Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2018

Last Sunday, I attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books held at the main campus of the University of Southern California. That’s my alma mater so always fun for me to go back on campus. Lots more buildings than when I went to school there eons ago.

I signed at the Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles booth again this year. The weather was warm, but not overly so. Had a nice time talking to people who stopped by. I also met some Sisters from other chapters (San Diego and Colorado) who were also signing at the booth.

 New this year was something called Newstory Zone, Creative Telling Beyond The Book. It included this Vortex Immersion Media 360 Dome. “Newstory is all about telling stories in inspiring ways that move audiences by offering up new and life-altering perspectives.” That’s what I read online, anyway.

I did not enter the dome, but here’s a video I found on YouTube from the experience.

On the more ordinary side, there was the usual giant crossword puzzles and a place where you could write down what book changed your life. I don’t know if I can think of one book that changed my life. Maybe Nancy Drew. The husband suggested I put my first book down because, well, it did change my life.

Plus areas for YA, children, poetry...

We didn’t spend as long there as we have in the past. Lots to do preparing to go to Malice Domestic. That’s where I’m headed next. That pretty much ends my run of conventions and major events for the year. Phew! Then I can get down to writing Aurora #5, Ghosts of Painting Past. I think I’ll kill off a surfer in this one...

Book Signings

I read Barbara’s recent post on her adventures in book signings with some envy. Looks like she's had some great adventures touring in her writing career. I'm sure there'll be many more to come.

I’m just starting my own career so I don’t have much experience in book touring. (I have one, count it, one book out—Fatal Brushstroke. That’s it so far.) I did a short tour of Los Angeles area bookstores with the lovely Diane Vallere showing me the ropes. And I’ve done one library event, been on a panel at one convention (Bouchercon last year). So I don’t really have many stories to tell...yet.

This weekend, I’ll be signing for the first time at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the University of Southern California campus. (My alma mater. Always happy to get a chance to check out the campus and see what’s changed. A lot, believe me!)



I worked the Sisters in Crime/LA booth for many years, but this is the first time I’ll be there as an author. I’m looking forward to it, but am also a bit nervous. I’m not the most outgoing person, so it’s a little daunting.

My signing times, in case you’re in the area:

• Sisters in Crime/LA booth—Saturday, April 18, 2015, noon – 2 p.m.
• Mysterious Galaxy booth—Sunday, April 19, 2015, 10 a.m.

 Then a couple weeks from now I’ll be at Malice Domestic, on my first panel there. And I have a library event coming up in May at the Wiseburn Library in Hawthorne, California so I’m starting to get myself out there.

I know I should probably do more events, but, I have to admit, I’m struggling with juggling writing and publicity events these days. So I've been very select on how many events I do. If anyone has any suggestions or tips on how to keep all those balls in the air, let me know. I could use them. In the meantime, I will be keep on trucking...