Left Coast Crime 2010 - Part II
The convention organizers graciously agreed to work with the Crime Lab Project and the California Institute of Forensic Science to sponsor a special event on Wednesday, March 10. The Left Coast Crime 2010 Forensic Science Day. They also very generously agreed to donate all proceeds from the day to the Crime Lab Project Foundation, to be given to the CSFI. Rose Ochi tells us that these funds will be used to help graduate students purchase materials to carry out their research.
So not only were we offering something unique to attendees, they were supporting a great cause!
The day took lots of planning and preparation, and we're all indebted to the CFSI's Rose Ochi for her early support of the event, to Harley Sagara for his many efforts, and to Howard Ho for his additional help.
This was a full-day event at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center at California State University, Los Angeles. The HSFSC is a new facility that houses forensic science services for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. It is the largest "full service" crime lab in the country. It also includes training and research facilities as well as classrooms.
Attendance was limited to 75 and the event sold out weeks ago.
Here's a quick look at our day.
8:30-8:45 Welcome We were honored to be welcomed by Cheryl L. Ney, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies at CSULA. Rose Ochi, the Executive Director, California Forensic Science Institute and I, in my role as head of The Crime Lab Project, made additional opening statements. Harley Sagara served as our ringmaster throughout the day.
A series of excellent presentations followed:
8:45-9:45 The Crime Scene Don Johnson, CSULA School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics
9:45-10:45 Questioned Documents Mel Cavanaugh, Questioned Documents Examiner, Sgt (Ret.) LASD Scientific Service Bureau
11:00-12:00 Forensic Science and the Courts Myrna Raeder, Professor of Law, Southwestern University School of Law
After lunch, we split into smaller groups for a tour of the HDFSC. The tour was followed by three more excellent presentations:
2:00-3:00 Firearms Allison Manfreda, Criminalist II, LAPD Scientific Investigations Division- Firearm Analysis Unit
3:15-4:15 Trace Evidence Lynne Herold, Senior Criminalist LASD Scientific Service Bureau/Trace Section
4:15-5:15 Biology-DNA Katherine Roberts, CSULA School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics
I did an informal follow up session for writers on using what we had learned. Each attendee also received a handout with lots of additional information.
The feedback from our attendees has been incredibly positive and their reviews of the day have been stellar. I'm sure we'll do another event at the HDFSC for CFSI, and I've been talking to other convention organizers about doing a similar program at a future Left Coast Crime. When I know more about that, I'll let you know.
I was especially glad that my husband, Tim Burke, was able to join us for this day. He hears me talk about this stuff all the time, and we've donated to CFSI, but this was his first chance to actually look around inside the building! Tomorrow: LCC 2010 - Part III
Labels: a good thing, CLP, forensic science, public appearances, schedule, Tim Burke
Left Coast Crime 2010 - Part I
I have so much to tell you about Left Coast Crime 2010! So much, I'm going to turn this into several posts. I was one of the Guests of Honor this year, and I consider this among the highest honors I've received. I was asked to be a GOH a few years ago by Paul Anik, an incredibly bright and energetic lover of mystery books. He collected them, and reviewed for "I Love a Mystery." Paul and his wife, Barbara, traveled all the way to Santa Barbara to surprise me an appearance there, and you'll get a glimpse of his sense of humor when I tell you that Paul, an attorney, "served" me with a "subpoena" -- an invitation to be a Guest of Honor in that format. I was so flattered -- the first mystery convention I ever attended was Left Coast Crime 1992, so Left Coast Crime has always been special to me. When Paul offered this prestigious honor to me, of course I immediately agreed! Paul's enthusiasm was contagious, and over the next two years I saw him make many efforts to ensure that LCC2010 was a success. Then tragedy struck. In early 2009, Paul died of a heart attack. He was an active man, and far too young to be lost in this way, and it was a great shock to all who knew and loved him. To have someone so full of life and laughter suddenly taken from us seemed incomprehensible. (You can see a photo of him and read more about his life here.) Paul's committee of volunteers carried on his work. Putting a convention together isn't easy under any circumstances, but this group did so after losing the chief organizer of the event, and while dealing with their own grief over his loss. They dedicated this convention to his memory, and I was deeply honored to be seated with Barbara and his children, Vanessa and Ben, at the convention banquet. In tribute to Paul, LCC 2010 created the Panik Award, given for the "best Los Angeles noir book published in 2009." It was won by Linda L Richards for Death Was in the Picture. I think Paul would have been very pleased by how his convention turned out. I heard nothing but raves from attendees. He worked hard to ensure that his fellow mystery readers would have a great experience, and the committee ensured that happened. And I think he would have been especially happy to know that his pick of Downtown Los Angeles as the site of the event proved to be a excellent choice. Labels: public appearances, schedule
Fallbrook's Writers Read is final 2009 appearance
I'll be in Fallbrook, California for an evening with Fallbrook's Writers Read on Tuesday, December 8 at Café des Artistes, 103 S. Main Street. Fallbrook is in northern San Diego County, just inland from Oceanside. I recommend arriving in town early enough to take a walk through its galleries and stores in the downtown area. I often have lunch at Café des Artistes when I'm in town -- definitely worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood. Doors open at 5:30 with a supper menu available. I'll be reading and signing books beginning at 6 PM. There's an open mic for others to share original poetry and prose from 6:45 to 7:30 PM.
Except for a sold-out event at the Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab, this will be my last scheduled public appearance for this year. I've intentionally kept my schedule clear until March 11-14, 2010, when I'll be at Left Coast Crime in Los Angeles, where I'm a Guest of Honor. I hope to see you in Fallbrook and hope you have signed up for both Left Coast Crime and the special Forensic Science Day at the convention.
Happy Holidays, and thank you again for your support this past year! Labels: public appearances, schedule
Not Going to World Fantasy Convention
I'm sorry to say that due to circumstances beyond my control, I won't be at the World Fantasy Convention. I'll be offering my membership to the convention through the Live Journal site:
I look forward to trying to get to this one in the future. For those who are going, have a great time!
Labels: public appearances, schedule
Next Up -- More October Events
Alas, I won't be at Bouchercon this year, so I'll miss seeing those of you who are going. But I've got a full schedule of appearances this fall, so I hope we'll meet up at one of these events! Friday October 9 - Nashville, TennesseeSouthern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word 12-1 PM session followed by signing War Memorial Plaza Nashville, TN Evening: Authors in the Round Dinner Thursday October 22 - Costa Mesa, California"Will You Kill My Boss For Me?" and Other Harmless Requests: My Life as a Crime Fiction WriterCSULB Orange County Alumni Event Orange County Speakers Series Wyndham Resort, Orange County 3350 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA Cost of event: $50 CSULB Alumni Association members, $55 non-members Reception at 6 PM, Presentation and discussion at 7 PM RSVP by 10/16/09 - Click here for ticket information. Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 1 World Fantasy Convention San José, California This event is sold out, but if you have an attending membership, I look forward to seeing you there! For more information, please see the schedule page of my Website! Labels: public appearances, schedule
A Forensic Science Panel & a Book Fair-- Stop by and say hello!
I've got two public appearances coming up soon -- more to come in October and November! Tuesday, September 29, 11:45 AM-2:30 PMCalifornia Forensic Science Institute Forum"Challenges Facing Forensic Science" Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory William T Fujikoka Room 1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla Los Angeles CA 90032 Call CFSI for more information at (323) 343-4877 Sunday, October 4 West Hollywood Park 647 N. San Vicente Blvd
Noon - Crossover/Supernatural/Mystery Panel (which probably has a better name by now, but this is the only one I've been given) in the Fiction Pavilion
2:30 PM Sisters in Crime: How Far Have We Come? in the Mystery & Suspense Pavilion
There will be signings after each panel, and at 4 PM I'll also be signing at the Sisters in Crime booth.
Coming soon: appearances in Orange County, CA; Nashville, Tennessee; San Jose, CA; Muskego, Wisconsin; and Fallbrook, CA. See my Web site's Schedule page for more info! Labels: books, forensic science, public appearances, road trips, schedule
Brief notes
I hope you are planning to attend Left Coast Crime 2010 in Los Angeles next March! I'm the Guest of Honor -- along with some guy named Lee Child. You may have heard of him? Yeah, I think he's great, too. Anyway, we'll be there along with Bill Fitzhugh and lots of others, so please register now. And don't forget to sign up for the Forensic Science Day -- it's going to be so cool!
The Crime Lab Project blog is running a Death Quiz -- find out how much you really know about death investigation in the U.S. -- and then tell your friends to take the quiz. Ignoring the dead can cost us our lives.
My Web Master is as overwhelmed with work as I am, so it may be a little while before my schedule on the site shows this, but -- I'm going to have some new additions to my October schedule, including the Southern Festival of Books, October 9-11 in Nashville, Tennessee. Stay tuned for details.
Speaking of Web sites, don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but one of my nieces, Heather Cvar, is a makeup artist, and her recently updated site has some cool photos on it. You can see them at HeatherCvar.com
That's it for now. I have a ton of stuff to post here, but it will have to wait while I work on my next book. Labels: art, CLP, forensic science, public appearances, road trips, schedule, writing
California Crime Writers Conference
I'll be at the California Crime Writers Conference, sponsored by the LA chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, on Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 PM. I'll be teaching a session with Doug Lyle, "CSI: The Real Facts." The event is being held at the The Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA. This is part of a two-day conference for writers that should be very helpful for those of you who are working on manuscripts. Hope to see some of you there!
I have some news about Bones and Liar, but I'll save that for the next post. A deadline and a few other matters have kept me from being more active on the blog, but don't give up on me!
Labels: forensic science, help for the aspiring writer, public appearances, schedule, writing
Invading other blogs
I'm back home now, and have a few minutes to come up for air and thank all of you who showed up at events where I was signing. That's the part of touring that I love most -- meeting readers! If you missed seeing me at the stores listed in recent posts, many will still have signed books available. And if you don't live near those stores, all of the ones listed on the sidebar to the right will ship signed books while supplies last. Also, I do have other events on my schedule, and you can click here for more information about them. I've been traveling a bit on the Internet, too -- a couple of friends invited me to guest blog. Recently, Elaine Viets allowed me to vent about devising the pitch for a new book on The Lipstick Chronicles. Rhys Bowen interviewed me on Jungle Red Writers. They're both fun blogs, so take a look around while you're there! Labels: Favorite and fun links, schedule
Signing Schedule - Week of January 18
Tuesday, January 20, 6:30 PMMurder by the Book2342 Bissonnet Street Houston, TX 77005 713-524-8597 Toll free: 888-4-AGATHA (888-424-2842) Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/mbtbhtx Wednesday, January 21, 7:00 PMBorders - Lee's Summit1664 Northwest Chipman Road Lee's Summit, MO 64081 816-347-0044 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/bblsmo Thursday, January 22, 7:00 PMLeft Bank Books (Central West End) 399 North Euclid Ave St Louis, MO 63108 314-367-6731 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/lbstmo Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Ohio and Kentucky
I'm leaving for Ohio in the morning, getting ready for some signings and other events there and in Kentucky. I was interviewed by Mark Perzel on Cincinnati's NPR station, WVXU, For the " Cincinnati Edition" show. You can listen to the interview online by clicking here for the complete show for January 10 -- you can find the interview at about the halfway point. If you buy the book through the station's Web site, a portion of the sale benefits WVXU. A review of The Messenger and my interview with Vick Mickunas appears in today's Dayton Daily News. You can read that article by clicking here. Here are a few of the interviews scheduled (more about others soon): On Tuesday morning, January 13th, I'll be on TKR-Cable TV's Northern Kentucky Magazine show at about 10:30 AM. On Wednesday, January 14th, I'll be on WDTN-TV's 2 News at Noon. On Thursday, January 15th, I'll be on WKYT-TV's 27 Noon News. The bookstores where I'll be this week are listed on my schedule page and this post below: Is this thing on?: Schedule for The Messenger Tour - Week of January 11Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Gaza Protests in Westwood Result in Cancellation of Today's Mystery Bookstore Signing
Sometimes the best laid plans must be laid aside -- Today I had two signings planned for The Messenger. I had just left Mysteries to Die For after a great signing there in Thousand Oaks and started down the 101 freeway, when I got a call from Bobby, the manager of the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood. Because of a large number of protesters at the nearby Federal Building and on some of the streets of Westwood, law enforcement had blocked freeway exits to the area and all of the surface streets leading into Westwood Village, so he asked to cancel the signing. Another author had been unable to reach the store, and Bobby felt sure I wouldn't be able to get to the store from outside Westwood. Bobby later kindly brought preordered books to my house, and I signed them for any of you who had requested them. I also signed some stock for those who order books or come by the store after today. I hope none of you were caught in the heavy traffic or frustrated in trying to get to the store, and also apologize to the two fans in Westwood who apparently managed to get the store. I hope I'll see you at another local event. Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Schedule for The Messenger Tour - Week of January 11
I'll be on several television and radio programs this week in Ohio and Kentucky -- I'll post more about that soon. Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 PMJoseph-Beth BooksellersRookwood Commons 2692 Madison Road Cincinnati, OH 45208 513-396-8960 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/jbcinoh Wednesday, January 14, at 7:00 PMBooks & Co.Greene Shopping Center 4453 Walnut Street Beavercreek, OH 45440 937-429-2169 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/bcbcoh Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 PMJoseph-Beth Booksellers161 Lexington Green Circle Lexington, KY 40503 859-273-2911 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/jblfky Saturday, January 17th at 1:00 PMBook Carnival348 Tustin Avenue Orange, CA 92866 714-538-3210 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/bkctca I have more signings coming up and I hope you'll be able to stop by and say hello. Here are some stores where I've already signed books, and while supplies last, these stores will happily ship autographed books to you if you order by calling the store or visiting its Website: Mysterious Galaxy858-268-4747Poisoned Pen480-947-2974 Toll free: 888-560-9919 M is for Mystery650-401-8077 Toll free outside the San Francisco Bay Area: 888-405-8077Book Passage415-927-0960 Toll free: 800-999-7909 Books Inc. in the Marina 415-931-3633 Mysteries to Die For805-374-0084 Mystery Bookstore310-209-0415 Toll free: 800-821-9017 Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Signing Schedule - Week of January 4
 The Messenger is now in stores! Here's where I'll be the week of January 4th -- please stop by and say hello! Monday, January 5, at 7:00 PMBarnes & Noble Huntington Beach7881 Edinger Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-897-8781 This store is in the Bella Terra Mall, near the Cheesecake Factory. Click here for a map or go to http://tinyurl.com/bnhbca Tuesday, January 6, at 7:00 PM Mysterious Galaxy7051 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 302 San Diego, CA 92111 858-268-4747Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/mgsdca Wednesday, January 7, at 7:00 PMPoisoned Pen4014 North Goldwater, Suite 101 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-947-2974 Toll free: 888-560-9919 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/ppbsaz Thursday, January 8, at 1:00 PMBook Passage51 Tamal Vista Corte Madera, CA 94925 415-927-0960 Toll free: 800-999-7909 Click here for a map
or go to http://tinyurl.com/bpcmca Thursday, January 8, at 7:30 PMBooks Inc. in the Marina2251 Chestnut Street San Francisco, CA 94123 415-931-3633 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/bimsfca Saturday, January 10, at 1:00 PMMysteries to Die For2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-374-0084 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/mtdftoca Saturday, January 10, at 4:00 PMMystery Bookstore1036 Broxton Avenue, Suite C Los Angeles, CA 90024 310-209-0415 Toll free: 800-821-9017 Click here for a mapor go to http://tinyurl.com/mblaca Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
An Introduction to The Messenger & Tour Info
 Starting today, I'm going to be telling you more about my newest book, The Messenger. And tomorrow I'll also tell you about an offer for those of you who faithfully read this blog or belong to my mailing list. Q: When will The Messenger be published?The official publication date is December 30, 2008. I've been hearing that some people are already receiving copies. You can order The Messenger on the website of your favorite bookstore, through Indiebound, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers, or by calling your local bookstore. If you want a signed copy, many of the bookstores I'll be visiting on my tour will ship a book to you -- call to ask. Q: What's it about?The Messenger is a supernatural thriller. I'm going to tell you more about the characters, the story, and some of my research for the book over the next few days. You can also read about the book on my website. Here's a brief introduction to it, though — and skip the rest of this section if you really don't like any kind of spoiler! Far below the surface of the Caribbean Sea, a salvage diver hears an eerie voice coming from the wreckage of a 19th century ship. The voice belongs to Adrian de Ville, who offers the diver power and wealth if he will pledge his service and help Adrian find Tyler Hawthorne. It's a bargain the diver comes to regret. Tyler Hawthorne lives in Los Angeles. To all appearances twenty-four, he is in fact more than two hundred years old and nearly immortal. In 1815, as he lay dying of his wounds at Waterloo, Adrian offered him a memento mori ring, and the opportunity to recover and become The Messenger. Tyler has since had the ability to hear the thoughts of the dying in the last moments of their lives and conveys their final messages to their loved ones. With only a cemetery dog named Shade to bear him company, he leads a solitary and nomadic existence. Now, in L.A., he finds himself drawn to a woman named Amanda Clarke, who has secrets of her own. The dying give messages to Tyler, too, and lately they've indicated that his life is about to change. But will this change allow him to grow closer to Amanda, or bring him under the power of his old enemy? Q: The Messenger isn't an Irene Kelly book -- does that mean you've stopped writing about Irene?No. I'm working on a new Irene Kelly book now. Q: Will you be on a book tour for The Messenger?Yes. Here are the places I'll be: Monday, January 5, 7 PM
Barnes & Noble Huntington Beach, CA
Tuesday, January 6, 7 PM
Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, CA
Wednesday, January 7, 7 PM
Poisoned Pen Scottsdale, AZ
Thursday, January 8, 1 PM
Book Passage Corte Madera, CA
Thursday, January 8, 7:30 PM
Books Inc. in The Marina San Francisco, CA
Thursday, January 8, TBA
M is for Mystery San Mateo, CA—stock signing
Saturday, January 10, 1 PM
Mysteries to Die For Thousand Oaks, CA
Saturday, January 10, 4 PM
Mystery Bookstore Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, January 13, 7 PM
Joseph Beth Cincinnati, OH
Wednesday, January 14, 7 PM
Books & Co Dayton, OH
Thursday, January 15, 7 PM
Joseph Beth Lexington, KY
Saturday, January 17, 1 PM
Book Carnival Orange, CA
Tuesday, January 20, 6:30 PM
Murder by the Book Houston, TX
Wednesday, January 21, 7 PM
Borders (Lee Summit) Kansas City, MO
Wednesday, January 22, 7 PM
Left Bank Books St Louis, MO
Be sure to keep checking the schedule page on my website for updated information.
Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Making prints
Not fingerprints, this time, but artwork. As some of you know, my sister is printmaker Sandra Cvar, who will be giving printmaking demonstrations at the International Printing Museum on Saturday, September 6th*, between 10 AM and 1 PM. It's Family Printmaking Day, and Sandy will be demonstrating everything from potato prints to linocuts. I plan on being there, and I hope you'll join in the fun if you're in the area.
The museum includes a collection of antique printing machinery. Admission to the museum is $8 for adults and $7 children/students. Pay at the door, but RSVP to Rachelle Chuang at bookarts --at-- printmuseum.org. (Convert that into an email address.)
The International Printing Museum/Book Arts Institute 315 Torrance Blvd Carson CA 90745 310-515-7166
*Not, as previously bumbled, 9/9. Sorry about that. Labels: Favorite and fun links, schedule
An Overdue Update
 I'm excited to say that The Messenger, my next book, is a step closer to actually being a book. The revisions are in, cover art is nearly ready (I'll put it up here and on my Web site as soon as possible), and it looks as if the publication date will be set for January, 2009.
As some of you already know, this book has a supernatural element. It has thriller elements as well, and I think those who read the Irene Kelly series will enjoy meeting Tyler Hawthorne and friends.
Especially those of you who love dogs. Wait until you meet Shade! I'll talk more about him, and the plot of The Messenger, very soon.
I'm also working on a new Irene Kelly book. That one will possibly be out in the fall of 2009. The main reason you haven't seen much of me here is that I'm trying to get two manuscripts finished this year -- hoping to make it up to all of you for not getting a book out this year.
I'll soon have a story coming out in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, too. I'll give details about that and tell you how you can make sure you get a copy of it in my next post!
It was great seeing those of you who came to Mayhem in the Midlands. That's one of my favorite conventions, and next year I'll have the pleasure of serving as its toastmaster. The guest of honor is my good friend Dana Stabenow, so we'll have fun. When the 2009 registration links are available, I'll let you know.
Mayhem is held in Omaha. A lot of my extended family can be found in the midwest, so I arrived a little early, and drove through four states during my visit there. I saw cousins, aunts, uncles, and nieces and nephews. One day I joined cousin Martha Burke and one of her friends, artist Paula Fagan, for lunch in Kansas City, Missouri. We had lunch in the city's art district, at a fabulous place called Pizza Bella. Just down the street on Baltimore Ave is the historic TWA Building, recently restored, Moonliner II and all. You can see a better photo of it than the one above on this Wikipedia link, but this is one I snapped with my iPhone. If you have a chance to visit this part of the city, go!
This is a beautiful time of year to be driving past farmland, and some of the most lovely and serene vistas can be found in the Flint Hills of Kansas. I spent a lot of hours in the rental car this trip, and I think that part of the drive remains my favorite.
My next public appearance will be June 13-14, at the Hardboiled Heroes and Cozy Cats Writers Conference, which is sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of MWA. If you live anywhere near Dallas, Texas, and are working on a manuscript, I hope I'll be see you at that event.
Now I'm going back to work on a manuscript of my own....
Labels: books, public appearances, road trips, schedule, short stories, writing
Malice Domestic
I hope to see some of you next week at Malice Domestic! This convention is always fun and friendly, and of course, I love having a chance to visit the Washington D.C. area. This year's worthy honorees include Charlaine Harris, Lindsey Davis, Daniel Stashower, Peter Lovesey, and Elizabeth Foxwell. For a list of attending authors, visit this page of the Malice Website. See you there! Labels: public appearances, road trips, schedule
Home again
 At the end of March, Tim and I traveled to Buffalo, New York, to visit family there, and were saddened to learn that one of his aunts, the truly fabulous Jean Fancourt, was in the hospital. She died the day after we arrived. We loved her dearly, and our time with our Burke cousins was a celebration of her well-lived life. After a few more days in Buffalo, where there was April snowfall, Tim went home and I went on to Manhattan. I made a visit to MWA headquarters, where Margery Flax is busy with both Edgar preparations and packing up the office to move to its new digs. The next day I spent time with my editor, and with the publisher and the editor of my paperbacks. All kinds of news. I'm happy to say that Pocket Books will be reissuing Bones. I also learned that my next book will be out in early 2009. More details will be posted here re pub date, title, and about the book itself the next few weeks. For now, I'll tell you that this book is not part of the Irene Kelly series -- in fact, it's not crime fiction. Something new and different, but I hope you'll become as attached to these new characters as I have. Did I mention the dog? Okay -- more about all of that later. I went from Manhattan to Pittsburgh. You've heard about some of that part of the trip in earlier posts. The Wecht Institute event was great, but I had to leave early, because one of my favorite librarians, Joyce Hensley, had asked me to be part of Literary Orange in California. So I spoke with my suitcase next to the dais, took a few questions, and hurried off to the airport. (Later I learned that Laura Lippman and I were probably wandering through the Pittsburgh Airport at about the same time. Although I missed seeing her there, fortunately Laura and I had a great afternoon together in So Cal, when she was here to sign her new book, Another Thing to Fall, at Book Carnival.) Weather in Houston (where my flight connected) meant a delayed flight, so I didn't get into LAX until after 1 AM. But I was able to get home and to the event the next day, where I saw Patty Smiley, Naomi Hirahara, and other friends, including Joyce. One other note about 2009 -- I'm hoping to get a new Irene Kelly novel out later that year. Working on it now. That probably means I won't be posting here on the blog quite as often as I'd like, but I hope you'll all be understanding about that. As for future travel -- DC, Omaha, and Dallas are in the works. I'll be at Malice Domestic in April, Mayhem in the Midlands in May, and at Hardboiled Heroes & Cozy Cats 2008 in June. So if you are going to be at any of those events, please say hello! Labels: books, road trips, schedule
Left Coast Crime in Denver
I hope to see you at Left Coast Crime 2008, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, March 6-9. The convention is honoring Stephen White, and Elaine Viets will be the Toastmaster. Those of you who have been to mystery conventions will realize why librarian Michael Masliah is the Fan Guest of Honor. In what I believe is a first, this convention also features a Celebrity Chef, Joanne Pence, and a Celebrity Singer, Parnell Hall. You can learn more about the convention at its Web site, http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/2008. If you want to learn more about where I'll be appearing in the coming months, visit the Schedule page on my Web site. Labels: public appearances, road trips, schedule
Wildfires may affect event
Just after posting the announcement below about Step Out in San Diego, I received word that the event may be affected by the wildfires in San Diego. I'm sure there are concerns about air quality and other effects of the fires. (For those who may have wondered, although some of our family members are in evacuation areas -- and occasionally sheltering here -- Tim and I are safe, and so far, so are our loved ones. Any of you who are fire-affected areas of So Cal are in our thoughts.) Updates and further information about the San Diego Step Out Event will be posted on the ADA Step Out Web site page for the event. I'll also try to keep you updated here. Labels: a good thing, schedule
Step Out to Fight Diabetes
 I'll be walking in the Step Out to Fight Diabetes event in San Diego at 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 28 at Ingram Plaza - Liberty Station, which is located at 2750 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106. View Larger MapThis event raises money to support the important work of the American Diabetes Association. Some quick facts about diabetes:- There is currently no cure for diabetes.
- 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, have diabetes.
- About 6 million of these people are unaware they have the disease.
- 240 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Within 20 years, this number is expected to grow to 380 million.
- Many doctors consider diabetes to be the #1 health crisis in the U.S..
- Diabetes disables and kills. Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, inability to fight infection and more.
- Diabetes can strike anyone of any age, weight, or ethnicity.
- In addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes, 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which must be treated as soon as possible to prevent this condition from leading to diabetes. Over time, the elevated blood glucose levels of pre-diabetes can also cause damage to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system. Almost all people who develop Type 2 diabetes first have pre-diabetes.
The information above is from the ADA and the International Diabetes Federation.
If you haven't had your fasting blood glucose tested within the past year, please call your doctor today to make an appointment to do so.
And please generously support the work of the ADA -- look for a Step Out event in your area. Labels: a good thing, road trips, schedule
Where I've been, where I'll be
Kidnapped
Kidnapped is now out in paperback! For those of you who've waited for the paperback edition, it's out now. I hope you'll enjoy this most recent Irene Kelly book. I hope to see some of you in Santa Barbara this Saturday at the book festival. You've all been extremely patient with me this month, and I appreciate that. I have a lot to tell you about, but for various reasons, I need to wait a day or two to post again. Meanwhile, know that I am truly thankful for my readers! Yours, Jan Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Sisters in Crime LA/Downey Library
Had a wonderful time this weekend, speaking at the Downey Library's Friends of the Library event and at the "No Crime Unpublished" conference sponsored by the LA Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Both groups generously contributed to the CLP Foundation. I especially appreciate all the LA Sisters in Crime folks did for their raffle. Those of you who are interested in forensic science should definitely sign up for Sisters in Crime's Forensic University -- after June 15th the cost of registration increases. Labels: a good thing, forensic science, schedule
If you're anywhere near Brentwood tonight...
 meet me at Dutton's! I'll be there for a booksigning by Dick Lochte -- I'm looking forward to reading his latest, Croaked, a comedy-thriller set in Los Angeles in 1965. I love his writing, and anyone who has read his books can tell you that he is a keen observer with a delightfully wicked sense of humor. This event is tonight, Tuesday, May 8, 7-9 PM Dutton's is at 11975 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles 90049. This weekend, on Saturday, I'll be in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy. You can read about that event below, on the May 1 post. Labels: books, public appearances, schedule
Living Wild in Los Angeles County
 You've all been patient while I've been working on the Elaine Viets "Tour by Proxy" Project, and I appreciate that. If you are in the San Diego area, I also hope you'll join me, Randy Hicks, and other authors as we do our part to support Elaine on Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 AM at Mysterious Galaxy Books 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 302 San Diego, CA. And if you can't show up, consider ordering a copy of Murder With Reservations from your own favorite bookstores. So I am still putting in a lot of time for the project for Elaine and writing and getting ready for the grand opening of the new Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab and all kinds of other stuff. Today I also found time to walk the dogs in our local park. (They usually get night walks.) It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. For those of you who think the LA area is nothing but concrete and cars -- well, mostly, you're right. But we have our enclaves of wildlife here, too -- both local and imported. And we make celebrities of our wildlife. Yesterday both Reggie the Alligator and the Three Bears of Bradbury made the local evening news. Reggie isn't a native, but we are an area that enjoys a population with roots from just about any place you could name. Reggie's living in Lake Machado, a place you'll hardly recognize as LA County if you click on that last link. There are those who want us to believe Reggie is blogging and selling his own "official" (puh-leeze!) gear. But the blog is a nice way to keep up with the news on this LA-based gator. Black bears (even ones that look brown) are native to California. And bears in Bradbury shouldn't be such a big surprise. It's been hot, the people in Bradbury have ponds and pools, and put their trash out today, all of which makes it really attractive if you are foraging in a fur coat. Which should not be unexpected in Bradbury, because it's in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Which could get me talking about how much wilderness is actually part of the big county of Los Angeles, and that could lead me to talk about why I decided to set Nine there and make the protagonist a member of the LASD. I won't do that just now, but I feel so much better actually bringing all of this around to talking about books again.... Photo above is clearly neither an alligator nor a California Black Bear. But global warming going unchecked, I fully expect to hear any day now that someone in LA has found a polar bear in his backyard pool. This photo is used courtesy of Monica Mueller, from morguefile.com.Labels: a good thing, books, public appearances, schedule, unbelievable but true
The Schedule is Updated
 Think of the above as the way I'm beginning to feel about my to-do list, from the view of the mother bird. One of those weeks, but I did manage to get a note off to super-Webmaven Heidi Mack to let her know about a few additions and changes to my schedule of public appearances. So, if you're wondering if I'll be in your area any time soon, you should take a look at this page of my site. Photo above used courtesy of Shadetree, from morguefile.com.
Labels: public appearances, schedule
The Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you away...
Okay, a bus from Vroman's Bookstore with yours truly aboard is waiting to take you to Westwood...hop aboard with me and you'll miss all the traffic and parking hassles at the LA Times Festival of Books! Here's the deal: I'm going to be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 28th, and I'm getting there and back in a really fun way -- even if I do have to be alert at 8:30 AM! Vroman's, the fabulous independent bookstore in Pasadena, California (which you should check out online, even if you are nowhere near this state) has kindly invited me to be one of the authors for its 6th Annual Book Bus Ride to the L.A. Times Festival of Books. As their site says: Join us Saturday, April 28 for a day that begins with a bagel & juice breakfast before our 8:30 a.m. departure, a Vroman's Book Bus hat, a bag full of books & goodies, games and prizes, milk & cookies for the ride home, and a 20% off coupon good April 28 - May 4 at our main store.
Tickets are $45+tax per person, and they sell out every year -- so sign up early to reserve your seat! If you want to be on the bus I'm on, be sure to tell them your preference when you make reservations. For reservations, please call Vroman's Customer Service at (626) 449-5320. Labels: public appearances, schedule
Seattle is the place to be in early February
There will be a great line-up at Left Coast Crime 2007 for anyone interested in forensic science. I talked about this in a post here a couple of weeks ago, and now I have more details. The panels will be held at Left Coast Crime on the afternoon of Friday, February 2, in Seattle, Washington at the Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison Street. The full convention is nearly sold out (the banquet is definitely sold out), but I think there may be a few more spaces left. Click here for more information on the full convention. If you can't attend the entire event, LCC is offering day registrations for single days. A single day registration for Friday will give you access to all activities, panels, the book dealer's room, a reception and an auction for $75. These are for walk-in registrations, cash or check only. Here's the line up: 12-1 PM, "CS I Don't Think So," Lee Lofland, Dr. Doug Lyle, Eileen Dreyer, and Jan Burke (m) We'll be talking about crime labs in fiction and reality, the Crime Lab Project, and current events in forensic science. I'm on this panel with three of the most entertaining (and knowledgeable) people you'll find in the world of crime fiction. I'll tell you more about them soon, but in the meantime, you can read about Eileen, Lee, and Doug at their Web sites. 1-3 PM Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Presentations. Two sessions, one from 1-2, the next from 2-3, with breaks and time for Q&A. These are real-life forensic scientists, and we are so grateful to the WSP lab for sparing them to us to talk about their work. You'll have a chance to hear from: - Larry D. Hebert, Manager of the WSP Crime Laboratory Division. He oversees the operation of the Patrol’s seven crime laboratories. Mr. Hebert has testified in 419 criminal trials during his 33-year career, and has expertise in controlled substances, firearms, and crime scene investigation.
- Jean C. Johnston, Manager of the the WSP's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Program. A DNA specialist, she has worked on hundreds of forensic cases in her 28-year career, including the Green River Murders.
- James A. Tarver, Manager of the WSP Seattle Crime Laboratory. A deputy sheriff and crime scene investigator, senior criminologist, and forensic document examiner for the Fresno [California] County Sheriff’s Office for 29 years when, after retiring from that position, became employed by the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
- George E. Johnston, WSP Quality Assurance Manager. Mr. Johnston joined WSP in 1980 in the Seattle Crime Laboratory where he specialized in trace evidence examination and crime scene investigation. One of the major events in his 29-year career is the time he spent working on the Green River Murders as a crime scene investigator and in the laboratory analyzing thousands of pieces of trace evidence.
3-4 PM William Haglund, forensic anthropologist. I wrote a few things about him in an earlier post, but you can read an article about him here. An amazing man, and this is an opportunity not to be missed. 4-5 PM "Using the Law Realistically," Kate Flora, Aaron Elkins, Anne Jayne, Twist Phelan, Leslie Budewitz (m) As the LCC program page says: "If you watch too much TV, you'll believe DNA results can be gotten in hours, from arrest to trial takes a matter of days, weeks at most, cops never abuse their power, and all labs are shiny and bright (or moody and blue) and run perfectly. Okay, then there's the real world. Experts in forensic science and law talk about what it's really like." These authors are well worth listening to! So, I hope you'll join me in Seattle! Labels: CLP, schedule
William Haglund at Left Coast Crime
Just realized I haven't posted anything here since Sunday! Ah, the holidays! I'll warn you now, then, that new posts may be a bit thin between now and New Year's Day. Little late, huh? Which does not mean I'm out of exciting news. If you'll be at Left Coast Crime in Seattle in February, I'll see you there. One reason you haven't heard much from me lately is that -- in addition to a zillion other things I've been up to -- as part of my work for the Crime Lab Project, I'm helping LCC to coordinate some of the forensic science programming. This will take place on Friday, so plan to arrive in Seattle in time for Friday's events! I think those of you who are interested in forensic science are in for a treat -- not only are people from the Washington State Patrol's Crime Lab going to be there, we've also got some terrific (and entertaining) authors lined up for panels, and I'm especially pleased that forensic anthropologist Dr. William Haglund has agreed to speak at the convention. Dr. Haglund served as the Director of the International Forensic Program for the Physicians for Human Rights, and is now the senior forensic consultant to the program. His first mission on behalf of PHR was in 1993. He also worked as the Senior Forensic Investigator for the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. For more than a decade, he has been at the forefront of investigations into genocide and war crimes which span the globe -- Cyprus, Guatemala, Honduras, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and many other countries. Prior to leaving for full-time work on international cases, he worked as the chief medical investigator the King County Medical Examiner's Office. During his 16 years there, he did extensive work on the investigation of the Green River serial killings. Those of you who have a copy of Bones will see his name in my acknowledgments. I've been to his presentations, and promise you that this is one of those not-to-be-missed events. Labels: CLP, schedule
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