Book Signing

Come join mystery authors: Jenny Hilborne and Andrew E. Kaufman at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, San Diego on Friday November 19th, 7pm.


Presenting: MADNESS AND MURDER
by Jenny Hilborne

and

WHEN THE SAVAGE SLEEPS
by Andrew E. Kaufman

party

I’m turning into a hermit. I enjoyed a block party last weekend put on by my good neighbor to help me spread the word about MADNESS AND MURDER, my new book. The funniest part for me was when I was introduced to two neighbors I didn’t know who clearly knew me….and came to discover I’ve lived in the house directly in front of them for four years. I guess I really don’t get out enough. I leave the house for work before it’s light and get home later than everyone else, not to mention I’m too busy writing when I’m home. What a nice change to get out with the neighbors and make time to socialize and do a little marketing while I was at it. I actually sold a couple of e-books; there was a buzz going on about the Kindle, which was exciting to hear. MADNESS AND MURDER will soon be available in paperback as well as an e-book.

Echelon Team-Quake Teen author blog tour

Kieryn Nicolas, teen author for Echelon Team-Quake, just launched her first blog tour. Join her on her summer tour at the following blog locations and drop her a line.


July 15: http://blog.scotthbooks.com/ or
http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com/

July 19:
http://cyn2write.livejournal.com/


July 23:
http://justanotherbookaddict.blogspot.com/

July 30:
http://darylgregory.wordpress.com/

AUG 4:
http://runningforfiction.blogspot.com/

Aug 12:
http://jongibbs.livejournal.com/

Aug 19 & 20: http://www.rebloco.com/

Date TBA: http://jberkj.livejournal.com/

Just for fun

Most of my spare time is spent writing, so, just for fun, I thought I'd list some of the other things I want to do before I kick the bucket. As I plan to be a supercentenarian, maybe I'll find the time. They are in no particular order, and I'm not a daredevil or a thrill seeker, so most of them are pretty ordinary:

1) Visit Australia
2) See the other wonders of the Medieval and the Modern World. So far, I've seen 1 from the medieval and 2 from the modern.
3) Attend the Olympic games. Maybe in 2012, as they'll be held in London.
4) See my novel(s) become a best seller (okay, that's the only one about writing as this is meant to be about OTHER things)
5) Visit Ireland
6) Move back to England
7) Make doing what I love my career.
8) Take an IQ test to find out if I would qualify for Mensa.
9) Attend a bad taste party, where guests can wear their most hideous outfits
10) Make someone with no sense of humor realize they need one.
11) See a Broadway show
12) Learn CPR
13) Test drive a car I could never afford to buy.

What about you?

A brief celebration

Today I woke up in a positive mood full of good intentions, and I actually carried them out. After dusting the cobwebs out of my workout shoes (yes, it's been a while), I spent 45 minutes in the home gym working up a sweat and lifting weights. My legs felt a bit wobbly when I finished and sat down to write, but, overall, I felt terrific, like something great might happen today. Good to be back on track. Before I settled into another mammoth writing session, I spent a little time catching up online with friends and doing a bit of marketing, and discovered MADNESS AND MURDER is now at NUMBER 1 on the Omnilit.com top 10 best seller list. How incredibly exciting. It feels fantastic and I want to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks to all of you, my new readers, in supporting me and helping me get there. I can't celebrate for long, though. A writer's work is never done and my challenge is to stay there, along with pump out a stellar third novel for you to enjoy. I'm almost half way through Hide and Seek. No Alibi, my second suspense novel, will be out in 2011. Please leave me your thoughts and comments about MADNESS AND MURDER. I would love to hear from you.

Tonight I had coffee at Starbucks with an author friend, and discovered my debut suspense novel Madness and Murder is at #2 on the onmilit.com top ten best seller list, four days after its release. Thank you so much to all my new readers. I’m looking forward to your feedback and chatting with you.

J F Hilborne: 8 days and counting

J F Hilborne: 8 days and counting http://tinyurl.com/2dkwajk

8 days and counting

Only eight days to go until the release of Madness and Murder. I found my book on Amazon.com today - what an exciting moment; so exciting, I had to look at it several times. Three years, almost to the day, have passed from the day I started writing Madness and Murder, to today and seeing it up there on Amazon.com. Not that long really, although it certainly feels like it to me after the many hours I've poured into this book to make it a mystery worth reading. I'll admit, it looks darn cool on Amazon.com. Check it out for yourself! To all those who have supported me this far, I extend my sincerest thanks, and to all my future readers, if you have a few extra minutes to spare after you read Madness and Murder, I would love for you to post a review and let me know what you think.

Something's gotta give

Someone sent me this instant message today: "You need to get another life". I'd actually been out all morning at an event, and left myself logged into my computer. She thought I'd been sitting here online all morning. Not today, my lovely, but usually yes, that's the case! Almost all my free time is spent at the computer; writing, editing, marketing, networking, and reading, not to mention the odd game here and there. I get a lot done, however, there's a lot I don't get done. Who knew weeds grew so quickly? I try to organize my day into time slots - certain times for certain things - but it never works out and I find it too boring. I'd rather just juggle it all at once and see what happens. This afternoon, I planned to write chapter 8 of Hide and Seek, but I'm going to give myself time off instead, away from the computer. And no, I'm not going outside to weed.

Progress

Today's been a great day. Met a friend for lunch, and did a little shopping. Distributed marketing materials for Madness and Murder in San Clemente. Beach-side towns are so friendly and accommodating, I think I'll go back. After lots of research, and a bit of dithering, I ordered my Kindle today,and can't wait to start downloading e-books. Also planned my book launch party for Madness and Murder for July 1st. Making progress feels great. Next up is a trip to one of my favorite places, San Francisco, for more research. Love the San Fran fog and feel and the Golden Gate Bridge peeking through the mist. This pic was taken on a trip I took in 2005. This kind of scenery inspires much of my writing. Oh, and I'm also done with chapter five of Hide and Seek, my 3rd mystery suspense.

After a few crummy days, I've had the most terrific week. Actually, the good news began at the very end of last week with a contract from Echelon Press for No Alibi, my second suspense novel. I met Karen Syed, my publisher, at the Southern California Writer's Conference in San Diego last year for a one-on-one consultation, which resulted in the contract for Madness and Murder, due out July 1. Can't wait to see it on the market, and with the second one coming up right behind. A huge amount of effort went into creating these two books, however, meeting the right publisher at the right time also had a little to do with luck, or so I believe. Thank you, Karen and Echelon Press. I signed up for the September Southern California Writer's Conference in LA - I had such a great time at the last two and met so many fantastic people, I didn't want to miss it. On Wednesday, I enjoyed a great evening with the Wolfwriter's read and critique group, and put to good use the suggestions for my third suspense novel, Hide and Seek. That novel is in the early stages, and I'm still developing the plot, but it's coming along. To round the week off, I got some wonderful news (personal, so I shan't post it here), so all in all it turned out to be a pretty stellar week. Hope everyone else had a good week.

Madness and Murder Chapter 1

Chapter one of Madness and Murder, due July 1, 2010 in e-format, can be read by clicking on "pages" to the right of my blog. I would love to know what you think so please leave me a comment. Thanks, and hugs x

This week

What a stellar week it turned out to be. It didn't start out that well, yesterday was a tough day, but today the week made a comeback. After I finished work, with a cracking headache I might add, I logged onto my email account and found a wonderful surprise waiting for me: an email with the offer of a contract for my second suspense novel, No Alibi. Whooopeeeee. Excited doesn't come close. What could be better? If only I wasn't on medication this week...I'd quite like to go out and get drunk!!

Madness and Murder

I just learned the release date for Madness and Murder, my debut suspense novel, will be July 1, 2010. Thank you to all those who have expressed their interest and asked me for the date. I truly appreciate your support and can't wait to get your feedback. Right, I'm off now to celebrate or something.......

May

First day of May, and it's a beautiful sunny day in San Diego. For a change, I actually got outside on the weekend, instead of hunkering down at my computer, missing the gorgeous weather. Stopped in at the Home Show in Lake Elsinore to catch up with fellow Echelon author, Teresa Burrell, at her book signing for The Advocate. I'm taking the rest of today off from writing and plan on enjoying reading her book.

Days Off

I'm not a fan of cliches, however, there is one that crops up more often than I like: "When it rains it pours." The last few days have been hectic; unexpected company, a wedding, catching up with friends and then finding myself locked out of the house to name a few. This morning, I accidentally douse myself with hot water, and find I'm out of my favorite coffee...bad way to start a Monday (my least favorite day of the week). For the past four days I've had no time to write. Normally, that would stress me out, however, this time, I've enjoyed the break. I feel refreshed, which has allowed new ideas to flow and new characters to invite themselves into my novel, Hide and Seek. Tomorrow, I'll continue working through chapter five and introduce the first of the new characters. Much as time away from the computer has been a good thing, and a welcome break for my poor eyes, I must admit to feeling a little lost when I'm not writing. Glad to be back on track......

Rain

Rain, rain, and more rain. This is Southern California, people. I thought it never rained in Southern California. I guess that means I'm in for the night, so I may as well make the most of it, right? Sure. Like I need an excuse to write. I must admit, I do love weather like today. Not just for the fact that it reminds me of home, the South West of England, which, after almost 13 years, I miss more than ever, but for the fact that it helps me to get focused. Murder is not a lighthearted subject about which to write, even when it's fiction. With the usual blistering weather out here, and the sun tapping on my windows, inviting me to come out and play, it's hard to find a reason to stay inside. I want more dark days like today, with rain lashing my windows, and black clouds hovering overhead. Thunder and lightening. Now we're talking.

So, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. I'm entering chapter five of Hide and Seek, my third mystery suspense. Cue the thunder.....