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Jeff Somers

Jeff Somers is a freelancer who has been writing about writing, books, personal finance, and home maintenance since 2012.

Jeff has published nine novels and more than 70 short stories; his story Ringing the Changes was selected for inclusion in The Best American Mystery Stories 2006. In 2018, Jeff published the book Writing Without Rules: How to Write & Sell a Novel Without Guidelines, Experts, or (Occasionally) Pants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and previously worked in medical publishing as a production editor.

When not writing, Jeff spends his free time fixing up his old house. He has tackled a wide range of DIY projects, including remodeling a bathroom entirely on his own in two weeks, and building a roof deck that hasn't fallen down yet. You can find him on Bluesky.

MORE BY Jeff

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Five Signs Your Rent Is About to Go Up
 
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How to Tell If You’re Chatting With a Bot
 
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How to Protect Yourself (and Others) from Involuntary Guardianship
 
Phone on fire
How to Tell If Your Rechargeable Battery Is About to Explode
 
Man holding credit cards
Four Things to Consider When Choosing Your First Credit Card
 
Person flipping switch on home extension cord
How to Choose an Extension Cord That Won’t Burn Down Your House
 
house as seen through car rear-view mirror
Four Signs Thieves Are Casing Your House
 
Auto mechanic doing something to car
Four Ways to Protect Yourself From Getting Scammed by a Mechanic
 
Person holding credit report in front of computer
How Someone Can Ruin Your Credit Without Committing Identity Theft
 
A couple relaxing in chairs on the beach with two cocktails on a table between them
How to Decide What Time of Year to Retire
 
two businesspeople with a contract
Watch Out for These Red Flags in a Realtor Contract
 
Open House / For Sale sign posted outside a house
Why Assuming Someone Else’s Mortgage Is Probably a Bad Idea (Even If the Interest Rate Is Low)
 
An in-ground backyard pool
Seven Home 'Upgrades' That Aren’t Worth the Money
 
Courthouse sign
What to Do If You’re Sued in Small Claims Court
 
A garbage disposal viewed from under the sink
Four Reasons Garbage Disposals Are Terrible
 
A hand using a paint roller to cover primer with peach colored paint
Four Subtle Contractor Scams to Look For
 
A collection of pill bottles against a white background
The Best Ways to Reuse (or Discard) Old Pill Bottles
 
A suburban duplex home
Three Steps to Take When Your Landlord Is Also Your Neighbor
 
A dog's nose poking out from a wool blanket
Four Different Types of Naps (and How to Choose One)