Events

April 12th
Reading and Signing
Malaprops Book Shop and Cafe
55 Haywood St.
Ashville, NC
www.malaprops.com

Kathleen's Notes: What A Year!

It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since I left California. My brother, sister-in-law, the two dogs and I started cross-country January of last year. Not probably the best time of year to do something like that, but we got lucky. Flagstaff had snow, but the really heavy stuff came the day after we left. A waitress in Oklahoma. told us about ice storms and how dangerous they could be. They got one a couple of days after we passed through. Tennessee had rain, but nothing like what happened the week after we got to South Carolina. Good thing, too. Laney, the Italian Greyhound, isn’t fond of rain. Or snow. Makes potty stops a bit awkward. On the other hand, Shea, the German Shepard, thought all of it was a great adventure. She especially enjoyed highway rest stops. They are just full of new friends.

I had some work done on the new-actually old-house, painting, a new door cut through from the laundry, that kind of thing, and had timed it so the workmen would be through by the time we arrived. So-all I had to do was meet the furniture mover, unpack the thousand or so boxes (most of them books) and I would be in. Only the work wasn’t finished. The painters were finishing up as we moved in the furniture. The toilet was in the middle of my bedroom and the new floor in my bath and the laundry room hadn’t even been ordered. Made things a bit hectic. But we got through it, furniture was placed, boxes unpacked, and we found the coffee pot. A year later, it all looks pretty good.

It was an active year. I returned to California four-count them!-four times. Of course, two of those times were for book signings, and two were grandchildren, and grown children, related. The last trip, for Christmas, was typical holiday travel. Not one flight was on time. I spent one night sitting up in the St Louis airport with two other stranded women and a whole bunch of marines, recruits I think. Someone had found beer and for a while it sure looked like a frat party. Sounded and smelled like one too. Finally, they all crashed on the airport floor, using their duffle bags as pillows. If they are headed for where I think they are headed, in hindsight, they’ll probably remember it as comfortable. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them.

I’ve been in so many wonderful bookstores this year, and met so many great people. The folks who run the independent bookstores do a wonderful job, and I encourage all of you to stop by your local shop. You won’t be sorry. I’ve also had the opportunity to speak at a lot of different places, to a wide variety of groups, and it’s been a lot of fun. I spoke to the Gaffney High School book club last week. What a great group of kids. But the one that was most special-for me-was the fifth grade class in St Charles, Ill. That was a special request from one of my grandsons, and it was great! Those kids were full of questions, and we had a wonderful time. I hope I can do it again sometime.

In the meantime, if there are any book clubs or other groups that would like a speaker, please contact me. I have a workshop entitled The Torturous  Path From Idea To Story, an interactive workshop, that is a lot of fun, and would be glad to do that, but if you don’t have a lot of would-be writers, just a lot of avid readers, I’d be glad to get together with your group as well, and I’m sure we would have a good time.

I have only been to two conferences this year. The Cape Fear Festival, in Wilmington, NC, turned out to be smaller than they had planned, and I am told they will not do it again next year. What a shame. It is a beautiful place and the organizers really put a lot of thought into it. It will be missed. However, I just returned from Murder in the Magic City, a one day conference in Birmingham, followed the next day by Murder on the Menu in Watumpka, right outside of Montgomery. What great days! Saturday was traditional, with lots of excellent panels, a great talk by the guest of honor, Donna Andrews, and lots of chances to mingle and meet everyone. The authors were universally great and were a wonderfully diverse group. Poisoned Pen Press authors were represented by Betty Webb, author of the acclaimed Lena Jones series, and me.  Clea Simon, “Cries and Whiskers”, was scheduled, but she had her own weather related airline problems and never made it.  Sunday was a gourmet lunch, and gourmet it was. Each table of eight had one chair for an author. It was a sort of musical chair event. We were at each table for about ten minutes, getting a chance to talk with everyone, then moved on to the next table. Each author also had a chance to address the whole group, telling about their books, and what brought them to write them. It finished with a large group signing. The event was beautifully done, and everyone had a wonderful time. If you live anywhere close, I strongly recommend next years events.

And now for the GOOD NEWS. The next book, Murder Half Baked, will be out this fall. Have you been wondering if Ellen and Dan will actually get married?  Be sure to look for this book. You just might get an answer. You can get a sneak preview right now. I will post the first chapter, but you will have to wait until fall to find out what else happens, and plenty does.

Thanks for visiting my web site, and let me hear from you. I promise I’ll respond.

Kathleen