Yesterday was the Poisoned Pen Virtual Web Conference, and it appeared to be a huge success. I don’t know how many people participated, but there seemed to be a lot. I moderated a panel on Blog Talk Radio and we had more people listening in that I’ve had in a lot of real-live panels I’ve participated in.
From my POV at least it was pretty much bug-free, which had been my big concern. There were a few people who were having problems hearing etc. but they seemed few and far between.
So, if you didn’t participated be sure and keep an eye out next year. No word if it will be an annual event, but I think the pressure will be on.
From one thing to another. I start my east coast book tour with R.J. Harlick today. First stop is Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, Quebec. We were put onto the store by Louise Penny, as it is in her neighbourhood and they do a lot of events for Louise. I’m quite excited about visiting Louise Penny territory. Monday we have a day’s visit to Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke Quebec with two events and a book signing, and then back in the car for the drive to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The highlight of that will be the evening of Friday Oct. 30 when we’re participating in a mystery writers event at Mount Saint Vincent University. In between we have two library visits and several bookstores including Westminster Books in Fredericton. All details are posted on my web page. If you can make it, we’d love to see you.
Truth be told - I am not really in the mood for this trip. This is my third book this year, and it's too much. I have wonderful ideas for the new book I've been telling you about, and I just want to hunker down at home and work on it. I am sure I will have fun once I get on the road, because I do love doing book events, and Robin is a great friend.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Night in Rochester
I arrived in Rochester, and had a super evening with Rose and Charles Benoit. I'm up now, and about to sign all the books Poisoned Pen sent for me to sign and return. Then I'm off to the southern shores of Lake Ontario to scope out the landscape for a new book project I have in mind. Then up to Ottawa - after a stop in Kingston to collect my own books for the tour that I didn't dare drive across the border with. Good thing I like to drive.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Evil Necessity that is Promotion
A great deal of the writing biz these days is promotion. Whether you’re Ms. Mega-Selling Author or Mr. Bottom of the Mid-List, you have to be on the road. A lot.
And so it is for me. I got back last night from Bouchercon. Have two days to do laundry, write some articles for my November blog tour, and on Thursday I am off to Rochester.
The Rochester gig will be nothing but pleasure: I have to sign copies of Winter of Secrets to return to Poisoned Pen bookstore and am staying with my friends Charles and Rose Benoit (www.charlesbenoit.com and Type M for Murder). If you recognize the name Rose Benoit, BTW, yes, she is the inspiration for John Winters’ old partner, Inspector Rose Benoit of the Vancouver Police. Rose has appeared in In the Shadow of the Glacier, and Valley of the Lost and the just completed Negative Image. Unfortunatly she doesn't show up in Winter of Secrets.
I then leave Rochester for Ottawa where I’ll be spending Saturday on line and on the phone as part of the Poisoned Pen Virtual Conference. Sunday morning up bright and early to head for Montreal and the beginning of our East Coast Book Tour.
So that's another two weeks on the road.
I have a new book underway, new characters, new series, new setting, new concept. It’s going well, and I am very unhappy at having to give up so much time when I should be working on it.
But, such is the life!
And so it is for me. I got back last night from Bouchercon. Have two days to do laundry, write some articles for my November blog tour, and on Thursday I am off to Rochester.
The Rochester gig will be nothing but pleasure: I have to sign copies of Winter of Secrets to return to Poisoned Pen bookstore and am staying with my friends Charles and Rose Benoit (www.charlesbenoit.com and Type M for Murder). If you recognize the name Rose Benoit, BTW, yes, she is the inspiration for John Winters’ old partner, Inspector Rose Benoit of the Vancouver Police. Rose has appeared in In the Shadow of the Glacier, and Valley of the Lost and the just completed Negative Image. Unfortunatly she doesn't show up in Winter of Secrets.
I then leave Rochester for Ottawa where I’ll be spending Saturday on line and on the phone as part of the Poisoned Pen Virtual Conference. Sunday morning up bright and early to head for Montreal and the beginning of our East Coast Book Tour.
So that's another two weeks on the road.
I have a new book underway, new characters, new series, new setting, new concept. It’s going well, and I am very unhappy at having to give up so much time when I should be working on it.
But, such is the life!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Kootenay Kookies
Lucky Smith’s Kootenay Kookies.
1 c. Butter
1 c. Sugar
2 tbsp molasses
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. Flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 ¾ tsp soda
2 c rolled oats
2/3 c raisins
2/3 c chopped nuts (or can use more raisins)
Combine butter and sugar until creamy. Add molasses, vanilla, eggs. Combine flour, salt, cinnamon, soda, oars, raisins, and nuts. Stir dry ingredients into butter and egg mixture.
Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes.
1 c. Butter
1 c. Sugar
2 tbsp molasses
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. Flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 ¾ tsp soda
2 c rolled oats
2/3 c raisins
2/3 c chopped nuts (or can use more raisins)
Combine butter and sugar until creamy. Add molasses, vanilla, eggs. Combine flour, salt, cinnamon, soda, oars, raisins, and nuts. Stir dry ingredients into butter and egg mixture.
Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes.
Friday, October 16, 2009
YMC- EH?
The O Canada Panel at Bouchercon. Left to right, Vicki Delany, Anthony Bidulka, Barbara Fradkin, R.J. Harlick, Mary Jane Maffini
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bouchercon Day One
We arrived safely at Bouchercon after two days of much merriment. I will never again be able to see a Bob Evans sign without thinking of Mary Jane’s shudder when someone suggested we eat there. In honour of that, I am thinking of giving Constable Dave Evans a visiting brother named, what else, Bob.
The convention is huge, tons of people all milling about greeting each other. There are signs up promoting a Handshake Free Bouchercon as a way of avoiding the flu. I don’t think so, there are as many handshakes and cheek kisses as ever.
We had a fabulous dinner last night at a place called Palomino. Half price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Can’t beat that. Tonight is the Poisoned Pen Press get together. And tomorrow Tony Bidulka is taking the Canadian crew to a fancy restaurant.
Yum. Yum. Life on the road.
This morning I was a at a fun panel put on by the Baker Street Irregulars. I am sure, if you are reading this blog, you can guess what sort of group they are. Laurie R. King was one of the panellists and had us all laughing with her dry wit. After a bumpy start, which bothered her not one bit, Laurie’s Mary Russell is now accepted by Sherlockian societies. And so, IMHO, she should be. I think the Russell novels add so much to the Sherlock Holmes canon.
Ran into Deborah Turrell Atkinson and Judy Clemmins, among others in the bar last night. Am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my good friend Julia Pomeroy who I haven’t seen for some time.
And of course this afternoon is the O Canada panel. Mary Jane suggested we subtitle it We’re not as nice as you think.
The convention is huge, tons of people all milling about greeting each other. There are signs up promoting a Handshake Free Bouchercon as a way of avoiding the flu. I don’t think so, there are as many handshakes and cheek kisses as ever.
We had a fabulous dinner last night at a place called Palomino. Half price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Can’t beat that. Tonight is the Poisoned Pen Press get together. And tomorrow Tony Bidulka is taking the Canadian crew to a fancy restaurant.
Yum. Yum. Life on the road.
This morning I was a at a fun panel put on by the Baker Street Irregulars. I am sure, if you are reading this blog, you can guess what sort of group they are. Laurie R. King was one of the panellists and had us all laughing with her dry wit. After a bumpy start, which bothered her not one bit, Laurie’s Mary Russell is now accepted by Sherlockian societies. And so, IMHO, she should be. I think the Russell novels add so much to the Sherlock Holmes canon.
Ran into Deborah Turrell Atkinson and Judy Clemmins, among others in the bar last night. Am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my good friend Julia Pomeroy who I haven’t seen for some time.
And of course this afternoon is the O Canada panel. Mary Jane suggested we subtitle it We’re not as nice as you think.
Monday, October 12, 2009
On the Road!
Today is the last day of peace and quiet for quite a long time. Tomorrow morning I am going to be picked up in Belleville by R.J. Harlick, Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini for the two day road trip to Boucheron.
Wednesday afternoon we will arrive in Indianapolis and setting into four days of smoozing and being charming. Shouldn’t be difficult. For those of you attending the conference, a reminder that the four of us, plus the ever-wonderful Anthony Bidulka, will be on the O Canada: A Criminal Romp Through the Wilds of Canada panel Thursday at 4:30.
We’re planning to serve traditional Canadian fare, and are having a lot of fun deciding what that is. I’ve made Kootenay Kookies and have bought Smarties. I think Inuit tea, maple leaf cookies, Nanaimo bars and other such goodies are on the menu. It addition we’re dressing in an assortment of national costume, and will have a contest and giveaways.
Definitely the place to be Thursday afternoon.
Many of the Canadian attendees at Bouchercon have contributed books to a basket for the silent auction. I have both a copy of Gold Digger, and an ARC of Winter of Secrets. Let's try to get the bidding up there!
I will barely be back from Bouchercon before it’s time to hit the road for the East Coast book tour with R.J. Harlick. Details of that are on my web page. Look for the Vicki on the Road link.
Wednesday afternoon we will arrive in Indianapolis and setting into four days of smoozing and being charming. Shouldn’t be difficult. For those of you attending the conference, a reminder that the four of us, plus the ever-wonderful Anthony Bidulka, will be on the O Canada: A Criminal Romp Through the Wilds of Canada panel Thursday at 4:30.
We’re planning to serve traditional Canadian fare, and are having a lot of fun deciding what that is. I’ve made Kootenay Kookies and have bought Smarties. I think Inuit tea, maple leaf cookies, Nanaimo bars and other such goodies are on the menu. It addition we’re dressing in an assortment of national costume, and will have a contest and giveaways.
Definitely the place to be Thursday afternoon.
Many of the Canadian attendees at Bouchercon have contributed books to a basket for the silent auction. I have both a copy of Gold Digger, and an ARC of Winter of Secrets. Let's try to get the bidding up there!
I will barely be back from Bouchercon before it’s time to hit the road for the East Coast book tour with R.J. Harlick. Details of that are on my web page. Look for the Vicki on the Road link.
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