Quiet Day

overcast, mild, temps mid-60s

Had two calls early this morning. 6:45 call from the French publisher, just to chat. Then 8am call from Teresa, my agent in London. To make more plans for the visit. Fun to lie in bed in San Francisco talking with editors and agents. Never would have believed it possible ten years ago.

We're having a VERY relaxed day. Getting caught up on some work. Some blogs and emails. Some planning and scheduling issues.

Off to Toronto tomorrow - mid-morning flight but with the time difference we don't arrive in Toronto until 7pm. Going to be doing the International Festival of Authors (IFOA) this weekend - then have a lunch event organized by the amazing Nancy Frater, of Booklore in Orangeville, Ontario. If you live in the area and want to be part of it, please call the bookstore and they'll give you information.

Hard to believe that one week from today Michael and I, along with My Assistant Lise and her husband will be in Quebec City! The big Quebec launch of BURY YOUR DEAD is a week tomorrow - Thursday, Oct 28th. Wow. Hope to see you there.

One thing that amazes me, and I suspect amazes other writers (in fact, I know it does) is simply the number of details involved in a writing career. Like so many others, I thought I'd just write, and maybe tour (using the publisher's private jet) and that would be it. Get to meet you, and enjoy it - then fly back home.

Seems there's more to it than that! Tons of emails, blogging, phone calls, organizing and co-ordinating meetings. Thank God for My Assistant Lise, who basically does everything for us. And still I can barely function for the details.

Having said all that - this is still the best job in the world!

I probably won't be able to blog tomorrow, but will try to write on Friday from the IFOA.

Be well. And thanks for the kind company.

Floating

mainly sunny, mild, temps mid-sixties

I'm still floating, and will be for quite some time, after yesterday. The shriek and maniacal laughter in my head has calmed to a smile of settled happiness. And people have been so kind, coming up to congratulate me. And sending messages. Had there been a long, dreadful silence after this great news that would have felt awful. But you are all so kind.

Thank you!!! And mostly thank you for keeping me company, when I win and when I don't. When things go well, and when they don't. That's the real trophy. Companions like you.

We've cancelled the event in Berkley tonight. I know a few of you were hoping to be there. I'm sorry about that, but it has just been such an exhausting time we thought it might be best. Just need to stare at a blank wall for a little while.

Indeed, the photos above show what I'll be staring at. One is our living room in the hotel room, the other is the view from one of the windows.

I've also included a shot of me holding the Anthony...before they took it away to be engraved. (ripped it out of my hands...I think there may be nail marks on it.) In most of the photos of me at the awards I look like a striped cow. But one holding a magnificent trophy - so, moooo!!!

What a surprising life. I will remember this always....but mostly I'll remember all the people who have been so kind to me. Thank you.