Signing at Freethinker's Corner Bookstore

Had a lovely time at the Freethinker's Corner Bookstore in Dover, NH. Nice day and great chat with Chris Upton, the owner, who has some big plans. They'll be expanding the space to absorb the building next door, so they'll be hosting many local community events and artisans.

The buyers were avid book fans, and picked up enough books to make the day a success! Always great to get new fans of the Zack Taylor mystery series.

And I'll be signing at another local book store for Small Business Saturday, at the New England Mobile Book Fair.

My Third Newsletter

Hello All- so much to report, I had to do a newsletter- only my third one.


For those who are interested, on my website is my third newsletter, telling about all the new releases, a couple of upcoming stories you can read for free, recent events (including a trip to Las Vegas), and upcoming appearances and book signings.

Viva Las Vegas

Your author here went to Las Vegas to do some research for a number of upcoming books. After all, the last time I was there was in 1984, and let's just say the town has changed a wee bit since then.
A secondary reason was to play in some national-level poker tournaments I'd qualified for. (Had terrible cards for most of them, so didn't make the money- although one we were very, very close.)

After a flight on which I sat between two sick people (who passed it on to me, a nasty, two-week misery, may they rot in Hell), we landed in Shangri-La. Lots to see and do, even at the airport.

A big surprise was the prevalence of smoking indoors, something we haven't seen in years. I snapped a pic of this artifact, a cigarette-dispensing machine. Could have done without the smokers, frankly. Who still does that in 2019?

Cool decor at The Orleans, with a New Orleans vibe, including large plastic gators.

And giant Mardi Gras heads, balconies with wrought-iron railings, and colors.

We finally made it out of the place after a couple of days. Here's the exterior.

My friend Dave and I checked out The Strip, like George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's Eleven.

Amazing structures, inside and out.

So much cool glasswork

 

And Ceasar's Palace. Lives up to the hype.

People-watching is fun here. And you never know what you'll run into- like a Bobby Darin star! 

What a shame it's defaced. Should be fixed.

On another day, we went down to Fremont Street, for some lively street action. 

 Performers and artisans are given a space for their craft. And you can saddle up for some wild rides.

Fun time with the gang

We get to hang out with a million bucks!

Our crew at work during the poker tournaments

A visitor on party night

And just to be sure we know we're in the desert

Brigadoon Once More

Another Crime Bake has come and gone, another sighting of Brigadoon, now gone in the mists of time. As usual, it was a lovely time with good friends in the mystery writing community, as well as fans. Jointly sponsored by the New England chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, Crime Bake is a learning experience, a networking opportunity, and a wonderful time.

We kicked off Friday night with our panel on publishing (self/Indie/other), which was well-attended (about 75 people). 

Many folks came by in the next couple of days to say how much they'd learned from it. Judging by that, I guess we were a hit!

As usual, Tom Lyons was there with the New England Mobile Book Fair to sell the books of all the attending authors on panels.

Here's our Guest of Honor, Ann Cleves, with Ang Pompano

And with Coralie Jensen

Co-chair of the event Edith Maxwell with Susan Oleksiw and Ruth McCarty

To see an interview with Edith, click here

Elisabeth Elo with a photobombing Leigh Perry (who was here on her birthday!)

To see an interview with Leigh, click here

Joanna Schaffhausen

To see an interview with Joanna, click here

The always-dapper Ray Daniel

To see an interview with Ray, click here

Mo Walsh with Sarah Smith

Connie Johnson Hambley and Kate Flora

To see an interview with Connie, click here

To see an interview with Kate, click here

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Elizabeth Elo, Kate Flora, and JR Walcutt

To see an interview with JR, click here

Lisa Lieberman, Dick Cass, and Kate Flora

To see an interview with Dick, click here

Maureen with Bruce Coffin

To see an interview with Bruce, click here

Our GoH Ann Cleves with superstar book bloggers Kristopher Zgorski and Dru Ann Love

Doing my book signing for my latest Zack Taylor mystery (#6), A Darkened Room, with Jeanne

Stephanie Gayle with debut author JR Walcutt

Breakfast is a communal gathering

Sarah Smith (Center) with Frances McNamara

Leslie Wheeler (R)

Me with BJ Magnani

Chris Knopf and Mo Walsh

Leigh Perry, Donna Andrews, and JR Walcutt

Eddie and Cynthia Vincent of Encircle Publications, at the tired end of the conference

So much packed into just a few hours. Can't wait for next year!