My name is Maggie St.Thomas, and I’ve been rockin’ the published lands since ’93. Since the Fall of 2022, I’ve released four books and three romance short stories. Earlier this year, I decided to switch things up and take on a crazy new challenge—78 word search puzzle books covering quite a range of topics. Investing hours into each puzzle book, selecting the words to fit in the puzzle pages, to designing the artwork on the covers.
I’ve spent decades promoting artists and their works, and that’s how Jerk Of All Trades was born. I kept getting these killer shots at shows and interviews of artists but didn’t have a consistent outlet for them, so I made my own. It’s not just about me—it’s a platform for other artists to get their work out there too.
Working on these puzzle books happened during a time when I really needed some self-love and healing. It turned out to be way more therapeutic than I expected. I made a few to start, then life took a weird turn, and I churned out a bunch of puzzle books in a mania of creativity. Plenty of challenges to keep people entertained and the mind stimulated.
Why Puzzle Books?
Honestly, I just wanted to bring a little bit of old-school back. Any excuse to unplug from the digital world and actually be in the moment is a win in my book. These puzzles are good for giving your brain a workout and keeping you engaged. Plus, who doesn’t love getting lost in a good word search?
Picking a favorite puzzle book? That’s a tough one. 3-Letter Fun is pretty special—I put together a collection of three-letter words aimed at young readers and used photos of my sons from when they were three years old. It’s got that personal touch that makes it extra meaningful, and promotes literacy and spelling at an early age. Then there’s the Halloween word puzzle book, where the cover features a photo of the casket my mother rests in, along with my beloved clown. It’s eerie and beautiful all at once. They’re all so different, and that’s what makes it fun and unique. My last puzzle book, #78, Words On You, is a lyrical journey that defines the signature sound of LP. I’ve got all the topics in there, Flowers, The Camera, Love, Presidents of The U.S. Astrology, Cats, Birds, Conspiracies, just about everything is in there, even Walken Thru The Movies, a tribute to one of the greatest actors of our time… Christopher Walken.
Giving Back
One of my favorite projects is the PUNK Word Search Puzzle Book, with 100% of proceeds going to Lou Koller’s Sweet Relief Music Fund. Lou, legendary frontman of New York’s hardcore punk band Sick Of It All, has given so much to the punk community, and I wanted to give something back. It’s about giving people—of all interests and all walks of life—a reason to put down their phones and pick up a pencil. That’s priceless to me. For those of you who would like to donate to Sweet Relief Music Fund directly, please do so here.
Past Books
“My debut book Still Life: The Photographs of Maggie St.Thomas came out in the Fall of 2022. A photo novel, about Life, Death, and beyond. Designed by my late friend, Biff Butler.
Upcoming Books
“Goodbye Feather is a heartfelt children’s book that helps young readers cope with grief and loss, whether they’ve lost a loved one or a pet. The story is simple yet powerful, with easy-to-read text and a focus on literacy through large, bold words on each page. Sabrina Hirsch, brings the story to life with her adorable illustrations. In Native culture, feathers symbolize a bridge between earth and spirit, adding profound meaning to the healing journey in the story.
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“My own experience with loss has shaped this book. Losing my mother—first to absence and then to complications from routine surgery—left a lasting impact. Connecting with kids through stories like Goodbye Feather means so much to me. As someone who’s lived a messy life, I’ve always turned to art and books to find comfort and work through my struggles. I wanted to give young readers a book to help them cope with loss, in any form, in a healthy and meaningful way.”
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In 2023, while dealing with hearing issues where everything sounded muffled and underwater, I wrote a children’s story about a young girl with superhero abilities to hold her breath underwater. This led to the creation of two books in the Underwater Girl series, illustrated by Christie Shinn.
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“Subject: PUNK is my second photo novel—a raw and honest look at my teenage years and early days in the music scene, starting with Hong Kong Café. This collection spans decades of photographs, exclusive interviews, and quotes from punk icons and friends I’ve met along the way, including H.R. from Bad Brains, Leonard Graves Phillips from The Dickies, Lou Koller and Craig Setari from Sick Of It All, Exene Cervenka of X, Gina Volpe (Lunachicks), Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy), and many more. Designed by David Bennett, it’s finally here!
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Behind The Curtain: 13-Short Story Romance Series is something entirely new for me. In June 2024, I began crafting a romance novel, which turned into thirteen short stories. After writing 70,000 words, I started editing the first three stories: A Modern Love Story, Pressed for Love, and Crash Into You. Romance novels have never been my thing, I’ve never read one. It’s all pretty PG—stories about people finding each other. I’m not trying to shock anyone.”
Where Can You Find My Books?
You can find my books at several locations, including:
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Barnes & Noble (around the U.S.)
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The Untold Story Bookstore in Anaheim, CA.
- 27th Letter Books in Detroit, MI.
- Tia Book Cellar in Erie, PA.
- Green Apple Books On the Park in San Francisco, CA.
PUNK Word Search Puzzle Book will be available at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, NV beginning later this month.
Glow Up MedSpa Word Search Puzzle Book, a must-have for anyone who believes in looking and feeling their best will be available at all Dermfx MedSpa locations across Southern California beginning in April.
If you’re in Long Beach, be sure to check out Third Eye Records and Fingerprints—two of the top record stores in town, and they carry both my physical books, and word puzzle books.
What’s Next?
This summer, I’m excited to return to Idyllwild Arts for the Writers Workshop. That place is pure magic to me. Creativity has always been my way of making sense of life.
Catch me with my booth #0239 at the LA Times Festival of Books on April 26-27 in Los Angeles, and on May 31 at the Sublime Life Sobriety Festival in Oceanside. I’ll be showcasing two special puzzle books I crafted just for this event, Sober Living and Sober & Strong, designed to support people at all stages of recovery.
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