We hope you enjoyed the April 2026 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Many thanks to Orlando Bartro, Sheila Kirk, and Tony Valerino for their contributions to the magazine.
We’re entering the fifth 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.
May in This Awful Awesome Life is mystery month. We will be paying tribute to the pioneers of this genre and their contemporaries.
This month we have three unique short stories that could be the beginnings of mystery novels. Hopefully, you’ll want to read future installments or be inspired to invent your own solutions. Special thanks to Sheila Kirk and Scarlet Carter for flexing their writing muscles with me and tackling the mystery genre with such originality.
In other exciting news, we have a poem by Deborah Seewald, and Sheila Kirk has graciously accepted my invitation to become a regular contributor to the magazine.
Author and history blogger Tony Valerino tackles the mystery of King Arthur and his court. Was Arthur real or an amalgamation of several knights? It’s one of history’s greatest mysteries.
Orlando Bartro reflects on the mysteries that can be found in novels outside of the mystery genre.
I reviewed a work of nonfiction and a mystery novel for this issue.
Good Writing by Neal Allen and Anne Lamott explores easily adaptable writing tips for amateurs and professionals who want to craft better sentences.
No Stone Left Unturned is the fourth novel in USA Today bestselling author Annette Dashofy’s new mystery series about Detective Matthias Honeywell which is set in Erie, Pennsylvania. Previously, we’ve featured Dashofy in the magazine and reviewed several novels in her Zoe Chambers Mysteries series. Her fifth Detective Honeywell mystery, Hell Has No Fury, can be preordered before its release date, August 6, 2026.
My May poem, “Forever Unfinished” is about the end of a love affair.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected Dashiell Hammett, an American writer of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories.
“What’s in a Word?” features famous quotes from mystery authors.
For May 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring amaranth. This month I made Overnight Amaranth Breakfast Porridge.
Our reading recommendations for kids, young adults, and adults feature an eclectic mix of fiction including several works by local authors I met at a recent book fair in the Pittsburgh area.
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.
Author Luke Murphy is working on a new novel in the Calvin Watters Mystery series, Dark Horse. It’s scheduled for a mid-to-late summer release. Watters heads to Port Hope, Mississippi to investigate the murder of his former teammate’s sister. In the heart of the Deep South secrets are protected and despite the pretense of southern hospitality, outsiders aren’t welcome. How far will the righteous people of Port Hope go to keep their sins hidden?
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 and 2026, we have 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