JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: To understand how excited I am today, you need to realize my last published book was released on April 4, 2020. In the 5 years, 7 months and two weeks since then, most of my writer friends have released 5-6 books. Rhys (and her co-writer Clare Broyles) have put out 14 novels, and Jenn, I assume, has published 57.
By the way, today is also the book birthday for FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE, the latest, much-anticipated Royal Spyness mystery, and the reason you're not reading about that book is because Rhys was gracious enough to insist I take the spotlight instead. Thank you, Rhys!
The prospect of the publication of AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY kicked off a lot of positive changes in my life. I finally got a new website, courtesy of Xuni.com. I figured out how to post to both Instagram and Facebook at the same time, and my daughter Virginia taught me how to do Insta stories. (Reels are still to come.) I restarted my newsletter, News From the Kill - with many thanks to Jenn, who inspired me to try Substack, where she hosts her own newsletter.
And I just feel, well, more on top of things. More organized, more able to take one the myriad of tasks popping up every day. Part if that is undoubtedly because Karma and Janey have returned to Victoria's house (dogsitting those two was the LONGEST three weeks of my life.) Part of it is due to my friend Celia Wakefield's suggestions, tips, techniques and plain old kicking me in the butt. Which is why this book is dedicated to her.
Surprise, Celia!
Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me during the long, long, LONG journey to seeing the 10th Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery in bookstores. I love you, and even more importantly, appreciate you all. I hope to see some of you while I'm on tour, or, next spring, at Malice Domestic. When we meet up, rest assured, the drinks are on me!
Happy Book Birthday, Julia, and congratulations on "At Midnight Comes the Cry" . . . I'm so excited to have a new Clare and Russ adventure!
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Book Birthday, Rhys . . .
Happy book birthday, Julia! I’m very excited to get my pre-ordered copy. I’m being told it’s not going to arrive until the day before Thanksgiving. That’s okay because I already told my husband that I am spending as much time over the holiday weekend as it takes to read the book - without interruption!
ReplyDeleteFor those of us on the West Coast, Julia, perhaps you might consider coming to Left Coast Crime in San Francisco this coming February? I would love to meet you and it’s a really fun conference. (And perhaps Rhys might be there?)
Happy book birthday to you, too, Rhys! — Pat S
Hooray! It is loading onto my Kindle as I write this. Can't wait to start reading later today.
ReplyDeleteYay! I got a notice yesterday that my copy had shipped. My only decision is whether to listen to the entire series again (I love Suzanne Toren's narration*) before starting. I listened to them all back in June when the longing grew acute. Too soon for a re-listen of the whole canon? Maybe just the last two? Decisions, decisions — and such cheery ones. Oh, happy day! (Picture the gospel chorus singing.)
ReplyDelete* With two parents from 1930s Alabama, I am very picky about Southern accents and have returned books with bad ones. Suzanne does an excellent light accent, quite similar to my parents after 40 years in Yankee territory. (Selden)
Happy Book Birthday! Happy trails on your book tour.
ReplyDeleteYay, Julia! I can't to run over and pick up my copy. Like Pat S, I'm going to savor the book over the Thanksgiving weekend. Have a great launch party today with Rhys and safe travels on your tour!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy release day to Rhys, too!
DeleteCongrats to you and to Rhys! Going to try to watch the Poisoned Pen event live online tonight.
ReplyDeleteJulia, congrats on the new book FINALLY being here. It's a book birthday celebration for sure. I'm not positive as yet, but I am hoping that I might be able to take that trip to Wellesley Books when you are there.
ReplyDeleteHappy book birthday Julia !
ReplyDeleteYAY ! My book was downloaded when I woke up this morning !
Happy book birthday, Julia! I know I have at least two copies coming my way (pre-ordered multiple times, and yes, extras will be gifted or donated to the library), but I just downloaded the audiobook so I can start listening while I'm on the road today!
ReplyDeleteHappy Day -- for you and for us readers, dear Julia! Your book is on my Kindle and I'll be diving in today. Hooray! I love that you dedicate the book to Celia; that's lovely.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the dedication! Celia is the best.
DeleteCongratulations and enjoy the ride! You could not have chosen a more deserving person to dedicate your book to - she, too, is my hero (and I don't even know her except by here)!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you AND Celia!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you! Happy to see a new Clare and Russ book, but even happier for you. As I've mentioned before, everything happens in its own time and trying to push it just causes mayhem and a poor product. You are quality and the world needs all the quality it can get, so keep on being you! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteHappy Book Birthday, Julia! This is SO exciting! Welcome back Clare, and Russ! I can hardly wait to pick up my copy, but I think I will start it next Monday while my husband is having his hip replaced. I will try, try, to read it slowly and savor, and to write down my questions and comments for when you’re at Wellesley Books. And maybe ai’ll reread “Hid From Our Eyes” now.
ReplyDeleteHappy book birthday to Rhys and the new Royal Spyness as well!
congrats Julia! I'm going to pick mine up today!
ReplyDeleteI will be getting a copy, too. I treated myself to a re-read of "Hid from our Eyes!"
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely thrilled for you Julia! And for us! We love you!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! So excited! Broadway Books called yesterday and my copy is in! I hope to pick it up today. Yay yay yay. It will be fun to read a book right after publication--usually i wait for the library to get it :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Julia!
ReplyDeleteDianne Mahoney
Wonderful!! Congrats to you Julia and Rhys. Can't wait to get copies.
ReplyDelete