Writing
Although the excitement of the Winner’s Curse launch continues, this newsletter marks a return to our regular twice/year schedule.
Winner’s Curse: A Lynn Dayton Thriller: For more on Winner’s Curse launch and prior/future signings, please see the three-page sales sheet (the second half of this newsletter). In summary, if you are in San Antonio on October 14 (the Twig Book Shop), Houston on October 26 (Barnes & Noble Sugarland), or Richardson/Dallas on November 9 (Barnes & Noble Richardson-UTD) I hope you’ll stop by for your signed copy of Winner’s Curse.
I invite you to review the media and events pages on the LAStarks Books website not only for more details on the signings, but also to listen to past and future interviews and podcasts. Future interviews and podcasts are scheduled Saturday, October 12 (The Mysterious Goings-On Podcast), Monday, October 14 (Great Day San Antonio, KENS5 (CBS) from 9-10 AM), and Thursday, December 12 (Storybeat).
13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy-Lynn Dayton Thriller #1: I was happy when Amazon invited me to create a beta-test Virtual Voice Audible version of 13 Days. I plan to do the same for each of the other three books. What did I learn? AI voices are amazing, particularly on the inflections and pauses, the rhythm. And, editing an audiobook requires devising and inserting the right pronunciations. This is a time-consuming process in English, let alone in French or Cherokee. Finally, rather than word count, the metric is “listening length”—here, 10 hours and 11 minutes.
Reading
Since the spring 2024 newsletter, I have read fifteen books, one of which was nonfiction. Because each book is a large time commitment, particularly during the book launch, I pick carefully. This round, all were winners.
For international settings, I turned to:
*The Devil’s Ransom, by Brad Taylor, (Croatia);
*The Stars Turned Inside Out by Nova Jacobs, (Geneva, Switzerland);
*One Perfect Couple, by Ruth Ware, (a fictional Pacific island);
*Red Dirt Road, by S.R. White, (Australia);
*Shiver, by Allie Reynolds, (Chamonix, France-like ski lodge);
*The Elias Network, by Simon Gervais, (Zermatt, Switzerland);
*Kala, by Colin Walsh, (Ireland); and
*a very prescient book called The Moscow Club, by Joseph Finder, that is set—of course—in Russia (and the US).
Other books I read and liked with more local settings were Janeology by Karen Harrington (Texas), Notorious in North Texas (short stories by Sisters in Crime North Dallas authors, so obviously set in North Texas), Trust No One by Debra Webb (Alabama), Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (Texas), On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Glass (Oregon coast), and Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead (Louisiana and Texas).
As always, you can find my book reviews on Goodreads.
Energy
Oil prices are temporarily up on Mideast war risk but are expected to drop substantially in 2025 due to reduced demand. In the US, regulation of energy supply and demand, particularly for hydrocarbons, will be significantly affected by the presidential election. A Harris win is expected to both continue tightening supply and limiting demand while a Trump win is expected to increase both supply and demand, particularly gas demand for LNG export.
The huge and fast-growing demand for electricity for artificial intelligence data centers has revived interest in 24/7 no-emissions nuclear power (AI searches use 10x the electricity of a “regular” search). Indeed, the pitch now is to restart extant nuclear sites that were shut as uneconomic.
Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico have affected both supply of and demand for US natural gas in the South and Southeast. Flooding from Hurricane Helene resulted in particularly severe damage to water, electricity, housing, and communications in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Most unfortunately, over two hundred people lost their lives, and the count is expected to increase because many are still missing.
I have streamlined my energy investment analysis schedule. Starting in October 2024 I now write four paid articles a month and only for the public Seeking Alpha platform. This is down from the previous total of nine paid articles a month for the public Seeking Alpha site and the Seeking Alpha subscriber platform Econ-Based Energy Investing. link: Laura Starks’s Articles | Seeking Alpha.
Please stop by an upcoming Winner’s Curse signing if you’re able or order online if you don’t yet have a copy. Until next time,
L. A. Starks
Fiction (books) by L. A. Starks– in reverse order:
WINNER’S CURSE: A Lynn Dayton Thriller
Publisher: Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC. Print ISBN 9780991110759, August 2024, $22.95. E-book ASIN B0DBFKG71J, August 2024, $9.98.
THE SECOND LAW: Lynn Dayton Thriller #3
Publisher: Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC. Print ISBN 9780991110742, October 2018, $18.95. E-book ASIN B07JLDGTVL, October 2018, $8.12.
STRIKE PRICE: Lynn Dayton Thriller #2
Publisher: Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC. 3rd revised edition Print ISBN 9780991110704, March 2014, $18.95. E-book ASIN B01K5Y406A, August 2016, $8.99.
13 DAYS: THE PYTHAGORAS CONSPIRACY-Lynn Dayton Thriller #1
Publisher: Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC. 2nd edition Print ISBN 978-0991110711, August 2016, $18.95. E-book ASIN B015LI65GI, September 2015, $7.99. Audiobook with Virtual Voice narration, ASIN B0CTXNVNY2, February 2024, $1.99.
Short stories by L. A. Starks, in reverse chronological order
- “Risk Reduction,” in RECKLESS IN TEXAS, Metroplex Mysteries Volume II, March 2023. Print ISBN 979-8385749362, $11.99. E-book ASIN: B0BW2KJPJW $4.99.
- “Incurable” bubbled up as I developed one of the antagonists in THE SECOND LAW. 2020. ASIN: B08L9RY4T5, $0.99. (Amazon Kindle)
- “Josh Rosen & Bubbe” gives insight into series character Josh Rosen and his relationship with his grandmother when she falls ill. 2014. ASIN: B00O854YKA, $0.99. (Amazon Kindle)
- “Gumbo Filé” in DREAMSPELL NIGHTMARES, 2010. (out of print)
- “A Time for Eating Wild Onions” introduces two key characters in the second Lynn Dayton book, STRIKE PRICE. The tragedy that befalls them profoundly shapes the next generation. 2007. ASIN: B003NE6DGA, $0.99. (Amazon Kindle)
- “Robert and Thérèse Guillard: Choices” is a story about 13 DAYS’ Parisian antagonist and how it feels to fly in a wing suit. 2007. ASIN: B003NE6D74, $0.99. (Amazon Kindle)
Flash Fiction by L. A. Starks
“Why Are You Running?” in A YEAR OF SHORTS and DOG DAYS OF SUMMER anthologies.
*A YEAR OF SHORTS: FLASH FICTION, Print ISBN: 979-8519555579, June 2021, $5.99. E-book ASIN: B096Y7WBH6, June 2021, $1.99.
*DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: FLASH FICTION, May 2021, E-book ASIN: B095J998Q9, $0.99.
Thank you for your support of earlier editions. The covers have changed but the books and short stories are the same. Electronic and print editions published by L&L Dreamspell, Brown Books, and StoneThread Publishing are out of print.
MORE SPECIFICS on WINNER’s CURSE
WINNER’S CURSE: A LYNN DAYTON THRILLER
By L. A. Starks
Summary: Winner’s Curse is a suspense thriller filled with energy intrigue ripped from today’s headlines.
Settings Include
Midland, Texas and West Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Louisiana Gulf Coast; Washington DC; international locations: Spain, UK, Israel, Hungary, Egypt, Russia, Netherlands, Middle East
Perfect for: thriller, mystery, and suspense readers; science fiction readers
Quotes from Reviewers:
Publishers Weekly: “Takeaway – Gripping sprint through the make-or-break oil and gas industry. Dayton’s undertakings are as risky as they are critical, but Starks offsets the danger with hefty character-driven scenes that will resonate with readers . . . Fast-paced and dramatic, Starks’s novel offers a slew of fascinating characters . . . effectively weaving in her own experience in the global energy sector to build a sharp plot that’s bolstered by obvious insider knowledge.”
Independent Book Review: “A pulse-pounding technothriller centered in the oil fields of Texas—but with global implications . . . Starks deftly pulls from her insider expertise of the oil and gas sector as an energy investor to inject real life into this thriller . . . The industry in-fighting and power plays against each other are tense and dramatic.”
For Media, Reviews, Podcasts
Kristin Clifford, Partner at Finn Partners and Director of MEDIA CONNECT, kristin@finnpartners.com
For Signings, In-Person Events
Diane Feffer, Diane@DianeMarketing.com, 972-670-7078
Publication date: August 20, 2024
Print ISBN: 978-0-9911107-5-9
Publisher: Nemaha Ridge Publishing Group, LLC
Distribution: Lightning Source/Ingram
Terms: Standard wholesale discount, returnable
Size: 5.5 x 0.69 x 8.5 inches
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 308
Suggested Retail Price: $US 22.95
Author Website: Lastarksbooks.com
QR Code for author website:
Media and Marketing Plans To Date
July 29: Oil and Gas Global Network podcast with Mark LaCour
August 20: Official publication date of Winner’s Curse: A Lynn Dayton Thriller
August 20: Good Morning Texas, WFAA, ABC 8, 9-10 AM live television interview; and The Fictional Café blog
August 22: Feature article in The Big Thrill, official publication of International ThrillerWriters
August 22: Launch, discussion, signing at Interabang, premiere Dallas independent bookstore, 6 PM CDT
August 26: True Crime, Authors, & Extraordinary People podcast with host David McClam at 2 PM CDT
August 26: Jenny Milchman Newsletter, Spotlight feature
August 27: First chapter of WINNER’S CURSE in The Crime Café Newsletter by Debbi Mack
August 28: Living Oklahoma-Tulsa, KTUL ABC 8 television interview, 9-10 AM CDT
August 29: Discussion and signing at Barnes & Noble, Southroads, 41st St., Tulsa, OK, 6 PM
Fall 2024: IBPA—catalog
September 1: WINNER’S CURSE tops fiction bestsellers list for regional Oklahoma bookstores
September 28: Discussion and signing at Barnes & Noble, 2617 West Loop 250 N, Midland, TX, 2 PM CDT
October 12: Mysterious Goings-On Podcast with J. Alexander Greenwood, 8:30 AM
October 14: Great Day San Antonio, KENS5 (CBS), Monthly Book Club, 9-10 AM
October 14: Discussion and signing at The Twig, premiere San Antonio, Texas independent bookstore, 5:30 PM CDT
October 26: Signing at Barnes & Noble Sugarland, First Colony Mall, Houston, 2 PM
November 9: Signing at Barnes & Noble Richardson UTD, 2 PM
December 12: Storybeat Podcast with Steve Cuden, 6:30 PM CT
June 20-21, 2025: ThrillerFest, New York City
Endorsements
“Winner’s Curse, a smart oil and gas thriller with remarkable breadth, depth, and international intrigue, proves yet again that L.A. Starks is a master storyteller! Her characters are so true you feel like you know them. You can’t help wondering how Lynn Dayton is going to deal with everything that is thrown at her, and the suspense keeps you guessing to the very end!” –William J. Carl, Author of Assassin’s Manuscript
“Taut, suspenseful, and full of Texas flare, Stark’s latest mystery will have you rooting for Lynn Dayton as she risks her life to uncover deadly secrets before it’s too late. Winner’s Curse is a winner!” –Karen Harrington, Winner of the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
Reader’s Choice Award
“Compelling characters, non-stop action, a shockingly current plot, and Starks’ experience as an insider make Winner’s Curse the next thriller you must read.”—Jim Kipp, investment expert
Author Bio
A. Starks is an energy investor and author of the award-winning Lynn Dayton thrillers. Starks was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up in Oklahoma, went to school in New Orleans and Chicago, and now lives in Texas. She has run twenty-one half-marathons. Her favorite recent international destinations are the Swiss and French Alps, Spain, and Japan.
The Lynn Dayton Thrillers
**Although each book features Lynn Dayton as the protagonist, each can be read as a stand-alone. They need not be read in order.
13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy, Lynn Dayton Thriller #1, ISBN 9780991110711
Strike Price: Lynn Dayton Thriller #2, ISBN 9780991110704
The Second Law: Lynn Dayton Thriller #3, ISBN 9780991110742
Winner’s Curse: A Lynn Dayton Thriller ISBN 9780991110759
