Mollie Cox Bryan's Blog, page 12

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. Dust in the wind. What a great song.

2. Is it going to rain or what?

3. A major personal disappointment in my life a few weeks back. Still sorting through it. You know, you can only give people so many chances…

4. Hoping to put some time in on my Cumberland Creek series , book #4.

5. Feels like running in a sauna. It’s good. Sweating is  good, good thing.

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. Running in the sprinkles. Ni-ice.

2. Rhiannon. Ohhhh. I love Stevie Nicks.

3. Edits, blog posts, book writing. which first?

4. Going to Reston on Saturday to sign books at Angela’s Happy Stamper. WOOT!

5. Oh, Reston, I sometimes miss you, with all of your culture and running trails and shops. But then I remember the traffic…

 

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. Getting this run in the wedge of time between “Oh it’s a beautiful morning” and “It’s just to effing hot to move.”

2. Today is the last day of school. Half day.

3. Summer of reading in the Bryan house. Both girls have huge lists–for school.

4. I’ve been reading–but not as much as I used to because of my writing. Weird how that works.

5. I miss all things New York City. Funny how that works.

Living the Dream: New York, Kensington, and BEA

Just back from a trip to New York City. I met with my agent, my editor, and attended Kensington’s BEA party, which was fabulous.  These moments are fleeting for us writers, we who sit in front of the computer day after day in isolation. But it inspired me so much so meet the wonderful folks at Kensington who work hard to make the magic happen. And they were all so incredibly enthusiastic about my books! Amazing! (I kept pinching myself–really!) I won’t mention them all by name in this post for fear of forgetting someone, but let’s just say that Kensington rocks, most especially my editor, Martin Biro.

I also met with my agent, Sharon Bowers on Thursday and we discussed how things are going and what is next on the horizon. I picked up an advanced copy of Dawn Eastman’s “Pall in the Family,” which I can hardly wait to read. I met Dawn at Malice Domestic and am so excited about her debut mystery.

On Friday, I attended Book Expo America and wandered around looking for books and stories. I found the Mystery Writer’s of America’s booth and caught up with some friends there. Maybe next year, I will sign books with my friends at BEA. For those of you who don’t know what BEA is— it stands for Book Expo America and it’s the largest book industry gathering in the U. S. and I do mean large, as in OVERWHELMING. Because it’s industry-related, there are countless free books and advance books, with the idea, of course, of creating some buzz among readers, editors, the press, and so on. I picked up a few books—not as many as I could have. But I was careful because books are heavy. I could not take all the books I wanted. I just could not.

I checked out Soho Press’s books—a publisher I admire for many reasons. And I picked up a book that I think both my daughters and myself will like:  “Dancer Daughter Traitor Spy,” by Elizabeth Kiem. Like many young adult books, I think adults might like this one, too.

I also found a British publisher—Accent Press— churning out cozies that look very good, though I’ve not had a chance to read them yet. I picked up “Something in the Blood: A Honey Driver Mystery,” by Jean G. Goodhind and the first book in a highly successful series. I also picked up “Murder by Magic,” by Lesley Cookman, who is lauded as the “Queen” of British “cosies.”

I also grabbed “Forever Chic, Frenchwomen’s Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style, and Substance” by Tish Jett, published by Rizzoli Ex Libris.

Also, I had a lovely conversation with Brad Brown, author of “Term Limits, an Evolutionary Fix for Marriage.” This books sounds fascinating and Brad is all too happy to chat about it. Once again, keep your eyes open. He may be visiting the blog soon.. All is all the trip was fruitful in terms of mining a few potential stories and making some great connections. But it took on a dreamlike feel when I was spending time with my agent and all of the Kensington folks who are so enthusiastic about my books. Sigh. Now, back to work!

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. Poetry.

2. New York City and wonderful time I had there. (Well, for the most part…)

3. Honeysuckle and Sarah Vaughn.

4. Today is a Zumba day, but the gorgeous weather beckoned. I needed that run!

5. Focus. Today, must focus. I am almost ready with the second draft of THE MYSTERIOUS RED VELVET PIE. I need to get it to my beta readers.

A Night of Mystery

If you are local, please join us for this fabulous event in downtown Staunton tomorrow evening.

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. The scent of sweet flowers on the breeze making me gag. Then I turn the corner and smell trash. Don’t know which is worse.

2. They say it might hit 90 today. I’m thinking they are wrong. but it’s warming up.

3. So much writing to do that I feel guilty taking 30 minutes to run. But it’s my sanity. And therefore a MUST.

4. Jen’s voice on the phone this morning. Gosh, I love her.

5. Stage week for the girls dance showcase. Late nights. Short tempers.And last minute runs to the store for hairnets, bobby pins, and so on.

Home Again, Jiggedy-Jig

I’m back from Malice Domestic in Bethesda, Md., and from the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, Pa.. If someone asked me to choose between the events, I’m sure I couldn’t. They are very different from one another, but both are wonderful for writers and readers alike. Both are well-organized and staffed by helpful, friendly sort who love to chat with writers.

Scrapbook of Secrets didn’t win the Agatha for best first novel. I know everybody says this—and so it appears a little cliche and maybe fake—but truly, I was honored to be on that very short list of authors.

Here they are— with apologies to the photographer for no credit. This picture was going around on Facebook and I could not figure out who the original belonged to.

From left to right: Stephanie Jay Evans, Erika Chase, Duffy Brown, Me, and Susan Boyer

In fact, I was just thrilled to be in the same space as Louise Penny, Laura Lippman, and so many other writers whose work I’ve admired through the years. Besides the writers, the readers make the event really magical for me. Imagine someone knowing your characters and your plot and coming up to you and saying “I think Beatrice should do so and so.” I mean, really? You can’t ask for more than that as a writer.

At Malice, I participated in the famous “Malice-Go-Round.”  Authors go from table to table and pitch our books to readers. We are timed and have to keep it within 2 minutes. I had a fabulous partner in Linda O. Johnston, who was also my roomie at the hotel. They say to think of this event as “speed dating for writers” and it is really like that.

Here we all are (once again, I have no idea who this photo really belongs to) :

The Festival of Mystery is Pittsburgh is a bit like that , too. It’s organized and hosted by the fabulous Mystery Lover’s Book Store in Oakmont, Pa. Readers are already lined up to get in to the festival when we arrive. Here’s some shots of the crowd waiting outside the building:

And when they enter, they are eager to chat with writers—and to buy our books. The other part of the festival is that the authors are interviewed on a stage where they, of course, get to talk about their books.

Here’s a shot of the audience:

By that time, I was a bit pooped, I must admit, and forgot half of what I wanted to say. But I think I did well—because I signed some books and talked with readers after that.

Connecting with readers is really what events like this are all about. Next on my schedule is a reading with two other mystery authors in Staunton, Va., a neighboring town. Hope to meet more readers there. And after that, New York!

Off to Malice Domestic and the Festival of Mystery

In a few days, I’ll be heading to Malice Domestic, a mystery fan conference in Bethesda, Md. Last year was my first conference and I was blown away by the organization of it, the fabulous panels, and the community of writers and readers.

This year, SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS is up for the Agatha Award for the Best First Novel of 2012, so I will be attending the awards banquet on Saturday night. Of course, I’m extremely honored to be included on the list of nominations and I’m humbled by the group of writers that are also on that list.

After Malice Domestic on Sunday, I’ll be driving a group of writers up to the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, Pa., which takes place on Monday, May 6.

If you are attending Malice, I hope to see you there. Here’s my schedule of events —but I will be attending as many panels as possible.  By all means, if you spot me at a panel in the audience, or in the hallway, or at the bar, introduce yourself. I love chatting with readers!

 

Friday

Malice Go Round at 10

Opening Ceremonies at 5

Reception at 9

 

Saturday

Panel at 2 “New Kids on the Block: Our Agatha Best First Novel Nominees”

Book signing 5:00 in the atrium

Awards banquet: 7:00

 

Monday: The Mystery Lover’s Festival, Oakmont, Pa.

Five things I thought about during my morning run:

1. An outside run two days in a row. My joints are not happy with me.

2. Blowing pink blossoms falling into puddles. Pretty.

3. Malice Domestic is NEXT WEEK!

4. Shopping. Grrrr.

5. Pollen, pollen, everywhere….Ah-choo!