Rhys shares Pub Day for We Three Queens.

 RHYS BOWEN:  The problem with writing three books a year is that there always seems to be a new publication day to think about.  Today I'm flying to Phoenix to do an event at the Poisoned Pen in Scottdale then on to Houston to Murder by the Book. These are two of my favorite stores and ones that have been so supportive to me over the years.  

When I started writing mysteries, back in the stone age, there were hundreds of independent bookstores across the country, a good many of them were mystery bookstores. For my first mystery novel I visited every mystery bookstore in the Bay Area. There were several including my beloved M is for Mystery in San Mateo. Every time a new book came out I had plenty of places to sign.  

I should point out that when my first book was published it had a print run of 2500, hardcover copies. This means that not a lot of people are going to know about me. So I reckoned I had to attract readers one at a time. I spoke to any bookclub or book group that wanted me. I visited every bookstore that would have me.  John retired about that time (1997) and we drove across the country 3 times, using a different route and visiting every bookstore along the way. I met lovely people and was asked back to do events at many of them. One great experience was the Savoy bookstore in Wichita KS. I met them years ago when nobody had heard of me.  Probably signed ten copies. On my last real big booktour right before Covid I did an event there and there were over 100 people. Everyone crammed in and standing at the back. What a thrill!

                          

My first event at Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor consisted of me, Robin Agnew the owner and a Welsh woman. My last event they rented an outside venue. One time they made lovely wedding invitations for Four Weddings and a Funeral. I was even invited to do an event on Mackinaw Island where Robin's family owns the iconic hotel. I'm so sad that they closed. Many fond memories.

As I write this piece I realize there are too many stores to mention them all. McIntyres in North Carolina with their belted cows. They were a favorite. And the annual mystery festival at MysteryLovers in Oakmont PA. The first time I did that I saw this long line waiting to get a book signed by me. I thought I had died and turned into Sue Grafton! I still see Kathy Harig and her Mystery Loves Company as she is the bookseller at Malice. I once did a lovely event on an old steam train in Madison WI through the bookstore there. I say lovely event but it was hard to talk with no mike and the carriage rocking side to side.

                                         

So many of these stores are gone now, and booktours have shrunk since Covid. It's so easy and convenient to do events via Zoom. The one I am doing today at the Poisoned Pen (one of the stores that still flourishes and in fact has become more successful thanks to Zoom) it also broadcasts live on Facebook and on Youtube. I find myself speaking to an audience of 2000 instead of maybe 50 or 60. 

It's funny but when I started to write this piece I didn't intend it to be a stroll down memory lane about bookstores, but we are coming up to Small Business Saturday and if everyone can buy a book at a local bookstore we can keep them in business! Not necessarily mine but I'd love to tell you about it briefly:

   WE THREE QUEENS is Royal Spyness book number 18! Georgie has survived for a long time, hasn't she? not only survived but flourished. Now she lives in a grand house and enjoys a peaceful life... until her husband Darcy is asked to do the new king a favor. He wants to marry Mrs. Simpson. Can Darcy and Georgie hide her out with them until the news breaks? Golly, as Georgie would say. This in inconvenience and stress enough but then Sir Hubert, the house owner, announces that a movie will be shot at the house. The story of Henry VIII and two of his queens.  So now there is chaos, difficult people all around, a kidnapping and a murder. Will Georgie ever get a quiet life? And who is the third queen? I'll leave you to find out.

And just let me say that this is a perfect escape read for trying times. What are your favorite escape reads? I'll sign a hardcover copy for one of today's commenters. And see some of you at the Poisoned Pen or online tonight, right?