Forty years ago in June, Until Proven Guilty, Beaumont #1, hit the stands, and it did so with hardly a splash. It was a thin paperback with tiny print inside and a black cover that featured a single red rose. At a recent signing, a man named John Oftebro, someone I knew back in those good old days when I was a member of the Denny Regrade Business Association, showed up with his signed copy. It looks a little shop-worn all these years later, but in case you’re wondering, yes, it was signed and personalized in red ink.
I was a brand-new writer back then, and Avon Books printed 30,000 copies. The local book wholesaler, a company that supplied books to all the Seattle area grocery and drug stores, went out on a limb and ordered fifty whole copies! Years later, by the time that wholesaler closed up shop, they were ordering my books by the pallet. But not that first time. And when I asked my local sales rep when we’d have the publishing party, she looked at me like I was nuts and said, “What publishing party? This is a paperback. Nobody sign’s paperbacks.”
Well, I did, and do.
We held our own publishing party in the community room at our downtown condo. I’m pretty sure that’s where John Oftebro got his signed copy, because we invited everyone we knew, including a local woman who brought her “Party Llama” to the event. Unfortunately, the Admiral’s Club, as it was called back then, was on the sixth floor, and said llama wasn’t accustomed to riding in elevators. That’s one time when we could have used a llama-sized pee pad!
Oh, and did I mention the most important guest at that party? The week before, after meeting Bill at a widowed retreat, I had invited him to attend. Turns out that publishing party at the end of June 1985 was our very first date.
In the meantime, my enterprising agent had gotten on the phone (Being online wasn’t a thing in 1985!) and set up signings for me at every local bookstore she could find. Each store ended up ordering 25 books for the signing only to discover that Until Proven Guilty was out of print. Avon had printed as many books as they thought would sell, but in order to fulfill those book signing orders, they had to do a second printing, unheard of for an unknown, first-time author. And that was the first step on my forty-year journey of becoming “an overnight success!”
Why am I telling you all this ancient history? Because next week, on May 27, Den of Iniquity, Beaumont #26!! goes on sale in paperback. I always used to say that I could never be Sue Grafton because I could never write 26 books about the same character—which is one of the reasons I try not to say something will NEVER happen, because chances are it will.
I’m very grateful to all my loyal paperback readers who have followed my books, and along with my friend J.P, for all these many years. And if you happen to be one of those people who DOES want your paperback copy of Den of Iniquity signed and personalized, please consider ordering it through Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, Washington. That way I can sign it before it’s shipped.
In the meantime, thanks for letting me live my dream of becoming a writer for the past forty years. You keep reading, and I’ll keep writing.
Ohhhh, yes! I’ll keep reading. Definitely. While I wait for the new books to come out, I’m re-reading the others–right now, the Ali series. Just finished Moving Target again last night.
Anxious to getJP’s new book. Being from Washington originally (now in Mesa, AZ), I love your descriptions of the areas where JP travels. Thank you. Also, just on the last Bernie and Chet Mysteries book. Thanks for the introduction. Gonna miss them!
The Chet and Bernie series is NOT ending! Check author website to verify
Glad for another JP !
loved reading this back story to your life of success. Util Proven Guilty was my i ntroduction to your writing!
I pre-ordered my paperback DOI from Brick and Mortar the day after the hardback came out. Can’t wait until I get it. I have also pre-ordered Girl from Devil’s Lake, but am not waiting for the paperback, although I will also get a copy in paperback when it comes out. All caught up with Brady and last night started Deadly Stakes in the Ali series. The problem with being all caught up is the wait, and even worse, the wait even longer for the paperback, but my library is all paperback and I’m too old to change that now.
Blessing to you and Bill.
I just pre-ordered a paperback copy of DOI, even though I bought the hardcover. I didn’t see an option to have you sign it, so in the comments I asked there.
Thank you for your 40 years of writing such wonderful entertainment for me. I have read all your series’ books and am on my second time around. Now on the Brady series having just finished with J. P.
Thank you again!
I’ll keep reading.
I’ve read all your wonderful books in all the series. Loved them all. You write them, and I’ll read them.
Who would have thought in 1985, when I bought your first paperback, Until Proven Guilty, that there would be 26 stories of Beau! And that you would send out such interesting snippets to us every Friday. I’m thankful. You are a special person, author.
Always a wonderful read.
I just finished reading “Overkill” the new Ali book. Even though Beau is my favorite character, I thought the new ALI Book was wonderful. There’s a reason you’re my favorite author. I’ve only been reading your books for about 20 years, but it’s been great. Thank-you for writing!
All your books have been wonderful! Just finished the new Ali book. Overkill was my favorite author Ali book—-loved it!! Thanks for writing!
God bless you, Judy, for your wonderful characters and story telling. Of course, I’ll keep reading whatever you are writing!
I have both hardcovers and paperbacks of your books, depending on my financial situation at the time, but they are all precious to me!
Keep writing and keep dreaming, for as Langston Hughes said “… when dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that can not fly.”
I can hardly wait to get my copy of #26. I believe I have read them all.
Thanks for all the marvelous reading years.
Vivian
You deserve all the success in the world for giving us all such wonderful characters and stories!! JP is one of my all-time favorites!!!! Congratulations, and thank you!!!!
-Sharon Willard, Belkevue, WA
You keep writing and I’ll keep reading!! I have all your paperbacks until you were famous enough to be printed in hardcover and then I have all the hardcover ones–couldn’t wait for the paperback to come out.
I also have two signed copies of Until Proven Guilty–one with a cup and rose on the front and one with a doll on the front–both signed and treasured.
Will there be more Beaumont novels? He’s my favorite.
My how times fly. I can’t believe I have been reading your wonderful boos for 40 years. The first one was the paperback of Until Proven Guilty
I picked up at a garage sale. I have been hooked with all your characters ever since.
Unfortunately Sue Grafton only wrote 25.
Her plan from the beginning was to write 26. I’m sorry she didn’t make it.
You keep writing, we’ll keep reading. ?
Great date. My 35 th wedding anniversary.
I have read absolutely everything you’ve written and loved every minute. Sometimes I wait somewhat impatiently for the next adventure. And if it wasn’t for James Patterson, putting out a new book every 5 minutes.
I would go insane, waiting for yours.
In not a paperback reader so probably won’t get to read it.
WOW! What an upbeat and smile producing blog this morning. I’ve both attended signing events and read your blog for years . Born and raised in Seattle and an Oregon resident (sadly) for 40 plus years. My best friend at UDub’s aunt lived in your building. Thousands of tiny remebrances come back almost anytime I read words from you. Thank you!