Tatnuck Featured Authors

Dropped by Tatnuck Books in Westborough yesterday to see some friends signing books.

Nicole Asselin and J.M. Taylor with mystery and baseball works.

So Much News!

Wow- so much going on. Busy month- some retirement.

We had a fun time at the Brockton Library, making a mystery.

Then my story is out in the August issue of Mystery Magazine.

And I've got a new book out, to help writers get unstuck.

And I've got books on the shelf at the Dedham Barnes and Noble.

On the bottom, due to the alphabet, but right below and left of Louise Penny!

And still in the correct location.

And now the Hingham Barnes and Noble joins the ranks of bookstores carrying my titles! 

And in two weeks, I'll be giving presentations at the Killer Nashville Mystery Conference!

Woburn Library with the Sisters in Crime

We had a fun day at the Woburn Public Library, with a panel on How to Make a Mystery, one of our specialties at the Sisters in Crime Speaker's Bureau. A sort of improv, where a group of mystery writers takes suggestions from the audience and puts together a mystery on the spot.

Here I am with Bonnar Spring, BJ Magnani, and JA Macintosh. Each bag on the table contains audience written suggestions as to names, settings, occupations, motives for murder, and possible weapons used. We had some good ones. They get written on the big white board, and we set our mystery minds to crafting a story. 

Good audience, who stuck with us throughout. By the end, we had quite a complicated story, with inheritance issues, betrayal, affairs, a secret love child, racing horse doping, embezzlement, and more. 

After the presentation, we had a chance to chat with attendees and describe our books for sale. 

Thanks to the library staff, especially Megan and Jess, who set things up for us. Nice to have snacks and good AC on a hot August afternoon. 

New Story Out and Upcoming Appearance, Upcoming Book Release

Wow- my story The Trade is out today in the August issue of Mystery Magazine, and I get cover credit! 

Come see us this Saturday, August 3, from 1:00—3:00 PM.

In person at the Woburn Public Library.

Mystery Making with Sisters in Crime, New England.

In this fun, fast-paced improv game, the authors BJ Magnani, J.A. McIntosh, Dale T. Phillips, and Bonnar Spring, will brainstorm on their feet to create a brand new mystery, using suggestions from the audience.

And if that's not enough for just the first day of August, I've got a new book coming out soon, a guide for conquering those excuses which keep you from writing. 

Natick Arts Walk

Had a pleasant night selling books at the Natick Arts Walk, where they had us set up as vendors along Main Street. Different than being on the Common, where we usually are for events there. 

Breezy and hot, but it got nicer as the evening wore on.

Not seen are fellow authors Tilia Klebenov-Jacobs and J.M. Taylor, who were too far away for me to leave my table. 

I was near a new bookstore! 

Ten Tree Books is a nice shop with a good selection. 

Was next to Elaine Low, who creates unique hand-crafted cards.

And I met Conrad Gees, a local photographer (he's available for shoots)...

Summer Shows and new bookstore

Lots of Summer fun on the book front.

Last night, we had a fun panel at the Brockton Library. 

Thanks to Warren Nelson of the library staff for setting this up. 

Some live attendees (despite the heat) and more listening in on Zoom. 

It was a Sisters in Crime presentation, where we took suggestions from the audience as to character names, murder weapons, settings, and motives, then we formed a mystery from those. 

With fellow Sisters Nicole Asselin, Liz Mugavero/Cate Conte, and Joanna Schaffhausen. 

This Thursday night, I'll be signing and selling books from 5-8 outdoors at the Natick Arts Walk, an outdoor event with vendors of all types. 

Upcoming is Saturday, August 3, 1:00—3:00, at the Woburn Library. Another Mystery Making panel. 

With fellow Sisters Dr. B.J. Magnani, JA (Judith) McIntosh, and Bonnar Spring

Come have some fun creating a mystery!

For those who can't make it, my Zack Taylor mystery series books are available in the Dedham, MA Barnes and Noble! 

NorthEast ComicCon & Collectibles Extravaganza

Had a great day yesterday at the NorthEast ComicCon & Collectibles Extravaganza in Boxboro. 

As the show advertises, it's all forms of Collectibles! Antique & collectible toys, comics, art, vinyl records, weird stuff, diecast, Funko, trading cards, nerdcrafts, oddities, artifacts, memorabilia, and EVERYTHING in between!

I was there selling and signing books with Scott Goudsward, another author and big-time collector of figurines.

There was booth after booth of fun stuff. 

So many nice people selling their wares. 

Here's Jim Dyer, another author, and one who had a relative that was a friend to H.P. Lovecraft!

And one more- Scott M. Baker, who pens tales of monsters, zombies, and the supernatural.

And here's Brittany Lyn Batchelder, an author, illustrator, and artist, who created an avian Tarot deck, with lovely illustrations.

And a couple of cool guys from Nightfall Collectibles- even those who vend similar items cannot resist acquiring a piece for their own! 

And here's Kyle Russell, of Crystal Concentrics, with a huge and elaborate setup.

Fun day for all- lots of families, showing the kids all the cool stuff. 

They run a few of these every year, so if you're in the mood for nostalgia (needing some comics to complete your collection), or just want to browse, check it out.