MAKING LEMONADE
Nobody I know wants to go through another 2020, but I remain blessed to work with some wonderful, resourceful people. Case in point: a Randy Pierce in-person book talk and signing for Missy that took place at the Mississippi Gulf Coast home of new Dogwood Press author Candy Wheeler and her husband. This was a VERY kind gesture that gave Randy’s book crucial exposure in a part of the state he hasn’t been able to reach yet because of the pandemic, and we wore masks, observed social distancing, and enjoyed grab-and-go food and drinks. We had several Dogwood Press authors together in one spot for the first time in at least a year, and not only did I get to brag on Randy and his new book, I was able to do the same about Candy and her wonderful novel, Cradle in the Oak, which is only five months away!
Meanwhile, John Floyd has had a whopping TWELVE stories published in the past thirty days in places like The Strand Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Woman’s World, and the 2020 edition of The Best American Mystery Stories. Also, the film option on one of John’s Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine stories was recently extended until next year, and last week he recorded a podcast of his Derringer-Award-winning story from Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. You can listen here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/eqmm/episodes/2020-10-30T13_25_11-07_00
Molly May did her usual great work during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, speaking often and raising awareness. She spoke again this year at Copiah County Medical Center in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, late in the month, and our marketing material presented her talk as something which “might just save your life.” It truly isn’t an exaggeration.
I had the honor of being asked to edit brand-new Mississippi author Randy Delaughter’s debut, Heaven’s Dew. Part one of a trilogy, this faith-based adventure takes place in both the jungles of The Sudan and the southeastern United States. It’s fun, fast-paced, and will make you think. Isn’t that what a good read is supposed to do? Find Randy on Facebook to learn more about the book.
Upcoming events: Randy Pierce signs Missy this Thursday, November 12 at the Waynesboro-Wayne County Library at 2:30 p.m., followed by a visit to Impression Books of Flowood on Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. In between, Randy will do a Zoom event with the Central Mississippi Library system at 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.
Don’t forget that nearly all of the Dogwood Press catalog is available for digital download via Amazon Kindle, including John Lee’s The Guardians of Latharcus, a neat young-adult novel. Be sure to visit our website at dogwoodpress.com for videos, photos, and contact information for our authors. Need a speaker, either in-person or for a virtual event? We will be glad to make it happen.
Thanks for your time. Be well, stay safe, and keep reading!