Sandra: Coming Soon on your iPhone

We closed our office a few weeks ago so that the (very old) hardwood floors could be refinished.  Everyone worked from home, so trying to co-ordinate  this and make arrangements for that was…challenging but we managed.  People are usually surprised to discover I work in an actual office, but it’s all part of the discipline necessary to staying self-employed!  I’m getting ready to do some traveling to talk about Hardcover Mysteries as well as check out the filming of SMOKE SCREEN.  And, oh yes, I have a wedding anniversary right around the corner.  And at some point, I should probably get to writing another book!

In the mean time, I’m thrilled to share that last week the paperback edition of SMASH CUT debuted at #10 on the USA Today bestsellers list.

It also debuted at # 5 on the New York Times bestseller list (8/8/2010) and at #5 on the Publisher’s Weekly list behind the same four books–the paperback edition of Stieg Larsson’s first two ‘THE GIRL WHO …’ novels, the movie tie-in for CHARLIE ST. CLOUD and Michael Connelly’s NINE DRAGONS!  I’m in great company.  But what I’m really excited about is PW’s mention of our new website intro!  If you haven’t seen it, just go to http://sandrabrown.net - it should load on it’s own.  And yes, once the site is complete, you will be able to skip the intro, if you choose, but I hope you check it out at least once.

The new site is in it’s final stages, and everyone in the office is chomping at the bit to see the finished product.  The designers have been teasing us for weeks as we worked through approving each page, and we hope to go live on Monday or Tuesday of next week since Tuesday is, of course, the date TOUGH CUSTOMER hits the streets!   I’ll be up and at it early Tuesday, August 10th since I’m scheduled to appear on Good Morning Texas.   For those of you not in the D/FW market area, never fear!  We’ll be sure and post a link to the video if/when GMT puts it on their site–and I believe they did last year.  I’ll also be doing some radio interviews next Thursday — we’ll try to get the schedule posted ASAP — and we have not only a new video newsletter ready to go, but an audio interview with the wonderful Victor Slezak.  So stay tuned!

Screen shot from Tough Customer commercial

If a new website and an iPhone app wasn’t enough to get excited about, this year Simon & Schuster is doing a TV commercial for TOUGH CUSTOMER — please let us know via email or on Facebook if you happen to catch it.

With all the anticipation and build-up, list making and triple-checking of lists a book release is, in many ways, like preparing for Christmas and the arrival of a baby all rolled into one.

My good friend Lyn Darden and I don’t see each other but once or twice a year. We stay in touch by sending each other funny cocktail napkins and cards. We have an ongoing contest to see who can find the funniest. I had dinner at her house in NC recently, and she had these special glasses for me. They came with matching earrings attached! Michael, never one to pass up a photo op, caught me trying them on for size! (Size being the operative word here!)

Thanks, Lyn! They’re fabulous!

The paperback edition of SMASH CUT is now on sale! I must say that this book has one of the creepiest creeps I’ve ever created. The villain frightens me because he doesn’t look like a villain — and in my opinion that’s the most dangerous kind. He’s handsome, charming, rich, and enticing. Much like Satan must’ve looked to Eve.

And everyone who read this book in hardcover comments on the airplane scene. But, for those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure, you’ll read no spoilers here! Enjoy!

The website redesign is coming along swimmingly and we plan to unveil the new sandrabrown.net by August 10th. For those of you keeping track, that’s also the date TOUGH CUSTOMER hit’s bookstore shelves. And for those of you just joining us, TOUGH CUSTOMER is the follow-up to SMASH CUT.

Not only will I be launching a completely redesigned website in the near future, but … an iPhone app! That’s right…you’ll be able to take me with you wherever you go.
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New this fall is a show from Investigation Discovery called “Hardcover Mysteries.” The same production company who did “Murder by the Book” for truTV is doing this series, and, because we worked so well together before, they’ve invited me to do an episode for this new show. I knew of an intriguing case that occurred in 1993 in Tyler, Texas. The production crew has been busily filming interviews with people who were involved, and, trust me, they’re compelling. Then it was my turn to film my segments. It was a long day, but I loved every minute of it.

Penny Sadler did my hair and makeup. When I was camera ready Dave Cargill, the producer, took over. (He’s a Scot. Combine his brogue with my drawl, and our conversations are hysterical!) For the next 8 hours, it was lights, camera, action…all that neat stuff.

Among the authors also doing episodes are David Baldacchi, Harlan Coben, Lisa Scottoline, and Sara Paretsky. “Hardcover Mysteries” will begin in the fall. I’ll share more details as soon as I have them! In the mean time, be sure to check out the new video in the ‘News’ section, and more behind the scenes photos.