function.

In the old days, caskets were stored in the basement where temperatures were naturally much cooler. When it was time for the memorial service, they would raise the casket up through this rectangular door in the floor. Clever, eh?

I wasn't the only one wiping my eyes after this WWII vet shared his story! (photo by Tui Snider)
I wasn’t the only one wiping my eyes after this WWII vet shared his story! (photo by Tui Snider)

Drop by my table and say hi!

I know it can be crowded, but when you come to the Saints and Sinners Tour you better stop by my table and say hi. Not in 2020, of course, but in the future.

I am a member of the North Fort Worth Historical Society and you can usually find me sitting with my husband, Larry, in the shade selling books and enjoying a really fun day at Oakwood Cemetery.

Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Is Oakwood the “John Smith” of cemetery names?

You’ve probably heard that John Smith is the most common name in America, right?

Well, I sometimes joke that Oakwood is the “John Smith” of cemetery names because it seems like every big city has at least one burial ground named Oakwood Cemetery.

How about you? Is there an Oakwood Cemetery near you? Let me know in the comments below.

Are historic cemeteries your happy place?

If, like me, historic cemeteries are your happy place, drop by my new store, GraveHour Gifts.

Plan your trip to Oakwood Cemetery’s Saints and Sinners Tour

To visit Oakwood Cemetery: You can visit Fort Worth’s Oakwood Cemetery year-round. The address is 701 Grand Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Saints and Sinners Facebook page: To find about upcoming historic cemetery tours in Oakwood, visit their Facebook page. 

Tui Snider’s YouTube: I feature Oakwood Cemetery in several of my YouTube videos, so you may wish to check those out before your visit. Here’s the link: Exploring Historic Cemeteries.

To learn the spooky-but-true history behind a whole bunch of haunted places in North Texas (including Oakwood Cemetery), check out my travel guide: Paranormal Texas.

READ MY BOOKS: To see a list of all my published books, check out Tui  Snider’s Amazon page. 

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Haunted Doll House Museum in Granbury, Texas

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[ For my FREE book about cemetery symbols, click here. The following article is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places called, Paranormal Texas. Full disclosure: it’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Win/win, right?]

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Doll House Museum in Granbury, Texas

The Granbury Doll House Museum has over 2500 dolls from around the world.  The dolls are on display throughout a two-story historic home that, when you think about it, kinda looks like a great big dollhouse.

This unique museum was founded by Jane Sharp and Barbara Williams. Jane and Barbara are sisters, and their Doll House Museum is truly a labor of love. The top floor of the house serves as a doll hospital, and is where the women painstakingly restore these historic playthings.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

A labor of love

A walk through the Granbury Doll House reveals everything from mass-produced Barbies and G.I. Joes to handcrafted one-of-a-kind pieces from famous doll makers.

Many of the dolls are donated by family members who no longer want them, but realize their historic significance. When there are no descendants to take these special dolls, Jane and Barbara fix them up and display them to the public.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX, Vicky shows us the Dolly Rekord doll. [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Thomas Edison’s Dolly Rekord Doll

One of the most unique exhibits is a 1922 Dolly Rekord doll. It contains a wax cylinder created by Thomas Edison that allows it to “speak.” (Watch my YouTube video about the Granbury Doll House if you want to see and hear this amazing historic doll in action!)

When I asked museum volunteer, Vicky, which doll was her favorite, she immediately showed us this fascinating, and very historic, Dolly Rekord doll that you can see in the above photo.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX. Selfie with Rhett and Scarlet. [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Fun for all ages

On my first visit, I had a couple men in tow. I didn’t think they would find the place interesting, but we ended up staying for nearly 2 hours! Although I did have a Raggedy Ann, a few Barbies, and a Little Women doll (Jo, the writer, of course!), I was quite a tomboy growing up. So even I wasn’t sure how fun the doll museum would be. Well, let me tell you: if you enjoy history and toys, you will love Granbury’s Doll House Museum. The women who work there are so knowledgeable.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
“Clowning” around at the Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

But is it a haunted doll museum?!?

As our visit drew to a close, I finally mustered up the courage to ask if the sisters ever experience paranormal activity at the museum. Some people are touchy about this, depending on their belief system, and the the last thing I wanted to do was irritate those lovely ladies!

The two merely laughed and told me the Granbury Doll House has its “share of spirits.” They went on to explain that not only do the Pirates of the Caribbean figures rearrange themselves on the shelf, but they often find some of them on the floor, as if they had been fighting.

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX. The top light turns on by itself! [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Who’s afraid of the dark?

Another strange occurrence involves the second floor light. Even when they are sure they have turned it off, it often turns itself back on. When I suggested that perhaps one of the dolls is afraid of the dark, the women murmured that I just may have something there!

You can also watch my video of the Granbury Doll House Museum here:

Paranormal investigation at the haunted doll museum!

A few months later, I returned after hours to attend a paranormal investigation led by Greg Steven’s group, TxRIP. A command center was erected outside by the garage, and the air-conditioning was turned off inside the house.

This made for quite a hot experience. While I didn’t enjoy the sweat dripping down my back, this lack of a/c made the sudden pockets of ice-cold air during our investigation very obvious!

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
TX RIP investiaged the Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]

The results?

None of us felt anything sinister in the doll museum, but TX RIP detected several anomalies on their videos. You can visit their Facebook page, where they share results from their investigations by clicking here.

According to fellow author and noted psychic, Teal Gray, “For me, the highest concentration of energy was located near the stairs and the rooms to each side of the kitchen,” adding that, “A mischievous boy doll on top of the refrigerator with a big smile on his face seemed delighted we were there.” Overall, according to her psychic impressions, “The spirits seem to be very happy with Barbara and Jane running the museum .”

Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX [photo (c) Tui Snider]
Doll House Museum, Granbury, TX. Psychic, Teal Gray, joined the investigation. [photo (c) Tui Snider]

Plan your trip to the Granbury Doll House Museum

If you’d like to visit the museum, you’ll need to take a trip to Granbury, Texas. The museum is open most weekends from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. but I would check their Facebook page before going. Admission is free, and if the American flag is out, the museum is open.

To learn the spooky-but-true history behind a whole bunch more haunted places in North Texas, check out my travel guide: Paranormal Texas.

Let me know if you go to the Granbury Doll House or any of the other places in my books! And be sure to tell the ladies that Tui sent you! :)

Address: 421 Bridge Street, Granbury, Tx 76048

Website: www.facebook.com/TheGranburyDollHouse

What about you?

Think you’d enjoy visiting the Granbury Doll House Museum? Or would all the dolls make you nope right out of there?

READ MY BOOKS: To see a list of all my published books, check out Tui  Snider’s Amazon page. 

Learn more about offbeat travel & historic cemeteries at my YouTube Channel

Want a FREE book? Click below:

Exploring Historic Cemeteries: The Lost Cemetery of Infants

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April A to Z Challenge 2020: It’s that time of year! Every April, bloggers around the world make posts for each letter of the alphabet. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to make friends online. Here’s my post for today:

[The following is an adapted excerpt from my book, Paranormal Texas. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy stuff after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.]

Lost Cemetery of Infants – A Surprisingly Cheery Tale

While single mothers are common in today’s world, and it’s often an intentional life choice, back in 1894, single mothers were shunned by society and had few options.

And it wasn’t just unwed mothers; the world of 1894 didn’t include many choices for girls who were runaways, addicts, widows, or in other unfortunate situations. Many otherwise charitable institutions, including churches, routinely turned their backs on women facing hard times.

To see a 5-minute info-video I made to accompany this story (with photos of Rev. Upchurch and his wife) watch this:

Forward Thinking for 1894

So when Reverend James Tony Upchurch created the Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls, it was a daring move for 1894. His idea that these women could be taught a viable trade and reintegrated as independent members of society was edgy and controversial by the standards of his day.

Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

3 Simple Rules

There were only three rules at the Berachah Industrial Home. First off, you must never talk about the Berachah … Wait, no, that’s something else! Seriously, though, the first two rules were that each woman must do her chores and attend church each Sunday. The third rule required each unwed mother to care for her newborn for one full year before being allowed to give the child up for adoption.

Employable Skills for Women

For work, the women were taught a variety of employable skills for that era such as becoming a laundress, making handkerchiefs, typesetting, and printing. For the latter, the home published its own magazine called the Purity Journal. (I would love to read a copy of that, wouldn’t you?)

Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Spread Over 40 Acres

Over the years, the Berachah Institute spread over 40 acres and became a self-sustaining village. They even had a 1000-seat auditorium for meetings, plays, and concerts. In 1935, Reverend Upchurch’s daughter took the reigns and turned the place into an orphanage. Things went downhill, however, after his death in 1950, and by the late 60’s all the buildings were torn down, the land parceled up, and sold off.

Lost Cemetery of Infants

Today, all that remains of the Rev. Upchurch’s life’s work is a well-hidden graveyard. While it’s come to be known as the “lost cemetery of infants,” there’s no indication that anything nefarious occurred. Considering that it was a home for unwed mothers, there were bound to be some still births and other complications.

Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

First Names or Numbers Only

Most of the grave markers are flat stones rather than standing markers, so they are easy to miss. For the babies too young to have been named, the markers bear only a number, such as “Infant 46.” Other markers simply display a first name. Omitting the last name was a courtesy meant to protect the unwed mother’s anonymity.

Surprisingly Uplifting Story

As I researched this story, I kept waiting for it to turn sinister, to find out that Rev. Upchurch was abusive, or sold the children into slavery or some other awful thing. Instead I came away with an admiration for his lifelong dedication to empowering those who society had turned its back on. (In fact, this is one of those intriguing Texas tales that makes me want to write historical fiction!)

Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Is Arlington’s Lost Cemetery of Infants Haunted?

Reported activity at this site includes shadowy figures seen darting between the trees, the sensation of being watched, the sounds of children’s voices, and small toys appearing (and disappearing) on graves. Some paranormal investigators have even reported feeling as if their hair was being stroked by invisible hands.

If you are interested in ghost hunting, this would be a good place to bring small toys as trigger items for EVP’s and other paranormal activity. If you do, let me know!

Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Lost Cemetery of Infants in Arlington, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Plan your trip to Lost Cemetery of Infants

Address:
Lost Cemetery of Infants
Doug Russell Park
801 West Mitchell St.
Arlington, TX 76013

Please note: The cemetery is located in the northwest corner of Doug Russell Park. It has a chainlink fence around it, but the entry gate is unlocked. Like so many things in life, if you don’t know it’s there, it’s easy to overlook. If you’re looking for it, however, it is easy to find.

WANT TO READ THE REST OF THE BOOK? This post is an adapted excerpt from my travel guide to haunted places, a book called Paranormal Texas.

If you enjoy exploring historic graveyards, you might also enjoy reading my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols.

Leave a comment:

If you enjoyed this story, leave a comment below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more at my Historic Cemetery Podcast & YouTube Channel:

Do you have questions about headstone symbols? Drop by my YouTube channel and let me take you one some virtual cemetery tours! You can also tune in to my 30-minute historic cemetery podcast on the first Tuesday of each month: Tombstone Tuesday with Tui Snider.

READ MY BOOK: If you enjoy historic cemeteries and want to learn more, check out my book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

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#IndieBookmas A Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Books by Indie Authors

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Need Gift Ideas for Book Lovers? Scroll down!

#IndieBookmas is a Holiday Gift Guide for Readers

Books make great gifts! Here’s a list of Indie Authors you can support by buying their books this holiday season! To help you, each author describes the type of reader who will like their books.

What kind of readers are on your list? Need a gift for Aunt Sally, the genealogy buff? How about your little brother who loves scary movies? Scroll down the list to find the perfect books to give to the people on your Christmas list this year. (And if you’re an author who wants their book added to this gift guide, scroll down for directions on how to add your books.)

#IndieBookmas Book List for 2019: 

Author: Tui Snider

Amazon author page: Buy Tui Snider’s books on Amazon
Twitter handle:@TuiSnider
Author website: TuiSnider.com
Genres: Offbeat History, Travel, Cemetery Symbols, Texas

Who to buy for: Genealogists and cemetery explorers will love Understanding Cemetery Symbols as well as the Graveyard Journal. Paranormal Texas is perfect for ghost hunters and spooky road trippers. Fans of quirky road trips will love Unexpected Texas and 100 Things to Do in Dallas – Fort Worth Before You Die. Meanwhile, Snider’s Santa Claus Bank Robbery, makes a great stocking stuffer for true crime fans and history buffs.

Author: Patricia Josephine

Author pages: Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo
Twitter handle: @pattyauthor07
Author website: http://www.patriciajosephine.com
Genres: Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance

Who to buy for: Readers looking to escape from the real world will love Tempting Friendship and Mistakes of the Past. Fantasy fans short on time will devour Influence of Love. Urban Fantasy fans will love battling evil in Path of Angels. Fans of science fiction who also enjoy some romance will enjoy Abducted Life.

Author: Patricia Lynne

Author pages: Amazon and Smashwords
Twitter handle: @pattyauthor07
Author website: http://www.patricialynne.com
Genres: Young Adult paranormal, speculative fiction, and fantasy

Who to buy for: Being Human is for young adults to sink their teeth into vampire stories that give a twist to the old myth. Fans of science fiction and speculative fiction will lose themself in Snapshots. Post-apocalyptic and dystopian fans will be lifted by the hope in Leaves of Fall.

Author: Maggie Foster

Amazon author page: Buy Maggie Foster’s books on Amazon
Author website:  LochLonach.com
Twitter handle: @maggiefoster55
Genres: Mystery, Scottish Texans

Who to buy for: Mystery fans will love curling up with the Loch Lonach Series. Featuring Ginny Forbes, an ICU nurse with a talent for critical thinking, the stories are rich in Scottish culture as well as exciting adventures, clever puzzles, and entertaining characters. Award winning and addictive, every book is a five-star read!

Author: Kevin Wayne Williams

Amazon author page: Buy Kevin’s books on Amazon
Author website: MottHavenBooks.com
Genres: Horror
Twitter handle: @KevinWayneW

Who to buy for: A 2014 Foreword Indies winner for Multicultural Adult Fiction, “Everything I Know About Zombies. I Learned in Kindergarten” makes the perfect gift for the adult zombie fan who also appreciates literary fiction and understands that not every survivor is a big white man with a gun.

Author: Julie Reeser

Etsy page: Buy Julie’s books on Etsy
Author website: Persephone Knits
Genres: poetry
Twitter handle: @abetterjulie

Who to buy for: Your tenderhearted friends and family, your dreamers and thinkers and philosophers. The nature noticers and relationship weavers. Gentle and generous lovers. Teachers you admire and students you want to encourage. Friends who mean everything to you, but you aren’t sure how to show it. Poetry is for everyone; the language of connection.

Author: Chrys Fey

Amazon author page: Buy Chrys Fey’s books here
Author website: ChrysFey.com
Twitter handle: @ChrysFey
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Who to buy for: Fans of Nora Roberts and romantic-suspense will devour the Disaster Crimes series. Hurricane Crimes, an award-winning novella under 50 pages sets you on the path of disasters, crimes, and love. With Beth and Donovan, you’ll experience steamy love scenes, nail-biting moments, sweet romance, and laughter.

Author: Marie Landry

Amazon author page: Amazon Kobo iBooks Nook
Author website: MarieLandryAuthor.com
Genres: Contemporary romance
Twitter handle: @sweetmarie83

Who to buy for: Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies will love The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Mistletoe Kiss. If you like your festive reads both naughty and nice, Only You is for you. Contemporary romance lovers are sure to fall in love with Maybe You. Fans of emotional coming-of-age stories will have their heartstrings tugged by Blue Sky Days, Waiting for the Storm, After the Storm, and Take Them by Storm.

Author: David C. Kravetz

Amazon author page: Buy David’s books on Amazon
Author website: Less Beaten Paths
Genres: Travel, Quirky Travel, Back Roads Travel, Unique Town Names
Twitter handle: @sumoflam

Who to buy for: David Kravetz writes books for travelers, especially those that want to learn first hand about the unique places and things to be found on America’s back roads. From unique-named towns to wacky and weird attractions to unique gift shops and tourist traps, David covers them all.

Author: Elaine Kaye

Amazon author page: Buy Elaine’s books on Amazon.
Author website: ElaineKay.com
Genres: Children’s Books, Picture Books
Twitter handle: @ElaineKAuthor

Who to buy for: Introduce the kids in your life to Gregory Green and his teddy bear Sammy! In A Gregory Green Adventure Series, you’ll find Pea Soup Disaster, Sleigh Ride, the Missing Alphabet, and MORE! Fans of Curious George and Corduroy, from kids and adults to educators, will enjoy these sweet stories.

Author: Harry Hall

Amazon author page: Buy Harry’s books on Amazon
Author website:  HarryHallSpeaks.com Pedestriennes
Genres: historical, nonfiction, self-help
Twitter handle: n/a

Who to buy for: From 1876-1881, a small group of women endurance walkers dazzled America with their on-and-off track exploits in the award-winning, The Pedestriennes, America’s Forgotten Superstars. Conquer your public speaking fear (tops the list for many Americans) with, Help! Everyone is Staring at Me.

Author: Bambi Harris

Amazon author page: Buy Bambi’s books on Amazon
Author website: BambiHarris.com
Genres: Supernatural, Paranormal, Historical, Mystery, Murder, Time Travel, Sci Fi,
Romance, Afterlife
Twitter handle: @Bambi_Afterlife

Who to buy for: These books are for anyone who loves a compelling eerie mystery with paranormal undertones. These intriguing tales, set in different time periods, sweep the reader up while keeping them at the edge of their seats. Anyone who reads a Bambi Harris book is guaranteed to want to read another.

Author: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Where to buy Alex’s books: B&N Amazon iTunes Kobo Books-a-Million Audible
Author website: AlexJCavanaugh.com
Genres: Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure
Twitter handle: @AlexJCavanaugh

Who to buy for: CassaStorm is perfect for fans of Robert L. Heinlein and Star Wars – those who like their science fiction mixed with character development and action.  Suitable for early teens through adult. Carries great message of peace and acceptance.

Author: Andrew Crusoe

Amazon author page: Buy Andrew’s books here
Author website: Andrew’s website
Genres: EcoTourism, Nonfiction, scifi, memoir
Twitter handle: @hellocrusoe

Who to buy for: Makes a great gift for anyone who loves travelogues, unconventional living, or Hawaii. The story follows a young man who felt the call. From the moment he lands on Hawaii, synchronicities click together and the island opens him up, leading him to the home of a volcano goddess herself.

Author: Mimi Flood

Amazon author page: Amazon Kobo Nook
Author website: Mimi Flood
Genres: Contemporary romance (different heat levels)
Twitter handle: @WriterMimiFlood

Who to buy for: The Long Weekend is perfect for readers who love city girls who reluctantly return to their small hometown, real-life romance, real-life family drama and gorgeous former crushes who do naughty things. It’s the perfect blend of family, a funeral and falling in love.

Author: Serdar Yegulalp

Amazon author page: Buy Serdar’s books here
Author website: GenjiPress.com
Genres: SF/fantasy/slipstream
Twitter handle: @genjipress

Who to buy for: Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned – for those who always wanted a crossover between crime-family drama and cyberpunk, between “GoodFellas” and “Strange Days”.

Author: Jacquelyn Middleton

Amazon author page: Buy Jacquelyn Middleton’s books on Amazon
Author website: JacquelynMiddleton.com
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Instagram handle: @JaxMiddleton_Author

Who to buy for: Jacquelyn Middleton’s award-winning books are character & relationship-driven stories about people dealing with the triumphs & disasters we all experience. They’re also love stories for hopeful romantics, but life is messy, and she’s not afraid to go there, too. Jacquelyn has had life-long anxiety & depression and depicts mental health realistically and empathetically.

Author: Sarah Brentyn

Amazon author page: Buy Sarah’s books on Amazon
Author website: SarahBrentyn.com
Genres: flash fiction
Twitter handle: @SarahBrentyn

Who to buy for: These slim volumes of flash fiction are perfect for anyone who wants a collection to dip in and out of during the holiday season. They explore the dark side of the human condition and leave readers thinking.  Enjoy some bite-sized morsels of poetic prose.

Author: Stephen Drivick

Amazon author page: Buy Stephen’s books on Amazon
Author website: none
Genres: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic/ Dystopian
Twitter handle: @StephenDrivick

Who to buy for: Zombie fans will enjoy the Sometimes We Ran series – I just uploaded the 4th book. If you’re a fan of giant bugs, I have a story about that, too. :)

Author: You’re next! (scroll down for directions)

Amazon author page: add text here…
Author website: add text here…
Genres: add text here…
Twitter handle:

Who to buy for: add text here… 50 word description! Let us know who the ideal readers are for your books. Feel free to mention your book titles. (Scroll down to see how to get your books added to this list.)

Authors – Want your books listed? Here’s how:

It’s easy! If you’d like to be listed on the #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide, simply leave a comment on this blog post with the following info [PLEASE: Use the BLOG comment form, NOT the FB comment form. It’s easier for me to keep track. Thanks!]:

    1. Your pen name
    2.  Link to your Amazon book page (or wherever else you sell books online.)
    3.  Author website
    4. Twitter handle (if you have one)
    5. Genre or genres
    6. Then, in 50 words or LESS, tell us in the third person WHO your books make great gifts for. See examples in the list. (If you need to count your words, use https://easywordcount.com/ If you go over 50 words, I will trim the result.)

     NEXT STEP: HELP US PROMOTE THIS GIFT GUIDE!

    ==> Follow the #IndieBookmas tag on Twitter!
    ==> Add the tag #IndieBookmas to your social media and
    ==> Swipe the banner from this page to use in your online promo
    ==> Share the link to this gift guide: bit.ly/IndieBookmas
    ==> Combine #IndieBookmas with other pertinent hashtags as the holiday season marches along.
    For instance:
    November 29 is #BlackFriday
    November 30 is #SmallBusinessSaturday
    December 2 is  #CyberMonday

    ==> Other hashtags to try: #giftguide #booksale #indieauthors #bookworm #bookobsessed

    Each day, I will add new authors to this blog post. Watch our #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide for Indie Author Books grow!

    Let’s work together!

    Each day, I will add new authors to this blog post. Watch our #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide for Indie Author Books grow! Let’s work together to make this gift guide a success!

    Before you go… Want to keep up with Tui Snider?

    No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
    No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

    PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out every Sunday. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

        • Know where I speak next
        • Find out when my next books come out
        • Learn offbeat trivia
        • See unique cemetery & travel photos
        • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

    FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”

Author Interview: 4 Questions for Julie Reeser

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Need creative inspiration? Check out Julie Reeser!

I’m not sure exactly when I met Julie Reeser, although I know it was through the writing tag #StoryDam on Twitter a few years ago. Of course, as a hat aficionado, I instantly noticed the spiffy topper she wears in her profile pic.

Julie lives in Montana and I’m in Texas. As I’ve gotten to know her from afar, I’ve come to admire her creativity, poetic sense, and her outlook on life. I love supporting her on Patreon because the monthly postcards and tiny books she sends out are such a treat. (She also posts essays and weekly etymology posts that are fascinating.)

Since I can’t have Julie over for espresso, I’ve invited her to pop by my blog this week for a quick peek into her creative projects.

We’ve kept the interview to 4 questions. Here they are:1. Tell us about the poetry zine you’re starting in 2020. How did you come up with the name “Beyond the Gate”?

Beyond the Gate was a flash of an idea because I noticed the lack of steps to take readers beyond the gateway of Instagram poetry. A lot of people want to go further but get overwhelmed.

There’s a history of snobbery in traditional poetry that prevents readers from exploring and learning. It reinforces fears and locks them out of the conversation. I want to change that. I want people to feel joy and surprise as they explore the vastness of poetry, not unwelcome and small.

For instance, the first issue of the zine is about Haiku. A little history, a little rule-breaking, and scattered throughout are names they might research further if they like those included poems – plus art!

2. How will your poetry zine be distributed? Will there be physical copies of Beyond the Gate, or will it be digital, or both?

I plan to offer them in my Etsy shop, and maybe I’ll try and leave my forest hermitage and set up a table at a local fair or two. I rarely offer digital work. I am a texture-oriented person, so that comes out in my project choices.

I like the idea of someone jotting notes in the margins of my chapbooks, tacking a postcard on a bulletin board, or tucking a tiny book into their pocket.

3. Tell us about your Patreon account. How did you decide to start one? Who is your Patreon account for, and what are your goals with it?

I started the Patreon because my mail was anemic and tiring. So many days, I’d just dump the mail straight into the trash. There’s no joy. We have this amazing system of communication with the potential to brighten someone’s day, and I wanted to tap into that. The postcards seemed like a great start.

Julie Reeser creates adorable tiny books - cute to look at and fun to read!
Julie Reeser creates adorable tiny books for Patreon supporters. They are cute to look at and fun to read!

Also, traditional publishing of any genre is slow as lazy snails and pays very little. Another lost moment of joy, in my opinion. Patreon gives my work an audience, supports my creative experimentation and whims, and gives me permission to self-publish my collections. The pledges allow me the opportunity to try new things with less risk.

4. What makes you excited about your creative projects right now?

I’m really into learning how to draw right now. In between writing short stories, I’m taking time each morning to practice with different mediums. The goal is to offer illustrated short stories to Patrons and in the shop. I’d really like to make it feel wondrous and special, the way a Hogwarts letter would. We all get so excited by that concept, don’t we? Reading is a portal to that, and I’d love to give people that moment of excitement!

And, of course, I’m still working toward signing with an agent and getting into the SFWA. While I did pro-panel last year, getting that membership means the world to me. So, I’m also doing the work to reach those milestones – namely, writing.

Learn more about Julie Reeser:

BIO: Julie Reeser’s beak is full of tongue, and like a crow, she holds a grudge. She retired from her nursing career in 2009 for medical reasons, and decided it was finally time to write that book! Her work tends toward fantasy, and has been published in over a dozen magazines. She has written two full novels and is currently querying for an agent. An early draft of her story, Ten Thousand Cranes, won a Silver Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future.

Julie’s first poetry chapbook was Terracotta Pomegranate and chronicled her journey of recovery after trauma though the language of the seasons. Beak, Full of Tongue, her second poetry book, peers through a lens made of feathers and dirt and tides with a curious and reflective eye at the ease with which death threatens to step over the threshold, glistening and damp, full of story.

She runs a Patreon where she shares poetry postcards, handmade tiny books, and writing inspiration. Julie is currently developing her next project, Beyond the Gate – a poetry zine for those who love the idea of poetry, but need a comfortable path to expand their understanding and appreciation.

Find Julie Reeser online:

Etsy Book Shop
Patreon
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
WordPress
Amazon

Before you go… Want to keep up with Tui Snider?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out every Sunday. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next books come out
  • Learn offbeat trivia
  • See unique cemetery & travel photos
  • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”

Paranormal Texas – Free Necklace Deal!

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Here's an example of how the actual glass cabochon pendant necklaces look! (c) Tui Snider
Here’s an example of how the actual glass cabochon pendant necklaces look! (c) Tui Snider

Love Haunted Places? Want a Unique Necklace?

Yes, I make jewelry, too!
I make unique pendant necklaces featuring some of the beautiful images I have photographed in historic cemeteries all around the world.

Here’s the special free necklace deal:
If you preorder the ebook for $2.99, I’ll either send you a copy of the paperback when it comes out OR I’ll send you one of my handmade necklace of your choice. Let me know which one you would like. But hurry: I only have 25 books and 15 necklaces left to give out!

Here’s how to get your FREE necklace:
1. Simply pre-order Paranormal Texas for only $2.99 (This is less than half-price. The eBook will sell for at least $5.50 when it’s released.)
2. Here’s a direct link to the book: Paranormal Texas 
3. Email me your receipt at TuiSnider at gmail dot com.
4. Tell me which necklace design you want in your email. (I numbered them in the graphic below.) OR if you want the paperback instead of a necklace, let me know.
5. Include your snail mail address so I can send you a unique necklace created from my historic cemetery photos as a thank you!

Fine print: This is a limited time offer and applies to US residents only. (Can’t afford postage elsewhere.) Offer good while supplies last. Enjoy!

Historic Cemetery pendant necklaces (c) Tui Snider
Historic Cemetery pendant necklaces (c) Tui Snider

 

Thank you for your support!
Writing books and giving talks is my day job! I greatly appreciate your support and I hope you enjoy wearing your necklace.  ~Tui

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out every Sunday. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next books come out
  • Learn offbeat trivia
  • See unique cemetery & travel photos
  • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”