Tucson Report

RHYS BOWEN: For those of you who are still knee deep in snow, I thought I should share some sunshine and warmth. This weekend I took part in the Tucson Festival of Books. For those of you who have never attended, it is huge! They reckon over 100,000 visit during the two days. It takes place at the University of Arizona with panels going on in all the various auditoriums and in tents along the mall. Hundreds of authors, ranging from children's writers, poets, science fiction, to cook books. There is a culinary tent with demonstrations. CSpan is there. And the mall is lined with booths: publishers, bookstores, non-profits, national parks.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to browse because I was given a full schedule, and let me tell you that it takes half an hour to walk from one end of the mall to the other. So on Saturday I had a signing at a booth, had to run back to meet my escort to be taken to my panel (at the other end again), then had to grab a bite for lunch before I was back at the other end to conduct a workshop on writing the historical mystery.

On Sunday the same sort of thing. I signed in the morning with Tess Gerritson whom I had never met, although we share the same agent.

Then a panel on women in wartime: with the fabulous Kate Quinn (of Alice Network fame) and Lynda Loigman whose new book is The Wartime Sisters

Packed house. Lots of good questions, and I learned so much. Kate's new book, just out this week, is called THE HUNTRESS. There is plenty of buzz about it. It features the Night Witches--an all female squadron of Russian  bomber pilots in WWII. They were called Night Witches because they used to cut the engine on their planes and coast in silently to drop their bomb, restart the engine and get out of there. So the Germans thought they sounded like witches on broomsticks. They would return to base, take ten minutes to refuel, reload and be off again. Over ten missions per night, seven days a week for three years. And only 27 percent of them were killed!

What a great story. And Lynda's was equally fascinating. Two sisters working in the Brooklyn Armory, which was  like a small town during the war, with all amenities, entertainment, gossip columns. One of the things I like about conferences and panels is that I always learn such a lot and come away with fabulous books to read.

The other thing I like is having time to catch up with dear friends. On Saturday night I had dinner with Cara Black and Kent Kruger. We sat outside, under the stars, and had Middle Eastern food. And laughed a lot. Perfect.

 Now it's back to work again. I'm so near the end of my first draft that it's hard to stop.
And by the way--everyone sold out of my new book, which was very nice!

I do hope this has brought a glimpse of sunshine to you! If you want to plan a winter escape next year, then you might want to consider this festival. I met a lot of people who had flown down for a week in Arizona, escaping from blizzards and cold.
 Which bookfairs have you attended?

Rhys Reports from the Tucson Festival of Books

RHYS BOWEN: I'm checking in from the Tucson Festival of Books, a two day extravaganza bringing authors and readers together. Last year's attendance was 150,000 and it attracts some really big name authors. (read on to see who I was signing with!)

There are panels and talks going on all over the U of A campus, ranging from small poetry readings to huge auditoriums. And the kick off event last night was a fabulous reception followed by a concert by the ROCK BOTTOM REMAINDERS.  In case you have never heard of them, they are all famous authors: Dave Barry, Scott Turow, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson, Greg Isles etc etc who get together to play charity events occasionally. They are not the world's best musicians but so much fun.
Here are a couple of candid shots I took from the back of a crowded auditorium (the distance, not the wine i'd had at the reception, explains the slightly shaky shots.) Can you imagine Amy Tan dressed like a dominatrix with whip singing These Boots are Made for Walking?

Today began with a launch party for some writers with new books out this month. J.A Jance, Cara Black, C.J. Box and I represented the mystery genre.

Then we were taken to sign in a circular outdoor area. Judy Jance pointed out the chains to me and told me it was the anchor from the U.S Arizona. After that it felt weird signing books beside something so poignant.

I only had one panel today, in a huge tent. It was on Humor in Mysteries. Lots of wind blowing but a satisfyingly big crowd that kept on growing as we spoke.

But I signed at various bookstore booths with amazing writers.
Here I am at Mostly Books from Tucson with Gail Sheehy

And late in the day found myself sitting next to Joyce Carol Oates!

I'm through for the day now, looking forward to a good dinner and a glass of wine and then much more of the same tomorrow (3 panels plus a booth signing).

Isn't it encouraging to know that so many people care about books?