Here in the US, my state of Pennsylvania has been in lockdown for several weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today marks my 18th day at home.
I’m grateful to everybody who’s working on the front lines of this thing, including the retail workers, and delivery people who enable me to do my part in the effort to contain the outbreak—they enable me to stay put. Of course, a colossal shout out to those of you who work in public safety and medicine.

Today is also the IWSG blog hop day. Every month the IWSG poses a question, which typically focuses on writing. But these aren’t typical times.
So, my question to you is: how are you doing?
Be sure to pay a visit to April’s hard-working IWSG co-hosts, Diane Burton, JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard! as well as Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG’s founder, who always has gobs of member news to share.
And finally … a bit of unabashed, self-promotion:
Overnight, users of the popular social networking site, Know-Me, acquire a duplicate, but dissimilar, identity. Though he claims to be shocked by the doubles’ debut, Know-Me’s CEO, Jason Vrabek, has impressed even himself with this latest testament to his genius. He swears his company has not launched a massive social experiment, something Know-Me has been accused of in the past. While experts investigate the phenomenon, the doubles engage with their counterparts, and Vrabek collects the data.
Alice Merkanowsky, an ordinary office worker, is enthralled with her duplicate self, the glamorous wife of a celebrity chef. Her thrill soon turns into an obsession which strains her marriage, and threatens her grip on reality.
Alice isn’t the only Know-Me casualty. Hoax, or not, the phenomenon triggers consequences that are frighteningly real, even for Vrabek who soon finds himself outmatched by his own genius double.
A science fiction short story. Buy KNOW ME here.
KNOW ME is also available through Kindle Unlimited.
Congratulations on your new novel. The cover is a real hook. We’re on our 19th day of self-imposed quarantine. It’s surreal, isn’t it? I need time to adjust to this new reality before I can express my thoughts. Even I’m curious as to what they might be. Take care.
https://joylenebutler.com/iwsg-april-dancing-with-dementia-giveaway/.html
Thanks Joylene! I try not to overthink the current situation. Writers and their imaginations …
Just when I thought I had life figured out, I don’t. I’m making it work so far. We’ll see…Your book and story sound great!
Thanks Jacqui! I loved your hair remark on your blog. We’ll all have to post post-pandemic headshots.
It can be easy to forget about those who are still out in the thick of things while we’re safe at home, so thanks for the reminder. We should all thank a health professional, retail store worker, sanitation worker, etc. every day!
I’m so grateful to all of them, Kristi.
Your book sounds intriguing and disturbing, CV. Just started following after you visited my site. Glad Pennsylvania is taking responsible action – like here in Idaho.
Thanks Roland!
I like the blurb – definitely hooked me! I, too, am doing my part by staying inside. At least we can get some writing done 🙂
Sounds interesting! Every time I leave the house (which thankfully is NOT often, except to walk alone) I feel I must restart my 15 day quarantine, because even if we do stay in, if we go out we don’t know who we might get infected by!
Lisa, I sprayed a drive-thru ATM with Lysol before I used it. 🙂
Thanks for popping by my blog. Always good to connect with other writers and IWSG is *great* for that. You’ve got a great cover for your story, BTW. Very eye catching. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Thanks Samantha!
Hi back from my Watchtower! Also a Pennsylvanian here, and I have to say I am super proud of our governor, officials, essential workers and how firmly and calmly they have handled this. I hope all of the “essential workers” in particular get some special medal (or monetary payment) when all is said and done. Sounds like an interesting book!
Cool and I see the book is Kindle Unlimited which I have. So I’m going to … read it later. So many books and so much time!!! Just wanted to add that.
18th day? Gosh, Pennsylvania has been well ahead of the curve in it’s stay-at-home guidance. Great cover!
Love the cover. We’ve been self-isolating since mid-March, as soon as our schools were closed. Boring but safe. Waving from my turret. LOL Stay safe.
Congratulations on your new book! It sounds interesting. And that cover is atmospheric…
I’m on day 9 of our lock down and haven’t been outside since it started.
The world has gone mad and everything is in limbo… surreal!
Stay safe!
Sorry. I guess I missed your post. So what am I doing? Hunkering down like most everyone else. With the exception that covid hasn’t hit our little pocket of the world yet.
Stay safe. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette