MIA and trudging along...

Hey there,


I've been MIA the last little while.  A combination of busy as hell at my full-time job (college prof... midterms...yikes) and doing book events (or planning book events) when I can.


Long before I was published, a writer acquaintance said the real work comes after the writing.  She meant all the promo stuff and all the effort that entails.  I'm not complaining, but I now get what she meant! 


The events themselves are usually fun and it's nice to talk to people about my book, about writing and so on.  The only bummer is if an event doesn't draw a crowd... but I guess that will happen at times - despite efforts to publicize the reading or whatever it is.


One thing I hadn't really expected is how hard and how easy it is to arrange an event, whether a library or a retail venue.  In some cases, it's all arranged in minutes via an email or two.  Date, time, place - poof!  Done!  See you soon.  In other cases, it's a series of calls, emails and faxes (who faxes anymore???) and a week or two before things get confirmed (or not).  I wish there were a recipe for this!


The one thing I am finding helpful and very supportive is local media, whether print or televised.  Community papers seem glad to cover events in their neighbourhoods, and local cable channels are eager to meet with you as well.


All in all, this has been one heck of a learning curve!

Library Event.... Zzzzzzzz....

Okay, I have to laugh at this!


I did a reading and Q & A at a library last weekend.  My half-brother Mike happens to work there, so he helped with the arrangements (thanks again!).  And, since this was something of a family event, our Dad came along.


Now, Dad has been supportive of me and the book.  He has bragged to his friends, he bought several copies, he came to the launch party.  Proud Papa to be sure.


I did the reading to a small crowd (only about 10 people besides my dad and Mike).  After the reading, people began asking questions - the usual, how long did it take to write Blood and Groom, was it hard to get published, etc.  Then someone asked "where did you get the ideas?" and I told the truth:  Many of the plot ideas came from Dear Old Dad.  But when I answered I said the following:


"My Dad - the guy who's fast asleep in the back row - gave me a lot of suggestions." 


Dad, clued in at that moment and woke up, startled, looked around, gave a deer in the headlights look to the group, and blushed a little.  Everyone else gave a nervous chuckle. 


So, Dad slept through the library event.  OMG....talk about feeling like a forgotten middle child ;) 


Luckily, I found it funny!

My first interview ever!

This just came out this morning. Of course, I was very happy to read it. Published in "Niagara This Week".

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/412526--sassy-sleuth-sascha-jackson-to-be-featured-in-crime-time