<a href="https://annemontgomerywriter.com/" title="Author Anne Montgomery " rel="home">Author Anne Montgomery

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author

Is collecting things normal?

March 23, 2026March 24, 20264 Comments

***Rock collecting in the Carlotta Copper Mine in Arizona: Yes, it was searingly hot, but avid collectors are not easily deterred.***

Did you ever wonder why humans are so big on collecting things? Like refrigerator magnets, stamps, sports trading cards, coins, Barbie dolls, and salt and pepper shakers? Some of you will now pipe up and say, “Well, gosh, Anne, someday my collection of tiny teacups might be really valuable.” And while that may be, most of what we collect will just provide consternation for those who must clean up after we’re gone.

For me the issue is rocks. Upon entering my living room you’ll see a huge case holding about 400 mineral specimens. Myriad others are scattered in every room of my home. Which has me wondering, again, why some of us are compelled to stockpile things.

I do understand that humans are prewired to collect. Back in our hunter-gatherer days, those who could find nuts and berries and other eatable plants were the stars of our traveling villages, and their skills no doubt led to our survival as a species. But it is those objects that serve no real purpose that had me popping on my thinking cap.

According to the Psychology Today article Collecting: An Urge That’s Hard to Resist, “Around 33 to 40 percent of the American population collects one thing or another. Yet little is known about the mysterious factors that motivate these often-passionate individuals to collect.”

It’s possible that the hunt itself is a contributing factor for collectors. There is a certain exhilaration in scanning that antique shop, honing in on the perfect teapot, and adding it to the fifty you already have at home.

***There’s always room for one more rock.***

There is also a social aspect to collecting. Often, we seek out others who share our particular passion, as I did recently on a hot Saturday in Arizona. Despite record-breaking temperatures, my fellow rock collectors and I descended into a working copper mine where we hammered away at massive pieces of stone. It was sweaty, dirty work and still there were smiles all around.

“Perhaps their love of objects came first; then, somewhere along the line, they realize there are people like themselves. They may find them independently or join organizations for like-minded people. Friendships forged through these vehicles no doubt expand social lives.”

Then there’s the idea that our desire to collect might be all about a long-lost sensation, something called “anticipation.” (You younger folks can google it.). “(T)he collector’s craving allows her to imagine anything she wants about the desired returns the object will bring. We know that it is in this phase that the pleasure center burns most brightly. Once the prize is obtained, the pleasure center quiets. In other words, the anticipation of the reward is more exciting to our pleasure center than possessing it.”

Perhaps it all comes down to wanting to surround ourselves with beauty, which, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. In any case, collecting things is a normal human pursuit, despite what my mother used to say when my rocks began taking over my bedroom.

I’ll let my AI friend have the last word. “(Collecting) is a universal behavior driven by the desire to create order, nostalgia, or passion, often providing mental health benefits like joy and social connection.”

Exactly!

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

The Dennis Sullivan: A floating classroom teaching life skills

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026Leave a comment

***The Dennis Sullivan, a replica of a 19th century schooner, plies the seas teaching children teamwork, communication skills, trust, and self-worth***

From my porch overlooking Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix, I spotted a craft seemingly out of the past. In the distance, a three-masted schooner skimmed over the turquoise blue of the Caribbean. The next day, the ship appeared again, and I wondered what had brought her to the waters off my island.

Not too long after that, I stepped aboard the Dennis Sullivan, a replica of a 19^th-century schooner that was lovingly crafted by volunteers in Wisconsin, a testament to the ships that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes and today is owned by the World Ocean School.

As a former teacher, the idea that I was sailing on a floating classroom was intriguing. And that’s when I met Autumn Crow who is now a member of the Dennis Sullivan crew. Crow, the daughter of teachers, taught high school science before trading in the Mountain West for the ocean-going deck of the Dennis Sullivan, which she believes is the perfect place for young people to acquire real-world experience.

“Students are immersed in a unique learning environment from the moment they step on board,” she said. “They are not just passengers, nor are they superfluous to our operations. We give them real responsibility, and they have a clear spot in our community throughout the time they are on board.”

Stints on the Dennis Sullivan vary from one to five days for students in the 5^th grade and up to eight-day summer programs for 8^th through 12^th graders. Students can explore seamanship, maritime history, and engineering, and can acquire important life skills.

Teacher Autumn Crow helps with the sails on the Dennis Sullivan. At other times, she puts on her science teacher hat and educates students about seamanship, maritime history, engineering, and important life skills

“The mission of World Ocean School is to provide an immersive and hands-on learning experience to a diverse group of students, one that leads to personal growth for students, and growth and empowerment that they can take with them back to their own communities,” Crow said. “Our mission extends beyond the educational curriculum we provide and centers on building and developing the life skills that are our core values: teamwork, communication, trust, and self-worth.”

Crow knows personally the value of learning at sea. “I sailed on Roseway, a boat owned by World Ocean School, when I was a student my junior year of high school. From that point on, working as a deckhand at World Ocean School was my dream job. I was enamored by the lifestyle and the work; living aboard a boat for a year, getting to travel by sail, doing physical work, and most of all, educating students in a unique environment.”

A mix of people—young and old—cruised on the Dennis Sullivan the day I was aboard. We novices were invited to help raise the sails and it was hard not to picture old-time sailors or even the pirates who once traveled the waters of the Caribbean as we cruised off the St. Croix coast. The lifestyle of those ancients seagoers was no doubt physically daunting, one that required teamwork and resilience, skills that young modern sailors can acquire by just stepping on board.

“The Denis Sullivan is a classroom that allows students to learn in a different environment; students who struggle in the classroom can often find a place to shine on our vessel.”

As the sails were lowered, we cruised back into the harbor, the sun setting amoung the clouds. And I couldn’t help but think of some of my former students, who, given the opportunity, might have enjoyed the life-changing experience of going to sea on the Dennis Sullivan.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

Sharks are not the monsters we’ve painted them to be

March 9, 2026March 9, 20262 Comments

**Despite a recent deadly attack, humans are not part of a shark’s preferred menu.**

Earlier this year, a woman was snorkeling off a lovely white-sand beach near the Frederiksted Pier on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was bitten by a shark and, despite the heroic efforts of bystanders, she died from blood loss.

On the extremely rare occasion a human is attacked by a shark, blood loss is generally the cause of death, because we are not commonly included in a shark’s diet, so these unusual events are almost always a simple case of mistaken identity. We humans flail about in the water when swimming or surfing and appear to be dying creatures, which might attract a shark looking for an easy meal. They are opportunistic animals, and the lure of food that won’t put up much of a fight can be tempting, especially to a naïve juvenile shark.

I have been a scuba diver for over 20 years and the Frederiksted Pier is one of my all-time favorite dives. The area is filled with mellow sea turtles, jewel-colored fishes, elegant spotted eagle rays, chameleon-like peacock flounders, and, occasionally, seahorses and magical octopuses.

And, yes, sometimes sharks appear. Those who have never put on scuba gear might be surprised to know that the sighting of sharks underwater is considered a gift. They are beautiful creatures, not the mindless monsters humans have painted them to be. These animals mostly avoid us, though sometimes they approach, often just curious. But divers, with all their bubbles, appear large to sharks and they simply don’t see us as prey, so these interactions almost never result in harm. I say almost because there are some inexperienced divers who feel the need to chase or touch sharks, and there is little sympathy if they get bitten.

Here’s something to consider if you are currently fearful about entering the water. There are about six unprovoked shark attack deaths worldwide annually. Six. You have a much higher risk of dying while driving to the beach or being struck by lightning. Note that humans kill about 100 million sharks every year, so who are the real monsters in this relationship?

Not too long after the attack, I put on my scuba gear. I can’t say I didn’t scan the turquoise Caribbean surface by the pier and wonder about the shark that caused a woman’s death. Still, I dropped in, confident that if I behaved like the guest I am in their world I would be fine.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

When did public swearing become all the rage?

March 2, 20262 Comments

Perhaps you’ve noticed that recently there’s been a lot of vulgarity in places where it didn’t used to exist. At least not publicly. Politicians, especially, have been using language that would have had their mothers reaching for the soap and a paddle.

For example, vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, in September 2024, called a podcast host a “dips—t”. Former Vice President Kamala Harris in September 2024, said “these mother———- are crazy” when speaking about the opposition. Trump Aide Steven Cheung told a reporter on social media to “shut the f—- up” after a report on troop deployment. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told Representative Matt Gaetz on X to “get your sh– together and do your job, bud”.

And, of course, there’s the Blasphemer in Chief, President Donald Trump, who according to my AI friend, “frequently uses profanity at rallies and in interviews. Recent examples include calling Kamala Harris a “s— vice president” at a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In June 2025, on live television, he used an “f-bomb” regarding the Iran-Israel conflict, stating, “They don’t know what the f*** they’re doing”. He also referred to alleged drug smugglers as “sons of b——-s” during a cabinet meeting.”

Whew!

Before I go on, I must confess that I myself often swear, those years in newsrooms and on sports fields no doubt contributing to my frequent use of expletives. Note that when I switched careers and wound up teaching teenagers in high school, it was almost painful to not be able to express myself in my favorite colorful terms. But I knew such language was simply inappropriate when my young charges were around.

Most of us grew up understanding that profanity had a time and place. Joining in a toast to one’s buddies in a bar? No problem. Sitting in a church pew, not so much. Slamming your finger in the door? Certainly fine. Having dinner with grandma? Nope. But today we seemed to have lost those swearing guardrails. In my TV days, an errant on-air swear would have had a news director apoplectic. Now, network anchors often repeat offensive verbiage previously spouted by others.

So what gives? I will rely again on AI: “The rise in public profanity among politicians is a calculated, multi-faceted trend driven by a desire for authenticity, the need to match a coarser cultural landscape, and the influence of social media, where emotional, high-engagement content is rewarded.”

Then there’s the strange idea that blunt language is seen as a sign of honesty, with politicians believing those snappy swear words make them seem less like the well-off, upper class folks they often are and more like you and me. However, such tirades might also make those potty-mouth politicians seem unhinged at times. So, perhaps judicial use of profanity should be considered.

Today, confrontational language is all the rage, and the general public is far less offended by rude remarks that not too long ago would have had those within earshot clucthing their pearls. Still, call me old-fashioned because I believe we should read the room before letting those colorful words fly.

And all of this reminds me of my book editors who, upon finding a four-letter word in a manuscript, would gently explain that if I just improved my vocabulary I might find more creative verbiage to express myself. So perhaps all those politicians need is a good thesaurus.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

The pain-killing magic of beauty

February 23, 2026February 24, 20262 Comments

A strange thing happened the other day which had me heading to the Internet for an explanation. I’ll tell you about the miraculous answer I found, but first I must backtrack a bit.

My mother always told me my fondness for chocolate would come back to haunt me someday. And boy am I glad she’s no longer with us, because she would certainly gloat and give me that that “I told you so!” look if she knew I underwent two root canal procedures within a matter of weeks. The hours I spent in the dentist’s chair were worsened by the fact that I carry a bunch of metal in my neck, primarily the result of all those years I participated in sports. (Remember when they told us sports were good for us? They lied!)

A short time after the second root canal, my surgically repaired neck took offense. A spasm ignited, slamming into my left jaw, and no amount of Tylenol, gummies, or sweet dark rum would touch the pain. Not even my trusty heating pad provided any relief. So, I rushed off to my favorite masseur. Wayne McCallum poked and prodded and a short time later, all that pain stopped. I’m still thinking about nominating him for the sainthood, because there’s nothing better than feeling good again.

***Sometimes the metal that holds my neck in place can be painful. It turns out that beauty can make it feel better.***

However, the next morning, I felt the pain creeping back, which made me cranky and had me wishing Wayne lived next store.

Then, I glanced out my back door. I live atop a cliffside overlooking Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where the Caribbean Sea provides an everchanging variety of magnificent views. The scene that faced me was not what you might imagine on a postcard. There was no turquoise water with foamy white waves and palm trees waving in the breeze. Instead, the green mountains in the distance were shrouded in a scrim-like silvery mist. The sea was almost silent, gentle waves barely kissing the rocky shore below. Above, masses of clouds— some white, others in various shades of gray—radiated a pearly opalescent, with slips of blue sky occasionally peeking through.

I sat, entranced. Then a soft rain came, quiet accept for the gentle tapping of drops on the sphere-shaped leaves of the sea grape tree that grows by the porch. Time slipped away.

Sometime later, I realized the pain was gone. Completely. But how could that have happened? Well, it turns out that watching something beautiful, especially landscapes, has an analgesic affect. Here’s what my AI friend said: “…looking at beautiful things—particularly natural landscapes, art, or loved ones—can reduce the sensation of pain. Research suggests this is not just a psychological distraction, but a biological process where viewing beauty triggers neural and physiological changes that lower pain signals in the brain.”

How cool is that? Basically it comes down to the fact that when we see something awe-inspiring our pre-frontal cortex is activated. Beauty provides pleasure which can lower our discomfort when we’re in pain.

I will now add this medical marvel to my pain-killing tool belt. Maybe you will too. However, I still plan to hold on to Wayne’s number, because a massage from him is pretty magical too.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

Just a little to the right: The quest for balance

February 16, 20264 Comments

***Most of the pictures on this wall are level, still I feel compelled to reach out and straighten a few of them. Maybe some of you do too.***

We all have our quirks, which is described as possessing “peculiar or unexpected traits.” For example, eating odd food combinations like peanut butter and pickles, grilled cheese and jam, or the strangely popular ham and pineapple pizza. Talking to oneself is considered odd, as is collecting specific things. Needing to have all the cupboards closed is also in the unusual category, as is randomly singing whenever one feels the urge.

I’ll admit, I’m quirky in several ways. In fact, I’ve been accused of everything listed above, but the one I struggle with the most is walls. Not the actual walls, but the way people hang things on them. I am compelled to correct those weirdly leaning pieces of art, which can look a bit suspicious to people who are kind enough to invite me into their homes.

Now this might not seem like a big deal, but I’ve learned that I need to be stealthy when I rearrange wall décor, because when I am caught in the act, people sometimes furrow their brows, clearly wondering what I’m up to.

And now, I’ll bet half of you are saying, “Geez, Anne! Why don’t you just leave the walls alone?”

This is what my AI friend says: “You need to straighten pictures on the wall because the human brain prefers visual balance, symmetry, and straight lines, finding crooked images subconsciously jarring, unbalanced. or ‘wrong,’ disrupting perception and creating subtle discomfort…”

Then there is the human quest for perfection. Apparently, over 90% of us struggle with some degree of perfectionism, and those dang uneven wall hangings are an easy target, providing us with a mild jolt of satisfaction when we place them just so. While it’s true this need for symmetry sometimes afflicts those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, for the vast majority of us there is no mental health disorder involved. It’s just our quest for visual harmony at play and the human desire for order that propels one’s arm forward to gently nudged that picture to the right. And once suitably placed we can linger on the art itself and the way it melds with a room’s design.

While I used to worry about this urge, informal studies have shown that 50% of us, when faced with a crooked frame, will reach out and make the appropriate adjustment. And I find that comforting, don’t you?

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

Long-form storytelling may be on the way out

February 9, 20266 Comments

***Young people are turning away from books and movies at an alarming rate.***

As a former film reviewer for a small newspaper—one of the best gigs ever—a recent post caught my eye. It seems that many young film students are having trouble…sitting through a movie. Professors reported that when students were asked to watch a film with their phones turned off roughly 50% were unlikely to comply. And when assigned to view a movie on their own less than 50% started watching the film and only about 20% completed the task.

The reasons are what you might expect. Young people focusing on the fast pace of Tik-Tok, Instagram Reels, and non-stop action in video games have apparently lost the ability to pay attention to long-format entertainment.

As a lover of film, I’m saddened. As an author of novels, I see where my vocation is headed. If young people can’t bring themselves to watch a 90-minute film, what are the chances of them reading an average-length novel which runs about 325 pages?

A quick search revealed my concerns were not unfounded. Studies show that many young people skim reading material, hurriedly moving through the verbiage as if the words themselves are somehow toxic. They find no joy in immersing themselves in lush or terrifying settings, different time periods, or the process of discovery: Where is the plot going? What is the protagonist’s motive? How will the characters survive?

Readers who have found themselves unable to put down a book, absorbed in the pages of a novel, eager to get to the climax of the plot, know the joy of a good story. Now, I’m wondering if this simple delight might be one we’ll have to explain to the generations to come, young people who will squint at us without understanding.

A 2024 study showed that just 14% of 13-year-olds read for pleasure every day. That’s down 10% from a decade ago. And in 2022, just 11% of high school seniors read at least six books for fun the previous year. So, it’s easy to see that if these trends continue those of us who ply our trade spinning stories are in for a difficult time.

I suppose it’s good news that young people are still reading, though their tastes have turned to graphic novels and native-digital content, which is defined as “material created specifically for digital platforms and consumed by audiences who have grown up in the age of technology. It is designed to be interactive, shareable, and often blends seamlessly with organic social media or web content. Such content is typically consumed rapidly, prioritizing visuals over text.”

So the problem remains. Long-form story telling is losing its appeal, whether it’s film or the written word. To my fellow authors, here’s hoping at some point the pendulum swings back and we might someday find young people happily nestled in the corner of a couch entranced by a story once more.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

Should authors use their religious and political beliefs in marketing?

February 2, 2026Leave a comment

Small business owners often face challenges regarding what is and isn’t effective for boosting sales. I say small company owners because, even though large corporations face similar issues, I want to discuss authors in particular, since in essence we all manage our own small businesses.

The question is, when marketing books is it okay for authors to present personal political or religious beliefs to the public? Of course, the United States the Constitution guarantees us free speech, so there is nothing legally wrong with espousing one’s beliefs. However, if this is the route you want to take, you need to consider a few things.

Currently, 66% of business owners believe they should avoid political comments in advertising, while 36% feel those types of remarks might actually boost sales. A 2024 Gallup-Bentley Poll showed that just four in ten U.S. adults believe companies should take sides on political issues, a 10% decline from just two years ago, a clear indication consumers, perhaps facing an abundance of political commentary elsewhere, are losing interest in seeing those ideas expressed in promotional content.

As for religious expression, authors need to consider the benefits of sharing their personal beliefs against the big risk of alienating potential customers. If the idea of publicly stating your faith appeals, know that this might narrow your customer base, and not because those who believe differently have anything against your religion. It’s just that when one espouses specific religious principals in promotional content, it tends to make others feel excluded, a situation that is mirrored when one openly picks one political party over another.

Note that authors who’ve written books based on religious or political themes can and do successfully share their convictions in public forums, and I’m guessing their sales benefit. But for those whose books fall into the secular range, serious consideration is required when deciding whether to use one’s beliefs as marketing tools.

The bottom line then is to chose your words carefully when creating promotional ads, because what you say will have a direct impact on your sales, and your ability to convince reviewers, media outlets, and readers to give your book a chance.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Next Chapter Publishing

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON

Praise for The Castle

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

Apparently, you can now be an author “without typing a single word”

January 19, 20266 Comments

***These are my books, my words, that’s why I get to call myself an author.***

Most authors will tell you that we get offers every day from people who say they want to help us promote our brand or get published. I’m pretty used to these emails and just delete them, but I got one recently that made me pause. Here’s the first line: “What if you could become a published author without typing a single word?”

The sender explained that I could just “relax and chat” and through “transcription magic” a manuscript would be born. Then the “team” would proofread and edit the work, provide a “beautiful cover” and post the book on “Amazon and other major book retailers in as little as 2-3 weeks.” I’m going to guess here that this is simply a scam, meant to separate unsuspecting people from their money, but let’s assume it’s legitimate.

The whole idea was addressed to “’wannabe’ authors who have the knowledge but not the time, (to make) this is a dream come true.” Just for clarification, I checked the definition of wannabe, which is a person who tries to be like someone else or to fit in with a particular group of people. Note that the word generally carries a negative connotation, so perhaps those behind the email could do a better job of chosing their words, which, ironically, would pretty much be the definition of writing.

That said, I’m afraid that solicitations like this might actually appeal to certain people, which makes me want to scream. Still, I sense that some will fall for it and then go out and proudly claim to be authors, which is offensive to those of us who have immersed ourselves in the difficult world of publishing.

I have been writing books and painstakingly worked to get them out in the world for over 30 years, and it has been a long, difficult journey. Let’s just say that despite having written six traditionally published novels—which means a publisher has paid the bills—I must still depend on a pension and Social Security to keep a roof over my head, because since the advent of Amazon, making a living as an author has become increasingly difficult. The message? Please don’t quit your day job.

Be assured that if you let a company like the one above produce your book or you feed your information into AI, that “brilliant” memoir about your family will, in all likelihood, not sell more than 100 copies. And since you would most likely have to pay to publish your book, you will lose money in the long run.

Note that there are exceptions to not writing a book yourself, like those in the non-fiction world who can and do use ghost writers. I have no problem with that. But in the world of fiction and narrative nonfiction—think memoirs—I believe it’s the author’s duty to do their own writing if they want to proudly wear that author cap.

What offends me most is the idea that one might become an author “without typing a single word”, because there’s no point in being an author if you don’t enjoy the process. While you might disagree, the definition of author is quite clear: a writer of a book, article, or report. So if you’re not a writer you’re not an author. And I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from calling yourself one if you can’t do the work.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

AMAZON