It’s Wednesday—at least I think it’s Wednesday. After almost a full month of frenetic activity of working seven days a week, it’s not easy to tell one day from another. This morning I get to be home in my living room in Tucson. It’ll be in the nineties by this weekend, but at the moment we’re sitting in the living room enjoying the warmth of our newly installed gas log fireplace. Bella is snuggled up against the arm of the leather sofa on the far side of the coffee table. Jojo is playing her version of “flat dog” in front of the fireplace.
Bill has dialed up a Pandora channel that’s playing all those old country/western favorites—Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Gentleman Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Roger Miller, and Loretta Lynn. By the way, the latter is in her eighties now, and I read an article about her this past week. She evidently stood by her man all right, and it certainly wasn’t easy. And mixed in with all the sad songs about broken hearts and lost loves are some of my favorite old hymns—Amazing Grace is playing right now and The Old Rugged Cross dropped in a few minutes ago.
In other words, I know the words to all the songs. As a consequence, this is the kind of music I can’t listen to when I’m writing because the words in the songs get in the way of the words my characters need to be saying to each other.
So yes, right this minute I’m not writing. The corrections on the manuscript to the new Joanna Brady novel, Downfall—due out in September—went to my editor in New York last Friday. Working on corrections while being on tour is always problematic. I’m thrilled to tell you that I managed to deliver the manuscript before the end of the first part of the tour. When the manuscript went out there were only three Clawback events remaining. In other words, I beat the clock but only just barely. Then, late yesterday evening, I finished the corrections on the upcoming Joanna/Ali combo novella, Random Acts. That went to New York over night. Later this week I have another interview—this one for the upcoming book festival in Kentucky. Oh, and this week I’m also supposed to have a conference call with my HarperCollins publicist to discuss the book tour in September and a chat with my Simon and Schuster editor about the next Ali book. Whew!!!
For today, however, I have only two task assignments—write the blog and tackle the mountain of book mark requests piled on the dining room table right behind me. You may have visions of a secretarial pool handling those. Nope. I do them myself. I open the envelopes, check to see that the addresses involved are in the database, personalize and sign each book mark, and seal the SASEs. Boy do I appreciate envelopes that come with peel-away sealing strips!
And why do I do that work myself? Because, just like answering my own e-mails, signing and sending the bookmarks is an important part of my job.
When I first started in the book business, my initial sales rep was Holly Turner. Holly called on book distributors all over the Pacific Northwest. Her customers were the people who made sure paperbacks ended up on the shelves in airports, drugstore, and grocery stores. Holly was an unrepentant hippie who traveled her territory accompanied by her Scottish terrier. I believe his name was McTavish, but I could be wrong about that. Was Holly glamorous? Not at all. The tops of her knee-highs hardly ever made it to the bottom of her skirts, but she knew the territory, she knew the people, and she was good at her job.
Early on, she gave my career a big boost by making sure I attended early morning truck driver meetings at Adams News. The warehouse was located on Elliott, on the far side of the railroad track. If you didn’t get to the warehouse before the 6:55 freight train came through, you didn’t make the meeting.
“Here’s the deal,” Holly told me. “Come to the drivers’ meeting. You wear a skirt, heels, and hose. I’ll bring the doughnuts, and you’ll be surprised. All of a sudden your books will be at eye level in the grocery stores.” Her prediction proved to be true.
I heard later on from someone else that somewhere around Beaumont books four of five, Avon was cutting their list and I was on the drop side of the equation. Holly Turner was the one who went to bat for me and persuaded the powers that be to keep me onboard.
Holly was also responsible for having me out in public, selling and signing books from card tables at drugstore and grocery store grand openings wherever she could find them. She told me once, “Each personal contact is worth ten readers.” Those are words of wisdom I have lived by ever since. The people who receive personal e-mail replies from me or personalized bookmarks are each a point of personal contact. And who do my fans have to thank for that? Holly Turner, that’s who!
By now you may be asking yourself what became of Holly Turner. Somewhere around the time I was writing Breach of Duty, she was diagnosed with ALS. A year or so earlier I had been doing a Fred Meyer signing when a scary-looking guy in a wheelchair scooted up to the table and said, “All you people who can walk do the same thing. Just because someone’s in a wheelchair, you think they have to be good guys. We’re not, and I can prove it.” I took him at his word, and a wheelchair bound bad guy showed up in the very next book. In the process of doing research on my wheelchair-bound villain, I found out about Northwest Mobility, one of the top companies in the country doing handicap vehicle conversions.
When I heard about Holly’s diagnosis I was stunned to absolute silence. I didn’t contact her because I had no idea what I could say. Then my galleys came for Name Withheld. And right there, on the pages in front of me, were the words I had written about Northwest Mobility. I knew that Holly’s husband, Ralph, was busy making their Whidbey Island cottage wheelchair accessible, but it occurred to me that they probably needed a wheelchair accessible vehicle as well. I put down my galleys and called Holly on the spot.
Holly was a master gardener. The next time I spoke to her was in regard to a flora question for Breach of Duty. I left a message on her home phone, and she returned the call from somewhere in Louisiana. She and Ralph were doing a bucket list trip, visiting gardens all over the country, in the handicapped van they had purchased from Northwest Mobility. She died only a few months later.
It’s amazing sometimes, how one thing leads to another. It was doing that Fred Meyer signing, one Holly herself had arranged, that led directly to their having that van. And it’s no accident that Reenie Bernard, Ali Reynolds’s friend from childhood on, was diagnosed with ALS in Edge of Evil. Because that’s what seems to happen—pieces of my life leak into my books and vice versa. And that stack of book mark requests waiting for my attention stem directly from working with Holly Turner.
In other words, what goes around comes around. Thank you, Holly.
Now where’s my letter opener? It must be around here somewhere.
Enjoy your time in front of the fire. It’s a rest well deserved. Give Bella a big hug from one of your readers. I also have a long-hair mini-Doxie who is the joy of my life-Annie-who came from the Denver Dachshund Rescue.
I just finished “Clawback” and I liked it very, very much. I like the way you are allowing secondary characters to have their own voice and become part of the storyline along with Ali. Waiting anxiously for the next Joanna. She has become a “friend” in the books, someone to relate to and feel comfortable with, as she has grown into her job and struggles with that work/home balance all we woman face.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend, Holly. You can keep her memory alive in your books. I’m sure she would like that.
So glad Joanna gets to visit soonish, she was the first member of your family I met, just as she lost her husband. I love Ali and all her friends but I have a special fondness for Joanna. I respect Beau as I have a daughter who fights daily for her sobriety! Thank you for ly years of never being disappointed !
I’m very sorry Holly is no longer with you. Your fans will be grateful for all she did for years to come. I just finished Clawback last night. I downloaded it to my Nook the day it came out and then savored knowing it was there, looking at the cover each time I booted up, until I couldn’t wait another minute. I know when I start one of your books it will all be over in a day or two and then I’ll be waiting again. I’m really looking forward to seeing Joanna again and knowing she and Ali will meet again before too long. I lived in Phoenuix for many years and visited Sedona often. The Joanna and Ali books take me back to the best times of my life. Thank you!!
And now my eyes are leaking. I’ll blame it on the pollen count (ohboy) but I know it’s because you remember Holly so vividly and lovingly. And you can express your memory so beautifully.
My turn for Clawback in a library book is coming soon! Looking forward to it!
As soon as you said Holly had a Scottish Terrier, I knew she was good people. I am currently owned by one, who also blogs. He is my third Scottie & my first Rescue . My Mother was murdered by ALS. I will be getting those books. Holly knew what she was doing. What a great strategy to get you together with the Drivers! I am glad she was able to cross things off her bucket list. What a shame it takes something catastrophic to get us to have the adventures we should be having all along.
I enjoy your blog as much as your books. You and all of your characters have become friends and family to me. When do we get another Beaumont? Anxiously awaiting to see you at SOKY later this month.
Well, then I thank Holly Turner! Many years ago, I sent you an email — not sure what it was about, now, but I loved your Joanna Brady books, and I probably wanted to tell you how many hours of pure reading pleasure you’d given me. To my utter astonishment, you replied! And it was a *real* reply, not a canned ‘thank you.’ I walked around with a goofy grin for quite a while over that — ha!
That was fun — but the truth is, I love reading and rereading the Joanna Brady books just as much now as I did then. I’d be buying and reading them even if you hadn’t answered — but now I do so with much more pleasure, it’s a sense that there’s a real person there, writing them. Someone who takes time to care about her “constant readers” those of us out here, who just want to gush a little. Even today, I remember your actually replying to my email with a smile. That was nice.
Holly Turner was one smart lady! But then, she had an outstanding writer to work with, too!
Karen, I rest my case. That one e-mail to you is something that has stayed with you all this time. Yes, Holly Turner was one smart lady.
I was going to send you a private email, but then thought others might want to know this. Why did you leave Arizona for Washington when you did? What was there about Seattle that made it the place you wanted to go to?
I visited Denver, CO, one summer and after another semester at college decided I wanted to move from Iowa to Denver. I was there for five years. Now that I look back at it, I should have stayed instead of moving back to Iowa.
I moved to Seattle in the aftermath of a bad marriage and a worse divorce. I moved in with my sister in a condo in the Denny Regrade. If you want the full story of that, it’s in my memoir in poetry and prose, After the Fire. It will tell you a lot about my life and give you insights into the origins of many of my characters and story lines.
I read everyone of your books in 3 months recovering from surgery. Starting at the beginning of each series I’d have 5 of each set checked out at the library every 2 weeks. I read days, nights, weekends even on Sunday after The Good Book of course. I read a book a day or more. Couldn’t put them down. Thankfully there were several libraries close enough to keep my list in order. I only had to purchase the newest ones to stay up to date. You amaze me with your gift. I am Native American and
love your vast knowledge of past traditions and
Storytelling. I appreciate your dedication to your work and keeping your readers happy.
I have After the Fire. Will re-read it. My memory isn’t as good as it used to be. I’ve forgotten the details. 🙂
You are my very favorite author. You’ve brought me so much happiness through your characters and your books, I just wanted to Thank You. I’m more than half way done with,”Clawback”. It is crazy good! I’m just bummed I couldn’t make it to Everett, WA. Costco last week, and have my book signed. I couldn’t get the time off from work. Next time…..your characters have become friends of mine. Thank You!
I worked for a company stocking books and magazines in two stores in a small town. When I quit the truck driver went back to doing it. It is my firm opinion that only a reader should have a job like that because we care about books and what is available. Like I told one of the managers, fewer copies of PB from HC and more straight PB titles. Serious readers have already read the HC because we hate to wait! I kept three facings of those and returned the rest so I had room for more titles. I kept track and found I was still returning a third to half of those titles. Vindicated!
I started reading your books sometime around 1996. I was a nanny for at the time for my two granddaughters. I would stay in the Seattle area during the week and go home to my husband in Yakima, Washington on the weekends. I went to here you speak – looking for something to do one evening. Best thing I ever did. started with your Beaumont books and I am reading “Clawback” right now. When we moved to Arizona in 2003 I stated reading all your books. Have heard you speak a couple more times, with the last being recently in Cottonwood, Arizona. Keep on writing please!
Your life may overflow into your books. But your books overflow into your readers lives.
I can read one of your books and be transported into which ever situation or story line. When Beau’s partner ended up in a wheel chair you showed that life can still be lived with dignity. When my husband ended up in a wheelchair I took a page from your book and sought out help to make our lives a active and busy life.
So you see you do more than write appealing fiction books. You give people hope and a wonderful trip into a world outside their problems. . THANK YOU…
Thank you, Janice. That comment gave me goosebumps.
I finished re-reading “After the Fire” last night. I don’t know why I want to call it “After the Fall” because you didn’t. I recommend it to everyone who is over 21. I don’t think young women would understand it.
I’m a bit older than you and grew up thinking a husband would solve all of my problems. He didn’t.
I think a good bit of your strength comes from being a native of South Dakota.
I try to save reading of your blogs until I’m alone. You see, I’m a crier. A person who cries at “every little thing” as my son says. Nine times out of ten, your blog makes me cry. Good cries! mostly. And usually at the end of one of your fabulous books. I’m happy that you met a wonderful woman like Holly. May we all continue to have THOSE people in our lives, and may we all trive to be THOSE kind of people.
{Crying woman at your Salem book signing a few years ago]
I have the utmost respect for authors that do the majority of their public contact work themselves. There have been authors that I no longer follow because they don’t. Then there are the authors that come up with outlines that someone else writes. I don’t buy their books either. I love all your series books however; the Beaumont books are my favorite.
Fortunately for you and for me, I don’t DO outlines.
I too just finished “Clawback”..I love your books and especially love J.P. Beaumont. When he had knee surgury I too had knee surgery. I could relate to every twinge he expeienced. Looking forward to your new book in September. After that, can we expect another Beaumont edition? One thing I do hate tho’, nothing gets done around the house until I finish the latest book. Sorry I missed you at Village Books in Bellingham.
Hi from across the Pond
Just finished Clawback and you get better and better.
Looking forward to the next Joanna.
Thank you
David James
I have been reading your books for several years. I just finished “Second Watch” and loved how you were able to revisit Beau and his early years. I googled you and was again delighted to see that you remind me of me…the me I wish I had or still could be. I am also 71 and experienced the negativity about what women were expected to do career-wise. I wanted to be an anchor person, news journalist, or author, and was discouraged because my professors at the University of Florida convinced me that I wouldn’t be able to find employment. I discovered that my ability to write opened up several other employment opportunities that I have enjoyed: social worker, advertising copywriter, insurance adjuster, and secondary English teacher from which I retired 15 years ago. Along with raising my own three children, I have had the opportunity to raise my now 18 year-old granddaughter. She is going to leave home and attend college next year so I find myself wondering if I have what it takes to try to write the books that have been churning inside of me for the past 50 years. Reading about you on your website and about your life experiences has helped me see how you have used these events to both educate and entertain readers. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, so I hope I’m not too old to try. Thank you for sharing your experiences on your website. Please do not stop touring. I would love to meet you some day. Do you ever come to the Jacksonville, Fl, area?
Thank you from Leisure World. Worried half ill there might not be a good turnout. Wow, standing room only. And did you note the nice number of male fans? (So there, ex & ASU!)
We were the couple in the back who bravely raised out hands when asked about the “clawback” meaning. No, we aren’t financial advisors. We are from near Minneapolis. Anyone there who hadn’t heard about Denny Hecker’s Ponzi the past several years wasn’t listening or reading. And no, we weren’t stung, thank heavens. A close call though.
Think of Clawback as a public service. Have the AARP magazine feature it and you! Your agent owes you.
Lorna
He said gets angry when he is compared to Tom Petters.
“Mine wasn’t a Ponzi scheme,” he said. “I lost a $100 million of my own money.”
According to Hecker, other family members have been devastated by his reversal of fortune. His older sister, Beverly Hecker, collapsed after talking to reporters last week after his sentencing and is still in intensive care.
If it walks like a duck, etc…
Followed Tom Petters $3.6B Ponzi in MN which he hated being compared to.
Both doing time.