Back Again

I see it's been two weeks since I last wrote anything.  I have good reason for my tardiness.  I've been thinking.  Sure, Einstein probably didn't need to stop writing while he thought, but I'm not he.  A lot of decisions had to be made and I finally have the basis for my new series.  Third series, actually, tho in terms of books being published, it will probably dwindle down to this new series and the McLaren Case mysteries.  I've decided to do an American mystery series based in Missouri.  The protagonist is a newly retired police detective who now is able to follow her true passion -- she's the owner of a music store.  So, as you might expect, there will be a lot about music in this series.  And a lot about folk and bluegrass music and instruments.  I think it will be fun -- for me to write, sure, but I hope for you to read, too!  I'm going to have a running thread through this series, which I don't want to 'publicly' announce just yet for fear of someone taking my idea.  But it's kind of different...at least, I hope so!  I've got the first six pages written after two false starts, so I'm getting into the story.  Anyway, that's where I am right now.

I am waiting to rewrite book 8 of Taylor & Graham, making it book 3 of McLaren, until I find out if a literary agent is interested in book 8.  It's a lot of rewriting if I have to convert T&G into McLaren, rewriting I am not particularly anxious to do!  So I cross my fingers and hope that an agent responds favorably to my letter.  We'll see.  I've been down this road before.

Got my first public book signing for Siren Song next Saturday, June 5.  I hope a lot of people show up.  I'm about promo-ed out with all the things I've been doing, including letting the first twenty people who buy a book that day have a gift.  My friend Mary, who just read Siren Song, thought up some great ideas for give-aways, one being a skier silver charm -- read the book and you'll find out!  I ordered 25 charms this afternoon online.  I've got another give away idea involving empty beer bottles.  I wonder how long it will take me to get these ready, as I don't drink beer.  And there's only so much stew and beer bread I can make and consume in the summer!  But I shall see if root beer bottles will suffice...or ask friends to save me empty beer bottles.  It's a great giveaway idea...if I can only get the bottles...  Maybe I should make it easier and cheaper all around and just give away bits of straw...

Just think...maybe this time next year I'll be in England, roaming around and getting ready for my first book signing over there.  The curator of Tutbury Castle emailed me recently to say that I'll be signing in either the castle's gift shop or the Great Hall.  Gosh, that's too bad, but someone has to do it, I guess.

More later....