June 2024
Vol. 265

Thrillerfest XIX is in the books, and boy, was it a blast. All I asked for was a drama-free event: no broken bones, falls, crutches, laryngitis, sick kitties, etc., and my wish was granted! Instead, it was a laughter-filled week with great food, great conversation, wonderful panel discussions, and catchups with friends and team alike. I sometimes think I put too much pressure on myself to perform at conferences, but there was no need in NYC. I did have one moment of sheer panicky “WTF am I doing here?” just before the banquet, but that quickly faded, and we had such a fun night. I didn’t win the Thriller, but honestly, being nominated for two different stories in two different categories was the ultimate creative boost. There were over 1100 entries this year. OMG. Props to the volunteer judging committees. You are amazing! (And if you’re going to lose, lose to a BFF and a master storyteller.)

Lisa Unger did a great roundup of the event itself here, if you’re interested. And I pulled together some highlights here, because there are literally too many people to name that I was so happy to hug and catch up with.

New York is one of my favorite places to visit. Randy and I went up early so we could see the Dodgers whomp on the Mets, and I really enjoyed Citifield. Seeing planes taking off above the outfield was super cool. We also went to Oscar Wilde’s for dinner, which was dressed up in Alice in Wonderland decor (wild) and the Algonquin for second dinner after. I had a lovely long breakfast with my friend Helen Ellis, and then it was all publishing, all the time.

My agent took us to lunch and dinner and drinks and coffee, and of course, we plotted world domination. I am truly blessed with a fabulous friend and teammate there. I also had quality time with my new editor, publisher, and publicist, and it made me want to do everything in my power to level up and give all of them the very best work I can possibly pull out of my head.

I skipped the Author’s Guild Gala because we had a special nominees’ dinner with my publisher, which was a lot of fun and put me in contact with a publishing sister and fellow panelist, Lisa Gray, with whom I fell madly in friendship—really interesting writer and person. I now have all her books lined up to read. I got to see so many dear friends and spend some real quality time with Allison Brennan, Boyd Morrison and his wife, the other Randi, Lisa Unger and her hubby Jeff, catching up on our lives and our dreams and our stories (and getting a good talking to about distractions.)

Also spent time with amazing writers Tess Gerritsen, Mark Greaney, Don Bentley, Gregg Hurwitz, and Lisa Gardner, all such wonderful and generous souls. Sara DiVello interviewed me for her awesome show, and I got to celebrate the debuts of Meredith Lyons and Steve Urszenyi along with the huge class of 2024. Got to meet/hug Danielle Trussoni and catch up with bloggers and lovely friends Dennis from Scared Straight Reads and Abby Endler from Crime by the Book. Chatted at length with the indomitable Jeneva Rose (and Drew!) and the ever-kind Sean Cosby, plus got to hug and catch up with my long-time friend Neil Nyren. Had a few more great chats in the halls with thriller folks, including the wonderful Dan Conaway and my dear friend Jeannie Bowerman, Jeff Ayers and Brian Tracy and Jim L’Etoile, Chris Bojalian and J. Todd Scott, Jennifer Hillier and Vanessa Lillie and Ashley Winstead and Christina MacDonald and Cara Reinard, Riley Sager and Samantha Bailey and DJ Palmer, Wendy Walker and Lynne Constantine and Suzanne Leopold, met Yasmin Angoe and hugged on Danielle Girard, Clare Mackintosh and Tosca Lee (and Farmer Bryan) And then we dressed up and wore glittery, pettable things and celebrated the brilliance in our industry and drank Writer’s Tears (lord, y’all, I can tell I hardly drink anymore; I kept passing my glass to anyone who would help me finish it 😂. Sorry, Gregg!)

Oh, and I got to meet Meg Ruley! She represents a ton of my friends and was so incredibly nice. I totally missed Ruth Ware, which was hysterical because we were a hallway apart all weekend. Just kept missing her, so I will have to pay back that drink another time. (I interviewed her last week for the Parnassus event, and we had a blast.) And Kate White! OMG what a cool chick.

I’ll stop name-dropping now because I can’t even begin to hit everyone I got to see and talk to, but you can get the sense that it was an utter whirlwind. I couldn’t go ten feet without running into someone I’d been dying to talk to for months.

My award categories were chock-full of serious talent, and I highly recommend reading all of them, short stories and novels alike! And the after party after the after party was more fun than should be legal.

I got home Sunday and collapsed. There was a lot of talking, as you can imagine. And there’s a conference cold working it’s way through the household, now, too.

I was back to real words Wednesday and was happy to realize I’d written 2500 words during my sojourn in New York. Plane rides are great for writing…plus I snuck up to the room and decompressed a few times when I was overwhelmed. Words help introverts relax.

Being away is wonderful for rumination. I had three cool short story ideas over the weekend, and I’ve got one last book to blurb before that shop closes for the next several months. I’m of course debating whether I really need six social media accounts and if I should bring on a temporary dedicated AA to help get through the launch of A VERY BAD THING. Juggling is my forte but sometimes, it all gets to be a little much. So forgive me if I disappear for the summer, diving deep into this new book I’m writing for you.

In the meantime, it’s warm and humid and perfect weather for reading by the pool. Get out there and enjoy yourselves. Summer hours have commenced!

In some big pink book news, A VERY BAD THING has a new release date! It will now be out on November 1. I know it's always disappointing to have to wait a little longer for a book to release, but it will be worth it, I promise. Be sure to get your pre-orders in, and thank you to everyone who's already started spreading the word. Naturally, the ebook will only be on Amazon but the hardcover is available far and wide. There will be signed books, too, and I'm currently scheduled to be at Parnassus November 1 and Poisoned Pen November 2. I'll have more info closer to release. 

BUT! I'm so excited for you to read this one, and I have one galley left to give away. I want it to go to one of you. 

Last month, I asked about short stories. Equal numbers of you want me (and others) to write more short stories as you wish I'd stick to novel writing. I mean, exactly equal: 203 to 203. So you ask a loaded question... 😂

Sarah Pearse - The Wilds
Wild is exactly how I'd describe this one. It's superb, and spooky, and intense–a perfect counterpoint to our sunny happy skies. 

Holly Black - The Stolen Heir
I love Holly's fantasy world, Elfhame, and this new book featuring Oak and Wren is fantastic. I also finished the second book in the duology, The Prisoner's Throne, and wow. A great couple of books, and broke my 6-month post-Fourth Wing fantasy drought.

Steve Urszenyi -  Perfect Shot
This is at the top of my TBR, and I can't wait to read it. Steve has an interesting background, and this thriller's premise is very cool. We need more female-driven thrillers!

Alisha Klapheke -  Kingdom of Spirits
My co-writer and co-developer of the Jayne Thorne books is back with another amazing dragon tale. if you liked Fourth Wing, this is your next series to read!

We went to Bobby Van’s three times so I could eat this impeccably perfect salad. It’s called the Harry Salad, though I can’t find whom—or what—it’s named for. (If you know, please tell me.) I have never had anything so fresh and delectable, and it's such a simple recipe, too!

You can find all of my recipes here, and if you want some wine to go with the meals, The Wine Vixen has you covered.

Every month, I draw a name from those of you who open the newsletter and send that lovely person a $30 gift card to the bookstore of their choice. It’s my way of saying thanks for being here. Enter below! 

Last month's winner: Congratulations to boldham! Check your email...

That's it from me. I hope you're ready for summer, with a new bathing suit, a huge stack of books, and a lot of sunscreen. Wish me luck on this crazy deadline for my 2025 standalone!

xo,

Are you still here? 

Here’s a kitten for your troubles!