My apologies for the blogging lapse; it’s been a busy three weeks since the book launch! I’m celebrating Independence Day this afternoon with a rare moment of Independence . . . the family occupied, a moment at my desk to myself!
Thought I’d catch up . . . Here are some of the things I’ve been up to since June 16!
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| Tatnuck Booksellers, formerly a grocery store! |
- I led a fun writer’s workshop at Tatnuck Booksellers in Westborough, MA, with fellow Apocalypsies Gina Damico (CROAK), Hilary Weisman Graham (REUNITED), and A.C. Gaughen (SCARLET). We had a nice turnout, despite the sunny afternoon following monsoons, and local access TV even showed up to film our panel discussion. We had great audience questions. And what a gorgeous store! It used to be a grocery store, and it’s been tastefully redesigned as a spacious indie bookstore/gift shop/cafe. So nice to see a “regular” store transform into a bookstore, rather than the other way around!
- I transitioned my son from Pre-K graduation into summer “camp,” swim lessons, etc, etc. (Ah, the glamorous life!)
- I dug myself out of the warehouse that my house seems to have turned into — boxes of books, launch party supplies, and swag had taken over. Purged stacks of papers in my office so that I can actually use my desk again for its intended purpose.
- Worked on some new directions and material for the group mystery blog, Sleuths Spies & Alibis — we have some fun changes coming up!
- Did some advance marketing efforts for upcoming Seattle events.
- Prepared for a getaway to Cape Cod, which will also involve a book signing event (with friend and fellow YA mystery author Elisa Ludwig at Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookshop in Chatham, MA, this Saturday July 7, 2-4 — come say hi if you’re on the Cape this weekend!) I must say, I’m so thrilled to be returning to Chatham under totally different circumstances . . . last year at this time I was also in Chatham, hunkered down in a rental cottage, madly revising TOKYO HEIST while my family frolicked on the beach!
- Visited some blogs of fellow authors, including Katherine Longshore and Linda Gerber.
- Recorded an interview for the Virtual Memories Show, a podcast run by my old college pal Gil Roth. I got to talk about how my experience with comics and manga influenced TOKYO HEIST. I’m not big on audio recordings and thought it would be nerve-wracking, but Gil’s a great host and put me at ease, and his questions were thought-provoking and fun to answer. I’m paired with an interview he did with a more seasoned writer, sci-fi/steampunk writer and critic Paul DiFilippo, and I sure learned a lot about writing career longevity after listening to that. Gil’s monthly Virtual Memories podcast is smart and entertaining; I recommend!
And here’s what TOKYO HEIST has been up to — it’s been a busy time for the novel too!
- Selected for the June Book Club selection at Just Jared Junior!
- Selected for a Huffington Post Teen list — 5 Things We’re Obsessed With. (Along with One Direction, Bunheads, Nintendo 3DS and Lego Batman! I’m telling you, this is quite a list!)
- Selected for the Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Picks in Children’s and Teen Books list
- Got great reviews in the Austin Statesman, Examiner.com, Wired.com/Geek Mom, and Common Sense Media
- More great reviews, from these awesome bloggers: Shane’s Itching for Books, The Flyleaf Review, and The “I Love Books” Club. Thank you!! I’m so grateful to bloggers who take the time to read and post reviews, and it’s always so great to hear from people that the book resonated with them.
Whew! Thanks for reading my lengthy catch-up, and I’ll be blogging more regularly after this weekend!
Have a great — and safe — July 4th, everyone!