Chicago 2007

It’s been three years since I last attended Printers Row in Chicago. It was hot but pleasant. Hoards of people. There I met fellow Echelon Press authors J.R. (Jenny) Turner, Luisa Buehler, Robert Goldsborough, Marc Vun Kannon, Margot Justes, Mary Welk and of course our fearless leader, Karen Syed. This year, we’ll be joined by Norm Cowie, Nick Valentino, Sam Morton, Joel Fox, L.J. Sellers, Beth Solheim, Kieryn Nicholas and Marlis Day.

Here’s the press release for my appearance this year.

I’m not packed. I’m leaving the house at around 6:30 AM tomorrow. Mentally, I have my list:  bookmarks, postcards, banner; stickers, pens, Altoids. My standard signing kit, which includes sunscreen, scissors, granola bars, change, lip balm, more pens. Bookstands—new ones this year.

Technology-wise, I’ll have my laptop. My Blackberry. My nook. My iPod. Numerous AC adapters. I’ll be wired for sound.

Also toting some new things. A very pretty necklace with a USB drive hanging from it. Some mini-coloring books with pictures of lighthouses. A hat. Yes, I am wearing a hat.

And I will be seeing my new release for the first time. CAPE SEDUCTION will “pre-release” in limited quantities at this event. I’m so excited about that! I love this book and can’t wait to see/hear the response. Official release will be in August. Ebook is a few days delayed, but should be online for purchase any day now.

Technology slows things down. Yes, that’s what I said – new formats take longer to prepare. We’ve waited this long, a few more days won’t matter!

Come by booth #FF if you’re in town. If not, hang out and read the excerpts while I’m gone.

Will report in when I return. This is going to be a great weekend, thunderstorms and all!

It’s all about not wanting to be interrupted. I could sit at the computer for, say, 30 minutes between tasks and start working on a story. But for most writers, 30 minutes just won’t cut it—it takes that long, sometimes, to really warm up to what I’m writing. So I’m reluctant to put fingers on the keyboard unless I have some significant, quality time to write. I just can’t be rushed.

Oh, Yum.

The book launch for the Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles anthology MURDER IN LA LA LAND was just a kick! I believe nine of the 12 authors and two of the three editors made appearances at The Mystery Bookstore in Westwood. The crowd was fun and receptive, the bookstore staff was generous and accommodating. I enjoyed meeting Paul Marks, Terri Nolan, Jane DeLucchio, Kathy Kingston, Donna May, Kathleen Piche and Lenore Carlson, all extraordinary LA LA authors. I’d already had the pleasure of meeting Gabriela Vazquez,  my terrific editor Eric Stone, and it’s always a lark chatting with the witty and behatted Michael Mallory. Also on hand was the charming Naomi Hirahara, another of our fine editors. Missing were authors Jack Maeby (whom I’ve met before), Patricia Morin and Jude McGee—we’ll catch up at a future event. (Jude is off gallivanting around Spain, poor kid!)

Lots of positive feedback on my short entry, “Just Like Jay.” I’m encouraged to start writing shorts again. If I ever get my chores caught up.

My Planets?

So what’s going on in the world?

I’m feeling good. Like some positive vibes are at work, downloading in the background. Can’t really explain it. Planets aligning or some such malarkey. When I feel this way, I want to share it. So here, have a slice!

Been hard at work making decisions about my career, and am going to be delving into some new areas this year. Will be posting more about that later.

I’d love to hear from any newly converted ebook readers. The news this morning that Apple’s half million or so brand-new iPad owners downloaded a whopping 250,000 ebooks was exciting, especially to us 12 year plus veteran e-authors. What a showdown this is becoming! Devices and formats are facing off in a “High Noon” scenario, and I’m confused but loving it. Making darned sure all my books are offered in those most popular formats. I’ve always been pretty technologically sound, but even my head is doing the Linda Blair trick right now.

My website wants a new face. I really like the template/theme I’m currently using, but it doesn’t provide for some of the things I want to do in the future, so I’m prowling for a new one. Dreading and yet looking forward to the customization process. It will be my forth Word Press customized site, and I learn a lot more every time.

When I was in high school, our French teacher made us all get “pen pals” in France. The French students were far better at English, I’m afraid, than we were at their language, but it was lots of fun. Today, I have a new on-line pen pal in Wales. This delights me to no end. There is something incredibly special about sharing news with others so far away. Fortunately, my new friend speaks English, otherwise I might have trouble. Anybody know Welsh? LOL.

Will I buy an iPad? No, not now. Too expensive for me. Plus, you know that old advice about never buying a first-run anything. My niece is loving her nook, which is a whole lot more affordable, but of course, it’s “just” a reader. Thoughts?

Why “La-La?” The definition, “A state of being out of touch with reality,” has been applied to the residents of Los Angeles, poking fun at our oddball, possibly eccentric ways. Being the eccentrics we are, we tend to just laugh it off. Anyone who’s seen “L.A. Story” would understand. When the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime looked for a name for its newest anthology, it just seemed to fit. The call went out for short stories concerning crime with a local flare. My story, “Just Like Jay” was selected! When you see the company I’m keeping, you’ll know why I feel so honored.

MURDER IN LA-LA LAND is being published by Top Publications. As one of the anthology authors, I’m excited to announce that a launch party has been set. A favorite local bookseller has graciously arranged for us to unveil our new book amid happy festivities!

The Mystery Bookstore, Westwood, Los Angeles

Saturday May 22, 5pm

I certainly hope some of my readers will be able to come by. As it turns out, advance copies of CAPE SEDUCTION should be in hand by that time as well! (Formal release will be at Printers Row in Chicago in June.)

Although people keep asking, I’m not allowed to divulge the identity of the mysterious “Jay” in my story. I will only say that the tale involves a particularly vintage Oldsmobile, and the chance sighting of L.A.’s most beloved nighttime talk show host. Ahem.

I have a vested interest. CAPE SEDUCTION is slated for a November 1st release in electronic format. Fourteen formats, to be sure. And you can bet LOTS of people will be getting digital readers, iPhones and Kindles for Christmas this year. Forrester recently released a report that is paraphrased at BNET. Apparently, “from 2008 to 2009, Amazon sold an estimated 600,000 Kindles. But Sony sold an estimated 400,000 of its e-readers.” That’s a million readers, folks. And it doesn’t count the number of iPhones, iPod Touches, PDA’s, laptops and other ebook reading devices already in use. Now that Sony has lowered prices on devices and ebooks, and has determined they will support the ePub* format, we will start to see them pull ahead of Amazon. Mark my words. (*See great WSJ article about ePub and DRM here.)

Speaking of Cape Seduction, I’m ecstatic to say that cover art is in the works. We have obtained rights to photos that will be mysteriously ‘Shopped into a spellbinding cover! So stay tuned on that front.

My calendar says my next personal appearance will be at the Duarte Festival of Authors. Have never done this particular festival and am looking forward to sharing some space with fellow Echelon author Gayle Carline. Gayle and I met at L.A. Times Festival of Books in April, when she was selling her new release, FREEZER BURN. We get along great except for when it comes to horses… she’s an equestrienne extraordinaire and I’m more the type that likes the wooden ones that go ’round and ’round in the mall. Is there a 12-step program for equine-o-phobes?

Good news/bad news department:  We now think our guinea pig has a benign lipoma. A fat bump. Not dangerous in itself, and should just be watched for awhile. The bad news? Son is not coming home now.   He did assure me he’ll be home for Christmas (why do I hear Bing Crosby’s baritone in the background?) Ugh. Sadness. Why does Singapore have to be so far away (and so expensive to commute?)

Have started a new story. Don’t know yet if it is a full length book or not. Takes place in the 1980’s, about a glam rocker and a makeup artist. Has to do with gay performers hiding their sexuality (or not). Not sure how readers will take this topic. Not really worried, either.

Haven’t fired up the new Pink KitchenAid Stand Mixer yet. Will plan to do some whirling this weekend and will, of course, share the results, if only virtually. Daughter wants to paint flames on the sides, like Alton Brown’s. I told her I have enough trouble with burning food.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, something likely only interesting to me and my stalkers. Oh well. It will wait.

I'm All Packed!

It’s going great. A LOT more fun than I thought it would be! And it’s forcing me to write on-the-fly. I offered these topics, now I must make good on them. (What was I thinking??? LOL).

Monday kicked off at Life of a Publisher. Confession, my actual article got lost in cyberspace and never made it to host Karen Syed’s hands. Karen, ever the fix-all wonder that she is, dredged up a pretty darn decent replacement blog about me. The original article will go up at the end of the tour, to wrap things up!

Tuesday found me jabbering about photography and writing at Beth Fish Reads. What fun! And what a great bunch of readers she has!

Wednesday I stopped in at Write First, Clean Later with L.J. Sellers. By the time I finished talking about how to find more time for yourself, I was convinced I need to take my own advice! L.J.’s site is a wealth of information for any writer. Great blog!

Today, I get a break from writing and instead got to sit back and read a review of my middle grade reader, LOCKER SHOCK! by Mitali at Alley of Books. Felt like a reward! This 18 year old reviewer is articulate and thoughtful, and I couldn’t be happier with her well-written review.

Tomorrow ends my first week with My Friend Amy, where I’m talking all about lighthouses. And guess what: August 7th is actually National Lighthouse Day! What a treat!

My line up for next week:

Monday - Writing & Life, hosted by Nick Valentino:  Taking the Mystery Out of EBooks

Tuesday - Twiga Tales, with Regina Leake:  Haunting Lighthouses

Wednesday - Vintage Cookbooks, cooked up by Amy Alessio:  Living the Romantic Life

Thursday - Nisha Sharma is on the calendar to review me!

Friday - Candid Canine (Cute name!) led by Christine Verstraete: Keeping Young Readers Motivated!

Hope you’ll stop by for a visit!

This week’s spotlight lighthouse is Admiralty Head on Whidbey Island, Washington. This is a beautiful, well-kept lighthouse that is undergoing maintenance even as I type. Access is excellent, although you do have to drive onto the grounds of Fort Casey to get there. There are historical exhibits, a gift shop, and the tower is open for visitors, too! Cannons and bunkers are still present from the days when this fort guarded the entry to Puget Sound. Environmental programs and volunteers keep this wonderful lighthouse among the best to visit!

Although I didn’t see them, it’s said you can periodically spot Orca whales from the tower. The docents are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Nearby Coupeville is one of the oldest towns in Washington. Visit Washington State Parks here.

I'm All Packed!

Okay, it’s a blog tour, but it’s still going to be a real trip… !

I’m blogging all over the place anyway, so why not hand pick a variety of entertaining spots to visit while I’m at it? The entire schedule can be found on the Book Tour calendar on my website.  I hope you’ll join me on my tour and leave a comment here and there—there’s bound to be some reward for the fans who visit all of my stops!  More details on that CONTEST to come!

On the first week of the tour—between August 3 and August 7th—you can find me at the following websites with lots of fun and reading matter. Thanks to my fab publisher, Ms. Karen Syed, for helping me get this off the ground!

August 3: Life as a Publisher with host Karen Syed

• Tour kicks off with an article about a subject near and dear to my heart: Kids & EBooks
• How EBooks Will Increase Literacy

August 4:          Beth Fish Reads

• Read how photography can enhance your writing in
• A Story’s Worth a Thousand Pictures

August 5:          Write First, Clean Later interview with host L.J. Sellers

• Ever had a conflict between your professional life and your true self?
• Finding Time to Be Yourself (and Stay Sane)

August 6:          Alley of Books review post by Mitali Dave

• What did Ben find in his school locker?
• Mitali will be reviewing LOCKER SHOCK!

August 7:          My Friend Amy hosted by… Amy!

• What do lighthouses have to do with romance? Find out in
• Living, Loving and Lighthouses

Come along for the ride and let’s have some fun!

There is a lot to write about with regard to digitally formatted books. Right now, my focus is on how to sell more of them. I buy almost exclusively ebooks myself, most of them from on-line bookseller Fictionwise. And no, I don’t read them on my computer. I have a small PDA (”Personal Data Assistant”) device — you may recognize the pioneer name “Palm Pilot” — that I download books onto and read at night in bed. I love it, and now have difficulty changing back to paper books on occasion. Since I read in bed, paper books don’t work because they require light, space and they make noise. Not to mention that they take up space on the shelf when they should still be standing in the forest. But that’s another issue.

By now, you’ve probably heard of the Kindle, Amazon’s offering in the digital book arena. Two of my friends own them and I must say, they are pretty nice. Kindles, along with their nearest competitor, the Sony Reader Digital Book, work for a variety of different scenarios. However, as they both utilize the revolutionary “eInk”, they don’t light up at night, and they don’t display in color.

Nonetheless, either of these (and several other) ereaders work  just fine for the reading of any of my seven available ebooks. Fictionwise, in fact, makes my titles available in no less than thirteen different formats for different readers. Prices range from 85 cents to $5.95 for my latest, full-length romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER. Is that a bargain, or what? The paperback sells for $12.95 plus shipping. The savings is about $8.50, and it wouldn’t take too long to make back the price of the ereader, would it?

I believe that once the price on the ereader comes down to under $100, we will start to see greater momentum on the ebook front. The fact that California, Texas and other states are experimenting with digital textbooks is a good sign.

I’d like to know what others think. Others who are still on the fence, or starting to think more about going green with ebooks. What would make you switch?

W

Does Los Angeles have its own particular brand of crazies, just scratching by amidst the daily roadblocks of urban life, the scorching summers, shaky seismic plates, potholes and panhandlers? Sisters in Crime of Los Angeles is certain it does, and has set out to prove it with the upcoming anthology, “Murder in La La Land,” set for publication this fall. Look for my latest devilish short, “Just Like Jay,” which has been selected for inclusion in MiLLL! Story takes place in the summer swelter of the San Fernando Valley, pictured above, where I grew up.

Jerry is fed up with his life, sick to death of caring for his crabby, ailing Uncle Bernard. But when his path crosses that of a famous nighttime television host, Jerry’s life changes forever. And so does Bernard’s.

I am both thrilled and honored to be a part of this new book. Stay tuned for publication date and availability!