WHIPLASH!

Hello CK Westbrook readers – and welcome to my new subscribers!

Weather whiplash that is.

Yes, March is known for weather coming in like a lion and leaving like a lamb, but in D.C., we have had 75 degrees, rain, and a snowy blizzard within the same five hours. We’ve been in the 80s and then subfreezing over the same two days. We had a tornado watch on March 16th - in the city. All this, on top of a bizarre “snowcrete” February. I realize the rest of the country has had extreme weather as well, including powerful tornadoes and heat waves. I wish that rather than complain about the weather, we worked together to reduce human contributions to planet-warming pollution.

However, despite the pollution and extremes, nature brings us Cherry Blossom Season – and it’s stunningly beautiful!

Book News

I’ve seen the first drafts of book covers for The Reason and The Outcome, and they look good. And Jonathan (my children's book illustrator) is close to a final cover for Liam the Vegan. I hope to give you all, my newsletter subscribers, a first peek next month. Stay tuned!

Just two days left for the Mystery March Sale! Quickly purchase a mystery book (including The Impact Series) for 20% off through 4 Horsemen Publications before the sale ends. You may find your new favorite author.

Check it out! Mystery – Page 4 – 4 Horsemen Publications

SPACE DEBRIS

Johns Hopkins University has been using earthquake-monitoring equipment to track space debris as it reenters Earth's atmosphere. In 2025, multiple satellites entered the atmosphere each day. Most of the equipment burns up, but some hits the Earth.

Recently, NASA was carefully watching Van Allen Probe A. The spacecraft was launched in 2012 and re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on March 11. It weighed 1,323 pounds. NASA thought most of it would burn up, but was concerned that some components might hit Earth. NASA had put the injury probability at 1 in 4,200. Space Force confirmed it re-entered over the eastern Pacific Ocean region.

Space debris is a growing problem. It’s dangerous to astronauts, satellites, the International Space Station, and people and things on Earth. On March 12, 2026, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) killed a federal rule aimed at regulating space pollution. I think Kate and Rex would be livid at this administrative action.

THE END OF AN ERA

The northern lights have put on an amazing show over the past two years, occasionally being visible as far south as Florida and Mexico. I got to see them on a dark golf course in D.C. in 2024. They have been especially electric, with neon swirls of green, pink, and purple, but the expansive visibility party is over as the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum. This cycle played a key role in The Aftermath and inspired me to write the book. One can always go north, especially in the Arctic Circle, for a chance to see them without waiting for the next cycle.

Events:

I had a fantastic time at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. I loved talking to current readers, meeting new readers, and seeing author friends. And there were talented celebrities, imaginative cosplay, and thought-provoking panels.

My panel, “Villains and Conflict – How They Influence Fantasy and Sci-Fi,” was well attended with fantastic questions from the audience. The panelists provided thoughtful and insightful answers. I created fun reels on Instagram and Facebook. Check them out.

https://www.instagram.com/ckwestbrook.author

https://www.facebook.com/WestbrookCK

Regarding villains, let’s hope and encourage state justice systems to prosecute all the villains in the files.

ANOTHER HEARTFELT WELCOME to all my new subscribers! I’m thrilled you are here!

I can’t express my deep gratitude to my readers enough. Thank you for sharing this fantastic adventure with me!

CK

Feel free to email me with any comments or questions. I would love to hear from you! Ckwestbrook.author@gmail.com

P.S. Should you be interested, below are some books that fall under similar genres to “The Impact Series” – sci-fi, speculative, and suspenseful. Happy reading!

Enjoy a Margarita