Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Lee McIntyre Launches Post-Truth

Author and Philosopher Lee McIntyre launched his latest book, Post-Truth at the Newtonville bookstore.
It's a non-fiction, non-partisan examination of how and why our current society is shredding the concept of facts, science, and objective knowledge.
Yes, it is required reading for every thinking person.
Yes, it will help you to maintain composure when someone starts talking about "alternative facts."
To see an interview with Lee, click here


The bookstore is a jam-packed space with thousands of good reads.


Make sure to pay them a visit and pick up a copy of Lee's latest, like this gent, who got the first copy of the night.

 
So there was a great crowd
 

And Lee, waiting (lurking) for the introduction 



 Which was well done



And he is a polished speaker and presenter




The crowd was well-engaged, asking good questions and coming to a better understanding of why we're in this state of being.






And celebrities came out! 
Here's Lee with the wonderful Hank Phillippi Ryan with hubby Jonanthan, 
as she purchases multiple copies


And another local author, Len Rosen


And then they all get in on the act
Front, L to R: Elisabeth Elo, and Editor Exraordinaire Karen Salemi, 
with Joanna Schaffhausen in red.
Back: Len, Jay Shepherd, me, Ray Daniel, Hank 
To see an interview with Joanna, click here
To see an interview with Ray, click here


And Lee signed a lot of copies for eager buyers



And then had more to sign for the store to sell


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Meet Mystery Author Don Kaplan

Mystery Author Don Kaplan is a fellow member of the local chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, and has a new book out. He's an interesting character, as you can see.


He had a recent book launch at the New England Mobile Bookfair for Thief Executive Officer, the second book in his Dizzy Gillespie series.


If you'd like to catch Don in action,  he'll be at the Library Room of the Historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA on March 15, 2018, from  6:30—8:00 pm.
He'll offer Readings, Signings, Live Music, Q & A, and Refreshments.

So let's find out more about him and his work, in his own words.

Background
Briefly, I started as a high school teacher (history, social science, constitution, etc.) and loved it. However, I promised myself that I wouldn’t limit myself to one defining role in my obituary because I’d never know what else I might love. I wanted to keep informing, teaching, and writing, so I got into publishing shopper’s guides where I wrote articles and reviews. I had to create and sell advertising advertisers to generate revenue. My customers liked the ads so much that they asked me to develop all their ads. I started full service advertising agency and called it Kaplan & Stuart Inc.  We grew from one to ten people and worked with hundreds of clients over a 10 year period. I wrote all the copy, directed the creative, developed and produced TV and radio ads.

In the early 90’s, I decided to expand the epitaph one more time and became a strategic marketing consultant. I fed my writing addiction by creating strategies, ads, and a blog called DK4M which is now in its third decade.

In 2003, I began research on a little known, long-ignored incident in American history when Andrew Jackson murdered two British traders. Work and life intervened I and in 2013 I realized while important, the story might not interest a lot of readers. I also realized that mysteries were a great diversion that I had in common with a lot of people. So I wrote The Devil’s Jury. I liked the lead characters so much I wrote TEO: Thief Executive Officer.

Themes
A number of issues intersect in Thief Executive Officer.  It explores the complexity and risks of whistle blowing and the ethics of business as well the ease and dangers of producing and distributing opioids and counterfeit prescription medicine.

Storytelling
I think like most authors of fiction I could imagine and wish that my books could be made into movies.  Unreasonable dreaming can be motivating.  Beyond storytelling, I have discovered that developing this story has intensified my interest and probably knowledge of human nature. 

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sisters in Crime Presents Geoff Symon Forensics Talk

Thanks to our local chapter of the Sisters in Crime, we had a great seminar of Forensics for Fiction by expert Geoff Symon. For more than 20 years as a federal law enforcement special agent, Geoff Symon has been using his expertise and experience to put away the bad guys. Now he's begun lecturing and consulting with authors in genre fiction communities to help bring verisimilitude and meaningful detail to the depiction of crime and investigation.
What a great class it was. Those who write mysteries and crime should know the details of crime scenes and forensic evidence.
If you couldn't make the class, you can still get Geoff's books on various subjects.
Here's Edith Maxwell, local SinC chapter President and Lisa Haselton
They put this event together and made it a great day!
To see an interview with Edith, click here


Here are books published by local Sisters in Crime members in the last year. 
Note the awesome cover for A Sharp Medicine, Top center on the left.
Thanks to Hans Copek, who puts these posters together.


Many good writers in attendance.
Here's Connie Johnson Hambley, being helpful
To see an interview with Connie, click here


And Arlene Kay, foreground
To see an interview with Arlene, click here


And debut author Joanna Schaffhausen
To see an interview with Joanna, click here
 

We had a full room of interested authors and guests





Geoff is an active, polished, and engaged speaker who likes to move around





While we got to sit and ask thousands of questions.





Then Geoff got to meet his new fans.
Here's Ursula Wong
To see an interview with Ursula, click here


To see an interview with Marian, click here


And with Connie


Then others got in on the act, getting books signed and continuing to ask questions