Mobicon 14 Schedule

I'm off to Mobicon 14 this weekend. I have three major workshops/panels on my schedule -- and they're all my brain-children -- and two "meet and greet"s. For two workshops, I'm flying solo and the third brings in two other authors. Should be fun! Also, I'll have a few copies of BLOOD LAW to give away and free BLOOD SECRETS swag!

Here's the complete schedule for those who are in the area and may be interested in attending:

MOBICON 14
Location: Ashbury Suites & Inns
Mobile, AL
Dates: May 20-22

Schedule for Jeannie Holmes:

Friday

12:30-1:30 -- The Art of Dialogue: Speech is fluid and filled with loops, whirls, stops, and starts. Filling your characters' dialogue with the same can instantly kill their likeability. This interactive workshop uses improvisation and audience participation to demonstrate techniques for refining your characters' speech.

2:30-3:30 -- Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies--Oh, My!: The supernatural has branched out of the fantasy and horror genres to invade mysteries, romances, and thrillers. Why be limited to the traditional views? Learn to think outside of the paranormal box to fine new creatures and ways to thrill your readers.

7:30-8:30 -- Meet the Guests

Saturday

2:30-3:30 -- Undying Love OR Eternal Struggle? Writing Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy: Is it a romance with fantasy elements or a fantasy with romantic elements? Learn to spot the difference between paranormal romance and urban fantasy and the basics for writing both. (Moderator: Jeannie Holmes Panelists: Candace Sams, Violet Reid)

Sunday

10:00-11:00 -- Sunday Morning Hangover with All Surviving Guests

That's my complete schedule for the weekend. I'll be hanging out and chatting around the con. Feel free to find me and strike up a conversation. I won't bite....or will I?

MidSouthCon 29

MidSouthCon 29 was held March 25-27, 2011, in the Hilton in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. This year marked my first year at MSC, and I will definitely be going back. I've been to many cons and every at MSC was awesome! But before I launch into the full details of the weekend, I need to set the stage.

Accompanying me were Mark, my OMG (Official Market Genius) and trophy husband, and fellow Ninja Pea, Michelle Ladner. To say the drive from Mobile to Memphis is long and boring is an understatement. It's very long and very boring, even with Michelle on a sugar and caffiene high in the backseat. When she spotted the six-foot "rooster," the trip took a sharp left turn straight to the gutter. (More on the "rooster" in a bit.)

Driving to Memphis offered us a chance to visit an authentic BLOOD LAW location. Yes, the town of Jefferson, Mississippi is fictional, but if you carefully read chapter two (pages 25-32) you'll find a scene involving Varik Baudelaire, Reyes Cott, and Freddy Haver at a Waffle House in Horn Lake, Mississippi. This is a real location and since we were passing through, we stopped for coffee. It seemed appropriate. After a quick coffee break and short photo op, we were on the road again and headed to Memphis. Naturally we hit town in time for the 4:30-5:00 pm rush but we made it to the hotel and only had to made one questionably legal U-turn. By the time we checked in, parked the truck, and found our rooms (which were on the 17th floor and reached by loud and somewhat creaky glass elevators), it was time to check-in at registration and go to work. By the way, here is the view from our room, which overlooked the pool. (Unfortunately, the picture was taken on Saturday and it was raining.)

My first panel discussion didn't start until 10:00 pm (Ghosts in the Machine: How the paranormal manifests in real life and fiction.) So we all registered, familiarized ourselves with the location, checked out a few early discussions, and grabbed dinner. Then it was time for my first panel, and it was a lot of fun. My fellow panelists, Allan Gilbreath, Joy Ward, Kalila Smith, Leslie Gray, and Mallory Kane, were lively, humorous, and experienced with both writing and the paranormal. I couldn't have asked for a better start to MidSouthCon.

The following day, Saturday, brought more people to the con and the costumes were out in full force. Michelle rode the elevator down from the 14th floor in the company of Darth Vader. I really wish I'd been there to get a picture of her Luke Skywalker moment. Alas, I was off paneling or something.

I had two afternoon panels and a signing on Saturday. The first discussion, Different Flavors of Fantasy, discussed the various subgenres of fantasy and why we write the ones we do. My fellow panelists Ruth Souther, Stephen Zimmer, and Violette Reid were awesome and we had a great discussion with lots of audience questions. I had a chance to talk with Ruth and Stephen, separately, in greater detail later and hope I see them again on the con circuit. I also wish I'd had an opportunity to speak with Violette again but our schedules unfortunately didn't mesh. My schedule panel, Guide To Writers’ Organizations, with J. F. Lewis, Jason Sizemore, and Mary Robinette Kowal, also had tons of audience participation. I've been to some cons where audience interaction was difficult to obtain, but MSC wasn't one of them. Great questions, polite debate, and outstanding discussions made my experience with MSC among the best.

Next on my agenda was the signing. I gave away copies of BLOOD LAW and met a lot of wonderful readers. Once my time at the table was over, it was time to regroup with Mark, Michelle, and Katie (a reader and pre-published author from Mississippi) for dinner. My official obligations were over for this year's MSC but the Dealer's Room had yet to be conquered...

And conquer it I did on Sunday. New dice and two new T-shirts later, it was time to hit on final panel discussion and then we were on the road for home. Remember the six-foot "rooster" Michelle saw? We found it on the way back -- big yellow and red "thing" on the right side of the photo. We don't know what it is, what it's intended use may be, but it provided hours of entertainment during an otherwise boring drive.

MidSouthCon 29 was anything but boring and if you haven't been, you really should go. I know I'll be back.

Thanks to all who came to the panels, to the organizers and volunteers who made the whole thing run, and to my fellow panelists for the lively discussions. Thanks to Katie for braving the weather to show your support. Special thanks to Mark and Michelle for their support, entertainment, and keeping me on schedule. I couldn't do what I do without you. Much (Ninja Pea) love!

MidSouthCon Panel Schedule

I received my official panel schedule for MidSouthCon in Memphis, TN (March 25-27). It's a short list, but these sound like a lot of fun so I can't wait. Hope to see many of you there!

Friday 10:00 PM (Promenade 2) Ghosts In the Machine -- How phenomena manifest in paranormal fiction and vice versa.

Saturday 1:00 PM (Director's Row 2) Different Flavors of Fantasy -- Panelists discuss the various subgenres of fantasy and why they write the ones they do.

Saturday 3:00 PM (Promenade 1) Guide To Writers’ Organizations -- Cliques, clubs, or covert ops? What are the benefits of professional membership?

Saturday 4:00 PM (Ballroom A Hallway Pro-Row) Sat-4p Autograph Sessions (BLOOD SECRETS swag will be available!)

BLOOD LAW Tour Dates Set

Yes, my Minions, the time for unleashing BLOOD LAW on the world is drawing closer.

It's kind of like a gianormous asteroid hurtling through space at millions of miles an hour and yet appearing to creep along in the darkness silently waiting for the opportune moment to strike and lay waste to everything around it.....

......or completely burn up in the atmosphere with all the fanfare of a bottle rocket.

Either way, I'm heading out for a tour to promote my preciousssssssss at the end of June. Here are the confirmed dates and places of where I'll be. Feel free to look me up, drop by and say "Hi!", and all that stuff. If you're lucky, I may even pose for a picture. I also have a blog tour (of sorts) so if you can't find me in person, find me online.

Since this is my first book, it's a fairly short tour. Hence, the short tour bus...

BLOOD LAW Signing Tour

July 1-4 -- CONvergence (Minneapolis, MN)
July 7-10 -- Thrillerfest (New York, NY)
July 17 -- Murder by the Book (Houston, TX)
July 24 -- Barnes & Noble, Eastern Shore Centre (Spanish Fort, AL)
July 28-31 -- RWA National Conference (Orlando, FL)
August 14 -- Page & Palette (Fairhope, AL)


BLOOD LAW Blog Tour

June 18 -- Paranormal Summer Fest (Tynga's Reviews)
July 1 -- Thrillerfest Promo (BookTrib.com) *Note: BookTrib will be giving away 10 copies of BLOOD LAW as part of their Debut Author week!
July 7-8 -- Virtual Launch Party (Bitten By Books)
July 9 -- Guest Blog (Dark Faerie Tales)

Hope to see some of you out there on the road! :)

Bouchercon 2009

October 14 was my mother’s birthday, and I spent it flying to Indianapolis for Bouchercon 2009, the premier event for mystery lovers. (Don’t worry about Mom. I called her and sang “Happy Birthday” over the phone during my Memphis layover. Good thing I can sort of actually carry a tune because several people stared at me like I’d sprouted a second head.)

Anyway, my flight to Indianapolis was relatively uneventful. Except for losing my boarding pass somewhere between Mobile and Memphis...on the freaking plane. I guess the gremlins stole it. Regardless, once I arrived in Memphis, I found my departure gate, explained what happened to the very nice clerk working the desk, and she printed a new pass for me. Next stop, coffee shop! I positioned myself where I could people watch while I waited for my next flight. People watching in an airport is a favorite hobby. I like to try to figure out where people are going, where they’ve been, what their life is like, etc. based on the way they dress and what luggage they bring with them. Yes, even when traveling, my mind is ever in the creative author mode.

After arriving in Indianapolis, and suffering through a sudden fit of coughing while at the baggage claim (Note to the security guard and other travelers who kept eyeing me during this time: I was not and am not contagious! Dust from the baggage carousel got caught in my throat.) The ride from the airport to the hotel was strange. Indianapolis is a big city and I’d expected to see more traffic on the roadways during the middle of the week. The streets were strangely empty. It was kind of freaky, actually.

The hotel was great. The lobby was a huge open-air atrium deal with glass elevators. I loved riding the elevators because I could easily see who was milling around in the lobby before I arrived. It was a helpful perk when searching for my pals Kelli Stanley, Rebecca Cantrell, Andrew Peterson, and Laura Benedict.

This was my first ever Bouchercon and I had a blast. Not only because I was able to reconnect with a lot of my friends or make new friends but because everyone was so friendly. I also didn’t have any panels, sessions, or workshops to prepare for so that left me completely free to enjoy myself and the company around me.

In addition to having a great time at Bouchercon, I was able to hang out for a bit with the fabulous Charlaine Harris and some of her fans, which I am at heart ‘cause I totally love Charlaine! (Thanks, Debi and Becci, for inviting me to join the festivities! I had a great time and look forward to seeing y’all at Romantic Times in April.) I also went on a forced march, uh, make that “self-guided walking tour” of downtown Indianapolis with Rebecca Cantrell and Tana Hall. We saw some amazing architecture, had a lot of fun, and walked...and walked...and walked. The most important fact is that we had a lot of fun.

Another great thing about Bouchercon was that I got to see my wonderful editor. We talked about BLOOD LAW, “Book 2”, and cover art. (Yes, it’s on the way. As soon as I get official word it’s available for release, I’ll post it. Patience, minions, patience.) Also, another of Ms. Editor’s authors, Brett Battles, won a Barry Award for Best Thriller (The Deceived) at Bouchercon. Congrats to Brett! He’s an outstanding author –- a well-deserved win.

Bouchercon was wrapped up on October 18 and I flew home the following day. Once again I had a layover in Memphis. I admit I was people watching again in hopes of having a “sighting” of a certain singer, but alas...

Next year’s Bouchercon will be held in San Francisco, home to my good friend and author extraordinaire, Kelli Stanley. I’m hoping to attend but haven’t fully committed yet. It’s still a year away so I have a little time. :)

So, that pretty well wraps up my report of Bouchercon. Next up, a quick lunch break and then I’ll be back for more catching up.

Don't Panic!

Last night was another session of the Mobile Police Department's citizen's academy. (I did not try to drown myself with a water bottle this week!) We learned about the various precincts, different areas within the department, saw video from a dashboard camera of a pursuit that ended in a shoot out (The officer involved was uninjured and the two car thieves were arrested.), and saw some of the cool toys Mobile PD uses, including Segways and the ultra coolest, Sky Watch. (Right: example of a Sky Watch mobile observation tower.)

We also signed up for "ride alongs" with patrol officers. I chose to ride with someone from the precinct in which I live and to report for morning roll call in order to get the "full experience." The patrol officers work in 12-hours shifts. I'm going to attempt to stay for the entire shift. I don't know if I'll make it the full 12-hours, but I'm going to try. The "ride along" is scheduled for Friday...chosen because Mark will be working from home that day and my day of editing BLOOD LAW would be somewhat disrupted anyway. Plus, I'd rather sleep in on Saturday.

Speaking of BLOOD LAW, if you have already pre-ordered through Amazon.com (Thank you, thank you, thank you!!), you probably received an email stating the release date has changed from May 25, 2010, to June 22, 2010. Don't panic! This isn't really a "delay" so much as a "correction." Dell, my publisher, has said from day one that I was scheduled for a June 2010 release. This was not unexpected. All you have to do is follow the instructions in Amazon's email to accept the changed date. (And, please, do so before the deadline listed in the email, otherwise, I believe your order will be cancelled!)

Bouchercon 2009 is only a few weeks away! My schedule is rapidly filling up with all the requests for lunch, coffee, drinks, and dinner. (Sorry, folks, but Friday, October 16 is booked solid, including lunch with Ms. Editor and Ms. Publisher, and the Random House cocktail party.) When, why, and how did I become...popular? It amazes me. I'm just a geeky gal from the Mississippi backwoods, never "popular" or "cool" in high school, and now...suddenly...people know my name and want to hang out with me. It's all very surreal to me.

While on the subject of surreal, I've confirmed my attendance to the RT Booklovers Convention in Columbus, OH -- April 28-May 2, 2010. This is the first confirmed conference appearance for next year -- and my first RT Convention, period. I've heard wild stories. Don't know if I'm ready for this or not, but I'll be there. Other appearances are in the works and I'll keep everyone posted as news becomes available.

One tiny final conference-related bit of trivia here... One of Mark's (former) co-workers, Mike, (Hey, dude! *waves*) recently moved to San Diego, CA. Mike has been a great and early supporter for BLOOD LAW and I made a deal with him. If he can provide 100 people to show up for a book signing at the Random House booth, I would attend San Diego Comic Con next year. Mike's response: "I can do this." So...now comes the question, "Can he do this?" If memory serves me correctly, I believe the last count for BLOOD LAW attendees stood at 7. Will he make it? Will I attend SDCC? *looks at calendar* Hmm...I don't know...only time will tell...

Of course, all these appearances hinge on BLOOD LAW's release. To that end, I should probably get back to work. So....

TTFN