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Last week, Automattic announced that they’d be cutting their weekly contributor hours to WordPress.org from roughly 4,000 to a mere 45. This is a massive shift in how open-source WordPress has functioned for over a decade. Let’s explore four possible implications of this major change.

If you’ve used Google lately, you’ve probably noticed a change: instead of just getting a mix of links and snippets, you’re now seeing AI-generated responses that synthesize information from multiple sources right there in your results. This is what’s known as generative search and it’s changing how we optimize content for search engines. In this post, I’ll explain how traditional SEO differs from GEO and where the concept of GEO originated from. Then I’ll go over some best practices so you can improve your odds of getting featured in generative search results.

Happy almost-2025, everyone! While you’re finishing up your year-end to-do’s (or wishing you had started them earlier), I’ve been diving into some fresh data published by Cloudflare. This time, they’ve looked at how people around the globe have been spending their time online during the holiday season – between Christmas and the New Year. As it turns out, when the feasting starts, the web often takes a back seat.

Fundraising is hard. Accepting payments shouldn’t be. I tested popular WordPress donation plugins to determine how well they can help you meet your online fundraising goals.

The publishing world is changing fast at this moment. The once mighty industry leaders are still trying to figure out how to take advantage of the constantly evolving technology that delivers their products. Meanwhile, independent creators are leveraging technology to create, promote and distribute their work.

Indie crime writers aren’t just surviving. They’re thriving. Creative freedom? Check. Global readership? Check. The ability to control their work while earning a living? Double check. Here’s how some of the smartest names in the game have made it happen—on their own terms.

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Self-Published Stars That Blew Up the Charts

L.J. Ross
The story of L.J. Ross and her DCI Ryan Mysteries proves you don’t need a major publisher to dominate. Her 2015 debut Holy Island turned her into an indie juggernaut, selling over 7 million copies to date. Ross turned traditional publishing down, choosing to stay in control. Her books, set against vivid British landscapes, offer readers something a little different: atmosphere meets intrigue. By focusing on place and culture, she carved out her niche and built a rabid fanbase.

Robert Dugoni
When My Sister’s Grave dropped, Dugoni didn’t just grab readers’ attention—he shook up the industry. The blend of police procedural and courtroom drama created a bestseller that’s now been translated into over 20 languages. Starting out self-published, Dugoni now walks the line between indie and traditional, but his indie roots gave him the freedom to tell a story his way.

Rachel Amphlett
Rachel Amphlett’s Detective Kay Hunter series turned heads with its mix of gritty police work and psychological tension. Amphlett’s a masterclass in how to grow an audience—she built hers by using Facebook ads and newsletters like a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. It worked. Her breakout, Scared to Death (2016), put her on the map, and she hasn’t slowed down since.

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Digital-First Writers Playing By New Rules

Indie creators know digital readers are hungry for quick hits of suspense. And nobody gets this better than writers like Blake Banner and Fiona Quinn.

Blake Banner churns out Dead Cold Mysteries faster than some readers can keep up. The tight pacing, lean storytelling, and rapid release schedules fit perfectly with platforms like Kindle Unlimited.

Meanwhile, Fiona Quinn blends romantic suspense with action-packed thrills in her Iniquus Security series. She’s proof that mixing genres doesn’t water things down—it widens the net. Quinn built her base through social media, engaging readers one by one. Her work delivers detail, research, and a dose of edge, giving fans something they didn’t know they needed.

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Visual Creators and Storytelling Reinvented

Crime fiction isn’t just words on paper anymore. Creators like Justin Hall and Sophie Krause are bringing crime stories to life through comics, interactive games, and multimedia projects.

Justin Hall’s Crime City Comics is like stepping into a smoky noir movie—classic comic art meets crime storytelling that feels fresh, not recycled. He distributes his work on platforms like Gumroad and Patreon, proving that comic creators don’t need Marvel or DC to make an impact.

Sophie Krause’s The Brunswick Affair flips storytelling on its head by letting readers interact with the mystery itself. Her visual novels, hosted on platforms like Itch.io, blur the line between fiction and gaming. This isn’t just reading. It’s an experience—your choices drive the story forward.

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The Audio Crime Wave

Podcasts are where storytelling and binge culture collide, and indie creators are cashing in.

Alex C. Gates built The Basement Tapes as a serialized audio mystery, mixing true crime vibes with fictional twists. What started as a podcast now lives on in self-published novels, giving fans even more ways to stay hooked.

And then there’s Morgan Greene, whose Jamie Johansson series brings Nordic noir to a global audience. By publishing through Kindle Unlimited and other platforms, Greene taps into the massive appetite for Scandinavian crime fiction without losing creative control.

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What’s the Secret? (Hint: It’s Not Luck)

Here’s what these indie success stories teach us:

• Speed Wins. Indie authors release books faster—sometimes 2-3 a year—keeping readers hungry for more.
• Control Matters. Owning the rights to their work lets creators adapt—audio, comics, digital—you name it.
• Audience Is Everything. Social media, newsletters, and direct engagement turn casual readers into lifelong fans.
• Rules Don’t Apply. Mixing genres, blending mediums, or experimenting with interactivity? Indie writers do it first.

The old playbook is dead. You don’t need a gatekeeper’s permission to write—and sell—a great story. If you’ve got the talent, the drive, and a willingness to connect with readers directly, you can carve out your own success.

And as these creators prove, there’s nothing “indie” about going big.

Cloudflare just released their “2024 Year in Review” report – a detailed document that dives into the key trends and patterns shaping the web over the past year. I’ll be honest with you, it’s my first time paying attention to this report, but I’m really fascinated by the insights that they’ve been able to deliver. It’s an opportunity for all of us (website owners) to explore the forces behind the internet as we use it every day, and perhaps walk into 2025 a little more prepared.

Have you noticed in the past few months that Reddit seems to pop up in almost every single one of your Google search results? Whether you’re looking for product reviews, travel tips, or life advice, those distinctive Reddit threads are almost always there on either page one or two – though it’s usually the former. This isn’t just Google’s algorithm being extra friendly to Reddit – there’s actually a story behind it.

In the realm of storytelling, the fusion of the supernatural with the cozy mystery genre in comics creates a captivating blend. It’s a world where the intrigue of whodunnits meets the mystical, often with a touch of humor and warmth. Supernatural cozy mysteries in comics have carved out a unique niche, appealing to a wide range of readers who crave a bit of magic with their mysteries.

The Enchanting World of Supernatural Cozy Mysteries

What makes them irresistible?

• A Comforting Escape: These comics offer an escape into a world where even the most mysterious events have a comforting resolution.
• Balanced Storytelling: The blend of supernatural elements with cozy mysteries provides a perfect balance between the thrill of the unknown and the comfort of the familiar.
• Character-Driven Narratives: Often centered around charismatic and relatable protagonists, these stories engage readers on a personal level.

Popular Themes and Elements

• Mystical Settings: From haunted bookshops to magical small towns, the settings are as enchanting as the stories.
• A Hint of the Paranormal: Elements like psychic abilities, ghosts, and witches add an intriguing layer to the traditional mystery plot.
• Community and Connection: These comics often emphasize themes of community and connection and often include a dose of humor.

Why Do Readers Love Them?

The appeal of supernatural cozy mysteries in comics lies in their ability to combine suspense and whimsy. They offer a refreshing take on traditional mystery storytelling, where the supernatural elements add depth and imagination. These stories are not just about solving a crime but also about exploring the mystical in everyday life.

Key Reasons for Their Popularity

• A Unique Twist on Mystery: The supernatural aspect provides a unique twist to the classic mystery plot, keeping readers engaged and guessing.
• Artistic Expression: The comic format allows for creative visual storytelling, enhancing the supernatural and cozy elements through artwork.
• Wide Audience Appeal: These comics appeal to a broad audience, attracting both mystery enthusiasts and fans of supernatural fiction.

The Allure of Mystery-Solving Partners in English and Japanese Comics

Storytelling thrives on great mysteries. Add a dynamic duo to the mix, and you’ve got a winning formula. Whether it’s English-language comics or Japanese manga, mystery-solving couples bring a potent blend of drama, chemistry, and clever sleuthing to the table. Let’s break down some standout titles and why they click with fans.

English Mystery Comics Featuring Dynamic Duos

The Maze Agency
Mike W. Barr’s “The Maze Agency” delivers a perfect mix of romance and intrigue. Jennifer Mays, an ex-CIA agent turned PI, and her boyfriend, true-crime writer Gabriel Webb, make an unbeatable team. Their cases are as sharp as their chemistry. The real hook? Watching their professional lives collide with their personal drama, keeping you guessing about more than just the crimes.

Ms. Tree
From 1981 to 1992, Ms. Tree distinguished herself as a unique investigator. After her husband’s murder, Michael Tree takes over his detective agency. She’s tough, smart, and often flies solo, but her relationships and occasional partnerships add a human layer to the gritty plots. It’s noir with heart, and readers couldn’t get enough.

Sandman Mystery Theatre
Set in the shadowy 1930s, “Sandman Mystery Theatre” brings Wesley Dodds and Dian Belmont together for psychologically rich mysteries. The Sandman’s cerebral approach pairs beautifully with Dian’s grounded perspective. Their evolving relationship is just as intriguing as the dark secrets they unravel.

Blake and Mortimer
While “Blake and Mortimer” hails from Belgium, it’s got a solid English-speaking fan base. Professor Philip Mortimer and Captain Francis Blake are a classic detective duo. Think high-stakes mysteries, dastardly villains, and a camaraderie that’s stood the test of time.

Japanese Mystery Manga with Enigmatic Partners

Q.E.D. (Quod Erat Demonstrandum)
Sou Touma’s brilliance meets Kana Mizuhara’s fiery determination in this manga series. Together, they tackle puzzles that demand both brains and guts. Sou’s calm logic clashes with Kana’s high energy, and the result is pure magic.

Remote
Kurumi Ayaki thought she left police work behind—until she’s paired with Kōzaburō Himuro, a genius detective who never leaves his basement. Their remote partnership creates a fascinating mix of suspense and humor. It’s like a long-distance relationship, but with crime-solving.

The Detective Is Already Dead
Kimihiko Kimizuka’s life takes a wild turn when he meets Siesta, a legendary detective. The series balances global conspiracies with their deepening bond. Even when the story shifts, the impact of their partnership lingers.

Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective
Ron Kamonohashi is an eccentric PI with a troubled past. Totomaru Isshiki is an eager but green cop. Together, they solve bizarre mysteries in a partnership full of growth and surprises. They may not be romantically linked, but their dynamic is electric.

Why Mystery-Solving Partners Captivate Us

What makes these pairs so compelling? It’s the mix of intellect, emotion, and chemistry. The mysteries pull us in with twists and turns, but it’s the human connection that keeps us hooked. The stakes are higher when hearts are on the line, and the push-pull dynamic between the characters adds another layer of tension.

From gritty English noirs to quirky Japanese who-dun-its, mystery-solving couples remind us why two heads—and hearts—are better than one. When love, trust, and intellect collide, the results are nothing short of captivating.

Crafting the Perfect Supernatural Cozy Mystery Comic

For writers and artists, creating a supernatural, cozy mystery comic involves a delicate balance. Here are some key considerations:

• Developing Engaging Characters: Characters should be well-developed and relatable, with unique quirks that make them stand out.
• Balancing Mystery and Magic: The supernatural elements should complement, not overpower, the mystery at the heart of the story.
• Visual Storytelling: Artwork plays a crucial role in setting the tone and enhancing the narrative.

The Upshot

Supernatural cozy mysteries in comics are more than just a genre; they are a delightful experience that melds the intrigue of mysteries with the allure of the supernatural. They offer readers an imaginative escape, complete with captivating stories, charming characters, and a visual feast that only comics can provide.