Big Book Signing at Barnes and Noble

We had a great day signing books at the Barnes and Noble in South Portland, Maine.

I was there with fellow mystery authors Matt Cost and Maureen Milliken (who just won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction).

We sold books and chatted with folks who came to see us. 

I had some old friends drop by, including horror writer Duane Coffill.

And there were two ladies who drove a distance through the rain to come see us and buy books!

After that, I stopped by bookstore favorite Letterpress Books on the other side of Portland, to drop off more books for voracious fans. 

They've expanded, and are bigger and better than ever! 

Fun day, though was tired by the end. 

For writers, success takes a lot of hard work. 

Cool bookstore!

Discovered a new local bookstore on a recommendation.

Felixology is in Maynard, MA, and worth a visit. 

Funky place that feels like a comfortable book nook. 

They have many activities going on, and are looking to do even more.  

Elizabeth is in charge, and will tell of many local literary happenings.

Noah, a writer, is the bookstore cat. 😏

They like a lot of works by Poe, Edward Gorey, and much other fun stuff. 

So drop on by when in the area, and pick up something good to read!

May is for Murder Event- Bigelow Library in Clinton, MA

We had a great day at the Bigelow Library in Clinton yesterday for the May is for Murder author event.

Almost a dozen mystery authors signed books and chatted with patrons for a nice time.

Leigh Perry and husband Stephen Kelner.

Stephen will be guest on this month's Tewksbury Library Writer's Night Out on the 27th.

Maine's own Matt Cost

Maureen Milliken, also a Maineiac

Janet Raye Stevens

Mary Ann Paul

Janet, Sharon Healy-Yang, and Carol Goodman Kaufman 

Kat Fast and Frances McNamara

In a big oops, did not get a pic of Leslie Meier, who was right next to me! Sorry about that...

Carol with Marie from the library, who arranged this event. 

Thanks to her and the library for setting this up! We had fun.

So much news- upcoming appearances!

So much going on these days!

I sold another story- but sshh, cannot tell you where yet. 

It'll be out this Autumn.

So much for a relaxing retirement- this is what happens when you decide to lean into a busy writing career later in life.

First of all, will be live at the Bigelow library in Clinton, MA tomorrow, Saturday the 17th, from 10:30-2:30. 

May is for Murder - Book & Author Festival.

Will have a bunch of writer friends, who will also be signing and selling books. 

On Tuesday, the 27th, I'll host a Zoom chat with Dr. Stephen Kelner, author of Motivate Your Writing for the Tewksbury Library Writer's Night Out-

On Saturday, May 31st, I'll be signing books at the Barnes and Noble in South Portland, Maine! Along with writer friends Matt Cost and Maureen Milliken-

June will be busy as well. Starting with the New Hampshire Writer's Project Conference on Saturday, June 14th, where I'll be presenting a workshop on Building a Mystery, and also being emcee for a quiz honoring our special guest, Tess Gerritsen.

And the following week, Saturday the 21st, will be out on the common in Natick for Beach Reads Day, along with other mystery writers.

And on Monday, June 30th, at 1, will be at the Danvers Senior Center with the Sisters in Crime for a Mystery Making panel. 

Writers Visit a Haunted House!

 

We had a visit from members of the Sisters in Crime to the lovely, friendly-haunted Wheeler Mansion in Orange, MA (we had far less snow...)

We came for a writer's retreat to learn, write, and share conversation and business tips. Quite a lovely time.

Kat Fast led a workshop on craft, and we discussed various topics of writing, and how to improve issues that might hold us up.

Diane Kane led a workshop on marketing. Note the excellent book in the lower leftish middle, with pro tips from an expert!

Scott Ellis gave a talk on audio book production, outlining the various options for authors. 

And later in the day was Author Idol, with Scott reading a selection of first page submissions for group critique.

Judith MacIntosh, who helped arrange this day, and Karen Traub of the Quabbin and Quills writer organization.

Kat and Christine having a chat...

After lunch was a tour of the well-done restoration of the place (with B&B rooms available). 

Below is Cindy, our hostess and proprietor.

Eager tourists

First floor

And the third floor

Ruth McCarty

Great time in a lovely old place. If you're out that way, make sure to drop in and check it out. You can even stay there!

Our play

 Fun news! Our play, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Litterbox, opens tomorrow night (Friday). Come on down- it's very funny!

 It's out! The seventh novel in my Zack Taylor mystery series is out on all ebook platforms- with print and audio coming soon!