Someone mentioned that they read my blog because they love my process. I was pleased with that comment because that’s what writing this blog has been about – how I get from point A to point B without cracking up. Though, come to think of it, the cracking up process may make equally good reading and how can one ever know if they’ve crossed the line? I read Diary of a Mad Housewife years ago and I really don’t think that poor woman knew how far gone she was until it was too late. Good grief, onto less morbid thoughts.
On this fine Sunday, my process is all over the map and then some. (Oh-oh, just looked out the window – the rain is pouring down and the wind is whipping up quite the storm on the lake. I swear it was sunny not five minutes ago.)
Plans for The Light Never Lies Blog Tour have come together with a bang over the past week. I have 19 stops planned on 17 great blogs – a nice mix of reviews, interviews and guest posts. The tour will run March through May and I’m looking forward to writing about each blog host as I wend my way through the various stops. I’m waiting on a couple of final confirmations, but you can find the entire schedule on a separate page here on my blog. As the tour progresses, don’t forget to get your comments out on the various sites so you have multiple chances to be in on the draw for a trade paperback copy of The Light Never Lies mailed right to your door.
And speaking of The Light Never Lies trade paperbacks, they are now prominently displayed in five North Island locations, alongside Disappearing in Plain Sight, with two more stores to go. Considering we’ve only had the books for ten days, it seems like quite the accomplishment. Once again, huge thanks to the North Island merchants who are so quick to display and sell a local author’s work.
Major book launch events are planned for the upcoming weekend. On Saturday, March 8th, I’ll be at F.P. Foods in Port Alice from 10:00 – 4:00 selling and signing books. Now I have a book for Bill Jr. and Bill Sr. to hold! Just so happens the Oscar Hicke’s Hockey Tournament will be in full swing at that time. I’m expecting a good deal of traffic as the town is bound to be flooded with people. And if you’re planning to be in Port Alice, get your tickets for the Parent Advisory Committee draw. A copy of The Light Never Lies is included in their basket of prize goodies.
On Sunday, March 9th, I’ll be at MarketPlace IGA in Port McNeill from 9:00 – 3:00. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with many McNeill friends.
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On Monday, March 10th, I’m doing a coffee meet and greet at Captain Hardy’s in Port Hardy from 9:00 – 11:00. I’d love to sit down and chat with anyone who’s around over a cup of coffee.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of book promotion, the writing goes on. The book of short stories is off to the editor and the cover designer is doing his thing. I’ve been brainstorming a number of titles – variations on sorrow and hope, threads and weaving – as well as working on the all-important ordering of stories. There is a natural flow to the thirteen selections – I just have to find it.
I’m in the process (oh my gosh, there is that word again!) of preparing to re-issue Disappearing in Plain Sight under the Huckleberry Haven Publishing imprint with my own ISBN. The whole endeavour involves some careful planning. I want the new version ready to go up on Amazon as soon as possible after the old one comes down.
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Research and back-writing for Chasing Down the Night is moving forward in spits and starts. Last week, I read Paula Wild’s book, The Cougar. A fascinating and scary read that has me hesitating to go out the door – a fairly common reaction. You know the stories about students in first year psych who imagine they have every debilitating mental illness they study? Reading about cougars is a bit like that. You start to imagine you see one behind every tree you pass. But awareness of these powerful, big cats is an important aspect of being safe while living in cougar territory. And, by the way, Vancouver Island is the cougar capital of North America, having the highest concentration on the continent of these magnificent animals. Given that, it makes sense that cougars are going to stalk their way into my writing.
I’ll leave you today (because my process has a few too many irons in the fire) with a photo that is giving me some inspiration as I ponder the third novel in the Crater Lake Series – Chasing Down the Night.
disappearinginplainsight 
Sounds like you did fine putting things together yourself. I hope it goes well.
Thanks, Peter – me too 🙂 Lots of work organizing anything like this, but I’m looking forward to the fact that I know the blog hosts and we can mutually benefit one another as the tour unfolds.
You’ve done well to get your ‘local’ bookshops onside – it’s a good base from which to start. And you also interact well with your local community. And good to hear of a third book in the series, though I’ve yet to open #2.
Yes – the local sales of ‘real’ books is what is paying down the deficit. Building up e-sales is a process that takes time. I look forward to your take on The Light Never Lies. Since you had said you would review, you were actually one of my unconfirmed stops on the tour – 2nd week of May, I think. If you’re interested let me know.
You’ve cooked up quite a nice blog tour, Fran, and I look forward to hosting you next week.
Thanks, Gwen. I’m busy writing my guest post for your blog right now – well, just took a short break for coffee and answering comments. Next stop – The 4 A.M. Writer 🙂
It sounds as though March is going to be very busy for you, Fran. I look forward to your visit to my blog at the end of the month.
Those photo are beautiful. I could stare at the last one for hours…so relaxing.
The photos really enhance my blog and my thinking – thus my writing. I feel as thought I have my own little pinterest board going right on my blog. I’m looking forward to visiting your blog, Jill and talking about storyboards.
I’ve tagged your book in a book blog chain Francis – partake only if and when you fancy. I like to be honest as far as saying what I want to read on these posts, so I don’t ask for permission – and risk much wrath! Have a wonderful day! The link is here http://africolonialstories.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/monday-tag-a-book-day-par-deux/
Thanks so much for the tag, Jo. Honesty works for me 🙂 Does being tagged mean I do a Monday blog where I tag some other books I want to read? Sounds like a great idea.
Pleasure Francis! 😀 Yes – a Monday blog. I’ve tagged ones I want to read as well as ones I’ve already read.
Lovely photograph! Good luck on your blog tour – sounds like everything’s coming together really well! 🙂
So far, so good – though this week feels like preparing 20 blogs in 6 days – trying to have a lot of stuff prepared ahead of time. Once it all starts rolling, it’s going to be great! Hope you’ll keep stopping by and follow along and make comments and get your name in many times for the prize of a softcover copy of The Light Never Lies.
I stumbled across your husband’s website, so I thought I’d visit over here as well! Wonderful stuff!
Thanks so much, Tom. Hope I’ll see you again. Sure Bruce feels the same.
Bravo! And, what a beauty of a photo…STAY SAFE! ;0)
I am now going out equipped with air horn, whistle, heavy duty walking stick and small fixed blade knife. Better safe than sorry, I suppose.
Very nice photographs and a good story if you have time please take a look at my blog. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks for stopping by, Alex. I did stop by your blog and today’s post on standing up for others was quite inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for kind word and have nice day.