We hope you enjoyed the February 2026 issue of This Awful Awesome Life.
Many thanks to Orlando Bartro and Tony Valerino for their contributions to the magazine.
We’re entering the third month of 2026. How are you feeling about the future? With the cost of almost everything continuing to go up; remember, we are a free publication.
Congratulations to all our returning Olympians! Whether you are returning with a gold, silver or bronze medal or no medal, we are proud of you for representing our country.
March is Women’s History Month, and we’re featuring some exceptional women in this month’s issue. We have an article about the Women’s Suffrage Procession and a quiz about famous suffragists.
March is also the month to wear green and be Irish, even if It’s only for a day. “What’s in a Word?” has a list of Irish words complete with their meanings and pronunciations.
This month’s story prompt is “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” E.B. White. Some members of the Tuesday night Iron Writing Circle have contributed stories based on this prompt. It seems only fitting they are all women.
Author and history blogger Tony Valerino has become a regular contributor to This Awful Awesome Life. Be sure to check out his article, March 1770 — Boston: “Facts Are Stubborn Things.”
Don’t miss Orlando Bartro’s article, “Original Results From Original Procedures: The Writing of La Jalousie.”
I reviewed Celeste Rowan, Find the Light by Berkley June Hutson. Hutson is a fourteen-year-old middle school student. She wrote and self-published an exciting fantasy with a strong female protagonist. I was so impressed that I asked her to be our March Q&A. Spoiler alert – her responses are some of the best answers we’ve ever received.
My March poem, “Another Spring” is a surprising take on spring and renewal.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected the American novelist, literary critic, and scholar, Ralph Ellison.
“Dare to Believe” features two individuals with courage and determination, Mary Ann Shadd Cary and Thaddeus Stevens.
For March 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring the oat. Oats are versatile and great for stretching your food budget. We found a recipe for Oatmeal Apple Carrot Cake with no added sugar we think you’ll like.
Our reading recommendations for kids, young adults, and adults feature an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction.
We’re constantly updating our Author Page to include the latest published works of your new favorite authors, and we’re adding authors. Being able to give authors a free place to display their work is a dream come true for me, so please check every month to see who’s new and what’s new. Because of changes made by Squarespace upcoming Author Pages may be slightly different.
Don’t miss our new Artist Page where we will be celebrating creatives and providing their contact information. We will be updating and adding to the list during this month and the following months, so keep checking our new page.
Everything in Between is now available as an audiobook and in hardcover or paperback. The narrator, Louise Porter, does a wonderful job bringing Sabrina and her story to life. I can’t wait for you to have a listen. You can purchase the audiobook for Everything in Between on Amazon, iTunes, or Audible. https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Everything-in-Between/dp/B0DDR8GRWS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TV0J0HCWYT7T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tdRKc5MxwdOobXZOLckDvQ.0BXe9QYH3JnZOn9j0LC6Yy6gCG9UI3lIcRu4KlRnIPs&dib_tag=se&keywords=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook&qid=1725234363&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-
I’m incredibly proud of this novel. If you enjoy my writing, you should check it out. Independent authors can’t afford splashy book launches and expensive PR campaigns to make the public aware of their work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Adults can and should be able to disagree without threats, name calling, spreading misinformation, or lying. Can the leaders you support do this?
Now more than ever, I encourage you to watch C-SPAN and get to know the members of Congress, the members of the president’s cabinet, and the leading experts who testify at Congressional hearings. Listen to what they are saying and what they refuse to say aloud. Do they care about the Constitution and the people of this country?
In 2025, we struggled with maintaining the checks and balances between the three branches of our federal government. The fight continues as we head to the midterm elections. Which political leaders disregard/ignore the powers of Congress and the authority of the federal courts? Who can we elect who will protect and support the Constitution of the United States? Do your homework before the midterms. Our future depends on choosing the best leaders at all levels of government.
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Happy Reading,
Fran