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!

 

XXXII ~ February 2010

It's still winter here, though we had a lovely day in the fifties before the snow began to fall again. Eighteen or more inches is a possibility -- and that includes the possibility of another power outage. We're prepared -- generator, wood, gas, kerosene, dog food, people food . . . and in further preparation, I'm posting this a few days early -- just in case we're without power on the first.

I've seen some preliminary cover art for The Day of Small Things -- I can't show it to you yet but I was very pleased with it. The cover features a young woman atop a rail fence, looking off into the woods -- very much like the young Birdie I'd imagined but for one little detail.

In my manuscript, the young Birdie's hair is a pale, moonlight blonde. This cover shows a girl with long dark hair.

Arrgh!

When I pointed this out to my editor, she asked the Art Department to try to photoshop the hair color to blonde and they gave it a try but the results were less than pleasing.

So, I went back through the manuscript and turned Birdie's pale tresses to dark brown. It wasn't that big a deal -- and I wasn't that attached to a blonde Birdie. But for all of you who think that authors have input or control over their covers, I say to you, ha! ha! and au contraire.

Maybe by next month I'll be able to show you the cover. The book is listed on Amazon now, for presale, which does make it seem a little closer to reality.

Here's a slide show of various and sundry photos from January. Click on the picture to view.

January 2010

QUESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM YOU ALL

Mary B. writes: The Beauty School of Kabul was interesting and kind of fun. Have you read it?
It was interesting and kind of fun. It's about an American hairdresser who started a cosmetology school for Afghan women -- non fiction. You can imagine the problems she had! Also -- have you read The Lacuna?... I love Barbara Kingsolver and am anxious to read it. I'm interested in the whole Frida Kahlo/Trotsky/Diego drama.


Pat in east TN says: I'm reading The Coal Tattoo right now and they're talking about the mineral rights that folks had signed years before not really knowing what they were signing... now the coal company was coming in to do more mining and all ~ell was about to break loose. It's a good book but then I am a fan of Silas House.


Tipper in Brasstown (who has a terrific blog - The Blind Pig and the Acorn - about all things Appalachian asks: Have you ever heard of Peggy Poe Stern? I just finished reading one of her books and loved it. She too writes about Appalachia. The book was so good I just cannot figure out why I haven't heard of her before.

Elaine in Hawaii says:I have been reading Christopher Fowler: Full Dark House, 77 Clocks, etc. He's a v. funny guy...or he writes funny stuff.

RECENT READS AND REREADS

High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver - Wonderful essays --what a writer this woman is!

What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool - If you read (or write) novels with a 19th century English setting, this is for you. Or if you're just curious about that era. I loved it!

Growing Up in Davie County by William Jamie Moore and Jamie W. Moore, ed. -- a detailed glimpse at life in small town North Carolina in the early 20th century. Great archival photographs!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott -- a recent mention of this book by a comment from Miss Yves in France sent me to the book shelf to get reacquainted with this old friend. Next, Good Wives and Little Men.

SCHEDULE
2010

Monday, May 17 ~ Meeting with the "Read Between the Wines Book Club" in Morganton, NC.

SEPTEMBER 28 -- MISS BIRDIE FLIES!! Release date for (the long-awaited) The Day of Small Things!!!!!!!!!!