I'm Featured on a Blog, and Portland Book Signing Saturday

As a member of the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime, I love the support and encouragement given by the organization members. We have a strong, vibrant, community of mystery writers, and the Sisters group provides so many opportunities for career advancement, with workshops, speaking engagements, and fun get-togethers.

And promotion... today they feature... me!
Here's a Q&A with Kathryn Gandek-Tighe about my new book, the sixth Zack Taylor mystery, A Darkened Room, coming out later this month.

And to prime the pump for the new release, I'll be signing books at Sherman's in Portland, Maine, this Saturday, August 3rd, from 11-12. They're down on 49 Exchange Street, so come to this beautiful city, do some shopping and sightseeing, buy some books, and check out my mystery series- set in Portland!

Writers at Moxie Festival 2019

We had a terrific day at the annual Moxie Festival, held in Lisbon, Maine.
(To see a report of last year's festival, click here.)

Selling books there was a contingent of the New England Horror Writers, where I was joined by Peter Dudar (our gracious host), Tom and Sheila Deady, Scott Goudsward, April Hawks, and Sylvia Morgan.

To see an interview with Peter, click here

 L to R below: Peter, Sheila, Tom, Scott

The fun thing about this event is that apart from meeting new fans and selling books, we also have a ringside seat for the big parade, a real slice of Americana, of small-town pride and life. It's a blast, and worth getting up there to participate in all things Moxie. Here's a sample of the floats and sights.

Okay, nothing says Maine like a giant L.L. Bean boot!

Along with the Moxiemobile

And it wouldn't be Maine without a moose!

The obligatory fife and drum band

 

And the other kind

There was art as well

Lots of tiny vehicles- having them in the parade is a fundraising thing. Always wondered.

Self-powered vehicles

And clowns! Gotta have clowns.

Betcha don't see an orange Darth Vader most places... 

It was so hot, even the horses were tired...

Geckos, Tigers, and whatever...

 

 And trucks!

While selling books there, we get to meet all new people. Here's the self-proclaimed Bug Girl, interested in the bug horror anthology, which Scott presents. April on R.

Here's Scott with his own books

So much to do in Maine. The state is getting some great new fun places, like the Side by Each Brewery, in the same building as Pinky D's, the home of great poutine (which we discovered at the Moxie Fest)

Reading and Signing at Dracut Arts

Hello again. It's been a busy time. Last week was the Moxie Festival up in Maine, and tomorrow I'm doing a reading and book signing at Dracut Arts!

Now we know it's gonna be HOT weather- but we will have lovely air conditioning- so come and enjoy!

Come for an author reading and meet & greet:
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Dracut Arts, Christ Church United, 10 Arlington St., Dracut, MA

Facebook event 

To see my interview on Dracut TV, click here



And tonight, catch the Art Show Open, with Chelmsford Visual Artist Donna Berger
July 19 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

Cover Reveal for A Darkened Room- Zack Taylor #6

Am putting the finishing touches on the latest Zack Taylor mystery, A Darkened Room.
Then it goes off to the editor. Two years in the making, now it's getting close to release!

I love the cover- exactly what I wanted.
For me, the value in being an Independent author means I get the covers I want, not some idiotic green garage door (like Barry Eisler). The image goes with the brand we've established for this series, and evokes the theme.

What do you think?

I'm on TV. And Moxie!

Here's a great interview I did with Diane and Tom McGary, for Dracut TV. I talk about the importance of writing and the arts, some favorite authors, and a few other things.


It's a prep for my appearance/reading at Dracut Arts on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Dracut Arts, Christ Church United, 10 Arlington St., Dracut, MA
More info here


And before that, I'll be signing books at the Moxie Festival in Lisbon, ME on Saturday July 13th.
Come on down and try some Moxie!
Here's the writeup from the event last year.

Making a Mystery in Somerville

A few authors and an interested and interactive crowd came together to make a mystery. This was hosted in a joint effort by the Somerville Library and the folks of the Somerville Media Center, in the Assembly Square area. It's a cool space for many community events.

We had a panel of Sisters in Crime mystery authors who took suggestions from the audience as to locale, characters, motives, and weapons, and we started putting together a mystery incorporating those elements.

L to R: Marita (from the library, who coordinated the event), Clea Simon at the flip chart, Elizabeth Elo, and Frances McNamara.

Thanks to all who came out in the misty night to hear us talk about the process of writing a good mystery. Lots of fun showing the process and explaining how we make decisions.

And they really got into the spirit, contributing some interesting characters, locales, and situations.
One of the character names put forth is one I'm stealing for a story! 

Gotta say, with the pros on the panel, we created a rather good mystery outline.

And of course they were promoting our books. (Nice lineup on top!)

Thanks to all for a fun night! Video link soon! 

Maine Crime Wave Conference 2019

We had a blast at the recent Maine Crime Wave Conference in Portland, ME, which is helped by the Mystery Writers of America, the Sisters in Crime, and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. Lots of authors- old friends and aspiring writers came together for a weekend of craft sessions, panels on various subjects, and schmoozing with fellow writers.

To see a writeup of the conference from last year, click here.

Nothing says a New England Writer Conference like Connie Johnson Hambley.

To see an interview with Connie, click here

Brenda Buchanan

And we were off to a rousing start, with a good crowd.

Plenty of books for sale by the attending authors.
 Sales were handled by Barbara Kelly of Kelly's Books To Go.

This fellow Dick Cass was instrumental in getting things to run smoothly. 

To see an interview with Dick, click here

Here he is with Jessica Sweet.

 Superstar thriller writer Gayle Lynds with another conference helper, Hannah.

Gerry Boyle with his latest book

And with agent Meg Ruley and the best-selling Lisa Gardner

 

Here's James Hayman checking out my books!

To see an interview with James, click here

More superstars: Tess Gerritsen, Neil Nyren, Kate Flora

To see an interview with Kate, click here

The Milliken crew: Maureen, Rebecca, and daughter

To see an interview with Maureen, click here

Bruce Coffin (R) making a point

Barb Ross and John Clark

To see an interview with Barb, click here

Vaughn Hardacker, who has a Wendigo novel which makes a great pairing with my Shadow of the Wendigo.

The Holms- Chris and Katrina

Julia Spencer-Fleming

And here with Jessica Elliott

Eddie Vincent, of Encircle Publications

Ruth McCarty

James and Meg

A lovely day, with lots of learning and good information being swapped.
Thank sto all who worked to make it happen!