How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
The time is finally upon us. ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS has gone on sale.
I spent drop day (Tuesday) visiting ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS in bookstores
around the Nashville area. I talked with my favorite CRMs at Borders
and Barnes and Noble, signed some stock, got a few surprises…(click here for the pictures) but the
entire time I was floating above myself, feeling completely detached.
It didn’t feel real, seeing my book on the shelves. It still doesn’t
feel real. I wonder if that’s because of the pseudonym? Well, that’s a
topic for another blog. Suffice it to say, it’s damn cool to walk into
a bookstore and see your book on the new release table. Blew me away.
I’d like to take my time today to say thank you to all of the amazing people who have helped me, cheered for me, criticized and complimented, and influenced me in the past couple of years.
THANK YOU!!!!! From the very bottom of my heart.
There are several people who need special recognition, people who have been instrumental in seeing me to this point. In order of their appearance in my writing life:
John Sandford, for inspiring me to try.
Hubby, for letting me try.
My parents, for encouraging me when I decided to try.
Writer’s Digest, for giving me the seeds.
Stuart Woods, for telling me that I made the rules.
John Connolly, for listening to a really terrible elevator pitch and not holding it against me.
Del Tinsley, who I met that same night, who has been a constant inspiration, a shoulder to cry on, an unflagging supporter, and an all around amazing friend.
JB Thompson, my wonder twin, who has edited every word I’ve ever written, thank God!
Amo!
The Bodacious Music City Wordsmiths, (Del, JB, Janet, Peggy, Rai, Cecelia, and Mary) for all the advice. And patience with my inability to use the plural possessive correctly. ; )
The DorothyL Listserve, for letting me know I’m not alone.
Publisher’s Marketplace, for showing me what I wanted and setting the wheels in motion.
Joan Huston, my first independent reader, for liking my work enough to read more.
Scott Miller, for giving me a chance!
Holly Henderson Root, for being a Tennessee girl in the midst of all those New Yorkers ; )
Pari Noskin Taichert, who gave me a shot on this blog and always, always had faith.
Naomi Hirahara, Simon Wood, Elaine Flinn, Denise Dietz, Jeff Cohen, Ken Bruen, Alexandra Sokoloff, Louise Ure, J.D. Rhoades, Mike MacLean, Toni McGee Causey and Paul Guyot for putting up with thousands of group emails and being a constant source of friendship and support.
The readers of Murderati, for allowing me to vent, muse and grow as a writer on a weekly basis.
Barbara Franchi and Sharon Wheeler, the fine editors of Reviewing The Evidence, for giving me my first online job.
Duane Swierczynski, who sent me to Rara-Avis and Demolition.
Bryon Quertermous, who published my very first short story.
Tribe, for letting me flash him.
Linda McFall and the whole crew at Mira Books, for buying the books!
Adam Wilson, for tirelessly answering all my most mundane and naive questions.
Brett Battles, Jason Pinter, Robert Gregory Browne, Toni McGee Causey, Bill Cameron, Gregg Olsen, Patry Francis, Derek Nikitas, Dave White, Marcus Sakey, Sean Chercover, Marc Lecard, Sandra Ruttan, Phil Hawley and CJ Lyons, who made Killer Year an unbelievably rewarding experience.
Sarah Weinman, for teaching me so much about the industry, and being a great writer to boot.
B.J. Bourg, for sending me my first check.
Lee Child, John Connolly, Allison Brennan, MJ Rose, Alexandra Sokoloff, Jim Born, Tasha Alexander, Kristy Kiernan, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Robert Fate, Joe Konrath and Pari Noskin Taichert, for taking the time to read the manuscript of ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS and kindly lending their endorsements. You guys rock!
Another special shout out to a couple of folks:
Tara Kelly, who designed the coolest cover on the planet.
Heather Foy and the marketing team at Mira, for all their amazing work.
Tasha Alexander, for being the ultimate sounding board, teacher, inspiration and procrastination buddy, plus introducing me to Thai food. xo
Tom Robinson, my incredible publicist, for putting in so much time and effort on my behalf.
Lee Child, for being the classiest mentor a girl could have and a true inspiration to my writing.
There are many more people who have helped, encouraged, poked and prodded. Some are in my acknowledgments, some are people I’ve met along the way. Most of all, I want to say thanks to the other writers out there. I am honored to share shelf space with you at last.
And to my future readers: I hope you enjoy. Dear God, I hope you enjoy.
If you’re anywhere near Nashville, we’re having a launch party on November 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Past Perfect, 122 3rd Avenue South (at the base of the Shelby Street Bridge and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center) We’re having a wine tasting and food, Richard Stooksbury and the
Glaring Mistakes will be playing, and the book will be for sale. Come
and say hello!
Seriously, be there or be square. And if you’d like to receive my quarterly newsletter, go to the newly revamped website and sign up. I’ll also be out and abut promoting ATPG, so check out the tour schedule here.
It all changes today. As of now, I’m a published author. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s also terrifying as hell. This journey has been the most gratifying of my life. I hope I do y’all proud over the upcoming years.
Wine of the Week: Since this is a special occasion, I’m going to break out a bottle of my favorite, but too nice to drink daily, wine. Might as well honor the heritage yet again — 2002 Tenute Silvio Nardo Brunello
Congratulations, kiddo, you’ve finally arrived! Wonderful feeling, isn’t it?
Congrats on pub day, JT! Definitely break open the good wine.
Congratulations, JT on this long awaited day. Drink it all. Enjoy!
Huge congrats, JT… what a wonderful day – I know the launch party will be terrific! Enjoy – if you read/sign anywhere near here, I’ll bring my copy to be signed!
The fun is just beginning.
Congratulations, JT!
Congratulations, JT! It’s very well-deserved. I know the “reality shift” that comes when you see your pseudonym on your first book. In my case, my pen name is actually my maiden name, so it feels as if I’ve somehow reclaimed a name–and a part of an identity, even–from the past. As the great one said, “It’s deja vu all over again!” Enjoy your book launch!
JT, I can’t possibly send enough congratulations your way!!! Enjoy every minute of this ride. This is only the beginning.
Next week I’m gonna convince you to try the Thai food spicy. Although if this week was any indication of the future, saying “HOT” now means “NO SPICE.”
Love you, baby!
xoxoxoxo
P.S. The pictures are great!!!
Ditto all above and more!!!! You are now a published author. No one can ever take that from you.
J.T.,Congratulations!
What a wondrous day, what a glorious feeling. Enjoy every single minute of it.
Barbara Peters, of Poisoned Pen fame, once said to me, “You’re only a book virgin once.”
It’s a great feeling.
But just like sex, J.T., it just gets better and better . . .
Ditto all of the above, and …
Congrats, Sister – words can’t begin to describe how proud I am of you, and I’m so honored to be a part of your process. You’re an amazing writer, and I know the future holds nothing but great things for you.
XOXOXO!
XOXOXOXO back at all of you. I can’t believe how exciting this week has been. And every one of you played a part, for which I am immensely grateful.
Congratulations, and have fun!
Congratulations, J.T., or whatever your name is. Enjoy the day … the week … this whole first publication year.
Great pictures, my dear.
JT, I’m in love with you. 🙂 Congrats on your big day!
Congrats, JT, have a wonderfully successful tour!
By the time I actually get to meet you (hopefully at the next B’con), you’ll have another book out.
How does it feel to no longer be a virgin twice?
Best wishes…
Congrats on the book coming out…just don’t get in my way… 🙂
Congratulations, JT. Can’t wait to read it! All the Working Stiffs are looking forward to your guest blog on Monday, too!
I am thrilled to be reading Pretty Girls right now and I’m LOVING it. I wish you much success!
Aww, you guys… thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You have no idea how much your support means to me. It makes this journey all worthwhile.
Simon, was that your tail? Sorry ; ) Everyone should go out and buy Simon;s book now.
Kisses and hugs and mushy stuff to everyone.
Evil, thou assumes… ; )
Congratulations, JT! In honor of your Big Day, I just hopped on Amazon and bought a copy. Later, I may have dark chocolate (really, what other kind is there?) and a glass of wine.
Ahhhh, I forgot I have Duane to blame for sending you to me. 🙂 I kid, I was happy to publish the story and glad to see this whole writing thing might be working out for you. Make sure you have a good skill to fall back on though.
Thanks, Carol! I’m opening that bottle of wine as we speak.
And thank you, Bryon! Taking on X made a huge difference for me, and I appreciate your editorial advice!
Congrats again JT. I said it before, and I’ll say it now – I won’t be surprised to find you on the bestseller list someday soon. Enjoy, you deserve it.
Congratulations, JT! I’m really going to enjoy selling your book!
Congrats, JT — and here’s to it being just the beginning of many, many more happy pub days in the future. You deserve all the success in the world.
Sean, you’re singing again! Thanks, babe ; )
Toni, Ditto right back at ya, sister!
And Mike, I told you… I expect the same for you, my friend. Cream rises to the top.
Fran, thank you. So much. I hope it does well for you ; )
You rock, JT! And so does your book! Whoa, lady!
I look forward to your new book. You came highly recommended. The JOHN SANDFORD you mentioned as “inspiring you to try,” is that Sandford author of the Prey series???
BST — Yes! I was reading the Prey series and went hey, I want to give this a try. So Mr. Sandford gets a big shout out for the inspiration!
And Bill, merci, mon ami. xo