I spent a busy week in New York just before the Mother’s Day Weekend — meetings with my publisher and agent. Discussions about the upcoming publication of TOUGH CUSTOMER (8/10/2010), finalizing the book cover, which we hope to unveil soon, deciding on the author photo for the back cover… Etc. etcera.

But it wasn’t all work. While there, I attended the annual Literacy Partners Gala at Lincoln Center. This is a literacy advocacy group in New York headed by my friend, columnist Liz Smith.  She attended the gala dressed in a

With Liz Smith and Tommy Tune

dazzling gold ensemble which, she teased from the stage, made her look like an Oscar. Her escort for the evening was multiple-Tony award winning performer and choreographer Tommy Tune — all 6’7″ of him! He’s originally from Texas, and Liz is from my hometown of Fort Worth, so here, amid all these New Yorkers, is a boisterous group from the Lone Star State!

I asked Liz if chicken fried steak was on the menu for dinner. She said she’d considered it, but lamented that the New York chefs wouldn’t get it right. (And since the best chicken fried steaks –where the breading is light and crispy, and the cream gravy has lots of black pepper — are usually found in truck stops, they probably wouldn’t!)

Also in that group was my husband Michael (who’s actually an Okie, but I’m working on that) and my daughter-in-law Victoria, who’s a Brit (and loverly). The other native Texan was son, Ryan. I’d bought a table for the event and hosted his agent Laurie Bernstein, film agent Don Levanthall, his editor Lauren McKenna, and the publisher of Gallery Books, Louise Burke. Ryan’s friend and fellow author A.J. Jacobs (The Year of Living Biblically) and his wife Julie rounded out our table. We were there to help raise money for Literacy Partners, but also to celebrate the recent release of Ryan’s book, PLAY DEAD.

And now, of course, it’s back to work, but check back soon for upcoming give-aways and touring news!

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.

My lovely daughter-in-law Victoria Arbiter-Brown is making another appearance on HSN to debut Sarah Jessica Parker’s new fragrance.

Look for her this Wednesday, March 24 at any of the following times (and please, check your local listings or HSN.com to verify all times):  12 AM, 1 AM, 8 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM and 10 PM.

Also, in this week’s Publisher’s Weekly there’s a Q & A with Ryan about PLAY DEAD (Gallery Books 5/4/2010) and how he got the idea for a football team of zombies: Read it Here.

And Ryan’s website is live! You can find more information on PLAY DEAD and check out the trailer here.

We’ve listed a new giveaway at Goodreads with more to come:

2 signed copies of Led Astray & The Devil’s Own 2 in 1 book: Enter Here.  You have until March 31 & this is open to anyone worldwide.

We’ll also be giving away signed copies of the German edition of Where There’s Smoke beginning March 25 and the UK edition of The Alibi beginning March 30, so please, be sure to join me on Goodreads!

After the race

Sunday, March 14, my daughter Rachel and son-in-law Pete did something I can’t even conceive of doing — they ran thirteen miles. Which in my opinion means they’re only half crazy — as in, thirteen miles equals half of twenty-six, which is a MARATHON.

I’ve got to hand it to runners who feel the urge to do this. They must have extraordinary dedication, amazing stamina, admirable self-discipline, and a really, really masochistic personality. It’s punishment, people! If self-flagellating monks had heard of this, they’d have never picked up a leather lash. They’d have strapped on their Birkenstocks, hiked up their cassocks, and taken off at a full sprint.

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2010

I’m in awe of anyone who undertakes to run more than a couple of miles at a time. You’ve got to train for it. And since you usually train outdoors, that means you run whenit’s scorching or frigid, windy or calm, wet or dry. Secondly, you’ve got to cope with physical ailments like aching knees and shin splints. Third. . . Never mind. I never get to deterrent number three, because number two is bad enough, and, actually, I was out of contention at number one.

However, I was at the finish line when 9000 plus runners came in, having run the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll. The weather

With Luke and Lawson

was perfect. The music was rocking. I must say, the excitement was contagi

ous. I cheered like a fool for every runner who crossed the finish line. Among the really buff and athletic were two Elvis impersonators, one Superman, one something I can’t even begin to describe or identify. I saw a hobbling old man with all sorts of orthopedic contraptions strapped to his bony legs and several kids who were barely winded. I applaud them all. Truly. I’m humbled by their feat. Their feet, too, I guess.

I was particularly proud of my two runners. Derision aside, I commend them for doing this, for having the guts to even try. Way to go, Rachel and Pete!

TOUGH CUSTOMER is in the can and off to my new editor (same house–new editor). I hope you all enjoy reading about Dodge as much as I enjoyed writing about him!

I know to my readers, five more months seems like such a long time to wait for my next new release, but here in the office…let’s just say, time flies! By the time TOUGH CUSTOMER goes on sale, I’ll be working on my book for 2011. In the mean time, the next five months are filled with lots of hustle, bustle and planning.  Case in point, I just received cover flats for the July paperback release of Smash Cut and as soon as I get approval, we’ll get it up on the site! Covers for Rainwater (which won’t be released in paperback until early 2011) and Tough Customer won’t be far behind, and neither will copy edits and page proofs.

Yes, it’s kind of like having a child, just not quite as dramatic.

Speaking of “children”, I have to brag on my son Ryan. PLAY DEAD got a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly!

Play Dead Ryan Brown. Pocket, $24.99 (352p) ISBN 978-1-4391-7130-1

Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced, thrilling, and terribly funny debut by former actor Brown. In the sleepy town of Killington, Tex., the local high school’s football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach. Only local witch and football fan Black Mona can raise the players from the dead in time for the game, but if they keep stopping to eat people, they might miss it. Brown handily mixes elements of horror, coming-of-age sweetness, and gore-soaked comedy into a tale that satisfies the same fascination with sports and bloodlust that it cleverly and thoughtfully critiques. (May)

You can also see the review on the PW Website (scroll almost to the bottom).

Dont forget!  I’ll be in Santa Barbara later this month for the CALM Celebrity Author Luncheon (Website) and in Florida on April 10 for the Palm Beach Book & Author Breakfast (Website).