This book promotion is through WOW: Women on Writing.
Let Birds Fly blog tour includes an awesome interview with the author. Check out our discussion, share, comment, and subscribe.
Book Summary
Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas is a magical realism short story collection where the extraordinary sparks
everyday lives toward transformation. Connected by Ripple Media, each of the fifteen characters navigates personal struggles, such as an impossible itch, a mercurial third eye, and hallucinating coffee. They discover hidden truths, purpose, or power. With whimsy and emotional depth, these stories explore identity, passion, and self-discovery through moments of enchantment that crack open ordinary reality. Let these tales remind you:
sometimes, the most magical thing is becoming who you were always meant to be.
Publisher: Main Street Rag Publishing Company
ISBN-10: 978-1-964277-49-3
Print Length: 232 pages
Shopping Sites:
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/234299217-let-birds-fly
Main Street Rag: https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/let-birds-fly-rhea-thomas/
About the Author
Rhea Thomas lives in Austin, Texas where she works as a program manager in the digital media world. Her
short stories have been published in multiple publications, including, most recently, The Fictional Café, Toasted Cheese and Does It Have Pockets. She spends her free time hoarding books, walking her stubborn Labrador retriever, playing games with her sons, kayaking and swimming in rivers, searching for mysteries and writing short stories that explore magical moments in the mundane. Her first book, a collection of short stories, is due out in August 2025, and she’s currently working on a literary mystery novel.
You can find her online at:
https://rheathomasauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rheathomasauthor
https://www.instagram.com/rheatellstales/
https://x.com/rheatellstales
Author Interview – Sarandipity’s Blog
Welcome! Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you began your writing journey?
I’ve always written stories, on and off, throughout my whole life. I love creating stories and spend a lot of time with them in my head.
I’m currently working on a mystery novel, and I hope to write and publish many more books (publishing gods willing).
For readers who are just discovering you, how would you describe your writing style or the kinds of stories you enjoy telling?
My writing is quirky and weird. I love magical realism and character-driven stories. Most of my stories
incorporate symbolism or a deeper meaning than they may initially appear to have.
What inspired you to write your latest book, and what made this story one you had to tell?
I started writing stories about work as a creative outlet and stress reliever. After I’d written a handful, my writing coach suggested that these could be compiled into a short story collection. I ended up writing 15 stories in total, all interconnected. They all convey similar messages about finding your truth, discovering your purpose, and speaking up. I guess that’s an essential theme in my life! Lol!
Every book has its challenges. What was the most difficult part of writing this one, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part was figuring out how to tie everything together in the last story … and then finding a publisher.
Most publishers don’t want a debut author with a short story collection. They prefer a novel first. It was a challenge!
What does your writing process look like—are you a meticulous planner, a go-with-the-flow writer, or somewhere in between?
Go with the flow! I’ll start a story with an idea, a moment, a setting or a character, but I have no idea how
the rest of it will come together. It’s fun to see what I end up with.
How do you stay motivated and inspired during the writing process, especially on the days when creativity doesn’t come easily?
If nothing is coming, creatively, then I go for a walk or wander through a bookstore or do something
along those lines that refills my creative well.
Do you have any favorite writing rituals, tools, or habits that help you get into the creative zone?
I listen to a lot of author interviews and writing podcasts, so I’ll often start one of those and go for a walk. The physical activity and the talk around writing help motivate me.
What do you hope readers experience or take away after reading your work?
I hope there’s a moment in at least one story that brings a smile to their face. I hope it inspires writers to create their own work and inspires readers to embrace the weird and let their creativity soar!
Let’s have a little fun—if you could spend a day with any fictional character (yours or someone else’s), who would it be and why?
Hmmm … maybe Sherlock Holmes. I’m obsessed with mysteries and deduction. I’d love to see him in action with some of our current century’s unsolved mysteries. I could start a podcast with him to follow him on the case. Or maybe I’d like to hang out with Albus Dumbledore. He’s so wise and quirky and would have some fabulous stories to tell. We could exchange fun socks, share candy, and sip on some
butterbeer around a fire in his study in Hogwarts.
Lightning round:
Ebook, paperback, or audiobook? ALL of the above! I always have both an audiobook and a physical book or a Kindle book in progress.
Write in silence or with music? I like background noise, but no music with words and nothing too loud or prominent. I don’t mind writing in a coffee shop or a library or public places.
Pen and notebook or laptop? Both! I work on a computer all day, so sometimes I can’t stand to spend any more time in front of a keyboard, and I’ll write with pen and paper.
One thing your readers would be surprised to learn about you? I am related to two best-selling authors, James Lee Burke and Alafair Burke.
Blog Tour Calendar
October 13 @ The Muffin
Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
October 14 @ Kaecey McCormick’s blog
Visit Kaecey’s blog for a guest post by Rhea Thomas on how to look for sparks of creativity during your day.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
October 16 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Joy’s blog for an excerpt from Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
October 18 @ Nicole Writes About Stuff
Visit Nicole’s Substack for a feature of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas in her weekly feature, 3 Things on a
Saturday Night.
https://nicolepyles.substack.com/
October 20 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Visit Anthony’s blog for his review of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
October 22 @ Sarandipity
Visit Sara’s blog for her interview with Rhea Thomas on her short story collection, Let Birds Fly.
https://sarandipitys.com
October 24 @ CC King Blog
Visit Caitrin’s blog for a guest post by Rhea Thomas on Let Birds Fly.
https://www.caitrincking.com/blog
October 25 @ Nicole Writes About Stuff
Revisit Nicole’s blog for Rhea Thomas’ contribution to 3 Things on a Saturday Night
https://nicolepyles.substack.com/
October 27 @ Tracey Lampley’s blog
Visit Tracey’s blog for a guest post by Rhea Thomas about tips on reaching your ideal audience through social media.
https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-posts
October 30 @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog for her review of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
October 31 @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
Join Karen for her review of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://guatemalapaula.blogspot.com/
November 1 @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Stop by Linda’s blog for her interview with Rhea Thomas about her short story collection, Let Birds Fly.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
November 2 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for her review of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://chapterbreak.net/
November 3 @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona’s blog for a post by Rhea Thomas, including tips on titling your stories.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
November 4 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Visit Anthony’s blog again for a blog post by Rhea Thomas on why she started writing short stories.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
November 6 @ Knotty Needle
Stop by Judy’s blog again for her response to our tour-themed prompt about magical moments in her life.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
November 7 @ CK Sorens’ Instagram
Carrie reviews Rhea Thomas ‘ short story collection Let Birds Fly on her Instagram page.
https://instagram.com/ck_sorens
November 7 @ Cassie’s Page
Cassie reviews Rhea Thomas ‘ short story collection Let Birds Fly on her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1D2cYrrc3d/
November 10 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog for her feature of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
November 12 @ Sarandipity
Don’t miss a guest post by Rhea Thomas about tips on reaching your audience through social media.
https://sarandipitys.com
November 15 @ Teatime and Books
Visit Janet’s blog for a spotlight of Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com
November 16 @ CK Sorens’ Newsletter
Don’t miss Carrie’s newsletter that features Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas.
https://www.cksorens.com
