| Blog Archives (January - March, 2006)
Latest
News:
- March
2006 - I'm going to be doing a reading
in Calgary at McNally
Robinson on Friday, March 31 at 8 pm.
Everyone welcome - I'd love to see you.
Pass the message on to anyone you know
who might be interested. It's a terrific
store, cool place to just hang out, or
maybe take in a bit of entertainment after
dinner or before you go out for the night.
- March
2006 - The time has come to start making
decisions on how the new book is going
to look on the outside: author bio, author
photo (see some of the new shots with
ace photographer Kevin Hogarth in the
Photo section), blurb describing the story
in frighteningly few words, font, and,
most importantly, the image for the front
cover. I meet this challenge with a mix
of excitement and trepidation. I know
one shouldn't judge a book by its cover,
but first impressions are important. The
cover is something I will have to live
with forever; I want to be proud of it,
I want for it to make sense, I want for
it to reflect the personality of the book's
content, I want to LOVE it. Not much pressure,
right? I've just spent several hours creating
a concept document which I sent to my
publisher which we will use as a starting
point for what the cover image will eventually
become. The ideas ranged wildly from three
little pigs to fireworks...and I am confident
that the end product is going to be fantastic!
I love the memory from last year when
we were driving down Santa Monica Boulevard,
in Los Angeles for the first time, and
passed by a bookstore window blazing red
from the multiple copies of Flight of
Aquavit (featuring a red apple martini)
they had displayed. That's a wonderful
moment for a writer. Sure, most of my
talent (I hope) is inside the book, but
hey, if parents can take credit for a
cute baby...:)
- March
2006 - A big hello and warm thank you
to the wonderful folks who are making
donations as part of the Russell Quant
mystery contest. Every dollar makes a
difference.
- March
2006 - I just wanted to send out a special
thank you to Deborah, who recently kept
our wine glasses topped in exchange for
a signed copy of Tapas on the Ramblas
during a wonderful flight back from sunny
Ixtapa. And speaking of which - to all
those Air Canada employees who met my
publicist Michele while on some fabulous
cruise ship in February, I hope you enjoy
Russell! And gracias to Pat and Lynne
for the wonderful mojito memories.
- March
2006 - I've just seen the cover proof
for the mass market paperback version
of Flight of Aquavit that is coming out
this spring. Even though it isn't a great
deal different than the original trade
version, it still sent thrills down my
spine. And speaking of covers, time is
coming soon for me to begin conceptualizing
the cover for Stain of the Berry - it
must be on my mind because I couldn't
get to sleep last night thinking about
it. I think I have an idea...
- February
2006 - I'm taking my mother to Las Vegas
for a quick weekend getaway - during which
she will no doubt keep me up way past
my bedtime and we'll laugh A LOT.
- February
1, 2006 - I'm very excited to be introducing
two new sections on this website that
perhaps you or someone you know might
want to be a part of. The first is the
Book Club Offer whereby I can visit your
book club by phone or email. The second
is an exciting contest that may see your
name in the next Russell Quant mystery.
The contest only runs until May 1, 2006.
More details are available on the appropriate
pages on this website, just click your
way over and check it out.
- February
1, 2006 - I want to send a special thank
you to Paul and Jan for the Korean Onion
Rings; my grandmother would be so pleased!
I certainly am! And for all of you sending
e-mails-you make my day, every day. Thanks.
- February
1, 2006 - My editor and I had our first
editorial meeting about the newest Russell
Quant book, Stain of the Berry, this week.
As it is our fourth book together we marveled
at the smoothness of the process (so far)
compared to the first time we met about
Amuse Bouche. Guess we've both learned
a thing or two in a few years. Even still,(and
we haven't made the final decision yet)
look for a section with Russell and Jared
and a UFO in the Deleted Scenes section
of this website in coming months.
- February
1, 2006 - There continues to be much activity
behind the scenes in the Russell Quant
movie/TV series world, although little
that I can formally report, but it's a
fascinating thing to be a part of regardless
of the outcome. And, I have to say, I'm
feeling a little paternal about Russell
and proud that he and his friends are
being considered for this.
- February
1, 2006 - Plans are coming together for
my more book touring in May 2006. I'll
keep you posted. But I am committed to
attending Saints & Sinners Writers
conference in New Orleans in May, Book
Expo Canada and the Bloody Words Mystery
conference in Toronto in June, and Bouchercon
Mystery conference in September in Madison,
Wisconsin.
- January
2006 - There is so much to look back on
in 2005 to be grateful for - what a year
- and 2006 is going to be terrific. There's
a lot to be done. The paperback version
of Amuse Bouche will be joined by the
new release of Flight of Aquavit paperback
version in March. There will be some further
touring with Tapas on the Ramblas - probably
in May and/or June. The fourth Russell
Quant is on its way back to me from my
editor with the intention to have it released
in October, and I've just written the
last words of the first (and very rough)
draft of the fifth Russell Quant adventure
and will be working this year to finish
it with the hope of a fall 2007 release.
I plan to attend the Saints & Sinners
writers conference in New Orleans in May,
Bloody Words Mystery conference and Book
Expo Canada in Toronto in June, Bouchercon
Mystery conference in Madison, Wisconsin
in September. There'll be some travels
to Mexico, Las Vegas, France and England
too. And I hope to meet a lot of you too.
Let the joyous whirlwind begin!
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