When I started writing By Reason of Insanity earlier this summer, my goal was to have the manuscript in my editor’s hands by the on-sale date for Den of Iniquity, September 10. I made it, but just barely. The manuscript went to New York via email at 10:24 PM on September 9.
Whoo-hoo, right? Wrong!
After sending it off, it was time to help get Bill settled in bed. That includes a couple of trips up and down the hall, including getting his heating pad heated and in the right spot under his feet. As I headed down the hall with the heating pad in hand, I heard water running in the powder room as I walked past. I figured the flushing tank hadn’t shut off properly and decided I’d fix it when I came back down the hall.
Except it wasn’t a leaky toilet. The faucet under the sink had sprung a leak. I called our property manager who came over from next door and shut off the water. The plumber came the next day and fixed the leak, but we’re still waiting for a new faucet. That should arrive soon.
But needless to say, it was not a good night for sleeping, and a decent night’s sleep before opening day is always a good idea. Fortunately, at Third Place no one went so far as to say I looked tired because I WAS tired, and I might well have punched out whoever had nerve enough to mention it.
What did I do yesterday? Absolutely nothing. I got my steps, but I didn’t sign and send bookmarks. We had leftovers for dinner. I was in bed by eleven which is early for me.
Today while I was out walking, I was thinking about previous book tours where I’d do two or three events a day for the whole first week, to say nothing of traveling. So yes, I guess it’s time for me to admit it. I’m not as young as I used to be. And maybe it’s a good thing publishers are cutting back on book tours, because it’s about time I did.
One of very my loyal fans, Terry House, passed away a number of months ago. She was someone who would start reading a new book when it came through on her Audible account at midnight and send me her review well before noon the next day. So I missed hearing from Terry House yesterday.
But today I have my steps in for the day. And I’m hoping to have the bookmarks ready to mail by tomorrow. Why? Because the copy-edited manuscript for Overkill should arrive tomorrow or the day after, and by then my nose will need to be back to the grindstone.
Honestly, your poor nose spends more time on the grindstone! Not that I’m complaining about the results of course.
We are going on holiday in a couple weeks and I found a Beaumont I think I never read that I am hoarding for the plane. It’s good to have that sorted.
Ceci
Glad your plumbing issue got sorted out.
A break (forced or not) is not a bad thing now and again.
Have a good weekend.
Wow you did have quite the night. Finished Den of Iniquity and loved it. Loved all the characters from other books being brought into it. Just a fun read. Can’t wait for your next book. I have them all! Hope you have a wonderful day. Visiting sisters in MN.
People say “you’re only as old as you feel.”. Well I feel pretty old at times so I understand. However I have to admit I’m glad you get tired doing what you love and are so very very good at. Keep up the good work. I am eagerly awaiting each new book. Love the characters you have created and brought to life. And love you and the blog as you share your life with your fans.
I used to do roller blade marathons. Out on my bike this morning I saw a couple skating and got jealous. I’m jealous that you are able to keep up that schedule. You are tough
First off, congratulations on deadline met. So glad you keep your nose to the grindstone, but please, don’t overdo. We, your fans, need you to keep on keeping on for many more years.
Next week I will call Brick and Mortar Books and preorder my paperback copy of DOI. The waiting is always terrible. Also time to order the next three Joanna Brady books as I will be starting Damage Control then.
Man, I always pictured Authors just writing at their leisure, sitting for for a few hours per day… your Blog has been so eye opening to what the day in a life of some authors may be. We want you around for many years to come! I wish you could slow down a bit, maybe never two books going in one year again! Those of us who have read your books for years, just pinch ourselves that you include us into your daily life with this weekly Blig. So, please, in future slow down a bit! You need to have fun too!
You tired? It would never occur to me. You always seem indefatigable! Congratulations on the new books.
Thank you for sharing the high and the low moments of your dthe ays. My husband and I also are feeling the effect of many, many years so we relate to snippets from your life. I have been a fan for many years, starting with Beau. Thank you for continuing to write entertaining books, with characters I care about and vivid settings.
Even if it were only about the plumbing, your blog brightens the day. Regards to your husband.
Since we are both almost 80, I can empathize with you about getting tired quicker than before and not being able to keep up. Dealing with leaky faucets and such only adds to the stress. Will definitely miss your book tours but as long as you keep blogging and writing, I’m right there with you!
Thank you for taking such good care of Bill. You certainly live up to your marriage vows – “in sickness and in health”
You really are incredible. I just want to Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your amazing gift with all of us.
To have to recognize “we’re not as young anymore” was a hard pill for me to swallow and I don’t push myself nearly as hard as you do. Maybe we aren’t young anymore, but as a youth there were many times I should have welcomed the wisdom of age. But didn’t/wouldn’t. Thank you for all you do for us, your loyal readers. Entertaining my brain well. I’m enjoying my new J. P. Beaumont book – good job J. A.!
I’m not a fan of first person writing in books. But I love your books and being laid up with a fractured ankle I bought it. I’m hooked and looked through my kindle for the few other JP books I had. Of course, Amazon clipped in and showed earlier books for a good price, and I bought a few. Thanks for helping to keep me entertained. It’s pretty lonely here and 6 more weeks, I hope, before getting back to normal.
Congratulations! You are inspiring.
I loved “Den of Iniquity”. I sat down and read it straight through. Now I am waiting for the next publication with your name on it. I’ve already read all your books more than once, and, yes, I know, I read too fast.
I guess I am not as dedicated as some, but I preordered Den of Iniquity on Audible. Sometime in the morning of the 10th I started it and finished the last little bit on the 11th. I have really gotten into listening to books rather than actually reading them.
Now for Den, I am a quilter and although I now drive a green Prius, I used to drive a red one. I am a retired kindergarten teach tho and not a 911 operator.
Just noticed that sounds a little like my nose is out of joint. It’s not. I find it rather funny actually. I did tell my sister those 2 things. After she stopped. Laughing she was quick to point out that I don’t drive a red Prius anymore.
I know I’m late to the party but I was wondering where I sign up to receive a signed bookmark? Also, I would like you to know I read your books and annoy receiving you blog every Friday. You are very inspiring.
Lots of Love, Dee
Send a SASE to me at P.O. Box 766, Bellevue, WA 98009.
Enjoy! Not annoy!
Started the new Beau book last night. Of course I’m loving it so far.
Having read your blog off and on for a few years, it seems like most of your house emergencies are always water involved, yes? Not fun!
Enjoyed the youtube with you for Poisoned Pen bookstore.
Rita, I’ve thought about that, too, that most of the problems in that house have been water related. The first one I remember is a pipe break when they were not there. They had to rebuild several rooms. This must mean something, but I don’t know what! 🙂
I am astounded at what I used to accomplish at age 65, compared to now at 76 when I tire a lot faster. But then l realize that I’m still going, stronger at times, and that I must keep on keeping on. Older age is full of rude awakenings, but there are other things I can do to take up the slack. It’s like a relearning process.
JA, you are an inspiration! <3
I am saving the audiobook for a 96 mile ride event I have on Sunday. Hopefully it will help me pass the time and not think to much about how much work my legs are having to do.
Sending you Best Wishes, Love, Appreciation, Admiration and absolute respect for you & Your storytelling abilities. We have enjoyed meeting you and listening to your presentation in Sun City West (2 times) and heard you in Tucson. We winter in Sun City Or Peoria and enjoy all your stories. Thank you J.A. for continuing to write amazing Books.
Don’t forget to breathe. Sending supportive vibes for all the challenges ahead.
I think you are Amazing!! You actually do a Lot more than I do. I think we’re about the same age – graduated 1963. You are an inspiration!! Thank you!
So great seeing you at Third Place Books this past week and so glad you told us about Bill and the sink issue as Sandy, Suzanne, Gayle, and I were concerned about you when you first came out. You had a right to look tired.
Where is Colt going to go to college?
Take care of yourself and see you when the next book comes out.
Sometimes it’s just one thing after another. Not sure what you say when someone says, you look tired…. it’s such a unappreciative comment to make, don’t people have manners anymore ? I always take it as a negative, as no one knows what has happened in your life so it just seems to be made to make you feel bad. Nasty.
I hope your husband is doing well and you take care too. I’ll be reading your book soon as I have so looked forward to reading it. Sometimes I like to save your ebooks when they first come out because it’s a while before the next and I just love your books so much. Thank you for your great writing ability .
None of us is as young as we wish. Inspired by your steps, I started work with the fitness coach. Keep up your good work!
Judy,
I can only imagine how tired you must be. I am like you. with something going on every single day and I am realizing more every day that I am no longer able to continue running around like the Energizer Bunny. Sometimes we just have to do what you did. We let some of the things on our “to-do” list go undone. We eat leftovers and we go to bed a bit earlier, before we simply collapse. Thank you, Judy, for continuing to write for all of your fans, one book after another. One series after another. You are appreciated more than any of us know how to describe.
The next Seattle area event will be the Redmond Library, September 21 at 2 PM
Dang! We’ll be in Victoria on our annual week there. Any others after the 24th?
How did I miss you at 3rd Place? How do I access your schedule in our area? I’m so upset that I didn’t know when you were scheduled to be there. Are you doing any other signings in the greater Seattle area? Bummer.
My reply to you was above this one.
Thank you!!!
Reading your Blog at 8:50 p.m. I’m just realizing that “I ain’t as good as I once was” just as Toby Keith reminds me when I listen to his song. So it is good to slow down. We have all earned the “right”!
Dear Ms Jance, I just finished “Den of Iniquity”. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I am a child raised by my grandparents so I could relate to that part of the storyline. And maybe because of that; I can always get along with the older generation; sometimes better than my own! My grandmother instilled in me the morals and work ethic of her generation. (She was born in 1922). The friendship between Kyle and Hank did not surprise ME at all. And I thought it was great for Hank and Kyle. I definitely loved House he grew on Mel abs JP! I also loved the part about the old Ford Shelby Mustang. And I’m very interested in the use of DNA in helping to fund/close cools cases. I would very much love to get into that field. I’ve been a certified Process Server for over 40 years and aPruvate Investgator for about the same amount of time. As JP said; a lot of domestic surveillance over the years, but a lot of locating people too. I got into the DNA just by searching my family tree. My husband found that he had a daughter that he was never told about! That was a shocker! And I believe I found a half brother! DNA testing is very exciting. Ok, I’m sure you’re getting bored with my rambling…. Just KNOW that I love your books! My faves are JP and JOANNA. And probably because of my grandmother; I feel a special bond to you. There are so many things that I love about you. Sincerely, Teresa Leonard Snyder, west palm beach, florida
Hi Glad you have been able to keep up with your deadlines. Sorry about plumbing troubles.
I have a friend that has a new puppy and needs training. Can you share the name of your dog trainers? Would appreciate it.
Janis
The Academy for Canine Behavior in Woodenville, WA
Thank you very much. Have a happy week.
You are sooo appreciated!!! You are so admired!!!! Thank you for these lovely peeks into your world.
Just finished reading “Den of Iniquity” and I couldn’t put it down. I have been a fan of J.D. Beaumont since I was stationed in Seattle in the 1980’s. Being in a military career, having your books made each place I was stationed a little more like home. I admire your writing and character development, and always look forward to new books.
Thank you soooo much for your blogs and your books?.
I watched your excellent interview from Scottsdale’s Poisoned Pen w the always erudite Barbara–such a pleasure and a consolation for not to see you in person on a book tour. One of the subjects mentioned was how your characters bec ome good friends of us readers. This brought back a memory of Daddy(aka your Biggest Fan)– as he was fading away he kept a Dick Francis and a signed copy of Fire And Ice on his bedside because he wanted to “keep his friends close.”
Hi to Bill, xx, Annie
Loved, loved, loved Den of Iniquity. Wishing you all the best with the new Ali and Joanna books but in my heart of hearts, I am already longing to spend more time with Beau.
Ditto on “loved, loved, loved Den of Iniquity.” I was in need of a “Beau fix” for sure. It takes a while to get back into a series, having been reading Joanna since finishing the Beau series. Now back reading Joanna, who I also Love – Love – Love too.
Great book!
DOI resonated with me in many ways. First, because of the time frame. We celebrated our 50th anniversary on 2/14/20 when your story begins so I vividly recall that day and the following ones. We renewed our vows in the morning and were to have a reception at our church that evening when all hell broke loose and COVID reared its ugly head. The dinner was cancelled, and that was the last day we physically attended church.
Our granddaughter’s life was also upended when she had to go to virtual classes, and had an unusual graduation held in the parking lot of the school, with family and friends in their vehicles – think of it as being at a drive-in movie.
Gene Krupa also has a special place in our lives since my husband and I heard him play at the Metropole Cafe in Times Square.
So, many memories and thoughts from DOI.
Some comments in general: at 80 years old, with diminished eyesight, I ordered the large print edition, which made it infinitely much easier to read!
Also, would you consider adding a cast of characters at the beginning of your books? Again, at 80, my mind is not as sharp as it once was, and I found myself getting the characters confused, especially with all the name changes. Just a thought.
All in all, this is one of your best! Thank you!
Valerie, I, too, like a list of characters at the beginning of a book. It helps in reading to know who is who. Beau has so many characters from the past that it’s hard to remember them all.
I just had another thought. Maybe it would be a better idea to have the list of characters at the end of the book. That way we wouldn’t know who will show up. You never know with Beau who will come out of his past. The surprise is always good.
Good thought…for those of us who can’t wait, we can always check the end of the book.