Book Launch Party

Okay, so the release of A Sharp Medicine came out a few weeks ago, and I didn't have a real launch party like I should have.

When you have good friends who understand what the writing life is like, sometimes they take care of you.

So author Ursula Wong recently had a cake made to celebrate the release of the fifth Zack Taylor novel. Only a 3-word title, but the decorator wanted even more room!

This, people, is understanding what we do. Each book is a major step in our writing life, and how wonderful to appreciate it with friends and Proseco and cake!
I am blessed with knowing good people.

Grand Opening of the New England Mobile Bookfair

Saturday was the Grand Opening of the New England Mobile Bookfair, and what a party it was!
(Previous post on the rise of the store here)

Their new location looks like a winner!

And yes, like the sign said, the party went on all day long---

Along with the media (I was interviewed twice!), there were dignitaries, famous authors, cake & ice cream, lots of music, mystery book packages (3 books for a dollar), chefs with food samples, and lots of buyers!

First, there was the Official Ribbon-Cutting to open the store, with speeches of welcome from local business people, and local mayoral candidates. The store will do a lot to help commerce in this area, so merchants and boosters alike were happy to support the cause.

Tom Lyons, the owner, gives a short speech 

Amy Sangiolo, a candidate for mayor

Ruthanne Fuller, another candidate who came to help

 They line up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and Tom gets out the BIG scissors!

And it's open for business!

So there was cake

 And ice cream

Ray Daniel was one of the featured authors. 

Here, he's getting interviewed by Jenn Adams, the News Director of newtv.

 Setti Warren, the Mayor of Newton, showed up to personally congratulate Tom on the store opening. And people came to buy from a local business, helping the community, and getting some good reads.

The staff chats before the lines started forming at the registers.

And some people bought a lot!

Ruthanne picks some winners! My first Zack Taylor mystery, A Memory of Grief, and Ray Daniel's latest, Hacked.

 

There were activities for younger folk

Author William Landay signed some books

And of course, the ever-wonderful Hank Phillippi Ryan showed up to add class to the event and sign books.

Here she is with more authors- debut novelist Adam Abramowitz (who was also signing) and soon-to-be debut novelist Joanna Schaffhausen.

Here's Adam with his new book Bosstown, which sounded so good, I had to get my own signed copy.

And yet more authors! NYT Best-seller Sheila Connolly came to buy!

 And Ursula Wong got interviewed by the ever-shy Lorraine Seymourian for WTTN.

(To see my interview with Ursula, click here.)

J. Michael Taylor showed up as well

Here we get the group shot of the writers we could round up

There was more music- someone said the players were barely bigger than their instruments here- but the music was good!

Tom was able to visit and chat with friends, like Ose, of the Malden Creates initiative.

So a great day, with a terrific start for the iconic independent bookstore. We wish them much success! Drop in to their new location and check them out- remember, books make great gifts, too!

Tess Gerritsen Rocks the NEMBF

Last night, we had superstar best-selling author Tess Gerritsen as the first big signing at the new location of the New England Mobile Bookfair (to see the announcement of this, click here).
Love the new bookstore setup, which has the ability to transform into a spacious auditorium!

Tess is s a big supporter of the store and owner Tom Lyons. She came down from Maine to greet fans new and old.

To introduce Tess, we had another superstar best-selling author, Hank Phillippi Ryan.

And then the talk with emcee Lorraine Seymourian, The Mysterious Lady, who filmed the whole thing for television.

It was an excellent and enthusiastic crowd, who enjoyed the talk and the great stories Tess told of her writing and life.

And here's Bill Wood, who in addition to getting a signed copy of Tess' latest book, found another good book, the new-on-the-NEMBF-shelves latest Zack Taylor novel, A Sharp Medicine, by yours truly.
Amy can't believe his luck at scoring such a good book.

After the talk, it was time for Tess to sign copies of her new book for fans, as the store staff set up refreshments. Amy gets her copy.

 

 

Being nice to fans is what Tess does, but it's hard work (as I can attest), so one needs a bit of pick-me-up at times...

A terrific night. Made sure to get my thanks in for her appearance.

And for someone who does so much media, Lorraine sure is shy...