XXXVII - July 2010

A few days ago I heard from Herself -- no, nothing about Under the Skin; I'm still in the dark about Herself's reaction thereto.

But she had excellent news -- a wonderful blurb for The Day of Small Things from Deborah Crombie, New York Times Best-Selling author of the Duncan Kincaide/Gemma James mysteries! This is what Deb had to say:

"Vicki Lane is one of the best American novelists writing today.  In The Day of Small Things, she has once again rendered a lyrical, evocative, and haunting portrait of life in the Appalachians, both past and present. And in Birdie, she has given us a character who will steal your heart and stay with you for a long time to come. 

I loved this book--The Day of Small Things will definitely make my short list for 2010."

Oh my! Oh Deb! I feel faint!

Blurbs, as you probably know, go on the cover of the book to entice the reader.  I've been fortunate in getting nice blurbs from kind authors hut it's still difficult to ask. In Deb's case, however, she had let me know that she'd read and enjoyed my previous books so it was easy.

With Deb's kind words to energize me, I've begun to think about the promotion of the book. Yes, the publishers assign me a publicist but they expect me to do a fair amount on my own.  This newsletter is one of those things. And now I've set up a blog/site dedicated to 

The Day of Small Things.

It won't be a regularly updated blog -- more of a website for the book which I can update as needed. It will have reviews and blurbs as they come in; there is a page for the media with photos and bios; there is an excerpt from the book and a page of Frequently Asked Questions (please, ask me a question and I'll answer it there!)

Eventually I'll add photos pertaining to the book and whatever else seems useful -- questions for book clubs perhaps.  You're invited to give it a look and make suggestions. Here's a link and there'll always be one in the side bar. Do let me know what you think!

Notes and Observations
 
Eleanor writes: GOTTA SAY...STIEG LARSON BOOKS ADDICTIVE AND FAB! ALSO TRY LESLIE GLASS' APRIL WOO SERIES.

Pat in East TN says: 

I'm still reading quite a bit and gave in and ordered myself a Kindle the other day.  Many folks have been after me to get one and when they dropped the price significantly, I couldn't resist ... ha, there goes my berry picking money!  It should come tomorrow and I'm excited.  There are still some books that I will want to buy, just to have, but most of everyday reading will go on the Kindle. 

I do believe I've learned something new in the past week.  Two yellow jacket nests that were built above ground!  When I saw these round paper nests I thought instantly of hornets, which I totally dislike after being stung a couple of times by those suckers, BUT these are definitely yellow jackets.  Have you ever heard to this?  In all my years I do not recall seeing an above the ground nest.  Food must be lacking in the woods as our local wildlife abounds in my yard and the hayfield next door.  We hadn't seen any for quite a while and now it seems their all coming in to graze and raid my bird feeders.  I don't mind sharing as long as no damage is done. 

Follow this link for recommendations on books set in western NC or written by authors from the area.

In other news -- I've bitten the (financial) bullet and signed up for Bouchercon (the big mystery convention in October.) It's in San Francisco -- a place I've never been -- and the expense is significant. But with a new book out, it seems like the thing to do.  I'll hope to find that some folks on the west coast have heard of Elizabeth Goodweather. . .

Here on the farm, blackberries are ripening,  as are squash and cucumbers. The weeds are thriving;the dogs and cats are shedding; friends and family are visiting. I'm trying to make up for all I haven't been doing while finishing Under the Skin. And I'm reading a whole lots of mysteries, as I mentioned in a previous post.

Please do visit my blog/site for The Day of Small Things and tell me what it needs -- or ask a question that isn't in the FAQ. There are links to the other pages just under the header photo.

And here's a slide show from the past month. Have a wonderful July!