Great Signing

I had the honor and pleasure of having a book signing at MJ's Coffeehouse at the Allen Theater yesterday. Next door, The King's Speech was playing, but a full house showed up to hear my "Joker's Speech," as it were and buy Condemned to Freedom.

If you never have been to MJ's or the Allen, the owner, Skip Hicks, has renovated a classic movie theater in Annville, PA (home of Lebanon Valley College) and runs a series of the best films out today--one screen, no megaplex! MJ's provides the concession stand with realistic prices, not the jacked-up ones to which we have become accustomed. And the deli sandwiches and desserts are wonderful. If you are in the area, it's worth the visit.

Anyway, it was an afternoon of great conversation, enthusiastic interest in my book, the reuniting of old friends, and the making of new ones. For example, a high school student who wants to attend Duke University to be a writer, drove in with her mother from the Harrisburg area to buy the book and see what a signing was like. Afterward, people lingered to enjoy coffee and tea and warm camaraderie. Mystery-lovers are the best. It was just the thing to take winter's sting out of a February Sunday.

It's been a long time

Sorry I haven't written recently, the holidays and all, you know.

I've done a few reading groups and spent some very enjoyable evenings discussing Condemned to Freedom with people from Hershey to Johnstown. I've also enjoyed excellent publicity through a very positive review in the Lancaster (PA) Sunday News in their New Year's edition, dated January 2, 2011. Jo-Ann Greene, the book editor personally wrote it. Thank you, Jo-Ann, and I'm so happy you liked my story. And thank you, too, for your advice and support in recommending bookstores for me to market my book.

On Friday, February 18, Anne McGraw Reeves will print her review and interview with me in the Patriot News of Harrisburg. I'm looking forward to what she writes. Mrs. Reeves is an astute observer of schools and the Central Pennsylvania scene, and she has written thought-provoking, insightful articles on subjects such as school-bullying and educational standards, so I am looking forward to her article.

I have two signings scheduled for the near future:

Sunday, February 20 at 3:00, Skip Hicks, owner of the Allen Theater and MJ's Coffee House will host a signing, reading, and discussion of Condemned to Freedom at the Coffee House in Annville, PA. Please join us and enjoy an afternoon of good discussion. If you are thirsty or hungry, MJ's offers wonderful food at reasonable prices.

Saturday, March 5, from 2:00 to 4:00, I will be at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA, again to sign copies for patrons, read, and discuss the book. Come to see this local gem, a bookstore that is intimate, yet provides a great selection for any reader.

Till later, be well and look for springtime.