April 2009

mayhem in the midlands

If you're at cruising altitude over flyover country on May 21st, you might like to bail out near Omaha, where I am the (ahem) guest of honor at Mayhem in the Midlands, a select little crime fiction convention they put on once a year for 200 people, tops.  (Seriously, it's capped at 200 attendees so if you want to come you should sign up now.)  I've just been given my orders, as follows:

Friday 10:30 AM Putting the Ms. in Mysteries

Friday 3:00 PM You Can't Run in High Heels

Saturday 10:30 AM What's the Worst That Can Happen?

Saturday 3:00 PM The Me You Don't See

Sunday TBA The Guest of Honor Interview, me with Jan Burke asking the questions.  Click here to see how well she knows how to ask 'em.

Myself, I think you should definitely attend the You Can't Run in High Heels panel, because it's mainly going to be Zoe Sharp demonstrating self-defense on me.  She promised not to kick my ass if I promised not to wear high heels.  I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

danamaniacs chat

But if you can't make it to Omaha, we can still meet up online. I will be chatting with the Danamaniacs at 5pm Alaska time/9pm Eastern time on Monday, May 18th.  To join the chat, you must first do these two simple things:

First, join the Danamaniacs on Facebook.  Click here to do that.

Second, go to the 'maniacs Chatzy page and follow the breadcrumbs.  Click here to do that.

Don't panic, it's fairly painless and a lot of fun. Plus once you're on Facebook you can friend me, too (click here to do that).  There's always a party going on on my Facebook page!

bragging rights

Sharon Kay Penman, author of many fabulous historical novels, most recently The Devil's Brood, writes,

Dear Dana,
Life came to a screeching halt as soon as I got my hands upon a copy of Whisper to the Blood. I wish I knew your secret; often a series begins to lose some of its power as the years and books pass, but yours just keep getting stronger. I'm not at all surprised that you made the NY Times bestseller list with Whisper; your fans have been waiting for it as eagerly as I was and once they read it, they spread the word, loudly enough that even the Grey Lady heard.
I love re-entering Kate's world and being reunited with the Park Rats. That is always a joy separate and apart from the suspense of the storyline itself. I think Johnny is a wonderful addition to the cast, but I don't totally trust you anymore and when he and his girlfriend and Ruthie were out snow-mobiling, I found myself getting nervous, thinking "Would she...oh, surely not? She wouldn't kill Johnny off!" Thankfully, you didn't. But after Hunter's Moon, I'm always aware that Dana Stabenow is not a benevolent god.
As much as I loved Jack, I have to confess that you're getting more dramatic mileage for Kate's relationship with Jim. Great sex scene, too; I loved that "I did turn off that goddamn stove."
So thank you for creating a world so real that it can't be fictional; Kate and company must be existing in a parallel universe somewhere.
Sharon
PS Characters I hope you never kill:
Bobbie and Dinah, Bernie, Ruthie, Sam (I still miss Dandy Mike) Auntie Edna? Her I wouldn't miss so much. Hey, I can be as protective of Kate as Mutt if the need arises.

There is no more welcome praise than the praise of one's peers.  For one thing, it's so well written.  Thanks, Sharon.

unheard of press for fiction writer

Go here to read an article about me on the publication of Whisper to the Blood in my local newspaper, the Homer News. 

It's well written and I even said most of that.

A lot of times?  I didn't.