Two Hearts and One Braincell: Cassidy Carson & JT Hume Amateur Hour

Hi, all. It's writers podcast time and we hit a lot of sweet spots today, starting with the reminder that baseball season starts after today's Super Bowl. Woo, sports ball!

But seriously, folks, CC and I had a fun chat today about our current and upcoming books in 2026, including the St. Patricks Day release of "Finding Salvation." Three novellas in one book. yay!

CC talks about her Restless Series books in which she hopes the second book will be released in April or May. You should really check out the first book.

We spend some time in the podcast praising our partners in our books' creative process: the Beta readers. We are so grateful to these literary warriors for accepting the responsibility of reading and critiquing our manuscripts. Their fresh eyes are so important to produce the best copy possible. We provide ideas and thoughts that are mostly centered on one thought: be nice to your Beta readers. 🫶🫶🫶

Reminders on our upcoming book releases, all in 2026:
March: “Finding Salvation the Book.” This is the compilation of the novellas outlining what happened on Earth when the Salvation departed the solar system. The first novella in on Amazon for 99 cents.
April to June: “Restless Spirits Book 2.” The sequel to #passionrestored, this book will involve new characters in the same setting as Book 1. “Restless Spirits Book 3” may be published here, too.
July: The next “Finding Salvation” book. What happened to the people who were left behind on Earth?
October: Two books will be released on Nevada Day (October 31) because they are both set in Nevada. CC will release “Battle Born Bride” and I will release the fourth book in the “A Sheriff in Nevada” series. More details to follow.

We hope that you enjoy our insights, and we thank you for following along. LYL!

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

In a return engagement, the Nevada Author Network welcomes back Suzanne Morgan Williams, a prolific writer and teacher. She discusses the importance of community in writing, the themes of war and recovery in her new book 'Seeing Daylight', and the challenges and joys of character development. Suzanne shares insights on the role of setting in storytelling and her upcoming writing classes aimed at inspiring future writers. The conversation emphasizes the significance of art and storytelling in society, especially in times of need.

Her latest book, "Seeing Daylight," set to release on February 10th, serves as an example of her personal connections to her literary art. The book follows the journey of Ben, a 19-year-old veteran dealing with the aftermath of his experiences in combat, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Suzanne's decision to tackle such complex themes stemmed from her desire to shed light on the realities faced by veterans and their families, something she witnessed firsthand.

Her books are a testimony to strength, service, and community.

You can find Suzanne on her website at https://www.suzannemorganwilliams.com

You can also find her on Facebook.

You can learn more about the Sierra Arts Foundation at ⁠https://sierraarts.org

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

We here at the “Amateur Hour” invite writers to join us to chat about the craft of writing. This week, KJ Waters shares her journey as a writer, detailing her experiences from the initial inspiration sparked by natural disasters to the challenges of marketing her books. She discusses the evolution of her writing process, the importance of planning in a series, and the influence of her favorite authors.

She began her writing journey in 2005, spurred by the dramatic backdrop of four major hurricanes striking Florida shortly after she moved there with her young children. This tumultuous period ignited her creativity, leading her to explore the idea of time travel, inspired by her love for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. KJ realized that the excitement of hurricanes intertwined with time travel could form the basis of a captivating narrative. She spent ten years crafting what she initially thought would be a single book. However, as she shared her ideas with friends, they encouraged her to expand her story into a series.

KJ also reflects on the balance between creativity and the business side of writing, offering insights into the realities of being an independent author. The discussion culminates in a fun segment where KJ answers unique questions about her life and writing philosophy, leaving listeners with valuable takeaways about the writing journey.

You can learn more about KJ and access her books at her website: https://www.kjwaters.com/

Her books are available at Amazon, and her social media includes Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter/X.

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

For this episode of the "CC & JT Amateur Hour," we discuss the tools of the writing trade. During our professional experience as authors, we've seen a few things, as the saying goes. CC and I took typing classes back in the day, and we've seen and used all flavors of PC word processors up to and including the most recent version of Microsoft Word.

We had the recent privilege of interviewing two writers who, in their own ways, represent the yin and yang of the modern set of writing tools and technology. Arnie Bernstein uses typewriters to create his manuscripts, and Kendall Brown uses virtual reality and ChatCGT to support her creative process.

CC and I discuss these methodologies and technologies, noting that each has their strengths and weaknesses. We also make clear we do not advocate the illegal use of AI to infringe on the literary artist's creative works. We do try to predict the future which may include platforms like Amazon and Google imposing their technologies and policies on self-published writers.

It's a complex issue, and we encourage you to check out Arnie's, Kendall's, and this podcast before flaming us. 😄

Upcoming book releases, all in 2026. These are working titles:
March: “Finding Salvation the Book.” This is the compilation of the novellas outlining what happened on Earth when the Salvation departed the solar system. The first novella in on Amazon for 99 cents.
April: “Restless Spirits Book 2.” The sequel to #passionrestored, this book will involve new characters in the same setting as Book 1.
June: “Restless Spirits Book 3.” More details to follow.
July: The next “Finding Salvation” book. What happened to the people who were left behind on Earth?
October: Two books will be released on Nevada Day (October 31) because they are both set in Nevada. CC will release “Battle Born Bride” and I will release the fourth book in the “A Sheriff in Nevada” series. More details to follow.

We hope that you enjoy these and other podcasts, and we thank you for following along. LYL!

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

We’ve been blessed to interview authors around the world, and it was a double pleasure for us to interview a Windy City writer. Chicago’s very own Arnie Bernstein shares his journey as a writer, delving into the emotional weight of writing historical narratives, particularly focusing on the “Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing” and “Swastika Nation: Fritz Kuhn and the Rise and Fall of the German-American Bund”.

Arnie reflects on the importance of character-driven storytelling and the influence of history on his work. He also offers insights into the challenges of the writing life, the significance of independent bookstores, and the joy of immersing oneself in the creative process. He discusses his unique writing process that involves using typewriters for first drafts.

You can learn more about Arnie and his books at his website https://www.arniebernstein.com

Arnie endorses bookshop.org because it directly supports independent writers.

You can also find him at LinkedIn, Facebook, and BlueSky.

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

We welcome author Kendall Brown back to the Amateur Hour to discuss the challenges and joys of writing, particularly in the context of dog training. They explore the creative drain and decision fatigue that writers often face, the signs of burnout, and the importance of finding an escape from the pressures of writing.

Kendall shares her own innovative tools for inspiration, including the use of AI and immersive environments, while also addressing the role of technology in writing, dog training, and marketing. The discussion emphasizes the value of human creativity and the need for balance in a technology-driven world.

Kendall’s books have been recognized with awards and numerous positive reviews, and she was a finalist in the 2025 International Book Awards, one of the world’s most extensive and prestigious international book awards for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles.

Her books, "10 Secrets of a Lazy Dog Trainer" and "Let's Get A Dog!" are available on Amazon. You can learn more about her business is customk9servicedogs.com

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

It's time to drop another writer's podcast on you and drop some names, too: Alane, Chaz, Jennifer, Cheryl, Jacci, and Teri. (Those links are our fellow authors. Please click and give them your love.)

Welcome back to the podcast that "helps writers write," and 2026 is shaping up to be another fun and busy year.

Much of our time is chatting about fans, the ones we see at book signings and the ones who reach out over the internet. CC and I are gratified by how passionate people are about their own writing and about our books, and we learn something new every single time we come in contact with everyone. As we say in the podcast, they keep us energized about writing and they help keep us honest, too.

We also chat about Chicago sports and jumping on/off bandwagons. That's why you see Pope Leo XIV.

We would like to thank James Raquepau and Kendall Brown for appearing on the podcast. Kendall's episode will be posted on Wednesday, January 14th.

Upcoming book releases, all in 2026. These are working titles:
March: "Finding Salvation the Book." This is the compilation of the novellas outlining what happened on Earth when the Salvation departed the solar system. The first novella in on Amazon for 99 cents.
April: "Restless Spirits Book 2." The sequel to #passionrestored, this book will involve new characters in the same setting as Book 1.
June: "Restless Spirits Book 3." More details to follow.
July: The next "Finding Salvation" book. What happened to the people who were left behind on Earth?
October: Two books will be released on Nevada Day (October 31) because they are both set in Nevada. CC will release "Battle Born Bride" and I will release the fourth book in the "A Sheriff in Nevada" series. More details to follow.

Do you want to receive a free e-copy of "Finding Salvation Part One"? New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of "Finding Salvation Part One" by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.

We hope that you enjoy these and other podcasts, and we thank you for following along. LYL!

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of "Finding Salvation Part One" by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

Photo credit: Pope Leo XIV. Ann Muñoz via Chicago Sun-Times July 2025

James Raquepau shares insights into his writing journey, focusing on his semi-historical fantasy series, the Destiny Cycle. He discusses the challenges and joys of revisiting and expanding his work, the unique appeal of blending history with fantasy, and the intricate process of audiobook production and marketing.

His books are inspired by Celtic history and legends, and he pays special attention to incorporating personal family elements into his characters. James also reflects on his own writing philosophy, the importance of character development, and offers valuable advice for aspiring authors.

You can learn more about James at his website https://www.destinycycle.com/

His books are available on Amazon, Apple, B&N, Kobo, Google, Smashwords, and IngramSpark.

His social media includes Facebook and Instagram.

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

Before we dive into the meat of today's show, CC and I will be doing a live podcast on YouTube on Wednesday, December 31 at 6:00pm Pacific time (Los Angeles time) just for the heck of it. It'll be our first live podcast, so a thousand things might go wrong (and probably will). We're hoping that you'll join us and ask questions.

https://youtu.be/0U56RlxGnZg

Today's podcast was the big flashback episode to a very busy 2025. We didn't realize just how busy. It started with the formation of our LLC to creating a second podcast that features Nevada literary artists. If you want to see the details, here's the list.

One more important point: we're having a paperback sale over on our bookstore. Four titles for $12.99 (plus S/H/Tax) with a free backpack and bookmark thrown in for good measure. Details are here.

Enjoy today's podcast, and as always, thank you for your kind attention. We couldn't do this without you. Happy New Year!

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!

Returning to our podcast for a second engagement, Gavin Black discusses his latest book, “Journey Through the Forgotten,” which intertwines personal family stories with themes of Alzheimer's and Irish mythology. The conversation explores the emotional journey of dealing with memory loss, the writing process, and the influences that shape a writer's work.

Gavin shares personal anecdotes, the challenges of publishing, and the joy of connecting with readers, especially children. The episode includes his reflections on unexpected life experiences and encouragement for aspiring writers with him noting that Life experiences, both good and bad, influence writing. Gavin encourages aspiring writers to follow their passions.

You can learn more about Gavin on his website https://gavinblackwrites.com/

His book, “The Friend Exchange,” is available on Amazon.

You can also find him on Facebook.

This podcast is also available on Spotify.

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Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”

Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.

Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠
Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠
Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠
Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/
Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠

Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.

⁠please buy us coffee!