I Am Officially a New Member of Western Writers of America

Texas was inspiring and humid. I came back home to my first copy of Roundup Magazine, a bimonthly printed periodical published by the Western Writers of America. I applied to join their organization a few months back in order to gain access to a network of writers aligned to my favorite writing subject, horses. It was exciting to see myself listed among the new members section of Volume XXXIII. Their next convention will be located in Reno. I hope I can attend.

Side Note on Straw Hats

My bio in Roundup magazine is a photo of me in a Love’s Truck Stop hat. A Love’s truck stop hat is a good hat to wear in the field. I don’t mind beating it up, throwing it anywhere in the truck, or even shoving in my pack. I’ve enjoyed scooping up river water and putting it on my head for a good cool down many times. Because of everything I have listed, I have been through a few of ’em. Luckily, they are inexpensive to replace. My next straw hat is a Charlie 1 Horse. It took me awhile to gain the courage and funds to purchase a straw hat that didn’t come from a gas station. However, it is not a “cowboy hat”. It has a fashionable wide brim and a cute band. I don’t like to work in it, but I have worn it enough to put stampede strings on it so I never lose it. I recently got my Charlie 1 Horse hat signed by Craig Cameron when I rode with him for a horsemanship weekend. Now, I just got my latest straw hat while in I was Fort Worth, Texas from The Best Hat Store. It’s a real “cowboy” hat made by the American Hat Company. It was shaped for me in the store by a mustached cowboy who gave it a cattleman’s crease and pinched the sides up. It is the most expensive hat I own. It’s sturdy, shaped, and looks real sharp at rodeos. This hat was fun to get during my latest trip to the Lone Star State because Texas was busy with international travelers for the World Cup. Many people flew home in June 2026 with an AHC cowboy hat, myself included.

I love all my hats, but only one em is signed by a hall of fame cowboy, for now anyway.

Where in the World is Stevie Lou Díaz?

I am in Texas, ya’ll! I’ve seen three roadkill armadillos so far. Too bad you can’t hear me pronounce “arma-dhilluhs”.

At this very moment I am at the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Show. It is hosted at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Riders are warming their horses up and receiving last minute instruction from their trainers.

Today’s schedule hosts showmanship, hunt seat equitation, horsemanship & versatility pattern. There will also be some barrel racing in the John Justin Arena.

The facilities are incredible. I’m not competing, so I can really take it all in. Let’s call today’s activities researching for my next book.

I brought my fellow newly published Humboldt County Writer’s book, Redwood Curtain Rising by Nancy Resnik, on this trip. It’s been keeping me entertained. I’m taking notes on favorite passages to share to Nancy.

Post-Published Life

I have been busy! The Humboldt County Writer’s Anthology submissions are due very soon. This year’s theme is ‘Fire’. I have been working on my piece. It of course has to do with horses. I am happy to report that also this month, I went to my first horsemanship clinic (that I rode in). I managed to do some writing while at the clinic. In the evenings, I had a camper all to myself, so the environment was conducive.

The horsemanship clinic was taught by Craig Cameron. I took my daughter’s horse, and as I have been politely describing our weekend: She wasn’t the horse I wanted (to bring), but she was the horse I needed. I also did myself a disservice by riding her around the grounds the night before in the setup I made for my other horse. Between Lola’s spookiness, the different reins and bit, and my rustiness, things started out badly. By default, I tend to ride Lola with a “hot seat”, but I totally forgot about that fact. Then, when half-halts were not working (because my seat was saying go go go!), I forgot what to do after that. Yikes!

We had some really great rides too though. I think we had the coolest doubling at the fence. Lola really likes turning on a dime. Craig was awesome, and I am so glad I got to meet and ride with him. The other riders were all very nice too.

We have also been making a new round pen in the field at the stables I board at. When we first got the pen set up with the corral panels, I was driving my quad back after dumping some manure. I was smiling from ear to ear, feeling on top of the world. And then the manure trailer fell off my quad. The hitch broke. What a let down!

Here’s another one: I was driving back from my 3-day riding-with-a-legend weekend, and as I was pulling into the driveway, the truck wouldn’t shift to park! I had to use the restroom, had a horse to unload, and was exhausted after 3 hours of mountainous driving (after 3 days of intensive riding). Turns out some bolts were about ready to fall out. It was a pretty cheap fix, but still . . .

As I am reminded in the most immediate ways, “two steps forward, one step back”. My quad is fixed by the way.

Group Photo of Craig Cameron’s Ride Smart 3-day clinic. Lola and I are the 4th rider/mount from the right.

Ancient photo of me riding a mechanical bull in Texas. I was maybe 16 or so. Craig Cameron started out riding bulls. I was a punk kid on a family vacation, but I still could not resist getting on the bull. I think I had that same smile when I was riding with Craig.

Across the Fence is Available & The Book Signing Was a Success!

Wow! I had a fantastic time at Omnibus for my book release signing event at Arts Alive. I had a great time chatting with friends and new people. I’d say Omnibus had a great turnout. Many shop visitors were appreciative of the art supplies, and many others were happy to have a whole store of manga and graphic novel. I am so thank fun to Omnibus &Eureka Books and the Eureka Cultural Arts District for giving me space and funding.

I brought 27 books to sell, and I sold 27 books.
I brought 7 original illustrations to display and sold 4!
I am also happy to report that we were able to deliver my street art installation safely. It seems like people really liked my cacti.
My friend and I made themed sugar cookies that were very much appreciated.
Some people went home with Mosquito Cowboy stickers.

I’ve already ordered more books to sell on consignment and sent one copy to the US Library of Congress. Hopefully they accept my book into their collection.

I cannot wait to start on the second book, although today was spent with my horses. They really missed me this week.

Books, art, & cookies!

Here I am trying to catch my breath and document my creations. The tall cactus reminds me of Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons.

I heard people really liked my piñata cactus.

Here is Xochi. I think she is wondering if the piñata cactus is edible.

Xochi being a brave young horse and checking out the tall cactus.

Book Release Signing @ Omnibus

Book + Art Event

I am excited to announce that I will be presenting a selection of my illustrations with the release of my debut novel, Across the Fence, during the April Arts Alive event at Omnibus, a new store in Eureka.

The Eureka Books store owner, Solomon, recently opened Omnibus, which focuses on graphic novels, manga, and illustrators’ supplies. Both shops are right on the plaza of Old Town Eureka. Shop goers can also sit down and draw in an artistic space.

At the start of my book release daydreaming, I got struck by a creativity bug. I really wanted to make giant papier-mâché saguaro cacti. After I scheduled my book release for Arts Alive, I thought I could turn my giant saguaro cacti idea into street art. With a little digging, I discovered a grant program that could fund my idea. I applied and received an award!

In the last few weeks, I have been busily blending art with books and purpose. I am incredibly grateful for being a part of the momentum for Omnibus.

The Across the Fence Street Art installation is made possible through grant funding from the Eureka Cultural Arts District (ECAD), a partnership of the Wiyot Tribe, the Ink People Center for Arts & Culture, Eureka Main Street, and the City of Eureka. ECAD uplifts and amplifies the region’s creatives and culture keepers through grant initiatives, festivals, and community-driven leadership.

Illustrator’s Series

Today, my daughter and I selected 7 pieces to present Across the Fence as an illustrator’s series. I am happy with our selections. There are character portraits, characters in scene, and landscapes. We also purchased frames and mat boards today. The mat boards were ordered online from Blick’s Art Materials, so I cannot put them together quite yet. I am very appreciatative of my child’s patience with me as I went and grabbed frame after frame for the headliner. We had to find the one with just the right amount of energy to match the subject matter, while keeping in line with the body of work’s framing. She got to learn about composition, contrast, balance, expectations, and economics. At least, I hope that’s what I taught her.

My ‘About the Illustrator’ description is stewing in my brain. My husband gave me the idea of putting my ‘About the Illustrator’ in one of the smaller, fun frames that I did not get to buy today. I think it’s a great idea. I love pieces of flair! I am still unfamiliar with the expo space, so I do not know what I am working with. I am toying with the idea of including some sketches and stuff. This would circle back to my readers. Perhaps showing sketches, pencil marks, and squiggly lines with framed pieces could be encouraging to budding artists. It’s all about the process.

Photo of my headliner illustration formatted into my manuscript.

Humboldt County Writers 2025 Anthology

The Humboldt County Writers 2025 Anthology: Earth is available in eBook format! Physical copies will be available soon.

I have a piece in this anthology titled I Left a Patch of Thistle. My prose is very dear to my heart, and I hope the readers enjoy. It has been great fun learning and writing alongside these fellow authors. Below is a link to the ebook:

https://books2read.com/u/b69YyJ

& Here is an end of 2025 update:

I severely tore a tendon in my right wrist leaving me unable to use it at all for 3 weeks. It is still not able to fully bend without pain and my strength has not fully returned either. Notwithstanding, I was able to wrap up the final edits on my novel. I have begun illustrating the chapter art. I am four chapters in and very excited. To cut down on cost for producing chapter books, the chapter art will be black and white. I am doing pen and ink. Back in my artsy days, I was more of a painter/ pastel gal. Prior to my wrist injury I was brushing the dust of my drawing skills while still editing, and the juggle caused me a lot of apprehension. I am pretty happy with how my illustrations have emerged.

Side Quest: Made a 2026 Riding Journal

I mentioned before that I was really enthralled by the free software program, Inkscape. Last month I decided to design my own Equestrian Journal. I designed all the pages using Inkscape, formatted it for a Print-on Demand website, and ordered a proof copy this morning! I made it an annual one so that it doesn’t feel like I am lugging around a textbook for my horse notes. Once I review it I may put it on an Etsy shop or list it for sale on this website. I dream of buying a saddle with its earnings.

I had a lot of fun designing it. I labeled all my layers nice and tidy so I can edit them as needed. It was nice to self publish something that was not my first novel to get the hang of things. It was a bit complicated dealing with the margins, bleed margins, space for binding, etc. I do plan on self publishing my book because I want to have full control and learn all the steps.

Allow me to introduce Speedy Pony Press. I designed the logo myself (no AI here). I don’t have a livestock brand, but I have a brand nonetheless. 🙂

Published! So Happy I’m Past the Moon and Now Over Saturn

Today is very exciting because AWG Shares Magazine has published their August 2025 issue with my creative nonfiction piece, A Girl Goes to Ecuador. AWG Shares Magazine contains writing, art, and more from the members of AWG.

A Girl Goes to Ecuador is the first story of my Ecuador Stories in my other blog. It does have content warnings, therefore it is more suitable for young adult and older readers.

I am officially published.

In other news, my developmental editor gave me encouraging feedback on my first novel, Across the Fence. I have entered the editing phase, and am moving along at a steady pace.

Soon to be Published

I am excited about a couple of things this week. I will have a Creative Nonfiction (CNF) piece published in the Humboldt County Writer’s Group 2025 Anthology. The theme for the anthology is Earth. The title of my piece is I Left a Patch of Thistle.

My first Ecuador Story, A Girl Goes to Ecuador, will be published in AWG Shares Magazine. That comes out August 15th. The editor is really amazing, and I am grateful for such a welcoming magazine.

I’ll be sure to post updates for those publications.