My Taylor Swift Moments

by

Swifties is the moniker given to devoted Taylor Swift fans who follow her anywhere—from city to city and even country to country—attending her concerts.  It turns out I have a few devoted fans of my own.

Several years ago, I did a late-morning event in Sun City, Arizona.  When it came time to sign books, Teresa, one of the women standing in line, told me she had driven from Yuma that morning to attend the event.  Yuma is a close to three hours away from Sun City. I ended up inviting her to lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Phoenix area, La Piñata.  Over lunch she related a lot of her personal history, including the fact that the trip to Sun City was her first solo adventure after suffering a stroke.  We’ve stayed in touch ever since.

Then there’s Barbara Reed.  I met her first at a signing in California.  Huntington Beach maybe?  She was a jazz singer/song-writer who had given up all that in exchange for serving as her ailing husband’s primary caregiver. She turned up at events over the years where we were able to grab a snack together afterwards.  Then two years ago, when I was in Tucson for Left Coast Crime and the Tucson Festival of Books, she drove over from California where we spent a couple of hours chatting in the hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant. By then she was a widow who was trying to find a footing in her new reality.  

I’m happy to report that she’s done just exactly that.  Barbara Reed is back to singing and song writing again.  There’s a new man in her life, and her voice has re-emerged in every sense of the word.  Her new album, Still Lucky, goes on sale at the end of November.

What brought all this to mind?  This past Sunday I received an email from Charlotte, a fan in Virginia.  She said she’d received her copy of the newsletter and was setting out that morning to drive from there to Bellingham, Washington, to attend Saturday’s upcoming signing.  Drive that far for a signing?  Are you kidding me?

She wasn’t kidding at all!  She and a male companion, Brian, along with their dog, Hoover, are en-route, camping all the way.  They spent Sunday night in Ohio and Monday night in Iowa.  Last night they tried to stay at a RV camp in Deadwood, South Dakota.  Turns out that, although there were some campers still there, the place was actually closed, so they decamped, as it were, and went to a hotel.  From a mystery writer’s point of view, camping at a dead campground in DEADWOOD!!! sounds like a bad idea.  But as of this morning they’re still on track for Saturday, and we’re planning on getting together for an early dinner before the signing.

And then there’s a guy named Scott Bowers.  I’ve never met him.  All I know about him is that he’s a devoted fan.  He wrote to me some time ago, back in August or September, asking how he could obtain copies of ALL the Beaumont books.  I referred him to Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, Washington. Yesterday, when I went there to sign copies of The Girl From Devil’s Lake, they brought me the box of books destined for Scott Bowers.  Turns out they were missing one—Beaumont #1, Until Proven Guilty. I checked on that this morning.  UPG was just reprinted and there are now 1000 copies of that book sitting in the warehouse.  My editor is having one fast-tracked to me, I’ve told the folks at Brick & Mortar to hold up on sending that box until we have the missing book in hand.

So all of this is to say that I’m grateful to have my own “follow you anywhere” fans, including those for whom our only connection is a signature, scrawled in red ink, on the title pages of my many books.

Thank you.

44 thoughts on “My Taylor Swift Moments”

  1. I’d like to consider myself one of your devoted fans. Although I haven’t traveled across country to be at a book signing. I have collected all of your books and am currently reading “The Girl From Devil’s Lake” and loving it. I wish I was just beginning to read all your books because I’d have them all to be read. I am just about finished with my second read through, and don’t know what I’ll do. Maybe a third time through? “The Girl From Devil’s Lake” was like seeing an old friend, knowing all the characters, although they’ve all aged. I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t read the book or are in the middle of doing so. I LOVE it – thank you for another wonderful story.
    –from a devoted fan–

  2. Even though I have never been to a book signing, I am also a devoted fan who has had dinner with you and looking forward to having dinner again soon. I have ALL your books; my signed copy of Girl from Devil’s Lake is on the way, and I can hardly wait to get it.

    Blessing to you and Bill

  3. I’m also a silent, perhaps a longtime follower. I’ve attended several book signings in the greater King County area. It’s always a great pleasure when ever I’m in your presence and listen to your talks. I’ve moved now to Tennessee. Last year you were in Bowling Green,Kentucky. I gathered my friends and we had a road-trip to your meet and greet. Now you have 3 more readers to add to your admiring group.
    Thanks for all you do to keep so many entertained and inspiring us in various ways.
    I appreciate you, your skills, and opening the door to your everyday life, with these wonderful Friday messages. lovingly, Suzy Shrader

  4. I’m also a longtime devoted reader and follower. I have attended several of your book signings in the greater King County area, in Washington state. I now live in Tennessee. You held a book signing and talk in Bowling Green, Ky. I gathered up my friends , and we made a day trip to be there! You are always interesting and inspiring. You now have add another 3 readers, to your group of admires. Thank you for sharing your skills, and personal experiences with we admiring fans. My favorite day is Friday when I wake up to your blog in my mailbox.

  5. Wow! Driving all the way across the country! A few years ago, my husband and I drove to Sun City from St. George, UT to attend one of your speaking events and book signings. I have to say that was definitely an event I will always remember.

  6. I am grateful that your fans get to meet you. Most of the time in our lives it is sad that we never get to meet folks we admire. We regret not meeting them. It is great that you get to meet those that admire. That is a day that will be in their memory from now on. Thank you for taking time to make their day special. Bless you. Larry

  7. On the day we met, I had brought a full batch of homemade Cowboy Cookies to give to my dad who lives in Buckeye. I shared a few with you and your lovely media escort (name escapes me) after lunch. When he opened the box and said, there are a few missing, I told him that they were shared with a New York Times Bestselling Author, and a better rating, an Arizona-raised gal made good!!!
    He said, for that he’d be glad I shared HIS cookies.
    And now… I’ve made the blog. Woohoo!!!
    As ever, from your favorite Yuman…

  8. Janice,
    When I discovered your first book, Until Proven Guilty, it was in the middle 90s. Raising 3 boys had kept me busy until we moved from Salem, OR, to Vancouver, WA, in 1990. Once I had time to read, I went to Powell’s and purchased every book you’d written up until then. I devoured them and was always ready to hit Costco when your next book came out. My neighbor had the chance to meet you and get a picture with you after I’d loaned all the books to you, and she loved to wave that photo in my face! Having MS, I wasn’t able to go with her, but I admit, I’ve always been jealous! Now I can only read on a Kindle, but I always pre-order every book!
    Thanks, Jackie Olsen

  9. You are an Author that is very easy to like. Especially after reading this blog every Friday. I’ve been reading your books for many years & shared every book I purchased about Beaumont with my Dad before he passed away. He loved your writing too ?

  10. Wish I could attend another book signing but remember the one in AZ when I met you. Thanks!!!!

  11. I guess we fans are “Judies.” I’ve read all your books, and over the past 10 years I became a listener. Audiobooks allow me to form a better mental picture. “The Girl from Devil’s Lake” awaits in my Audible library. I was born in Seattle when my Navy doc father was stationed there in 1944. Have only been in Seattle when traveling to overseas assignments. Our son was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island years ago and we visited him. It was a drizzly day when we arrived at SEATAC and rode “Harbor Scare” to Oak Harbor. We left on a bright, sunny day, and had great views of Mt Rainier, Mt Bake and the Olympics. Our son-in-law is starting with American and will be based in Phoenix.

  12. I first met you at a book signing in Bremerton Washington. I have since, moved to Sun City and am disappointed that I missed your appearance here. I love ALL of your books and since I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I can reread every single one because I don’t remember anything I have read. One good thing about having this terrible illness. I probably have read each book at least two times over the last few years and that’s ok because you’re my favorite author and I love your characters having lived in the Seattle area and in Arizona it’s so easy to relate to them.

  13. I will always be a devoted fan because of how you treat your fans…God bless you!

  14. How rewarding it must be to have such a dedicated fan club. I sure enjoyed watching the interview with The Poisoned Pen folks. I’m looking forward to seeing you again at Lake Forest Park Books!

  15. I first met you at a Retired Seattle Teachers Association luncheon where you gave a talk about your book After the Fire. In your talk you talked about our mutual friend, Ed James. And, of course, I made a personal connection with you right then and there. Ed had been a former principal of mine and had become a close friend. Since then I’ve attended some of your talks at Third Place Books and religiously read your weekly blog. You’ve also been so kind as to answer my personal emails to you. That is what your devoted fans love about you. You are so personal and relatable. Kind to a fault. Through our emails you’ve turned me on to the dog training center you’ve used that two of my sons have sent their dogs to, and your personal trainer, Dan, whom I’ve had the pleasure to also be under his care for some time now. He keeps me informed on how you’re doing so I feel like I have an even deeper connection to you. I know that it must be so rewarding to know that you have such devoted fans and admirers who not only love reading your books but also respect and admire you for the person you are.

  16. Well, for some reason I cannot send you a message about The Girl From Devil’s Lake, other than using this comment place!
    Another FABULOUS story! Started it on Tues. night, read until I fell asleep, read all day Wed. (after I got my “must do’s done), same with Thurs and finished it at 9 p.m. Even read while baseball games were on!!
    You always have unique perps, with complete believability and circumstances! I don’t know how you manage to keep everything straight… who does what of her staff, changes in her life, Jenny growing up!! Not confusing Beau or Ali characters with Joanna! You are amazing and I always look forward to each book of each character. Thank you for keeping my 85 year old brain active!

  18. I think it’s important to read the first book Until Proven Guilty in the JP Beaumont series. It really explains how he became rich. Beau is my favorite series, I like how he has grown over the years. Please keep him coming.

  19. I’ve mentioned my friend Joyce before. She is the person who introduced me to JA Jance books. For the last few years of her life, she lived in Scottsdale, Arizona. I lived and still do in the mountains east of San Diego. I would time my visits to match your book signings at the Poisoned Pen bookstore. Of course this was before covid. Now she has passed and you aren’t coming to Arizona for book signings anymore.. But good memories. And The Poisoned Pen has got to be the best name for a bookstore ever.

  20. not only would I follow you anywhere, but I would follow you anytime. a Monday post, a midnight Wednesday post, I would follow you.

  21. You are still very much loved in Northern AZ!
    Sedona, Cottonwood and Camp Verde!
    Me, Kathie Bell, Cottonwood
    Sister Debbie Winslow, Sedona
    Ex Bro in Law Bob Winslow, CampVerde
    parents deceased Rhule and Dolores Bell, Sedona.
    Family of fans, we miss your book signings here! Understand tho! Is an 78 myself
    Just got the new book!

  23. I’ve been reading you books since Leslie brought me to my first signing at the Doghouse. I’ve been to many signings after that, mostly at B and N at Southcenter. Had several visits with Bill while he was waiting for you. I haven’t been to a signing in a long time and I now have to order books from the library to read online. I still have many, many of your books both in hardcover and paperback. At my age, 84, I no longer have room for any more books and finances keep me from buying. So, thank God for the library even though some books have a very long wait time, It’s worth the wait though. Keep up the good work. Maybe one of these days I’ll be able to manage a live booksigning.

  26. JA. How much fun it was to read this week’s blog! You are ah-mazing! So dedicated, friendly, and dependable. What lovely qualities in a human being. <3

  27. I always enjoy your blog. I have to say I’m almost finished with “The Girl From Devils Lake” and I hate to put it down and miss a thing. But off and on while cleaning house and cooking dinner I’ve managed to almost finish it, but I don’t want to yet because then what will I read next. So, I’m slowly savoring it and I’m sure tomorrow I’ll have finished it. And its sure another great one! I always loved Joanna Brady.

  28. Hoping to see you at 3rd Place Books 10/29. I’ve lost count of how many of your signings here in the greater Seattle area I’ve been to. It was difficult the last time for me to be there without my dearest friend from grade school, who always came with me. She passed away in 2020 from a medical foopah. Long story. We were avid Jance readers and collectors together. I’m still at it, though at almost 84.

  29. I’m not a Swifty, but I am a devoted and appreciative JPJance fan. This past week we were treated to a double serving of enjoyment: a Poisoned Pen airing, and the Friday blog. Thank you for both, Judith. And I think that honoring your friends as you did is just special.

    I really liked being able to watch you, and hear you talk about your time on the “rez”, and how much that experience meant to you and plays a part in your novels, especially the Brady series. One of the things I look forward to in all your novels is when a small part for a librarian is included. Just shows once again how much they mean to you

    So happy to learn you are working on the next Beaumont book. Keep on trucking to steal a phrase from you, and I’m altogether sure you will breeze right through chapter eleven. —hopefully that will be recognized as a little humor based on an actual experience, and brought out in a previous book.
    All the very best to you and Bill, have a great weekend.

  30. For the past 5 years I’ve looked forward to reading your blog on Friday night, have been a reading fan much longer! Plan to start reading new book this weekend, Joanna Brady was such a helpful role model when I was working!

  31. The Girl from Devil’s Lake is OUTSTANDING!!!! I finished it this morning and looking forward to your next book!!!!

  32. This is a neat story. Reminds me of when a friend of mine was walking on the sidewalk in New York City. Got a tap on her shoulder. It was her brother. Neither of them knew they other was there.

  33. You have so many fans and I love the followers’ stories.
    I have read all of the Beaumont series and it remains my favorite.
    I like the Sheriff Joanna series because of the Bisbee connection–
    my husband and I will be back in Bisbee the end of this month to visit.
    Enjoy the historical references.
    Thanks again for sharing,

    Jessica

  36. I live in a town outside of Kansas City Missouri, and would fly to Arizona if you ever returned to that area. I am the same age as you and driving alone is not in the cards but my parents are together at Sunland Mortuary in Sun City and I wouldn’t mind visiting them one last time. It would be worth it to meet you. I have read every single one of your books and am always waiting for your next story. My favorite is Ali’s stories because I know the area so well, but all of them are wonderful.

  37. I live in a town outside of Kansas City Missouri, and would fly to Arizona if you ever returned to that area. I am the same age as you and driving alone is not in the cards but my parents are together at Sunland Mortuary in Sun City and I wouldn’t mind visiting them one last time. It would be worth it to meet you. I have read every single one of your books and am always waiting for your next story. My favorite is Ali’s stories because I know the area so well, but all of them are wonderful.

  38. I’m a big fan but don’t know if I’d drive as far as Charlotte did to see you. I did join the Poison Pen interview online and hope to see you at Third Place Books later this month. Husband is currently in the hospital, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to get there or not.

  39. I don’t follow Taylor Swift to much but when it comes to J A Jance book I am a big fan!

  40. You would be surprised at how many people like me order several of the new books as they come so they can be read and other sent to relatives and friends and area with volunteer run tiny libraries. i have done this from your first books on. it is a blessing to find well written without cussing, novels that are based on people you have known, crimes you have read about, characters that reside in my head as much as those who i know who are living. that is an art form and life to be respected. Keep the faith.

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