Author Archives: Val

Book review: Lily Barlow: the Mystery in the Mangroves by Carla Vergot

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Val

Book 2 in the Lily Barlow series follows Lily as she ponders what to do about her future: continue at a college sort of far from home, or stay closer to home, where her recovering father is. (You can read … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Val

I haven’t been that great about leaving reviews for books, but I wanted to review this one. It was recommended to me by a student who was reading it while we were reading The Things They Carried in literature class. … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction: The Red Duck

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week’s prompt is to write a story in which something red plays a role. Today’s tale is from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers. The Red Duck By Val Muller … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: A Little June Magic by Val Muller

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is “June” because it’s….well, you get the idea! This week’s work comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers. Val is at work illustrating the first … Continue reading →

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Funny Friday: you, too, have eyes

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Val

Back by request, an update written by the 20-month old: Hi, it’s been a while. But, you know, priorities. The only thing pulling me away from wrecking stuff in my house is the need to save others from the constraints … Continue reading →

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Microfiction: Rear View Mirror by Val Muller

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write a story of exactly 100 words, inlcuding these 5 words: harvest, glow, iron, paint, clock. Rear View Mirror by Val Muller At 35, the good guys were taken, she … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction: Buses, Pines, and Rocks By Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. The prompt for this month is to write a write a piece involving a school bus, a guidebook to pine trees, and a painted rock. This week it’s Cathy MacKenzie’s turn. Her writings are found … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction: Transcend by Val Muller

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write about a guidebook to pine trees, a school bus, and a painted rock. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers mystery series. Transcend … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction: The Easiest Job in the League

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write a story in which the main character is a creative writing teacher. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, who is so busy revising and illustrating her Corgi … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: planetary alignment

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Val

Today, February 28, 2025, is a planetary alignment, in which 7 planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—appear on the same side of the sun, allowing us to view them all (mostly) by eye (or telescope). Several people asked … Continue reading →

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