Now that copy edits are complete, TOUGH CUSTOMER is official in the can!  Did you know that “so-called” is hyphenated? According to the copy editor it is!

Easter 2010 with Raff

I recently attended a journalism symposium at my alma mater, Texas Christian University. It’s an annual event hosted by my pal Bob Shieffer of CBS news. He’s a former Horned Frog himself, and the university’s School of Journalism is named for him. This year’s panel was comprised of Bob, as moderator, Ann Curry of “The Today Show,” columnist Maureen Dowd of the “New York Times,” Michael Eisner, formerly the Chairman of Disney, and William Krystol of FOX News. Given the mix of liberals and conservatives, it was a lively discussion! Everyone was civil. Basically. There were a few verbal punches thrown, and some digs made, but they were accompanied by smiles. (Or were those grimaces?)
Things got considerably more congenial at the dinner party that followed, hosted by Bob and his gracious wife Pat. We were treated to TexMex meal served family style (is family-style hyphenated? LOL) at Joe T. Garcia’s. Locally, it’s known simply as Joe T.’s. After a few margaritas, everyone’s politics began to blur!

I’m currently in South Carolina plotting next year’s book and taking some downtime with family.  In the mean time here are a few things to keep you busy:

Ryan & I participate in Bookreporter.com’s 2010 Mother’s Day Blog series.

DreadCentral behind the making of a Zombie Book Trailer

And another fabulous early review for Ryan’s PLAY DEAD…. HERE!

And in September during the Texas Sporthorse Cup Hunter/Jumper Horse Show, the organization Clear Rounds for Clean Water will be auctioning off the name of a minor character in one of my upcoming novels.

Hopefully that will keep you all busy until I get back from New York–we’re off to the Big Apple on Monday for author photos with Andrew Eccles.