Last Thursday night, I attended a booksigning at Quail Ridge
Books for author Krista Davis. Her first book, The Diva Runs Out
of Thyme, has recently been released. She talked about writing her
"food" cozies. Then she read a couple passages from the novel. Krista
very graciously asked me to stand up and talk for a few minutes about my books.
And she'd brought mouth watering, home-baked treats from Virginia: bourbon
pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, something chocolate (which I didn't sample
because there were those other scrumptious, unique sweets to dispatch!), and
cider, white wine, coffee, and tea. Way too much food left when the event was
over. Since I didn't want Krista to injure herself by loading all that food in
her car and transporting it back to Virginia, I nobly volunteered to lighten
her load and take goodies home to my guys. The stash vanished within ten
minutes after I walked in the door. I enjoyed meeting my sister Guppy
face-to-face finally, after corresponding with her several years online, and
wish her luck on book sales!

 Last Friday, I made a presentation for the Brown Bag Book
and Lunch Club at the East Regional Library. The topic was how reenacting
has helped me write my fiction. Attendees asked questions about reenacting as
well as how I researched historical fiction. The librarian who coordinated the
event, Janet Morley, provided "period" food: cornbread, molasses
cookies, apple brown betty pie, and cider. Again, there was food leftover, so I
nobly volunteered to relieve Janet of extras. Again, the food vanished almost
as soon as I got home. I'm scheduled to return to East Regional Library March
2009 for a presentation associated with National Women's History Month.

And there's an excellent interview of me in the November
2008 issue of Mary Buckham's online newsletter! Sign up for the
newsletter today from Mary's web site. Every month, you'll receive good advice
on the craft of writing. Regular contributions from editing guru Margie
Lawson and publicity guru Theresa Meyers…and it's free. What a
deal!

Grasshopper is grateful to Krista Davis, Janet Morley, and
Mary Buckham for their generosity.