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Susan Berliner is the author of seven supernatural thrillers ("DUST," "Peachwood Lake," "The Disappearance," "Corsonia," "After the Bubbles," "Soldier Girl," "The Resolve"); three short story collections ("The Sea Crystal and Other Weird Tales," "George's Mother and Other Weird Stories," "Crash Effect and Other Weird Stories"); a memoir ("Doing the Write Thing"); and a children's picture book ("Windsoar, the Flying Car"). If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me.
Don't look now - March 2, 2026
A TikTok video I saw this week made me laugh out loud. The title caption read: "What Customers Think Will Happen if They Look at the Visiting Author." In the video, as a man enters a store, a woman author begs him to visit her table and buy a book. Although the man stops at her table, he avoids looking at the author and thumbs through a book while desperately trying to leave, which he does—without making a purchase.
I've encountered many situations where shoppers refused to make eye contact. In fact, in malls, people often walked right past my book table as if it (and I) were invisible. And although I've never stooped so low to beg, "Please, please buy my book!"—at times I've felt like doing just that.
The only thing not realistic in the BookTok video is that this author's table is in Barnes & Noble. Since people frequently enter bookstores to buy books, I don't think they'd avoid looking at a visiting author there. But you never know...
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Picture perfect - February 26, 2026
Unlike a text-only adult novel, a children's book needs more than a well-written story. It also needs great pictures. And unless indie authors are talented enough to create their own illustrations (and I'm not), they have to find capable artists.
Fortunately, I have a wonderful artist. Lana Zajicek—who illustrated my first children's book, Windsoar, the Flying Car—is beginning work on the sequel: Windsoar, the Flying Car2: The Island.
But even though Lana has a copy of the book's text, I have suggestions for each page illustration. I'm reviewing my notes, and when I'm clear about all the art (and my comments are clear too), I'll give those suggestions to her. She will send me preliminary drawings, I will critique, and we will go back and forth until each illustration is finished.
It's a fun journey—and I'm looking forward to the ride.
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Windsoar2 update - February 18, 2026
I'm writing another Windsoar book, called Windsoar, the Flying Car2: The Island. The new story's plot is similar to the first book: Two children, Emma and Liam, again fly with Captain Shaw in Windsoar and rescue an animal in distress.
I've already written the text and just have to tweak it. Then I need to determine the text and illustrations for each page.
This week, Lana, my artist, created new outfits for the children to wear. She also suggested new hairdos for Emma—but, except for clothes, I'd like the children to look the same as in the original book. (I think it makes it easier for kids listening to the story to recognize the characters.)
And I already have an idea for Windsoar3.
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Dreaded apostrophe (final time!) - February 12, 2026
I've blogged about misspelled headlines in February holiday ads for many years, but this is definitely my last apostrophe post. I'll explain why after a short history (and grammar) lesson:
When I was a child, we celebrated the birthdays of two presidents: George Washington's (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln's (February 12), with a school vacation day for each birthday. However, in 1971, to create 3-day weekends, the government established a new holiday on the third Monday of February to honor Washington and, in most states, Lincoln.
This redesigned February holiday is called "Presidents' Day," with the apostrophe signifying that we're celebrating more than one president (not President's Day, which would honor just one leader). It's also not "Presidents Day," because it's a "Day for Presidents," which requires the possessive apostrophe.
Until recent years, it was easy to find holiday sale misspellings: I would just check newspaper and magazine ads. But now there are hardly any print publication ads—not even local car dealerships, chronic apostrophe misusers.
Of course, there are still holiday sales ads, and many are misspelled, but they're almost all online. Checking TV and Internet ads, I discovered that most advertisers take the easy way out: They eliminate the apostrophe, like current promos for Toyota, People, Mattress Firm, and Dell, to name just a few.
I only found one example of the misplaced apostrophe: Google. Its AI Overview for the holiday begins: "President's Day in 2026 falls on Monday, February 16."
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Real flying car - February 6, 2026
Since I published Windsoar, the Flying Car last year, children (and adults) often ask me if flying cars are real—and the answer is "yes." Here's an update:
In March, 2025, Alef Aeronautics successfully tested a flying car on a California street, with Alef Model A Ultralight soaring over a parked car before gently landing further down the block. The flying car, which will cost about $300,000, is supposed to be available early this year.
Watch the video of the flying car here.
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Technology talk - January 31, 2026
It only took 4 months, but my Amazon advertising platform is working again. During the lengthy down time, I was only able to repeat existing ads and couldn't post new ones.
My technical problem (the little spinning circle that loads content wouldn't stop spinning) went from one "leadership team" to another. Each week I would question the repair progress and get return messages from Amazon's support staff. Priyanka, Suresh, Veda, Pradeep, Ashwin and many others apologized for the delay and insisted my problem was important to them. The case was transferred and upgraded until Raj's team finally got the spinner to stop.
It's not that I'm successful with these ads. However, it doesn't cost much and gives my books some exposure on Amazon. (I do much better with TikTok—and that's free advertising.)
It's hard to believe this issue would take so long to fix. Probably no one looked at my problem until a few days ago and I'm sure Amazon would have resolved the case much faster if I were a more successful advertiser. At least I can now create new ads--until the next technical issue.
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Surprise support - January 25, 2026
This week, someone I don't know who lives in the United Kingdom reviewed Windsoar, the Flying Car on TikTok. But Jessica did much more than just review my new children's picture book.
After reading the entire 30-page story and displaying all the illustrations, she gave the book a glowing review. Then Jessica told viewers to support indie authors and buy the book, showing the audience Amazon's Windsoar page. All in all, she made an 8-minute video that has received over 3,000 views and 100 likes.
When I thanked Jessica for her amazing efforts, she told me she had also posted an Amazon review. Here's part of it:
"I love the illustrations and [the book] comes across easy to understand, also I like the fact it shows we accept all races...so just be nice and polite to all. Also encourages the children to be compassionate and kind to animals. Highly recommend."
Finally, Jessica asked if there was anything else she could do for me. Since I'm not shy, I responded with the following question: "Do you also read YA and adult books?" When she said she did, I suggested she read and review some of my thrillers or short story books—and this wonderful lady said she would.
Why can't more readers be like Jessica?
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Poster predicament - January 19, 2026
Along with copies of my books, when attending events, I've had to schlep four posters: one for my 4 thrillers, another for my 3 collections of short stories, and two for my 3 post-apocalyptic books. And those posters don't even include my memoir or new children's book, Windsoar, the Flying Car.
Too many posters! I finally decided. How can I get all the book covers into one big poster? I gave Lana Zajicek, the artist who illustrated Windsoar, the task of finding a creative way to showcase all 12 books.
Lana came up with a brilliant idea: She positioned them in a bookcase. I love the result and look forward to carrying just one poster to future events. What do you think?
Review recap - January 13, 2026
As I've mentioned here many times, reviews for indie author books—especially 5-star reviews—are wonderful things. However, reviews of any kind are hard to get. As a result, when I get a glowing write-up, it's something to celebrate.
Here's the latest 5-star review for my new children's picture book, Windsoar, the Flying Car:
"A very cute story about a flying car! My son is 5 & loved it.
He knew right away that the deer needed saving and they did just that!"
The above review is just 3 sentences, but that's enough. If you enjoyed one of my books—or another indie author's book—please take a few minutes to write a short review. It really helps!
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Windsoar2 - January 7, 2026
Late last year, I finally published my children's picture book, Windsoar, the Flying Car. Although it's not a best-seller, the book has received positive reviews and sold well at holiday events. But most importantly, I really enjoyed writing and producing the children's book—and Lana Zajicek created lovely illustrations.
As a result, I'm writing another Windsoar adventure, which I hope to publish sometime in 2026. Captain Shaw will take Emma and Liam for a second ride in his flying car and the trio will again rescue another animal in trouble. Check this blog for future updates.
Writing resolutions - January 1, 2026
Each year at this time, I make writing resolutions that I hope to complete during the next 12 months. Last year, I did accomplish two of my goals: I published the post-apocalyptic thriller, The Resolve, and finally completed my children's picture book, Windsoar, the Flying Car.
Here are my resolutions for 2026:
* I resolve to publish Windsoar, the Flying Car 2 because I have a plot idea for another kids' adventure story. Since it won't take me long to write the text and the art and design will be similar to the first book, this resolution should be a gimme.
* I resolve to complete the audio version of The Resolve and maybe create audio books for some of my other thrillers. (I ran into some problems that need to be fixed, but I need to try again.)
* I resolve to improve my marketing skills. This is an ongoing issue, but hopefully, I can do a better job of promoting my books. Hey, I used to be a promotion manager. Unfortunately, however, my experience was mostly before the Internet and I'm not good with tech stuff—but I can learn.
Happy New Year!
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