Make No Mistake

The little novel that could ... change the world

Hello dear readers,

I know the last chapter of Make No Mistake - The Novel was posted a while ago, and the podcast chapters have all been released, but in the background a lot has been happening.

When I shared the first chapter of Make No Mistake here on Substack on March 22, 2025, I had no idea that scarcely two months later, my thriller would be a paperback and e-book as well as a podcast. All thanks to you and your enthusiasm for Maggie’s story.

Make No Mistake was recently nominated for the Eric Hoffer Award (the cover now features a new sticker - I’m over the moon!)

And over 1300 readers entered my e-book giveaway contest on Goodreads. The book has popped up in unexpected places around the world and across Canada (special thanks to readers who have sent me photos of Make No Mistake in intriguing locations).

And the reviews have made this author’s heart dance with delight.

“This debut novel by Julie Wise is a fast-paced and exciting feminist thriller about a heroine, Maggie Carpenter, who fights for justice for women everywhere. This book is a very worthy—and timely—novel by an author who strongly believes in her topic and tells it with passion.” ~ Valerie Green for the BC Review of Books

“A thunderous love letter to feminist resistance—Wise’s thriller is The Handmaid’s Tale with a Molotov cocktail twist.” ~ Sarah Jensen, Goodreads review

“A page-turning thriller that covers the swift rise of authoritarianism in a country once hailed as the leader of the free world, the readiness of an organization to tackle the threatening tsunami, and a peaceful resistance that combats the threat.” ~ Karen Barrow, author of Palmyra

It’s been an amazing journey for a novel that I set aside a few years ago when no agents or publishers were interested in it. I am so glad I didn’t give up on Maggie and her story, and that all of you were so eager to read it.

And we’re not done yet.

This weekend, I’ve been invited to present at Word Vancouver, and I’ll be sharing the story of Make No Mistake, from discard pile to Substack, podcast, paperback and e-book. If you are in the area, please stop by. I love to meet readers in person.

I plan to do another Goodreads Giveaway soon. The paperback this time. Keep an eye on my Goodreads page for more (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234729902-make-no-mistake).

If you have read Make No Mistake, and enjoyed it, please take a moment to add a review on Goodreads or Amazon. Reviews help other readers find books (and that means the novel’s message of creative resistance and hope will spread even farther).

And if you’re part of a book club, let me know. The paperback includes discussion questions for book clubs, and I’ve already had a few invitations to join book club discussions by Zoom. Such fun to hear readers’ thoughts on the book.

Make No Mistake makes a great gift for friends and family members, and I’ve heard of readers adding copy to Little Free Libraries in their neighbourhoods. Cool idea! And donating a copy to their local library. Libraries (and independent bookstores) can order Make No Mistake through Ingram and other sites as well but sometimes the personal approach (coupled with your enthusiasm) makes a big difference.

Whew! It’s been a wild ride so far. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Without you, Make No Mistake would be just another unknown file in the depths of my computer.