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.
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–
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
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
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.
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.
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
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…
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
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 ?
Wish I could attend another book signing but remember the one in AZ when I met you. Thanks!!!!
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.
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.
I will always be a devoted fan because of how you treat your fans…God bless you!
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!
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.
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!
As long as my eighty-one year old brain continues to be up and running, we’re good. As for sending me a message? My email address is jajance@me.com
Such an awesome message, and I think of you every time I watch Joe Kenda!
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.
not only would I follow you anywhere, but I would follow you anytime. a Monday post, a midnight Wednesday post, I would follow you.
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!
WOW! Just WOW!!!