Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Rhys celebrates pub day of FOUR FUNERALS AND MAYBE A WEDDING.

RHYS BOWEN: When you read this I'll be in the air. Not levitating with excitement because my new book has been published, but because I'll be flying between Phoenix and Boston on a leg of my book tour. I'm really looking forward to this part of the tour because it has become a Jungle Red Event.

I'll be meeting up with Hank, Hallie and Roberta (who also has a new book out this week) at the Brookline Booksmith bookstore where we'll have a fun and funny discussion. Then tomorrow on to Madison CT and the RJ Julia bookstore where Hallie, Roberta and I will have more witty and wonderful things to say (we hope! It might depend how much alcohol was imbibed the night before).

I'm so delighted to be sharing part of my booktour with friends because usually they are lonely travels, sometimes quite stressful. I remember all the times I sat at an airport staring at the board announcing the flight had been delayed, knowing that I was due in a city several hours away to give a talk at 7 p.m.  Or I ran into traffic and sat in the taxi, knowing I was going to be late. There was the time I was due to be picked up by a car in San Diego and taken to Orange County, at noon.  At 12:15 I called them. "That car was cancelled," they said and couldn't tell me by whom.
I'm standing outside the hotel and need to get to Orange County, I shouted into the phone. You have to get here right away.
They tell me they don't have another car for half an hour. It arrives and then we are stuck in traffic. My 2 p.m. event ends up with a 4 p.m. arrival, and, miraculously many of the people have stayed, bless their hearts.
Bumpy monsoon skies ahead!

Before I was sent on tour I always pictured them as glamorous events. One flew into a city, a big black limo whisked one away to a luxury hotel where one ordered room service, went to speak, came back to dine. Yes, all of those things are true, but often there is just enough time to change before an event, and one returns at 9:30 feeling too tired to eat anything. Many meals are skipped. Those lovely rooms with antiques in them are only used for a few hours before a 5:am car shows up the next morning.

A couple of hotel memories: the first time I stayed at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston. It's very boutiquey and artsy. I was welcomed by a young man who personally escorted me to the Splendida Suite. He opened double doors and there was a full size glass dining table with chandelier over it, then a giant curved sofa in front of a TV. Asian antiques everywhere.

 Then through a bathroom to a bedroom.
This hotel specializes in art photographs. I went to take a shower and there, in the bathroom, was a giant photo of an Afghan tribesman--staring at me.  Do I wear a burka in the shower I wonder?
And this was the photograph in the loo!

Another time I flew into Denver with snow piled six feet high around me. I was driven to sign at various stores, then dropped at a hotel at 2:30 with the promise my escort would pick me up again at 5. I hadn't eaten since six that morning. "Where's the coffee shop?" I ask at the desk. "It closed at 2," I am told. And no room service. I stare out at a vast expanse of snow. Any restaurants within walking distance? I ask. She shakes her head. Not really. Then you need to call me a cab. I need something to eat.  Finally she takes pity. We have a bus, she says. And she is the driver.
So we set out, in this 20 seater bus, cruising through the snow drifts until I spot GOLDEN ARCHES.
And we drive through the drive-through in a 20 seater bus.

This is the glamorous life of the book tour!
And this week I look forward to seeing friends in Boston, Madison CT, Ann Arbor, Houston, and various stores around Northern California. The whole tour is on my website www.rhysbowen.com

FOUR FUNERALS AND MAYBE A WEDDING is the 12th in the Royal Spyness series. And if you're wondering if Lady Georgie finally gets married.... well, you'll just have to read the book!
But I will give a signed copy to one of today's commenters.

60 comments:

  1. Book tours sound like wonderful, exciting events. I hope you have a wonderful time . . . .

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  2. I just finished the book a few hours again. So much fun as always. And for the right price, I'll tell people if Georgie gets married or not. I'm thinking a million dollars. Okay, so it might be cheaper to just buy the book and read it for yourself. ;)

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    1. This is the book version of those scammers who say pay up with bitcoin or they reveal your secrets to the internet!

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    2. And for a bunch of bitcoins, I won't reveal your secrets to the internet, too.

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  3. Several years ago I was traveling every week for work, which wasn't a big deal 90% of the time. The other 10% was awful. Flight delays, missed connections, being in the airport when I was supposed to be in meetings, settling for unsatisfying meals. I can't say I miss it. I hope your flight to Boston is uneventful and on time!

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  4. The glamour of travel wears off quickly. Thanks for doing it anyway since we love to see you. Looking forward to your Corte Madera stop :-).

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  5. I would love to see you on your tour, Rhys, but I'm not near anywhere you're going. But, I'm looking forward to seeing you at Bouchercon soon. Oh dear, you have the tour followed by Bouchercon right after. You have a busy month ahead. I am so excited about the new Georgie book. I can't wait to find out if the wedding happens. Hope you have a great time in Boston.

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  6. Rhys, I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight in Brookline along with Hank, Hallie, Lucy and Julia.

    Not too mention Edith Maxwell and Kristopher from Bolo Books. It should be quite a JRW event/gathering.

    I'm looking forward to getting my copy of the first Molly Murphy book signed for sure!

    Plus the extra book shopping I am also looking forward to doing at a bookstore I've never been at before.

    Here's hoping the forecasted storms don't affect the event.

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    1. We look forward to seeing you, too, Jay!

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    2. Wah, so sorry I can't be there!! And Jenn, and Ingrid!!!

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  7. Yay Rhys! Can't wait to buy and read this book, and share 2 events with you!

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  8. Congratulations on the new release, Rhys! What a fun way to kick off your tour--an evening with the Reds! May all your flights be on time, all your hotels have 24 hour room service, and each event be packed to the rafters with eager buyers!

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  9. Rhys, congratulations! And what better way to kick off your book tour than with good friends?! As Gigi said, here's hoping all goes smoothly in your travels and there's no Golden Arches on this tour!

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  10. Congratulations on the newest addition to your stack--and to our library I imagine. While I've read quite a few of your books, Julie is happily working her way through them all. Someday when I see you again, perhaps she will be there too and explain the story behind the story.

    So I'd like to remove my entry and add hers. She'd be thrilled to bits to have an inscribed copy of FOUR WEDDINGS AND MAYBE A FUNERAL.

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  11. Can't wait to see you here - Brookline Booksmith, 7 PM TONIGHT! Julia will be there. Jay (Waving!) see you there! And lots more of our friends from here.

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    1. I"M about to head out of Phoenix. I may be a tad jet-lagged, but I'm SO looking forward to this!

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    2. Hallie, I'll probably be easy to recognize as I'm likely the only one that will be wearing a heavy metal band T-shirt.

      I just can't imagine dressing up in finery and frippery in this heat so T-shirt, shorts and sneakers (aka my regular form of dress) is what's on the clothing agenda.

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    4. Rhys, how lucky they will be to get to see you, Hallie, Hank and Roberta at the Brookline Booksmith event!

      Diana

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  12. Well book tours might not be as glamorous as you had always thought but they can certainly provide you with a lot of material and ideas. Can't wait to read the book! Congratulations!

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  13. wishing you on-time arrivals and departures and good fun with your colleagues otherwise.

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  14. How has no one written a book called "The Book Tour Murders"? Seems like every author ever would have plenty of ideas for a plot!

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    1. I'm waiting for someone to write a book called MURDER AT bOUCHERCON/LEFT COAST CRIME/mALICE DOMESTIC/(insert preferred writers' conference here)

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    2. Ann, imagine the police detective traveling to unravel the list of suspects when all of them make their living plotting ways to kill people. Now the question is who is the person that gets killed off?

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    3. Oh I have a few candidates!

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  15. I have a friend here in Atlanta who does the meeting and driving for the arriving authors. It sounds glamorous and she does get to meet many interesting people but she has to slog to the airport and play in traffic for days on end. I hope the tour is fun and that all of your connections go smoothly. I am looking forward to reading more about Georgie and company!

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    1. Over the years I've found the book tour media escorts in various cities to be absolutely delightful. They can make all the difference in an author's tour, so be sure to tell your friend that although I haven't been to Atlanta, her services are very much appreciated!

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  16. The "maybe" in the title makes me believe we will be guessing until the last scene!! I wish I could be at one of the events today/tomorrow -- I am between MA and CT but driving today and seeing my granddaughter in "The Wizard of Oz" tomorrow. When will ye three meet again???

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  17. All the kool kids will be in Boston tonight! Safe travels today, Rhys, and on the rest of your tour, as well. So wish I could join you somewhere on route.

    Can't wait to see what happens to Darcy and Georgie!

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  18. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Ann Arbor, Rhys! Wishing you safe and boring travels.

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  19. As always, the glamorous life is more glamorous to the people looking IN, not the people living it!

    Congratulations on the new book, Rhys!

    Mary/Liz

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  20. Congratulations on your book. I haven't read any of your books yet. I absolutely love the book covers and the storylines. Thank you for this opportunity. Scoobyspenny@gmail.com

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  21. Congratulations on your new release. Your books have given me hours of pleasure. Such fascinating and memorable novels.

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  22. Congratulations! I am excited to see where Georgie goes next. This summer my hubs started reading the series, which has been fun. He is on book 7 and still has some catching up to do.

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  23. Congratulations! I look forward to this wonderful new addition to my reading enjoyment.

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  24. Congrats on your new book!! Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. To all the Jungle Reds who are traveling today, thank you for giving us such wonderful stories, travel safe and have fun. We expect pictures!

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  26. Congratulations on the book tour for "FOUR FUNERALS AND MAYBE A WEDDING"!

    Believe it or not, I have never flown in a plane. I have however, ridden in a helicopter briefly over Niagara Falls. Surprised hubby when it was my idea with my fear of heights. However, I was so busy taking photos I actually remember nothing of the flight. :)

    Enjoy the travels, seeing new things and soak up all the admiration from folks who appreciate your talents as a writer.

    Can't wait for the opportunity to read "FOUR FUNERALS AND MAYBE A WEDDING". Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Kay, I'd be a lot more worried about a helicopter over the falls than I would be on a commercial flight! Good for you!

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  27. I expect to pick up your book this week. Fingers crossed! I've seen Hotel Zaza but never have been in it. When I was a kid it was the glamorous Warwick Hotel. I still think of it that way. I'd love to see you at Murder By the Book but I have a conflict, as usual. We'll see!

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    1. Pat, I've stayed at the ZaZa once. It's very glamorous, but very DARK. I kept wondering if I'd accidentally left my sunglasses on...

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  28. Have a lovely, stress-free, fun, filled-with-laughter trip. I'm sure the book will be a success!

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  29. Speaking of the event, can anyone tell me what the parking situation is near the Brookline Booksmith? I've never been there and I sure don't want to have to park so far away that I need to change my clothes once I get there because of the heat and humidity.

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  30. Congrats on the new book, Rhys! I'll be thinking of you all tonight, wishing I were in Brookline! Have a fantastic time!

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  31. Congratulations on the book (which is waiting on my nightstand!), Rhys!!! I wish I could come to Houston for Murder by the Book.

    I wonder if we've been on the same book tour? I think it was Chicago, in a blizzard, where I got dropped off about 10 p.m at suburban hotel. I'd been traveling and hadn't eaten since breakfast. Restaurant closed, no room service, nothing open anywhere near the hotel. I ended up eating nuts and olives at the bar for dinner. But there are usually little kindnesses, as in this case, the bartender kept the bar open a half hour past closing so that I could have a snack.

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    1. Whoever set that situation up should be smacked. Not leaving time for an author to sustain herself is a criminal lack of consideration.

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  32. Listening to “Her Royal Spyness” again as I prepare for the new book. Can’t wsit. Love this blog post, too. Thanks for sharing the inside scoop on your book tour adventures.

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  33. Rhys- I have a feeling you're wonderful travel companion as you've been through it all! Enjoy the tour! And congratulations on Georgie's latest adventure! I am so eager to read it!

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  34. So fun to hear about the adventures of a book tour from an authors perspective! Congratulations on your book launching Rhys.....read your fb post this morning...your wedding outfit was perfect! What a happy event to look forward to tonight with your JRW sisters.

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  35. Rhys, happy book birthday! Congratulations on Lady Georgie's latest adventures! I would love to win a signed copy :-) . The Royal Spyness is my 2nd love after Constable Evans series! I wonder why your hosts did not leave a gift basket with food in your hotel room when you travel? I was wondering. I remember a friend's daughter wrote her first book and she had to drive herself to different book signings. Did you ever have to drive yourself or do you always have a driver?

    I love the photo of the flowers at your launch event on Instagram.

    Diana

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  36. Congrats, Rhys. Everyone enjoy your event in Brookline tonight. David

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  37. It’s fun to hear about your adventures. I’d love to read your book! Thank you for the chance.

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  38. Congratulations Rhys ! I love your Royal Spyness books and will be happy to enjoy a new one

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  39. Congrats on your new release! I loved reading about your tours, especially your McD's trek.

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  40. If anyone wondered, tonight's event in Brookline was a blast!

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  41. I am late to the party, but I wanted you to know that I stayed up till midnight last night to finish Four Funerals... It is terrific and worth the lost sleep! I hope your tour goes well. I have very fond memories of hearing you speak in Denver (but not during a snowstorm).

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  42. Can't wait to read this new book! I love the series!!!

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