Postcards from the Wild

As most of you know, I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old. But that was just one part of a two-part dream. The second part was having people read my stuff…

People in libraries. People in bookstores. People in parks. People on trains. People lounging on their couches on cold winter days. And people I didn’t know.

Which is why I think posting a few pictures of my readers is a perfect fit for this week’s “Dreamer Monday.”

First, here’s Shel and Sinatra from Dixon, Illinois. As you can see, Shel is snuggled up in her favorite reading spot with DEATH THREADS on Kindle, proving–beyond a shadow of a doubt–that one can, indeed, get just as cozy with a Kindle as a physical book!  Thanks, Shel!!

Next up is Bunny Giordano of Ashburn, Virginia. Bunny took her copy of DEATH THREADS to work with her to read on her lunch hour!!! From what I can tell by the picture, she’s about halfway through the book here and that’s just about the time when…  Wait. I can’t tell you that. It’s a surprise.

And then there’s Michele in Milford, New Hamshire who was nearing the end of DEATH THREADS when her husband snapped this photo. She says this is her reading corner of the couch and that “everyone knows its my spot.”  I love this picture, Michele! Thank you!!

So there you have it. Pictorial proof of part two of my childhood dream.

Michele, Bunny, and Shel all have a surprise heading their way in the mail for sharing their “Reading DEATH THREADS” photos with me.  Want to share a photo, too? Send your “Reading DEATH THREADS” photo (along with your name and city/state)  to me at: ElizabethLCasey@aol.com. I’ll post them here on the blog and you’ll get a surprise in the mail for making my day!

Deal?

~Elizabeth

A Q & A Medley

Let’s get straight to today’s questions:

1) What’s your favorite smell? Least favorite smell?

2) What’s your favorite way to pass the time while traveling by air?

3) What’s your preferred mode of transportation–car, train, plane?

4) Best childhood trauma story?

5) Do you remember the first person who teased you in school?

Strange mixture, I know. But those are what popped in my head. Chalk it up to a mind that’s curious about all sorts of things…

~Elizabeth

Challenges, Lists, and a Party…Oh My

I interrupt today’s previously scheduled blog to bring you a few cool tidbits…

1) Since my Launch Week Challenge was such a success, I figured I’d have another (and another). Both entail pictures and both entail my new book, DEATH THREADS.

–Challenge #1: I’m looking for pictures of my book on the shelves in an independent bookstore (there are some great indies–mystery and otherwise–out there, folks). The first four entries (an entry being a picture that includes the book, the person behind the register, and you as the book buyer) will receive a Southern Sewing Circle t-shirt. Send photo entries to me at: ElizabethLCasey@aol.com.

–Challenge # 2: I’d love to see some photos of my readers with either SEW DEADLY or DEATH THREADS in their favorite reading spot of choice. I’ll post the pictures as they come in (with your first name/city) and send you a little goody in return. Spread the word! Send pictures to me at: ElizabethLCasey@aol.com.

2) I’m excited to announce that DEATH THREADS took the # 4 spot last week on Barnes & Noble’s national mass market mystery list!!! Woo-hoo! A big THANK YOU to all my readers who helped make that happen!

3) I’m heading west this evening for my launch party at Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. If you’re in the area, stop by the store tomorrow (Friday) between 6-8 p.m.

~Elizabeth

A Quest to Change

I have a quest. It’s one I’ve had before, and certainly one I’ve dreamed about during moments of frustration, but this time it’s going to happen.

Really.

Truly.

I’m about to embark on a journey that takes my already decent organizational skills to a whole new level. One that will keep me from ripping my hair out as deadlines approach and, hopefully, find me some much-needed (and fairly regular) “me time” in the process.

First step? To put my goals where I can see them.  Hence, the purchase of the bulletin board at Staples this past week (the fact that it’s still sitting on the floor is beside the point).

Next step? Hanging it.

So stay tuned. This is truly a work in progress.

In the meantime, what’s a quest you’ve had that could possibly go a wee bit better than it is? 

~Elizabeth

Readers Polled

Today’s Reading Tuesday centers around a few reading-related questions.

1) Are you a peeker? Meaning, do you peek at the end of a book before you should?

2) Do you have an ideal reading environment?

3) Do you read multiple books at a time? If so, what’s the most you’ve had going at one time? And how do you keep track of the plots?

4) Are you a traditional book reader or an e-book reader? And why?

I must admit I’m very curious to read your answers…

~Elizabeth

A Day for the Memory Books

As you’re reading today’s blog, I’m in NYC with my youngest daughter enjoying some special mom and me time. We’ll be lunching at the American Girl Place, shopping, walking around Central Park, and haunting any and all bookstores we pass along the way.

We’ve been looking forward to today for a long time and now that it’s here, I hope it doesn’t go too fast.

In honor of our special day, I figured I’d theme today’s “Dreamer Monday” in kind.

So here goes…

If you had a whole day to just you and your child, what would you do? If you have more than one kid, tell me what you’d do with each one individually. If you don’t have any children, tell me who you’d like to spend the day with and what would you do?

~Elizabeth

Postcards From the Wild

I’m a sucker for people who try. Always have been, always will be. So…not only did I receive a tenth t-shirt winning sighting of DEATH THREADS, I also received an eleventh and a twelfth before the official close of the contest. So these folks will get t-shirts, too.

 Picture # 1 on the left is from Debbie Z. She spotted this secondary display of DEATH THREADS at Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. Thanks, Debbie!!

Picture # 2 on the right is from Mari M. She spotted DEATH THREADS at the Borders in Chesterfield Mall (Chesterfield, MO). Great job, Mari!!!

Picture # 3 below left is from Rebecca L. She spotted DEATH THREADS at the Barnes & Noble in Lansing, Michigan. Yay!!!

Debbie, Mari, and Rebecca will be receiving Southern Sewing Circle t-shirts in the mail!!

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated in my DEATH THREADS‘ Launch Week Challenge. Be sure to check my “latest news” tab from time to time for additional challenges including one to honor the release of book # 3 (PINNED FOR MURDER) in October!

~Elizabeth

Sightings Galore

Sightings # 8 and #9 are in!

Picture # 1 on the left is from LaDonna N. She spotted DEATH THREADS at the Champion Forest Barnes & Noble in Houston, Texas!!!  LaDonna looks as if she’s about to become a victim in my next book!

  And picture # 2 on the right is from a very clever reader who found DEATH THREADS in the B & N e-book store!!! Way to go, Carley W. 

Okay, folks, there’s just ONE more t-shirt up for grabs. So get out there and snap a photo of DEATH THREADS on a shelf of a bookstore not already submitted (it can be a chain store like B & N…but it needs to be a different location).

Got your photo? Send it to me at ElizabethLCasey@aol.com along with the where/when of your sighting and your t-shirt size (mediums and larges still available). But hurry, this Launch Week Challenge ends Monday!

~Elizabeth

The Hunt Continues…

Here’s a fabulous front window display for DEATH THREADS at Main Street Books in St. Charles!!!  Which means Vicki E. is the 7th winner in my Launch Week Challenge!!!  Three more winners to go and three more Southern Sewing Circle t-shirts to send out.

But hurry, the challenge expires on Monday along with your chance to win a t-shirt. So send phtographic proof of your DEATH THREADS‘ sighting (along with the where/when) to me at, ElizabethLCasey@aol.com)!!

~Elizabeth

Our Great Land

With a trip to D.C. now behind me and a trip to Missouri still in front of me, today’s Bits & Pieces centers around traveling. Ready?

1) What’s one city in our country that you’ve yet to visit but would like to?

2) How many states have you visited?

3) How many states have you called home over the years?

4) FAvorite expression/word you’ve heard while spending time in another area?

Have a great weekend! And remember…just three days left in my Launch Week Challenge!

~Elizabeth

**A side note: I’m guest blogging about the infamous chicken/egg dilemna over at the  Working Stiffs today.  So stop by if you can!