April is shaping up to be a good month. The signing highlight will be my appearance at Chapter 2 Books in Hudson, Wisconsin, on Saturday, April 21, from 11:00-1:00. It’s a “meet-and-greet” event where I’ll be signing copies of Castle Danger and chatting about books and writing with anyone who stops by.
I’m excited to have Chapter 2 Books for my first Wisconsin bookstore because the owner, Sue Roegge, has exuded such positive energy simply through our email communications over the past few weeks. Sue and her husband and co-owner, Brian, have been big supporters of Twin Cities and western Wisconsin authors. They have hosted numerous book signings in the past featuring authors who, like me, also belong to the Twin Cities chapter of Sisters in Crime.
The personal relationships indie bookstore owners develop with local authors is one of the best reasons to frequent your local indie bookstore. These folks are on the frontlines of finding new, unique, quality reads for you. They should be your first source for finding great books written by an author who might be your neighbor! One of the revelations I’ve had as I start my writing career is discovering how many excellent books have been/are being written by authors no one has ever heard about. So don’t limit your book purchases to the most famous writers in your genre. Ask your local bookstore owner for a recommendation. You’ll be glad you did.
other events
Friday, April 20– Bowl for Kids’ Sake at J&J Bowling Center in Faribault, MN. 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Not a traditional book signing because it’s primarily for the bowlers who attend and raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern MN. But if you’re in the area and want to stop in for a copy of Castle Danger (and see what all the excitement is about with BBBS), stop in, buy a book, and maybe put together an impromptu team for BBBS (if a lane is available).
Bowl for Kids’ Sake in Faribault, MNApril 12-15– University of Wisconsin Writers’ Institute
This will be my eighth year as a student at this wonderful learning and motivational event. Dozens of classes and speakers, a great chance to meet and network with a wide variety of writers, agents, publishers, and writing business experts. I always come home from those four intense days overwhelmed with new ideas and knowledge. I’m also exhausted by the non-stop activities from arrival to departure. Yet I’m more inspired to either finish that work-in-progress or dig into a new project and make it better than the last one.
I had a good experience at the Rosemount Book Fair last weekend. Sold a few books and made a few more author friends. I soaked up the vibe that filled the Steeple Center. I’m awed when hundreds of people coming together to celebrate the written word.
Finally, golf season is nigh up here in the Frozen North. It looks like the Minnesota season won’t start for a few weeks, but I’ll be taking my first swings with my number one golf buddy in Palm Springs, where he lives and graciously invites me down every spring. Golf and friendship in a paradise climate will recharge my batteries as I grind my way down the stretch run finishing the final draft of Straight River, the prequel to Castle Danger.Still no timetable on when Straight River will hit the market. When it’s available you’ll be the first to know.
Happy Easter, everyone.