In this episode of Book Crew Podcast, hosts Dirk Hooper and Beth A. Freely welcome science fiction romance author Kathleen Osborne for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and practical.

Kathleen shares how retirement finally opened the door to a lifelong dream of writing — and what happened when she actually sat down to do it. One chaotic first manuscript became the foundation for multiple novels, and short fiction anthologies became a powerful strategy for reaching readers who prefer bite-sized stories. The conversation explores the creative challenge of blending romance, mystery, and science fiction, how tools like AutoCrit fit into a working writer’s process, and why Kathleen even composed original songs inspired by scenes in her books.

Whether just starting out or deep into the publishing journey, this episode offers something for writers at every stage.

Kathleen Osborne

https://asbpub.com/authors/kathleen-osborne

Beth A. Freely

https://bethannefreely.com/

https://themusesfunhouse.com/

https://x.com/bafreely

https://www.instagram.com/bafreely/

https://linktr.ee/BAFreely

Dirk Hooper

https://www.writeworks.dirkhooper.com/

https://allmylinks.com/dirkhooperwriting

https://asherlake.net/

https://themusesfunhouse.com/

https://x.com/dirkhooperplus

https://www.facebook.com/dirk.hooper

About Book Crew

Book Crew, hosted by indie authors Beth A. Freely and Dirk Hooper, was crafted to help writers get their book written, edited, published, and promoted. Book Crew features interviews with writers currently in the trenches, deep-dive tutorials, hot topic panels with experts, and copious tips, tricks, and personal insight to help on the author journey.

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through The Eddy County Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

The Eddy County Dispatch, presented by KCCC 930 AM is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Community Forum co-host Hattie Quinn welcomed Jessica Barnes, owner of The Tattoo Shop in Carlsbad, NM — with podcasting student Joe Enriquez sitting in as a studio visitor. The conversation was as vibrant as the art on the walls.

Jessica Barnes is the kind of person who makes you want to listen. Delightful, creative, and deeply dedicated to her craft, she opened up about what makes The Tattoo Shop more than just a place to get ink. Customer experience is one of their greatest values, and that philosophy shapes everything about how clients are welcomed and cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

And if you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo, April is the time to act. One of The Tattoo Shop’s artists is celebrating a birthday this month and is offering black-only flash tattoos for just $45 — well below the normal $100 minimum. It’s a limited-time opportunity worth knowing about.

The Tattoo Shop is located at 704 N. Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM.

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through The Eddy County Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

Eddy County is moving forward with several local projects this week, including a significant groundbreaking ceremony and progress on a major elementary school rebuild. This episode covers these developments and highlights upcoming local events, such as a workshop at the college for those interested in home organization. Listeners can tune in for the specifics on these community updates and learn more about regional efforts affecting Southeast New Mexico.

This week’s local spotlight features the “Weekend Wanderer” segment, which takes a trip to Ruidoso. The segment explores how a visit to the Sacramento Mountains supports local businesses as they continue to recover from recent environmental challenges. From local craft shops to gear for the slopes, it highlights why spending time in this neighboring community makes a tangible difference.

How can the Eddy County Dispatch and KCCC930AM better serve you? Take the listening tour or…

The Eddy County Dispatch, presented by KCCC 930 AM is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Rick Wiedemann, chair of the science and engineering department at Southeast New Mexico College, joined Community Forum this week to talk about three free events happening on campus this Thursday, April 23.

Energy Day (noon–7 PM) features a Munch & Learn panel with sandwiches provided, energy and seismic speakers, and a keynote by Dr. Kayla Kroll of Lawrence Livermore National Lab on subsurface operations, energy production, and earthquakes.

STEAM Expo (4–6 PM, SENMC Gym) brings together science exhibitors, local organizations, and hands-on activities — with pizza.

Open House (4–7 PM) has the labs open, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and drone soccer demos. And the Workforce simulator lab will be open to the public — climb into an 18-wheeler, run a forklift, or try the underground mining cart. Full motion, air brakes, weather conditions. These simulators are not usually open to visitors, so don’t skip this one.

Have time between the speakers and the Expo? The bookstore and library are worth a stop, or take a walk on the Ocotillo Trail and check out the Hidden Garden.

Hear the full conversation with Rick Wiedemann in this week’s episode of Community Forum on KCCC 930 AM at noon and 11 PM or on Substack, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The Eddy County Dispatch, presented by KCCC 930 AM is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of Book Crew, Dirk Hooper and Beth A. Freely dive deep into one of the biggest questions writers face: should you plot your book or write by the seat of your pants? Dirk reveals his evolving plotting system, complete with notebooks, note cards, character arcs, and beat sheets, while Beth explains how outlining transformed her from a slow writer into a prolific one capable of finishing novels in weeks. Along the way they discuss market research, writing habits, finding your creative “sweet spot,” and why even the most famous “pantsers” still understand story structure. If you want to write faster, build stronger stories, and turn ideas into finished books, this episode is packed with practical advice from two working authors.

Links

Beth A. Freely

* https://bethannefreely.com/

* https://themusesfunhouse.com/

* https://x.com/bafreely

* https://www.instagram.com/bafreely/

* https://linktr.ee/BAFreely

Dirk Hooper

* https://www.writeworks.dirkhooper.com/

* https://allmylinks.com/dirkhooperwriting

* https://asherlake.net/

* https://themusesfunhouse.com/

* https://x.com/dirkhooperplus

* https://www.facebook.com/dirk.hooper

About Book Crew

Book Crew, hosted by indie authors Beth A. Freely and Dirk Hooper, was crafted to help writers get their book written, edited, published and promoted.Book Crew features interviews with writers currently in the trenches, deep-dive tutorials, hot topic panels with experts, and copious tips, tricks, and personal insight to help you on your author journey.

The Eddy County Dispatch, presented by KCCC 930 AM is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This week, the Carlsbad community pauses to reflect on the lives of residents who have recently passed. These abridged records serve as a respectful tribute to those who helped build and shape the local area. While these summaries offer a moment of collective remembrance, the full life stories, service details, and spaces for family condolences are maintained by the funeral homes serving our community.

In this episode, the community remembers those served by:

* West Funeral Home, LLC: Recent tributes and memorial announcements for Carlsbad residents.

To read the complete life stories or to leave a message for the families, please visit the official memorial pages:

West Funeral Home Obituaries https://www.westfuneralhomellc.com/obits

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

This week, the Carlsbad community pauses to reflect on the lives of residents who have recently passed. These abridged records serve as a respectful tribute to those who helped build and shape the local area. While these summaries offer a moment of collective remembrance, the full life stories, service details, and spaces for family condolences are maintained by the funeral homes serving our community.

In this episode, the community remembers those served by:

* Denton-Wood Funeral Home: Recent tributes and memorial announcements for Carlsbad residents.

To read the complete life stories or to leave a message for the families, please visit the official memorial pages:

Denton-Wood Funeral Home Obituaries https://www.dentonwood.com/obituaries

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

The economic disconnect between Santa Fe and Southeastern New Mexico takes center stage as Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, examines the growing friction in Lea and Eddy counties. This discussion explores the historical and legal complexities of the “Texas” succession movement while highlighting the “Curley Effect,” a political phenomenon where leadership potentially alienates dissenting taxpayers.

Beyond local tensions, Gessing provides a sobering analysis of New Mexico’s ranking as the worst state in the nation for taxpayer return on investment and explains how a federal tax credit could expand educational opportunities for families if state leadership agrees to participate.

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

Let’s Ask

What are your thoughts on joining Texas?

Today on KCCC930am at noon and 11 pm, we list the upcoming events and interesting micro-news that affects our daily lives. A lot is going on in Eddy County this week, coming out of the Spring Holiday!

Also, features spotlight segments from students at the SENMC Spring Break Podcasting Camp! Congratulations to the finishing participants. It was a great week!

Aired on KCC930AM radio, and streamed through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack (kccc930am.substack.com), and available on our website at kccc930am.com.

Dirk recounts some big life-changing events that have been challenging and ultimately rewarding. Beth has several new projects to talk about. Plus, the Book Crew talks about spice levels and what’s coming up this year.

Book Crew, hosted by indie authors Beth A. Freely and Dirk Hooper, was crafted to help writers get their book written, edited, published, and promoted.Book Crew features interviews with writers currently in the trenches, deep-dive tutorials, hot topic panels with experts, and copious tips, tricks, and personal insight to help you on your author journey.

Beth Anne Freely

https://bethannefreely.com/

https://themusesfunhouse.com/https://x.com/bafreelyhttps://www.instagram.com/bafreely/https://linktr.ee/BAFreelyDirk Hooper

https://www.writeworks.dirkhooper.com/https://allmylinks.com/dirkhooperwriting

https://asherlake.net/https://themusesfunhouse.com/https://x.com/dirkhooperplushttps://www.facebook.com/dirk.hooper