News and Updates
Back to the city where it all began! I will be making a personal appearance at the Maple Street Book Shop in New Orleans on May 23, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. The shop is located at 7523 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. Call 504-866-4916 or visit www.maplestreetbookshop.com for directions.
2/28/09
Reviews are starting to appear for Broken Wing, including a four-star notice in the Charlotte Observer. Read an excerpt on the review page or the full text here.
12/12/08
I have been nominated as next year's Tennessee Williams playwright-in-residence at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. This is something I've dearly wanted ever since this great southern writer left the bulk of his estate to fund creative writing at Sewanee in the early 1980s. I am thrilled by the opportunity to return to one of my first loves, the stage, and to do so in one of my favorite places on the entire planet.
12/5/08
A yearlong hiatus since my last update -- but I promise, I've been busy! My third novel, Broken Wing, will be published on March 19, 2008 (and I've already posted its first review here). Watch this space for updates in the new year.
1/24/08
Steve Whitton of the Anniston Star contributed a very thoughtful review of Chillwater Cove. It's behind a subscription wall, but I've reproduced the full text here.
12/20/07
The Charlotte Observer's Salem MacKnee gives a very generous review to Chillwater Cove. As always, an excerpt is reproduced on my review page.
12/17/07
A great review for Chillwater Cove appeared in a great newspaper! The Washington Post's Patrick Anderson has written a very thoughtful, considered -- and considerate -- piece on the book. The review itself is behind a subscription wall (though subscription is free). I have reproduced it here. You can read an excerpt on the review page, although I believe the article reads much better in its entirety.
12/12/07
J. Kingston Pierce, senior editor of January Magazine, has named Chillwater Cove his pick of the week. Thank you, Mr. Pierce!
I'm halfway through my week of guest blogging for St. Martin's Minotaur's "Moments in Crime" and having a great time of it.
12/5/07
I got a very interesting review from the School Library Journal, which you can find on the review page. I'm glad the reviewer thinks my work would be of interest to a high school or young adult audience. It puts me in good company with many writers I've always admired.
Last night's premiere signing at the Mobile B&N was well attended and a lot of fun. Thank you, Ken Turner and everyone who showed up! I'll also be doing the following events in the near future:
Dec. 6: Foley, Alabama Public Library (5:30 PM)
Dec. 8:"Home for the Holidays" at Mobile's West Regional Public Library (11:00 - 12:00 AM)
Dec. 11: Fairhope, Alabama Public Library, 10:30-11:30 AM
Dec. 16: Spanish Fort, Alabama Barnes & Noble, 2-4 PM
And I'll be guest blogger on the St. Martin's Minotaur blog "Moments in Crime" from December 9-15. Look for me when you see me!
11/27/07
My second novel, Chillwater Cove, is now available in bookstores nationwide. Huzzah!
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11/21/07
A very happy Thanksgiving to one and all. The Florida Sun-Sentinel's Oline Cogdill, who was an early supporter of The Shadow Catchers, has written a favorable notice for Chillwater Cove. Read an excerpt on my review page or the full review here. I was especially gratified that Ms. Cogdill was pleased to see Peggy Weaver take center stage on this one.
Personal Appearances:
I will be doing a reading and signing at the Mobile B&N on Tuesday, December 4 from 6:00-8:00 PM.
Also look for me at the Foley Public Library on Thursday, December 6 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
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11/19/07
A very long break since my last entry. Chillwater Cove is getting good reviews from the trade publications (Library Journal, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly). Both my latest novel and my first, The Shadow Catchers, received a very complimentary notice from the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Michele Ross. You can the complete text here or read excerpts from all reviews on this page.
The Shadow Catchers is now available as a mass-market paperback. Dare I say they make excellent stocking stuffers?
I have completed the first draft of Broken Wing, which I expect will be published by St. Martin's Minotaur sometime in late 2008.
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6/1/07
Work has begun in earnest on my third novel, Broken Wing -- a Mike Yeager mystery set in post-Katrina New Orleans.
I'm really looking forward to this one, for a lot of reasons. To begin with, it's good to know that the project has found a home at St. Martin's Press, under the guidance of my excellent editor, Kelley Ragland. I'm also positively challenged (and occasionally overwhelmed) by the material. Both of my first two novels take place in semi-invented locations (there is a state called Nevada, but no Dyer County). Setting the story in a real city -- assuming "real" isn't too limiting a word for New Orleans -- gives me a chance to do the kind of cultural exploration I've always dreamed of. When I first began my research, the "exploring" felt a little like sky-diving while blindfolded: terrifying and bewildering. Now the hugeness of the subject feels more liberating, if humbling. It seems there's just no way of entirely figuring out New Orleans...which I believe is part of its attraction.
Finally, it's just good to see where Mike and Peggy wind up next. Expect a few surprises.
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4/30/07
My second novel, Chillwater Cove, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and other sites. Publication has been set for November 27, 2007.
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4/18/07
The 2007 Alabama Library Association Convention was kind enough to invite me to its southern authors luncheon, along with fellow authors Suzanne Hudson, Watt Key, and my good friend Carolyn Haines. Donna Soto did a great job organizing.
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3/20/07
The Shadow Catchers received a 2007 Gumshoe Awards nomination for Best First Novel, courtesy of the folks at Mystery Ink. Thanks, guys!
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2/10/07
I was a guest and featured panelist at this year's "On the Brink" Emerging Southern Writers Conference, held by Jacksonville State University. It was a great experience and I enjoyed sharing the stage with such fine writers as Jack Pendarvis, Nancy Grisham Anderson, Howard Bahr, and Natasha Trethewey. Thanks to JSU's Steve Whitton and Randy Davis (a friend of long standing) for bringing me along.
Whitton also reviewed The Shadow Catchers for the Anniston Star. The online version is subscription-only, but you can read the full text on my review page. |