Mercury in Retrograde--and What Hank's Writing

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I realized something today. The universe is the ultimate pantser. We absolutely cannot predict, from minute to minute, what’s going to happen, and what’s going to make a difference, and what is going to nudge the universe in one direction or another. Never ever is that more apparent than in the weeks leading up to a book launch.

Last year for instance, on the day of my book launch party for TRUST ME, it was so hot outside that the governor declared a heat emergency, and actually told people to stay home!

 I’m like: No no! Don’t stay home! Ahhh…..  But people came, standing room only, and all fine. Take that, Governor.

That’s the universe pantsing.

And you have to remember, when you gasp at how the writers of upcoming books glom on to every bit of reassurance and head-patting, that we were all in our writing places for a year, at least, before that. And alone, and wondering if anyone would read our books, let alone like them, let alone love them and buy then. It is a weird weird job. Isn’t it?

So that said, this pre-book limbo is kind of fabulous. If you decide to look at it that way  Like a panster. Because anything could happen, right? Anything. THE MURDER LIST comes out August 20, (You all know that, right? No pressure, it’s just my career.)

So first the Library Journal Starred review popped up! How great is THAT? And I was relieved and everyone was relieved even though the publishers insist it doesn’t matter, either way, don’t try to tell me that, sister. It does. Every word is fabulous.

It says (this is all we could fit):

HOW ABOUT THAT? Thank you, universe. And LJ, of course.

And then, you know Google Alerts? The other day one popped up and when I opened it, THE MURDER LIST had been named. an Ultimate Beach Read by CNN!  CNN!  Whoo!  Along with Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women and Jean Kwok’s Searching for Sylvie Lee and Dorothea Hart Benton’s  Queen Bee, and some other lovely books.

My fabulous publisher Forge,  too, brilliantly released a free excerpt of the book—and that’s always scary, because, well, it’s always scary. But look what happened? And it stayed there for days.

Did you miss it? I’d adore you to read this extended excerpt—and it’s free!  

One reviewer said: “If Lisa Scottoline and John Grisham had a book baby, this would be it!” How cool is that?  And one reader dubbed it Grish-oline. Which is so funny, if you know what it means. And baffling if you don’t.

Book tour is coming—and it’s a doozy. Click here to see the schedule, so far! And I am crossing  fingers that you all will come see me. Did I say—no pressure, It's just my career?

So. What I’m writing? Is articles for CrimeReads, and the Forge blog, and Criminal Element, and interviews for all kinds of places—oh! Did you see the new Strand magazine? Whoo. Also great.

And in the meantime—I’m also writing the new book, and it is—ta dah, almost done! The first draft , at least, but if I can do that, I can happily happily edit.  Because whoa, it is TERRIBLE! I laugh every day, thinking yikes, sister, you’re gonna fix this later.

Here are the first two lines:

Lies have a complicated half-life. Nora--for now--tried to calculate the lifespan of her most recent one as she waited on the corner of Tremont and Union Park, the evening’s first snowflakes beginning to accumulate on her new--to her--black cashmere coat.

Ah. And here we go!

Thank you, darling ones. Please find me on tour, please understand the needy chaos of pre-publication jitters and excitement, and thank you thank you for being such treasured pals. Thank you for putting up with the nerves, and the yammering, and the general self-promotion. Once a year, okay? We all sound a little frantic.

Plus, talk about the universe pantsing.  Mercury is in retrograde. Until Thursday.  Do you change your life because of that? >>>And an advance review copy of THE MURDER LIST to one lucky commenter!

******AND! the winner of an ARC of CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR is Celia Wakefield.  YAY!  email Hallie (hallie@hallieephron.com)  with your mailing address.****