QUICKIE UPDATES AS SPACE PERMITS--Five Star First Edition Mysteries unleashes WHERE THE LIES  BEGIN in mid-May, and we start a heavy round of in-store and library readings and appearances shortly thereafter, beginning with what�s become our traditional kick-off at Dutton�s Bookstore in Brentwood, CA, on Wednesday evening, May 31�A June 17 appearance date at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA, will be paired with a pizza fest a half-mile down Burbank Blvd. at Dino�s, voted the valley�s #1 pizza restaurant by the Los Angeles Times and others (and owned-operated by our kid, David, and his  missus)�

 

The visits to Village Books in Pacific Palisades (June 8) and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (June 10) will  incorporate a modest  "workshop" presentation we're calling "The Long and the Short of It." I'll explore the difference between writing a novel and writing a short story, sharing my thoughts on what works in one form but not the other�and why�and illustrating key points with excerpts from WHERE THE LIES BEGIN and short stories from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and "Year's Best" anthologies in which I appear�The idea was inspired by the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Award voted me a third consecutive year, (my delight about that honor tempered by disappointment at not being able to get to New York for the EQMM reception and presentation on April 27)�

     

Another special event, "Mysteries and Thrillers: The Write Stuff" is set for June 15 at Vroman's in Pasadena, where I'll be moderating a panel featuring Gar Anthony Haywood (aka "Ray Shannon"), Dick Lochte, and Gayle Lynds�

 

Meanwhile, currently keeping me preoccupied: pre-production on the first International Thriller Writers �ThrillerFest� awards show, set for July 1 in Phoenix, when I�m hoping to pull off one or two crowd-pleasing  surprises�

 

Take care and be well...