Sunday, July 2, 2017

"Oh, Kaye!" Chats about Margaret Maron's launch at Quail Ridge


It's always fun to get together with Margaret & Joe Maron, and we always look forward to attending one of Margaret's launches when we're able.

We weren't about to miss the launch for what she says is her last novel, "Take Out."


We met Margaret and Joe, Bren Bonner Witchger, Katy Munger, and Sarah & Steve Shaber for dinner beforehand.










Then walked just a few steps to the new Quail Ridge Books where, as always, a standing room only crowd got to enjoy a fun evening with one of their hometown favorites.






Introduced by store manager, Sarah Goddin






We were treated to a gentle roast (Joe Maron said perhaps it should be referred to as a "braise") of Ms. Maron by three of her friends and writing group.


Katie Munger



















And then, champagne was passed around




and a toast was made.




And then we listened to Margaret.






She told a few stories, and did a reading from "Take Out."







She made us laugh a little, and she made us cry just a little too.


She told a story about her very first reading at Quail Ridge for her first novel  -  -  

Margaret and Joe, and son John showed up to a crowd of two.  Nancy Olson - then owner/manager of Quail Ridge and one bookstore employee.


Hard to believe, huh?






Her books now total 33, I think, including two collections of short stories, and her signing events draw several hundred people.







After speaking, she signed books.

A lot of books.

And almost every single person in the long line had a connection to Margaret.

Either a very personal connection, or one developed through a love of her work.

And Margaret, always gracious, always kind, always generous and always happy to see her readers, spent a little time chatting with each and every one.







And she always has time for a fan who wants a picture.





I can't say enough about Margaret Maron.

I adore her.

She's an MWA Grand Master, winner of several major American awards for mysteries (Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Macavity), her works are on the reading lists of various courses in contemporary Southern literature and have been translated into 16 languages. She has served as president of Sisters in Crime, the American Crime Writers League, and Mystery Writers of America.

In 2004, she received the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for best North Carolina novel of the year. In 2008, she was honored with the North Carolina Award for Literature. (The North Carolina Award is the state’s highest civilian honor.) In 2013, she was named a Grand Master by Mystery Writers of America for lifetime achievement. In 2016, she was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.


And Don Barley caught a few very good shots, as usual.  






 he even managed to catch a shot or two of my new shoes!





Steve and Sarah Shaber are a delight!




And here's the Maron family - 

Joe with son John & his wife Andrea, and daughters Julia and Natalie, joined by friend Viktor Agabekov









And to top off a special night, it was made even more special for me to get to spend a little time visiting with friends.

Doreen Weaton




Karen Kiley




and Prentiss Garner




They all seemed a wee bit disappointed not to meet Annabelle, however.

So, here she is . . . 




This was my first visit to the new Quail Ridge. 

It is gorgeous!

I'm going to make a special trip back to Raleigh just to spend an entire day browsing the shelves.

And I need to spend some time with my pal Molly, who was not able to attend this event, dadgummit.









Now, Dear Reds, I know you're all fans of Margaret's and I'd like to hear your favorite Margaret story, and what your favorite Margaret Maron book is, please.


48 comments:

  1. What delightful pictures, Kaye . . . thanks for sharing. It certainly looks [and sounds] as if everyone had a wonderful time.
    And Annabelle is adorable . . . a real cutie!

    Alas, I have no Margaret stories to tell, and I’m not at all certain how I’m supposed to have one Margaret Maron book that is a favorite since I enjoy them all. But if I must pick just one favorite, I suppose it must be “One Coffee With” . . . .

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    1. Mornin', Joan! It was silly for me to expect anyone to have "one" favorite Margaret Maron book - I agree.

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  2. I misread the news that Margaret Maron was retiring. Oh gasp! no more Margaret?? I am very happy that she will continue writing, focusing on short stories, she says. I so appreciate the author's who enjoy interacting with their readers. I think, because writing is so introspective, it might take an effort to interact with others.

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    1. Coralee, hi! It would be very hard to imagine never reading anything written by Margaret Maron again, I agree. She is a true master with short stories, so it's good to know we have those to look forward to, I agree.

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  3. Thanks Kaye for sharing your adventures at the New Quail Ridge store.

    I remember the first time I saw Margaret and I whispered to myself "there's Margaret Maron." So her husband walks by me and stopped and said to me "you're from Brooklyn" and I said yes and we stood there talking about Brooklyn and then he introduced me to Margaret saying "I'm from Brooklyn."

    My favorite book is "Rituals of the Season"

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    1. oh, Dru, I love this story. I'm glad you were able to meet Margaret and Joe. I think Joe Maron is one of the sweetest men on God's green earth.

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  4. thanks for sharing this Kaye, what a special night! Margaret moderated the best first novel panel at Malice Domestic the year SIX STROKES UNDER was nominated for an Agatha (along with our own Julia, and our friend Nancy Martin.) She was utterly gracious and made each of us feel like we'd written the best book EVER. She had so clearly read all of the books and asked questions that we could only dream of someone asking.

    I've had other "Margaret moments" through Sisters in Crime, but that one was the most special!

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    1. I always enjoy the Best First panel, and I agree - Margaret is the perfect moderator for that particular panel. She's always been generous and giving to new authors.

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  5. Oh, Kaye! That looks like such a fun evening. Love the shoes, and, of course, Annabelle!

    Margaret Maron is one of my favorite authors. I'm sad to have no more books, especially in the Deborah Knott series. I don't think I could pick one. I also love her stand-alones and short stories, so I'm glad they'll be more of those. I've read one of her short stories, Growth Marks, several times, but it always makes me cry. In a good way. LOL!

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    1. Oh, Mary - Growth Marks! I love that one too, and yes - I always cry when I read it.

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  6. Oh, I wish I'd been there! But now I feel like I was, thanks to this great recap and photo essay. Thank you so much, Kaye!

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    1. I wish you'd been there too, Art - it was a perfect night and you being there would have been the cherry on top!

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  7. What a wonderful event! Thanks for the recap, Kaye! I stopped by the new Quail Ridge in January and have to agree that it's a wonderful store. The perfect place for browsing. Raleigh has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fantastic bookstores! Need to think about my favorite Margaret Maron!

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    1. Probably impossible to come up with one favorite Margaret Maron book, Ingrid. I tend to think of each series as "the book," I think.

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  8. Wish I could have been there but your wonderful photos made it real. I started reading Take Out yesterday and I'll try to go very slowly and make it last.
    Say what you will about Reader's Digest Condensed Books but had it not been for them it might have taken me much longer to discover Margaret. My mother always got the books and passed them on to me, often pointing out one or two she thought I might like. One was Winter's Child and I was hooked. Absolutely had to get theUNcondensed version and there has been no turning back! Margaret is like a dear friend, one I've had for years.

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    1. Judi, I love this! I say let's raise a toast to Reader's Digest Condensed Books! that is a very cool story.

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  9. My Margaret story is simply the hours and hours of reading pleasure she has given me. That southern world of the Deborah Knott series. Her daddy could've been my grandfather. My favorite? Long upon the Land.

    Thanks for the fabulous photos, Kaye! It was just like being there! I'm raising my glass of champagne now to Margaret and to you!

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    1. I adore Kezzie Knott, and Long Upon the Land touched my heart in a million ways. And raising my glass back to you, Flora - Cheers!!

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  10. Okay Kay, how did I get this old without discovering Margaret? I've just ordered COFFEE WITH, starting at the very beginning, a very good place to start, as Maria says.

    My present joy is the discovery of new writers, new to me at least. When I do, it is as if I opened an unnoticed dream door in the back of my closet, which leads to a whole new world of ideas, images, insight and invention.

    I found this often here, when I got to know the writings of the JRs as well as those of your remarkable guests. It is a world I can explore from my armchair. (OK, its a recliner. So shoot me.}

    As I was wanting to say, it is a world of pleasure, unpredictable, sometimes challenging my poor brain, but always entertaining.

    Yesterday I received my inscribed copy of SAY NO MORE from Hank. It is going to the hospital with me tomorrow.

    Thank you all

    Ann in Rochester

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    1. Oh, Ann. " . . . I opened an unnoticed dream door in the back of my closet, which leads to a whole new world of ideas, images, insight and invention." Beautifully said. As to your question, I think I know how you feel. I sometimes discover a new to me author only to learn I may be the last person on earth to be reading their work. NO idea how that happens, but better late than never, huh? Enjoy your new author. And I know you'll enjoy having Hank in the hospital with you - we'll be thinking of you.

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  11. What a wonderful recap, Kaye. You certainly brought the event home for me. The photos are wonderful (as are the shoes!). I'm not sure my keyboard will survive my drooling over Quail Ridge - if there were a way to crawl through the monitor -- I'd be there! All those books...

    I am so sorry that there will be no more novels from Margaret Maron, but glad that we will still have her unique voice in short stories. Still something to look forward to for addicts like myself. I don't have a Margaret story, or a favorite book. It would be like picking a favorite child. When I learned that she would be retiring the Knott series, I set about re-reading them from book 1 just for the sheer joy of the series. I'm glad I did (I'm still at it) but it's a great long visit with old friends.

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    1. Kait, re-reading all the Deborah books from beginning to end is exactly what I plan on doing also. Whenever I reread a book I find new things that I somehow missed the first time around, so it's another read that brings joy. And yes - oh my word, Quail Ridge is amazing!!

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  12. Wonderful post, Kaye, and great photos.

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  13. Many of my favorite people in this blog post, Kaye. Including you, my dear. The Marons and the Shabers are always delightful, but a new book from Margaret is a red letter day.

    As difficult as it is to choose between Margaret's many wonderful tales, I have to pick two. The Bootlegger's Daughter, and Designated Daughters. Margaret has developed a warm and charismatic family of characters, and the family dynamics are as big of a draw as her well crafted mysteries.

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    1. You are dear. Thank you, Karen. And I think you've summed up perfected what we all love and look forward to in Margaret's work.

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  14. Many of my favorite people in this blog post, Kaye. Including you, my dear. The Marons and the Shabers are always delightful, but a new book from Margaret is a red letter day.

    As difficult as it is to choose between Margaret's many wonderful tales, I have to pick two. The Bootlegger's Daughter, and Designated Daughters. Margaret has developed a warm and charismatic family of characters, and the family dynamics are as big of a draw as her well crafted mysteries.

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    1. You are dear. Thank you, Karen. And I think you've summed up perfected what we all love and look forward to in Margaret's work.

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  15. Oh my goodness, my favorite part is that everyone looks so happy! You are such a good pal, and what a joy to be a part of this celebration. Margaret came into my life as a mystery icon, became a mentor, and is now a dear friend. I am in awe of how she has taken control of her life and her goals.
    Yes, I will never forget her moderation of my best first panel at Malice! She asked: is there anything you regret putting in your book ? And now, every time I write, I think "be sure not to do anything you'll regret"! I hear that question in my head every day as I am writing
    New book store looks fabulous, cannot wait to visit. (And, parenthetically, Kaye, your hair looks fabulous, too.)
    Possibly pick a favorite Margaret book! But what is the one about the red clay pots? Xxx to all!

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    1. Hank! Mwah!

      "is there anything you regret putting in your book?"
      wow.
      That is such a terrific writing "rule!" I love it.
      The one about the red clay pots is Common Clay which takes place in Seagrove - a fabulous place to browse and shop for pottery. And if you go with Margaret, you get to meet all the potters. I love that one too.

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  16. My Margaret story happened in the elevator at the Bouchercon in Austin, which was the first I travelled to. I asked her if she was ever going to write any more Sigrid books, and she said she wouldn't rule it out, but it wouldn't be anytime soon. So glad she didn't rule it out! My favorite of her books is Corpus Christmas, which I have re-read a couple times, and except for reading to kids, I've re-read very few books in the last two decades.

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  17. Lois, hi! I'm so happy she went back to Sigrid and Take Out is, I think, perfect. Just. Perfect. I love Corpus Christmas too, and it's one I try to re-read during the Christmas holidays.

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  18. What a fun evening! Thanks for sharing, Kaye! Quail Ridge Rocks!

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    1. It does! And Hallie? So does "You'll Never Know, Dear" - I read it yesterday in one sitting. Wow Wow Wow!!!!

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  19. Oh, tough one! I enjoyed Deborah's forays with the game warden but my favorite was the book where she and Dwight got fed up with their dating lives and decided to marry, assuming they were sexually compatible. And having to test it to be sure.

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    1. and wasn't it fun being along for all that?! I love Dwight and Deborah together

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  20. Kaye, thanks so much for sharing, and for the wonderful photos!!! Those of Margaret are priceless. What a lovely turnout for her. Margaret was one of the first "real" writers I met at my first Malice Domestic, how many ever years ago:-) And she was of course incredibly gracious and welcoming, and I've adored her ever since.

    And I must add that Quail Ridge looks like an amazing bookstore--hope to visit it sometime!

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    1. Deborah, new and upcoming writers have a fine role model in Margaret, I think. And, my friend, in you.

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  21. Gosh, I guess my only MM story is that a friend who is an attorney in NYC introduced me to her books ages ago (I think it might have been Storm Track at the time). She referred to them as "smart and well written", which was high praise considering the source! So I was practically obligated to read the first one- and read all her back catalogue within a week after the first one. Considering I had two preschoolers home at the time, that's compelling writing!

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    1. Jennifer, that is, indeed, amazing!! "Smart and well written" does frame them nicely, doesn't it?

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  22. Kaye, I am so glad I stopped by today online. Thank you for sharing the photos. I felt as if I was right there with you. Margaret Maron was a new writer to me. Though I had seen her books at the library, I finally started to read her books prior to my first Malice Domestic conference in 2016. I saw her in person at Malice and had a chance to say hi. What I love about her books is that they gave me a glimpse into Southern lifestyle.

    Happy 4th of July!

    Diana

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Diana! There's not a soul alive who gives a more true portrayal of the real south than Ms. Maron.

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  23. That bookstore is fabulous looking!
    Libby Dodd

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  24. Oh, I love that bookstore and I love Margaret Maron. Thanks for this post, Kaye, it felt like I was there. Bootlegger's Daughter (the Deborah Knott series) was my first Maron and remains one of my faves.

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    1. Bootlegger's Daughter is a classic, don't you think?

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  25. Even though I am so late to the party I can't resist responding to this one, as Margaret Maron is one of my very favorite authors! I thought I had read all her books, but it appears I've missed the two collections of short stores. Now I have to go looking for those!

    It's hard to pick a favorite, but I have to say that I found the transition in Deborah's relationship with Dwight in "Slow Dollar" so delicious that it might catapult that one to the top of my list.

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    1. How fun to learn you still have some of her work to enjoy! Oh, I LOVE Slow Dollar!

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