Readers and Writers Update

Hi all you avid readers like me, also you writers like me - hope you're enjoying this wonderful fall weather wherever you are. This update is to remind me as well as to update you about what I've got 'in the works' and ask you for your imput on what you're doing and how things are going for you.

On the subject of 'what's in the works' for me, here's what's up: November 17, 2008-a large print edition of Spanish Eyes (romance-suspense HC from Five Star is already available); Stranger in Paradise, a HC romance-suspense coming out March, 2009 from Five Star; Dead on Arrival, a HC cozy mystery and the first of a new series coming from Five Star in 2010 (exact date to be announced); and since I've signed a contract with Zumaya Publications for the Maryvale series, the first Maryvale cozy will come out in 2010 also (exact date to be announced.)

Some tips to help me remember 'what's up' are (1) write dates and key words on the calendar near your computer to keep all these dates and deadlines in sight. (2) Review the files of books in print and those under new contracts to keep up with material to be submitted, blurbs, ancillary material et cetera. It's important to keep the research material in the file too (reference only in some cases-where you can get to it in a hurry if you need to.) (3) Answer e-mail as promptly as possible and 'block sender' spam whether it does any good or not. (4) Help any way you can anyone who asks for input on the digests for the other writers in your publishing group - and go ahead and ask if you need to know something - that's what the rest of us are here for.

I've also just changed my signature again to include a link to Fictionwise to look at my e-books. A signature is a good tool and you can change it according to what's going on for you, i e, list a new book when you get a schedule date on it.

Please let me know if you have any new books to announce, what really-really great mystery you're reading right now, and any other tips or funny things that have happened to you 'on the way to the publishing forum.' (I know there's bound to be some interesting experiences on this one because of my own stumbling and bunglings. Tell me about it - ha!)

I look forward to hearing from you.
Break's over!