Beth Dotson Brown
@bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social
Author, gardener, cook and lover of life
As I listen to the rain, I'm thankful for a job that I can do from home, on most days. However, I've been thinking about the parts of office culture I miss, like the random conversations that lead to learning and collaboration. If you've worked in an office, what do you miss about office culture?
October 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As I listen to the rain, I'm thankful for a job that I can do from home, on most days. However, I've been thinking about the parts of office culture I miss, like the random conversations that lead to learning and collaboration. If you've worked in an office, what do you miss about office culture?
If you need encouragement today, take a lesson from this lone stalk of corn growing along a US highway. It has persisted and grown for weeks and it finally has an ear. In the midst of anything, you can persist.
July 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
If you need encouragement today, take a lesson from this lone stalk of corn growing along a US highway. It has persisted and grown for weeks and it finally has an ear. In the midst of anything, you can persist.
If you need to pull away from the heat, or work, or the world for a few minutes, read this month's Goodness of the Garden for a trip to the garden of seasonal fruit. I'm featuring a column by my friend, Emily Toadvine. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
July 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
If you need to pull away from the heat, or work, or the world for a few minutes, read this month's Goodness of the Garden for a trip to the garden of seasonal fruit. I'm featuring a column by my friend, Emily Toadvine. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
As a gardener, I understand how much work goes into a bag of blueberries. I'm sending a big thanks to my friend Emily who gifted me with these. In July, I'll feature a piece by Emily in my blog, The Goodness of the Garden. You can subscribe through my web page or by messaging me your email address.
June 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
As a gardener, I understand how much work goes into a bag of blueberries. I'm sending a big thanks to my friend Emily who gifted me with these. In July, I'll feature a piece by Emily in my blog, The Goodness of the Garden. You can subscribe through my web page or by messaging me your email address.
What's on your reading list this summer? ☀️ I just finished The Christie Affair (highly recommend!) so the other two are up next. I'd love to see your TBR pile!
June 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
What's on your reading list this summer? ☀️ I just finished The Christie Affair (highly recommend!) so the other two are up next. I'd love to see your TBR pile!
I can't remember who said something to me last week about the beauty of the cicada wings. I had noticed it, too (along with those wicked red eyes which aren't so beautiful to me). On my morning walk, I saw one at my feet and had to get a photo. It still had dew drops on it.
June 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I can't remember who said something to me last week about the beauty of the cicada wings. I had noticed it, too (along with those wicked red eyes which aren't so beautiful to me). On my morning walk, I saw one at my feet and had to get a photo. It still had dew drops on it.
It's been a terribly gray and wet spring in Kentucky. My antidote? Plant flowers that add beauty and perspective even on the grayest of days. A good book will do the same.
May 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It's been a terribly gray and wet spring in Kentucky. My antidote? Plant flowers that add beauty and perspective even on the grayest of days. A good book will do the same.
Have you heard about the fake books listed in the Chicago Sun-Times' recommendations for summer reading? This is one of the dangers of AI and of losing media that is funded well enough to pay good reporters. Check out this coverage from NPR to gain more understanding. www.npr.org/2025/05/20/n...
How an AI-generated summer reading list got published in major newspapers
Newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and at least one edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer, published a syndicated book list featuring made-up books by famous authors.
www.npr.org
May 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Have you heard about the fake books listed in the Chicago Sun-Times' recommendations for summer reading? This is one of the dangers of AI and of losing media that is funded well enough to pay good reporters. Check out this coverage from NPR to gain more understanding. www.npr.org/2025/05/20/n...
Yesterday was a writer's dream--reading my work for a crowd of relaxed, receptive listeners on the porch and grounds of historic Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, KY. The weather was beautiful and the creativity was everywhere. I return to my writing inspired.
May 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Yesterday was a writer's dream--reading my work for a crowd of relaxed, receptive listeners on the porch and grounds of historic Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, KY. The weather was beautiful and the creativity was everywhere. I return to my writing inspired.
My recent blog post explores this magical season of promise in the garden. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
The Goodness of the Garden . . . All the Year Round May 2025 – Beth Dotson Brown
I went for a walk in the rain this afternoon. It wasn’t exactly intentional. I often take a walk during lunch to get outside and breathe deeply of the day. The sparse clouds encouraged me to carry my ...
www.bethdotsonbrown.net
May 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
My recent blog post explores this magical season of promise in the garden. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
When I traveled to Alaska last week, I needed a good book to read on the plane ride. Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro totally absorbed me. I definitely recommend this unique story.
May 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
When I traveled to Alaska last week, I needed a good book to read on the plane ride. Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro totally absorbed me. I definitely recommend this unique story.
When I walk around my yard and there's a breeze, the scent of these beauties surrounds me. What a gift!
April 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
When I walk around my yard and there's a breeze, the scent of these beauties surrounds me. What a gift!
The energy at The Plaid Elephant bookstore was fantastic on Saturday. Children burst through the doors excited to see what was new. Their parents followed, some of them looking for an adult novel like mine. Big thanks to Kate Snyder of The Plaid Elephant for the experience.
April 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The energy at The Plaid Elephant bookstore was fantastic on Saturday. Children burst through the doors excited to see what was new. Their parents followed, some of them looking for an adult novel like mine. Big thanks to Kate Snyder of The Plaid Elephant for the experience.
I was honored yesterday to receive an award for a short story I entered into the Bluegrass Writers Coalition Kentucky Visions contest. It was quite special to participate in the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with a small group of very fine Kentucky writers.
April 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I was honored yesterday to receive an award for a short story I entered into the Bluegrass Writers Coalition Kentucky Visions contest. It was quite special to participate in the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with a small group of very fine Kentucky writers.
I look forward to Meet the Authors Day at the Plaid Elephant bookstore in Danville, KY on Saturday. It's such a fun store!
April 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I look forward to Meet the Authors Day at the Plaid Elephant bookstore in Danville, KY on Saturday. It's such a fun store!
What roles have libraries played in your life? Every time I've moved, the library has been one of the first places I visit. They are such a great asset for learning and dreaming. This poster from a past National Library Week expresses how I feel about reading.
April 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM
What roles have libraries played in your life? Every time I've moved, the library has been one of the first places I visit. They are such a great asset for learning and dreaming. This poster from a past National Library Week expresses how I feel about reading.
Thanks to Sandra L. Young for the short, fun interview with Bookish Road Trip on Facebook. It's a challenge to answer three questions in three minutes!
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Thanks to Sandra L. Young for the short, fun interview with Bookish Road Trip on Facebook. It's a challenge to answer three questions in three minutes!
My book blog tour has ended. Thanks to the bloggers who participated. Here's a comment from reading.late.into.the.night: The book celebrates women and their relationships. Friendship, mothers, daughters, family and neighbors. And it offers hope in the face of adversity. It’s an uplifting read.
March 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
My book blog tour has ended. Thanks to the bloggers who participated. Here's a comment from reading.late.into.the.night: The book celebrates women and their relationships. Friendship, mothers, daughters, family and neighbors. And it offers hope in the face of adversity. It’s an uplifting read.
I found out today that Meta used my novel in their AI training. It's happening to most published authors. Please support copyright laws and the rights of creators and urge AI companies to stop using the work of writers and other artists without express permission and licensing.
Tell AI Companies They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work
I just sent a letter telling AI companies they do not not have the right to use my work. Use the Authors Guild's letter template to send your own.
actionnetwork.org
March 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I found out today that Meta used my novel in their AI training. It's happening to most published authors. Please support copyright laws and the rights of creators and urge AI companies to stop using the work of writers and other artists without express permission and licensing.
On April 8, I'll be representing Partners for Rural Impact in a panel discussion about how integrated student supports can sustain and strengthen school communities in time of crisis. If you're interested, register here. I look forward to a good exchange of ideas. drexel.edu/soe/resource...
Upcoming Event - School of Education
drexel.edu
March 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
On April 8, I'll be representing Partners for Rural Impact in a panel discussion about how integrated student supports can sustain and strengthen school communities in time of crisis. If you're interested, register here. I look forward to a good exchange of ideas. drexel.edu/soe/resource...
The best part of my day was talking with a graduate of Garrard County Middle School who participated in our after school writing program back in the day. She graduated from Asbury and will be pursuing a master's in screenwriting at Emerson College. Hurray, Allison!
March 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The best part of my day was talking with a graduate of Garrard County Middle School who participated in our after school writing program back in the day. She graduated from Asbury and will be pursuing a master's in screenwriting at Emerson College. Hurray, Allison!
Are you cleaning out your freezer in preparation for spring? This month's Goodness of the Garden talks about planning for winter by buying fruits in season this spring and summer. Plus, there's a breakfast smoothie recipe. bit.ly/43pjPIk
March 6, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Are you cleaning out your freezer in preparation for spring? This month's Goodness of the Garden talks about planning for winter by buying fruits in season this spring and summer. Plus, there's a breakfast smoothie recipe. bit.ly/43pjPIk
The snow is gone and the crocuses are blooming. I'm celebrating nature and friendships today. What are you celebrating?
February 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The snow is gone and the crocuses are blooming. I'm celebrating nature and friendships today. What are you celebrating?
I'm starting my week off right with a homemade cinnamon roll.
February 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I'm starting my week off right with a homemade cinnamon roll.
I listened to a presentation from the Author's Guild about authors licensing our books for AI use through a specific company that I'm led to believe is innovating in this area. Writer friends, how do you feel about licensing your books for AI use?
February 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I listened to a presentation from the Author's Guild about authors licensing our books for AI use through a specific company that I'm led to believe is innovating in this area. Writer friends, how do you feel about licensing your books for AI use?