Hilary Davidson's Blog, page 20

Paperback Release Day for The Damage Done

It's hard to believe it's actually here, but THE DAMAGE DONE is now available in mass-market paperback! I saw it for the first time last Friday (when a box of books was delivered to my apartment and then, later in the day, on the mystery-section shelves at the Barnes & Noble in NYC's Union Square), and I still want to jump up and down when I look at it. Forge's amazing art department has given the book a redesigned cover, which I adore. My friend Chris F. Holm described it as my Fringe alt-universe cover, which I think sums it up perfectly. It represents the book just as beautifully as the original cover did, yet it gives it a slightly different feel.

I'm especially thrilled to have the book out in mass-market paperback, because that's the format I grew up reading. If my family bought a book in hardcover when I was a teenager, it was probably a textbook. I bought mass-market paperbacks, and I took them everywhere with me. If you've been waiting to pick up THE DAMAGE DONE, I hope you'll read it now. Keep in mind, six weeks from today the sequel, THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, will be released!

The paperback is available from every vendor who carried the hardcover. That means independent mystery booksellers across North America, as well as Macmillan, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, IndieBound, Powell's, and — in Canada — Indigo/Chapters.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the release of the hardcover, whether by reviewing the book, buying a copy, or pushing it on all of your friends as a "gift" (I know some of you did that last one, and you get an extra-special thank you with a big hug). Without you, there wouldn't be a paperback.

UPDATE: To say thanks for all the love that THE DAMAGE DONE has received, I'm giving some books away on GoodReads. Five paperback copies of the book are up for grabs in Canada and the US!

Pre-Order Contest for The Next One to Fall!

[image error]I've been promising you llamas for a while, and it's time to deliver. I've learned from authors such as Duane Swierczynski and Alafair Burke is that one of the kindest things you can do for a writer is to pre-order their next book. Every so often, someone will mention — usually via Twitter or Facebook — that they've pre-ordered THE NEXT ONE TO FALL. This news always makes my day, but there's a practical reason I appreciate it, too. The print run of a book is determined, in part, by pre-orders. They also have an impact on booksellers' willingness to stock a book, and can help generate enthusiasm for a book with its publisher, too. Erin Mitchell has written a terrific post about why pre-orders matter, and why they can really make a difference.

I'd like to show my appreciation by paying some of that love forward. So, for every copy of THE NEXT ONE TO FALL you pre-order before the publication date (February 14, 2012) — and tell me about (details below) — I will donate a dollar to Heifer International. Why that charity? Heifer lets you "buy" llamas and alpacas for communities in need in countries such as Peru, where the novel is set. I can't (legally) mail-order a llama to you, but we can make sure some communities in need get one.

I've also got prizes! When you pre-order THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, you'll be eligible to win one of the following prizes:

A character name in my fourth novel, which will be published by Forge. I can't promise whether you'll be good or evil, but you (or a loved one) will be immortalized in print. And I'll try not to kill you, fictionally speaking (no promises, though).
A collection of signed anthologies my short stories have appeared in, including THUGLIT PRESENTS BLOOD GUTS & WHISKEY, D*CKED, and A PRISONER OF MEMORY & 24 OF THE YEAR'S FINEST CRIME & MYSTERY STORIES.
A vintage silver pin, made in Peru, featuring — what else? — llamas! (You know how Lily Moore feels about vintage things.)

Still need to be persuaded to pre-order? Let Publishers Weekly talk you into it. Here's what they had to say about THE NEXT ONE TO FALL: "Davidson's exciting follow-up to her debut, 2010's The Damage Done… The rich history and geography of Peru add depth to an engrossing mystery that constantly keeps the reader guessing." You can also check out the advance praise the book has received from Laura Lippman, Meg Gardiner, and Reed Farrel Coleman.

It doesn't matter whether you pre-order the book at a brick-and-mortar store or online (but check out the list of awesome indie stores I'll be visiting on tour). Email a copy of your pre-order receipt, along with your mailing address, to preorder AT hilarydavidson DOT com. If you pre-order more than one copy of the book, be sure to let me know — not only will you have my undying gratitude, but you'll get a contest entry for each copy you pre-order. To be eligible for a prize, you must have a mailing address in the US or Canada.

THE NEXT ONE TO FALL will be published in the US and Canada on February 14, 2012. I'll be doing the prize draw that day, so get your pre-order emailed to me before then. Many, many thanks to everyone who takes part!

QuebeCrime, Muskego & More

[image error]It's been an exciting fall for me. I've been busy working on a new novel, some short fiction, and a novella. I've had the incredible pleasure of speaking at the first-ever QuebeCrime festival and the seventh annual Murder & Mayhem in Muskego. (The photo is from Muskego; I'm with my fantastic panel-mates Megan Abbott, Sean Chercover, Jen Forbus, and Martyn Waites.) Also, I've been setting up my book tour for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, which will be released on Valentine's Day 2012, and planning a trip to Israel for my day job. I'm thrilled that THE DAMAGE DONE will be released in paperback in January 2012. In case that weren't enough good news, some very nice people have been writing unusually kind things about me (yes, I'm looking at you, Jen Forbus and Jacques Filippi). I owe a lot of people some very big thank yous. Expect hugs when I see you.

GoodReads Giveaway!

[image error]For the past couple of weeks, I've been telling people I have a GoodReads giveaway of THE NEXT ONE TO FALL planned. Well, it's no longer a plan — it's a reality! There are 10 advance reading copies available to GoodReads members who live in the US or Canada. (If you're not already a GoodReads member, consider joining — it's a wonderful place to connect with readers and writers, and it's free.) Just click on the "Enter to Win" button, make sure that GoodReads has your current mailing address, and you're instantly entered. The giveaway closes on November 30, 2011… which, I'm hoping, will give the winners the time to read (and, fingers crossed, rate/review) the book before it comes out on Feburary 14, 2012.

By the way, there's a pre-order contest for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL in the works, too. It's going to open up as the GoodReads giveaway ends. While it's too early to share details, it's not too early for rumors: I can neither confirm nor deny that llamas are involved.

[image error]

Four Crazy Weeks

My life has been a little crazy lately. There are plenty of wonderful reasons for that, but there are also a few tough ones. In that latter category are issues related to my father-in-law's health and living arrangements (he collapsed almost two weeks ago and is still in hospital, though he's doing better now).

If anything, dealing with the tough stuff has made me more grateful than ever for the fabulous people in my life. What would I do without you guys? I'm also particularly thankful for what's going on with work. A few of the highlights:

Bouchercon in St. Louis: This was, hands down, the best party I've been to in my life. I got to see friends (some in person for the first time) and meet so many terrific people. I hung out with people who love crime fiction as much as I do and I stayed up late every night. I was on panels with writers I admire, and through the four days of the convention I had more fangirl moments than I can count. If you're on Facebook, check out my "Bouchercon 2011 St. Louis" album for evidence of the criminally good time that was had by all! (A huge, heartfelt thank you to Jon and Ruth Jordan, Judy Bobalik, Jennifer Jordan, Jeremy Lynch, Jen Forbus and everyone else who did do much to make this Bouchercon spectacular. You know David Thompson is smiling.)

Award news: The Damage Done won the Crimespree Award for Best First Novel at the Bouchercon opening ceremonies, then went on to win the 2011 Anthony Award for Best First Novel. I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled — and honored — I am.

Noir at the Bar: I've heard plenty about the infamous Noir at the Bar readings over the past few years, and it was a thrill to take part in the "Debauchercon" with Duane Swierczynski, John Rector, Glenn Gray, Matthew McBride, Laura Benedict, Matt Funk, and Jon McGoran. A big thank you to Jedidiah Ayres and Scott Phillips for having me there. My only regret: no one walked out when I read my story "Necessary Evil" from D*CKED.

Upcoming events: QuebeCrime (October 28-30, 2011) and Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (November 11-12, 2011). I can't wait!

Paperback news: I just finished proofreading the pages a week ago. The Damage Done will be out in mass market paperback on January 3, 2012! (Hey, have you seen the new cover?)

The Next One to Fall: The sequel to The Damage Done comes out in the US and Canada on February 14, 2012. Having its release delayed because of the TDD paperback initially made me antsy, because I can't wait for the new book to get into people's hands. But that delay gave me breathing room to write a new book, a novella, and some short fiction. It's also made planning the release of The Next One to Fall less stressful. I've been working on plenty of things behind the scenes — book tour, ARC giveaways, and a contest — so stay tuned for details. All will be revealed soon… well, some things will be revealed, anyway…

New book deal: Here's the brief write-up from Publishers Marketplace: "Anthony Award winner Hilary Davidson's untitled third novel featuring travel journalist Lily Moore, who discovers just how far an Acapulco resort will go to cover up a traveler's disturbing disappearance, to Paul Stevens at Tor/Forge, in a two-book deal, for publication in March 2013, by Judith Weber at Sobel Weber Associates (NA)." Woohoo!

Where to Find Me This Week in St. Louis

I'm heading to St. Louis on Wednesday, and I can't wait to see friends, old and new, at Bouchercon. Last year was my first time at the conference, and I loved every moment (see photo for 2010′s Charlie's Angels moment). It was especially nice to see people I'd already met on Twitter and Facebook in person. If you see me, please say hi! (And don't be scared if I hug you.) Here's where to find me in St. Louis:

Wednesday, Sept. 14

8pm: Noir at the Bar. I'm reading with Duane Swiercynski, John Rector, Glenn Gray, and Anonymous-9. Free and open to all! Meshuggah Café, 6269 Delmar Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO; 314-726-5662

Thursday, Sept. 15

3:30-4pm: I'll be at the Crimespree table in the Bouchercon Book Room

7pm-9pm: Bouchercon Opening Ceremonies, including announcement of the Macavity Awards (The Damage Done is up for Best First Novel)

Friday, Sept. 16

2:30-3:30: Bouchercon — I'm moderating a panel called "Monsters: Investigating crime in the age of social networking, Google, and technology." My rock star panelists are J.T. Ellison, Chris Knopf, P. J. Parrish, Sam Reaves, & Mark Russinovich

Saturday, Sept. 17

4pm-5pm: Bouchercon: The amazing Laura Lippman will moderate a panel called "Payback: Contemplating the future of the genre" with Kathleen George, Bryan Gruley, Bill Loefelm, Duane Swierczynski, and me

Sunday, Sept. 18

8:30-9:30am: Bouchercon Pub Quiz team trivia — with Brad Parks, Chris F. Holm, Katrina Niidas Holm, Lauren O'Brien (that's my team!) and whoever else shows up to play us… if they dare…

11am-1pm: Anthony Awards Brunch (The Damage Done is a nominee for Best First Novel)

 

Three Stories

You know that old saying, 'It never rains but it pours'? That's how it is with me and short fiction these days. I've published three new stories in the past couple of weeks; two are pieces I've been waiting the better part of a year to see in print. "Hedge Hog," my Ellery Queen debut, is only available in print, but both "The Other Man" and "Sorry Bastard" are online. Opening paragraphs and links below!

"Hedge Hog" in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (September/October 2011)

Harris Bulger was no gentleman. I knew that long before I got into bed with him. Truth be told, there was actually very little time from when we first shook hands till we slipped between the sheets together. Afterwards, he slapped my bottom and told me that I was better than an escort. Instead of smacking him back, I smiled, and we started seeing each other once or twice a week, always at his Upper East Side apartment. What Harris lacked in charm, his home made up for with its towering ceilings, open-air terrace, and breathtaking view of New York.

"The Other Man" in Beat to a Pulp

I knew I was a dead man when the cop walked into my bar. It was the way the cocksure bastard sauntered over the threshold, sniffed the moldiness of the stained oak panels, and smiled. Some little joke there, formulating in his bowling ball of a head. He drew his gun, checked the safety, and stuck it back in its holster. Oh, he was going to have a good time at my expense, and he was going to take his time about it.

"Sorry Bastard" in A Twist of Noir

Don didn't have friends, but on the scale of people who bugged the hell out of him, Leo ranked low. So low Don saw him every couple months for drinks or pool or a game. Leo had a buddy who always scored good tickets.

 

Absolutely Thrilling

I loved every moment of ThrillerFest VI. It was a chance to see old friends and meet a lot a great people. It meant dinner at Bistango (with, from L to R, Avery Ames, Rochelle Staab, Jamie Freveletti, and Lynn Sheene) and a party at the Mysterious Bookshop. There was a Debut Authors Breakfast on Saturday morning, an awards banquet Saturday night, an afterparty, and then an after-afterparty (at what may be NYC's worst karaoke bar). I got to discover new (at least, new-to-me) authors, listen to stellar talents (such as Karin Slaughter and R.L. Stine), and meet some of my writing heroes, including Jeffery Deaver. Karin Slaughter's very wise words from the Debut Authors Breakfast are still ringing in my ears. "Read, read, read," she told us. "If you don't, it shows in your work."

With Shane Gericke, whose TORN APART was nominated for a Thriller Award.

With Patty Garcia, Tor/Forge's resident rock star (she's not only head of publicity, she's the bass player for NYC band The Rats!)

 

With Avery Ames, Brad Parks and Sophie Littlefield. I think this was afterparty #1.

PS Some people have put together terrific Thrillerfest reports. Library Journal's Barbara Hoffert wrote a terrific summary of the Debut Authors Breakfast. For a more personal take, check out this post by Jennifer Hillier, author of the just-released CREEP.

PPS WordPress is giving me grief about uploading photos, so if you want to see more from Thrillerfest VI, check out my album on Facebook.

Macavity Award Nomination!

I can't believe I'm getting to write these words, but THE DAMAGE DONE has just been nominated for its third award: the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel, which will be presented at Bouchercon in St. Louis. It's in really great company on this list, and I couldn't be happier. Congrats to all of the nominees, especially my friend and fellow Criminal Mind Kelli Stanley, whose CITY OF DRAGONS is nominated for the Sue Feder Memorial Historical Mystery Award!

The Next One

 

 

Back in the spring, my editor — the amazing Paul Stevens — showed me three potential covers for my second novel, THE NEXT ONE TO FALL. All of them were gorgeous, but one of them actually made my jaw drop. That's the cover you're looking at now. All I can say is that the design team at Tor/Forge is beyond brilliant, and that I'm so grateful to have them — and Paul — in my corner.

THE NEXT ONE TO FALL is the sequel to THE DAMAGE DONE: it takes place three months after the first book ends, with Lily Moore traveling in Peru with her best friend, Jesse Robb. Lily is devastated when a woman dies in an apparent accident at Machu Picchu, but as she uncovers a trail of suspicious deaths behind that woman's wealthy male companion, Lily becomes obsessed with getting justice for his victims.

I'll be telling you more about THE NEXT ONE TO FALL as the release date gets closer, but for now, please circle February 14, 2012, on your calendar. (Who needs romance on Valentine's Day when you can have murder?)