Mary Strand

My second album, I DON'T NEED YOUR PERMISSION, is out now from @HyghTension/@virginmusic! On all the streamings + CDs (vinyl to come)! Bandcamp: marystrand.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-n… All other streaming: ffm.to/marystrandperm…

TIme for my monthly blog! This time it's about first crushes. I almost named him, because it's been SO LONG since high school (at least five years), but I'm probably taking that secret to the grave. :-) yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2026/05/first-… #YAOTLblog #blogging #writingcommunity

This month's blog post: about teenage insecurities. I was shy as a youngsta, and that definitely went away ... but I'm sure it built character. 😎 yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2026/04/bigges… #blogging #YAOTLblog

Shoutout to Take Effect Reviews for this AMAZING (10/10!) review of my album, I Don't Need Your Permission! Comparing me to Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde: THANK YOU! takeeffectreviews.com/march-2026-4/2… #newalbum #newmusic

Blogging today! All about my favorite hangout as a teen. And, um, other things. yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2026/03/fave-h… #YAOTLblog #writingcommunity

I've been a professional fiction writer since 2002. Here's what I've learned. This list assumes your books are good enough. You'll know when you know. 1. Write when you can. Finish what you start. Self-publish what you finish. Repeat. 2. You don't need gatekeepers. 3. The only thing you should pay for is cover art (and maybe formatting if you haven't learned how to do that yourself.) People do judge a book by its cover. 4. The only advertising that ever worked for me is BookBub, and that doesn't work as well as it used to. Your best advertising is writing a good book. 5. Kindle Unlimited earns more than going wide on all platforms. Make sure your Amazon listing sings. 6. Your online presence will not help sell books. Social media doesn't boost sales. 7. Don't read your reviews, or worry about reviews at all. 8. Periodic sales and discounts and freebies increase units sold and income generated. 9. Be polite, gracious, humble, and thankful. 10. Don't stress over sales. Just keep improving your craft. 11. Never give up.

OMG, yes!!!

@tomemmer Your mama must be so proud of how you turned out. RESIGN. Also, neither country wants you.

Okay Canada, here’s the deal: We win, you become the 51st state. You win, we give you Timmie Walz. GO TEAM USA! 🇺🇸

Blogging today! All about first freedoms ... and adventures. yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2026/02/first-… #YAOTLblog #blogging #writingcommunity

Companies that stood by DEI & didn’t fold to Trump! 1. Auntie Anne’s 2. Jamba Juice 3. Kroger 4. Cinnabon 5. Southwest Airlines 6. Kroger 7. United Airlines 8. Costco 9. Ulta 10. Macy’s 11. Walgreens 12. Old Navy 13. Scooters 14. Trader Joe’s 15. Aldi 16. T.D Bank

TODAY. The state of Minnesota is on strike. End the federal occupation. #iceoutforgood

Blogging today! About friendships, and losing them, and all sorts of other warm cozy things, or possibly not. :-) yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2026/01/of-fri… #YAOTLblog #friendship #writingcommunity

@MbarkCherguia Forever Dateless

Give this haircut a name

Board of Directors of @Target: sure, our sales, revenue, and stock have tanked because we rejected DEI. But how can we make even MORE horrendous business decisions? Oh, yeah: help ICE. #business101 #fail

Blogging today! About whether teen novels are, or should be, a time capsule for future generations. yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2025/12/teen-n… #YAOTLblog #writingcommunity #teen

Increasingly, I think they need to hire happier (less bitter, less angry, possibly less arrogant) people to create the #Squaredle puzzles. The current ones are ruining our days.

Thank you so much!!! 🎶💕

indie Musicians email itisnowpod@gmail.com if you want your music played. GMT Time check schedule for more plays. Playlist 907 music from No Parking - Running Out The Clock The Weirdos Song @IAmJimenaArroyo Delta Rain - Martyrs Crossroads @TheWhythouse Ft Mista Murray Just Like Me - Afternoon Astronauts FAKE ID - @squangeybobbins FT BILLY LUNN Brave - Bernie Barlow Yours Until Tomorrow - @Mary_Strand Made of Stone - Beckside of Richness Right track - Pete Scott Fire In The Rain - @hollywildmusic Someone Real - Asmi Aderay I'm In Love With My Friends @Girlwith_a_Hawk Bring it Back To Life @benreel Start as We Mean To Go On - Smiley WITH ME TONIGHT @jam_tako3 stream stream.radio.co/sc41e33712/lis… vote Top 40 itisnowradio.com/top-40.html #indiemusic #newmusic #indieartist #Spotify #livemusic #radio #independentartist #musiclovers #unsignedartist #SoundCloud #Youtube #rock #pop #newmusicalert @followers @fansforbandsuk @SongbirdHQ @cobrapromo

Sweet post for the day...

Blogging today! All about dream jobs vs. Plan B. yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2025/11/dreams… #YAOTLblog #writingcommunity #dreamjob

Actually, I've had a great reading year. You? #readersoftwitter