HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: How are you feeling about Zoom? It has gone through many incarnations, hasn’t it?
First it was what the heck is Zoom?
Then, how do you work this Zoom thing?
Then oh, Zoom, got it, that’s pretty cool.
Then: I need lighting! I need a microphone! I need a background! I will rearrange my entire office so it looks good on zoom! What do I wear? Make up, make up, make up! Oh no, the lighting for Streamyard is different than the lighting for Zoom! Now what do I do?
Then it was: wow, all the cool people I can see! Then wow, I can do three events in one day! Amazing!
Then wow. My eyes are hurting. My rear is hurting. I am tired of staring at the screen. I do not care who is on it.
Bye, bye, Zoom.
But wait. Don’t go. I embrace Zoom, and the like, I really do.
And I hope that when the pandemic is over, we will still use it for all the wonderful things it provides.
For instance! ALL OF THE REDS are going to be (via Zoom on Facebook) at the iconic Poisoned Pen Bookstore on Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 PM ET!
ALL of the Reds! You could not do that without Zoom. And we cannot do it without you, so we hope you will join us live on Facebook on the Poisoned Pen page. And there will be PRIZES!
More great Zoom? Tonight! I’ll be hosting The Back Room with co-host Karen Dionne, and with the psychological suspense queen Kimberley Belle; the fascinating Brian Andrews who was here this week on Jungle Red (the submarine guy); Vera Kurian, a debut author whose thriller is astonishing; and Scott Shepherd, who you will adore: his Inspector Grant mysteries are perfect for fans of Morse and all those Scotland Yard detectives we love. Space is limited, but there are a few Zoom spots left for this up close and personal event.
And be sure you look at the other panels coming up – – amazing people like Yasmin Angoe, Alafair Burke, Kellye Garrett, Cheryl Head, Lisa Gardner, Wylie Cash, Bob Dugoni and Heather Gudenkauf and more. Do not miss these!
And you know about A Mighty Blaze? I do a weekly mystery interview, and the authors are astonishing. Coming up December 7 at 4 PM live on Facebook, the incredible Hannah Morrissey. Her book, HELLO, TRANSCRIBER, is absolutely terrific. I mean--one of my favorite books of the year. I hope you will join us on A Mighty Blaze on facebook to hear all about it.
And can you believe that First Chapter Fun is getting ready for episode 218? Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 PM ET, Hannah Mary McKinnon and I read the first chapter of a fabulous new book live on Facebook and Instagram! On Tuesday is Stephanie Storey, with a literary fiction about the rivalry between Rafael and Michelangelo; and on Thursday, Megan Miranda! No introduction needed. Join us! (It’s a private Facebook group, so you have to join--but do!)
So yes, yay, Zoom. Streamyard, Crowdcast. It brings us all of the wonderful events from independent bookstores, too!
Reds and Readers, how’s your Zoom level? Do you go to Zooms? Do you keep track of them? And question I truly love to know the answer to--when do you decide to go? Well in advance? Or spur of the moment? What do you think, Reds and Readers?
And will you be there on Thursday?
