tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10378816872312716902024-02-06T19:46:27.994-08:00Gigi PandianI'm a USA Today bestselling mystery novelist diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30s. These are my adventures since my life turned upside down.Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-63082988718966612582015-09-01T09:00:00.002-07:002022-03-05T15:25:22.554-08:00A New Home for the Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This blog has migrated to <a href="https://www.gigipandian.com/gigipandian/" target="_blank">my website</a>. The previous posts on this site will remain here, but all new blog posts are now on <a href="https://www.gigipandian.com/gigipandian/" target="_blank">my website</a>.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gigipandian.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1728" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU6GOnEiSECQ9mY8BZN_xD5s-C1a9i2habuxGLa9gy9twIdfeiqTnA7pwbCNChKLIsSuJbIMpqdyyHtsT5SSG-WQCb9XHrtf3xLDdS9ngJnpSjtoxTpltETpr47kvG2QbRebv9zUlxw1S8-CdHP7rAo9EQ0n0n0f_YqwraFsQ187i3wrv0FmptW-bs2g=w462-h385" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-75675288500787000592015-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:002015-05-27T10:07:09.117-07:00Edinburgh Writing Retreat to Celebrate my 40th Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm home from Scotland, where I celebrated my 40th birthday with the writing retreat I envisioned nearly four years ago while going through chemo. (The story behind this trip can be found <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-dream-during-cancer-treatments.html">here</a>.)<br />
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I've been pretty good at hanging onto my post-cancer seize-the-day mentality, so I rented an apartment in Edinburgh and invited my local writer's group to join me for a writing retreat vacation. Nearly half of them were able to make it! Rachael Herron, Lisa Hughey, Mysti Berry, and Emberly Nesbitt hopped on a flight to Edinburgh.<br />
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The Writing Retreat</h2>
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I was so happy to discover that we were compatible travelers! We were all on the same page about writing all morning to meet daily writing goals before heading out for adventures exploring the city. I spent most of my writing time plotting a new mystery novel set in Edinburgh.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mysti Berry, Gigi Pandian, Emberly Nesbitt,<br />Lisa Hughey, Rachael Herron</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My favorite writing spot in the cozy kitchen of the Edinburgh apartment.</i></td></tr>
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Writing at the Elephant House Cafe, where I used to study during my junior year abroad in Edinburgh, and where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book</h3>
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Visiting the Bedlam Theatre, where I performed on stage 20 years ago as a student</h3>
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Exploring the City</h2>
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A birthday meal at the Witchery by the Castle</h3>
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Mysterious Edinburgh </h2>
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Edinburgh was the perfect city for inspiration for the new mystery I'm writing with ghostly, Gothic overtones! These were a few of my favorite mysterious encounters. </div>
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With how much I love puzzle plot mysteries filled with enigmatic clues, it's hard to believe I hadn't previously experienced a live action puzzle escape game. <a href="https://www.dr-knox.com/">Dr. Knox's Enigma </a>was the perfect introduction to one! </div>
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Mary King's Close is one of the tours that takes people underground to explore the centuries-old streets beneath Edinburgh's Old Town neighborhood. The modern day central city is built on top of the dark, narrow streets that once housed the city's poor. (A "close" is a narrow alley.)<br />
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Like with Dr. Knox's Enigma, in these underground tours the true mysterious history of Edinburgh is sprinkled with fanciful drama. Fact and fiction merge in ghost stories and with figures wearing the real-life beaked masks plague doctors used to wear to combat disease.<br />
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A "kirkyard" is a churchyard / graveyard. Greyfriars Kirkyard is famous for the story of Greyfriars Bobby, the terrier who is said to have spent more than a decade guarding his owner's grave, up until his own death. The faithful dog was then buried not far from his owner.<br />
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Getting out of town</h2>
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Revisiting the Edinburgh Setting of "Fool's Gold," the novella prequel to <i>Artifact</i></h2>
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In 2012, I collaborated with mystery authors Diane Vallere and Kendel Lynn to write <i>Other People's Baggage</i>, a collection of interconnected mystery novellas featuring our mystery series characters (Jaya Jones for me, Madison Night/Mad for Mod for Diane, and Elliott Lisbon for Kendel). </div>
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<a href="http://henerypress.com/other-peoples-baggage/">Other People's Baggage</a></h3>
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<i>Baggage claim can be terminal. This is what happened after a computer glitch mislabeled identical vintage suitcases and three women with a knack for solving mysteries each grabbed the wrong bag.</i></div>
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The story I contributed to the collection was "Fool's Gold," which takes place in Edinburgh. It's set during the annual Ed Fringe Festival, the huge arts festival that takes place every August.</div>
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<a href="http://gigipandian.com/fools-gold-novella/">Fool's Gold</a></h3>
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<i>All historian Jaya Jones wants is a relaxing vacation in Scotland before starting her first year teaching college. But when a world-famous chess set is stolen from a locked room during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Jaya and her magician best friend, The Hindi Houdini, must outwit actresses and alchemists to solve the baffling crime.</i></div>
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Lest this highlights post get taken over by the fascinating histories of the <a href="http://www.nms.ac.uk/explore/collections-stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/lewis-chessmen/">Lewis Chessmen</a> and the <a href="https://www.edfringe.com/about-us">Edinburgh Fringe Festival</a>, I'll do a more detailed post on my "Fool's Gold" inspirations next week!<br />
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I'll end with one of my favorite images from the trip</h3>
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Now I need to come up with an excuse to do this again! </h3>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-9311776798098812962015-05-04T15:00:00.002-07:002015-05-04T15:06:33.039-07:00Malice Domestic 2015: Highlights and Photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The 27th annual Malice Domestic mystery convention wrapped up yesterday. I attended the traditional mystery convention as both a mystery fan and
an author, so between being a fan-girl and putting on my professional
writer hat, the three-day event was a bit of a whirlwind.<br />
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I'm at the airport, drinking plenty of coffee and green juice to recover from the long weekend, so it's time to share a recap and photos:<br />
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<b>Welcome to Malice Domestic</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxe98Lu7hAFu57MgvZyqRTPYLJR6bZ4IkaXAypFxbdQUaeNfOW4-3V7AMxLwCrT7d4jCi4oa3n5z45W5fjTCnv0dcolI0d2QcwqPr5I-Eh7gCTYpKksy-LPoDj9vaTWYcHURPxHhd9BDbK/s1600/Question+mark+lobby+bar+lighting+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxe98Lu7hAFu57MgvZyqRTPYLJR6bZ4IkaXAypFxbdQUaeNfOW4-3V7AMxLwCrT7d4jCi4oa3n5z45W5fjTCnv0dcolI0d2QcwqPr5I-Eh7gCTYpKksy-LPoDj9vaTWYcHURPxHhd9BDbK/s640/Question+mark+lobby+bar+lighting+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Upon our arrival, this mysterious projection was waiting for us.</i></td></tr>
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<b>Malice Go Round</b><br />
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The first full day of the convention began with an introduction to Malice for first-time attendees, an informational session for people interested in volunteering, and then Malice Go Round: Like Speed Dating, But With Authors. </div>
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There were 20 tables with eight readers and two empty seats; authors paired up and visited each table and gave a 2-minute pitch about their books. I passed out postcards of <i>Quicksand</i> and <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> out of a magician's hat, since stage magicians are a common element between my two series. (Sorry, I was on California time, so I didn't think to take any photos of the event!) </div>
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<b>Welcome Reception</b></div>
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This year marks Midnight Ink's 10th anniversary, so they hosted the welcome reception with a special cake and books by all of their authors. <b> </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Cps1i1ejq596OW8omFeGYLggSXCpoAx4NMpNcy-rmjcDWX1tnJeszi-Z93iWks8MyFX1YQkvmRbp_wRueGLaRRAbKraVcyjSP_UTJw0z6q8BZylNNLYvqUHO9GrzryUp8A54xA8G42Ow/s1600/Midnight+Ink+group+w+cake+Malice+2015+IMAG0651_1+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Cps1i1ejq596OW8omFeGYLggSXCpoAx4NMpNcy-rmjcDWX1tnJeszi-Z93iWks8MyFX1YQkvmRbp_wRueGLaRRAbKraVcyjSP_UTJw0z6q8BZylNNLYvqUHO9GrzryUp8A54xA8G42Ow/s400/Midnight+Ink+group+w+cake+Malice+2015+IMAG0651_1+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Midnight Ink authors at Malice.</i></td></tr>
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<b>Sisters in Crime </b></div>
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Malice Domestic and Sisters in Crime are probably the two most important groups that brought me into the mystery fold. I love connecting with my Sisters at Malice, and at a convention of several hundred, the SinC breakfast is one of the best ways to see everyone.<br />
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Don't worry, SinC President Catrina McPherson is left-handed, so a broken arm can't slow her down. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8smIvLmYVmh4dw9RVwOQgGUi5OmfsbFDAEqdqzn5pbn2ZSg7lhyphenhyphenBZprvD8HkQbV2u9BaT4S1egvR3u2pzr5QrrVYKI_JQSey8nYQKx1ESoAuHknNaVh8bENOhhFKxfdvZwiX7u2XH1OuI/s1600/Catriona+Leslie+SinC+prez+&+vice+prez+Malice+2015+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8smIvLmYVmh4dw9RVwOQgGUi5OmfsbFDAEqdqzn5pbn2ZSg7lhyphenhyphenBZprvD8HkQbV2u9BaT4S1egvR3u2pzr5QrrVYKI_JQSey8nYQKx1ESoAuHknNaVh8bENOhhFKxfdvZwiX7u2XH1OuI/s400/Catriona+Leslie+SinC+prez+&+vice+prez+Malice+2015+web.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SinC President Catriona McPherson and <br />Vice President Leslie Budewitz at the SinC breakfast.</i></td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=CannellScholarship">Sisters in Crime Dorothy Cannell Guppy Scholarship</a> was given out at the breakfast. The yearly scholarship that pays $1,000 for a SinC Guppy to attend Malice Domestic is being offered by agent Meg Ruley to honor her long-time client.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT2awCSV_OV3b4lJvgDMHd3xbvWXnWLiUYOOCpc2S2xYxzbBQeTuOruAIbLnB68azzDDO3exHaDq7TVmqYOlY74Abzox32OjuWG3nuA1zYf0px7qmpTDb3Lu1-JY0tJCT-uN2HZBsccZ_/s1600/Leslie+B+Dorothy+Cannell+giving+out+Guppy+grant+Malice+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT2awCSV_OV3b4lJvgDMHd3xbvWXnWLiUYOOCpc2S2xYxzbBQeTuOruAIbLnB68azzDDO3exHaDq7TVmqYOlY74Abzox32OjuWG3nuA1zYf0px7qmpTDb3Lu1-JY0tJCT-uN2HZBsccZ_/s400/Leslie+B+Dorothy+Cannell+giving+out+Guppy+grant+Malice+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dorothy Cannell and Leslie Budewitz presenting the first <br />Guppy scholarship to attend Malice Domestic.</i></td></tr>
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Also announced at the breakfast was the exciting news that the <a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=EleanorTaylorBland">Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award</a>, originally planned as a one-time grant for an emerging writer of color, will continue!<br />
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Frankie Bailey and I were involved in the inaugural grant committee last year, when <a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=ETBlandAwardWinner">Maria Kelson</a> was awarded the first grant. Her work in progress is terrific. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Frankie Bailey and Gigi Pandian</i>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_UhrN_b92nFCzj211RJiCDDxo1LT7AqGjcDtj3ianbHw1DGt0GtnVJC4BbfHiPgxX4eWkyD8fw6A0JJx7Xqzv9ziEVt-pmGGcKu61emnTh4lHX4yRlMskPCvnNdTufpwZV36ggridd8B/s400/Diane+Kendel+Ellen+Gigi+Malice+2015+web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ellen Byron, Gigi Pandian, Diane Vallere, Kendel Flaum.<br />(Kendel is my editor at Henery Press - if you're enjoying QUICKSAND, <br />the third Jaya Jones treasure hunt mystery, she's the one who saved it!)</i></td></tr>
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Wondering about the boas? It was thought up a few years ago as a way for
SinC Guppies to easily find each other at the large Sisters in Crime
breakfast. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd5GaPTPzmVXUI5NJ_9mpzBiTyn82AGyy4HQMygQ0flw0EDmSdQvPPF7I2HaBILuFFcmQ6eNskRlVgRLT6ZLzBJn8G98D2drPT0w2wE8EFOxqBmSCDLnbqIHN8fLdi4QysPArlXHuOxaZ/s1600/screen+shot+Guppies+at+SinC+Breakfast+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd5GaPTPzmVXUI5NJ_9mpzBiTyn82AGyy4HQMygQ0flw0EDmSdQvPPF7I2HaBILuFFcmQ6eNskRlVgRLT6ZLzBJn8G98D2drPT0w2wE8EFOxqBmSCDLnbqIHN8fLdi4QysPArlXHuOxaZ/s1600/screen+shot+Guppies+at+SinC+Breakfast+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Guppies gathering for a photo at the end of the Sisters in Crime breakfast.</i></td></tr>
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The Sisters in Crime <a href="http://sinc-guppies.org/">Guppy chapter</a> meets for lunch every year, and it's a great opportunity to put faces to names we know online, in a smaller setting. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r6Z16jpc6xcZFJulLUes3r0gyL-2jsaEsLCe8lFoI6unTXqV5_DzATSHONcMp2cWrxs5gnnGHGN68E9Gh8hCnoQX86y4Q371kGHBtwjqgrzCAyFaRZb6yav29TMQjMaq-Y36awyaE0cy/s1600/Guppy+lunch+COLLAGE+Malice+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r6Z16jpc6xcZFJulLUes3r0gyL-2jsaEsLCe8lFoI6unTXqV5_DzATSHONcMp2cWrxs5gnnGHGN68E9Gh8hCnoQX86y4Q371kGHBtwjqgrzCAyFaRZb6yav29TMQjMaq-Y36awyaE0cy/s640/Guppy+lunch+COLLAGE+Malice+2015.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SinC Guppies gathering at Booeymongers for lunch.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Attending Panels</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Golden Age of Detection Panel</div>
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This was one of my favorite panels. I love Golden Age mysteries, plus check out the lineup of panelists! Mystery scholar Doug Greene moderating, with <i>Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine </i>reviewer Steve Steinbock, author and scholar Martin Edwards, and fiction and non-fiction writer (and Sherlock Holmes expert) Daniel Stashower. I'm tempted to do a recap of the entertaining and informative panel here, but I'd ramble far too long, so I'll post panel notes separately at a later date. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QSbCzDQvn4FCehjR_wEj1PILeaMo8KpwLf7QOMxg1TZCyYI3vgXQXQuqq34G8HUxDhKV32N6OkZN846RemzAFqR9S9_Mqlnx70gzyh6YIdPvm6hHBsJUI9WbjAx3BRwQQ7Ue8GaQcgA9/s1600/Golden+Age+panel+Steve+Steinbock+Doug+Greene+Martin+Edwards+Dan+Stashower+1+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QSbCzDQvn4FCehjR_wEj1PILeaMo8KpwLf7QOMxg1TZCyYI3vgXQXQuqq34G8HUxDhKV32N6OkZN846RemzAFqR9S9_Mqlnx70gzyh6YIdPvm6hHBsJUI9WbjAx3BRwQQ7Ue8GaQcgA9/s400/Golden+Age+panel+Steve+Steinbock+Doug+Greene+Martin+Edwards+Dan+Stashower+1+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steve Steinbock, Doug Greene, Martin Edwards, Dan Stashower.</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_646274286"></span><span id="goog_646274287"></span>I'm looking forward to reading this new book by Martin Edwards on the Golden Age of mystery fiction that's out this very week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wcdjY1uYTyeKUwmlErVNEXXQAmgfpiUS4iJaST2jqQ5qP9iTPMOGqHTbpu_qk3PZxuNXjCv128_d10VoGxS1bHMLAjU4sPzo7FoHaAFPwV4heiSaRd65BUqdvo0_kEy2a32WlUdl8QNh/s1600/Martin+Edwards+book+cover+Golden+Age+of+Murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wcdjY1uYTyeKUwmlErVNEXXQAmgfpiUS4iJaST2jqQ5qP9iTPMOGqHTbpu_qk3PZxuNXjCv128_d10VoGxS1bHMLAjU4sPzo7FoHaAFPwV4heiSaRd65BUqdvo0_kEy2a32WlUdl8QNh/s1600/Martin+Edwards+book+cover+Golden+Age+of+Murder.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Academic Mysteries Panel</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2tmY1Q4-rqItkomHKxUjcqFgZvDuYWEFGf7CUseu0_bQhdLxqKLOM8F7CBTIBvndpfBbDGweOD9Q5Hs1DAz00NMPnF4h3VzERFzy005Ejjk93MbF6khagDjZkwBwagnM_91hjU6SUQs/s1600/academic+mysteries+panel+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2tmY1Q4-rqItkomHKxUjcqFgZvDuYWEFGf7CUseu0_bQhdLxqKLOM8F7CBTIBvndpfBbDGweOD9Q5Hs1DAz00NMPnF4h3VzERFzy005Ejjk93MbF6khagDjZkwBwagnM_91hjU6SUQs/s400/academic+mysteries+panel+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Susan Van Kirk, Lori Rader-Day, Debra Goldstein, Triss Stein, Neil Plakcy.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Short Story Agatha-Nominated Authors Panel</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN33eAuSNbsoreUDZW8838dT4uCQ5jdCYx1DhawQCrcUBQl3f7LYO7HUhSfYNmTz_CTNwWKBtnvZ-rmKbMkbzj2WxJbwpj8fRpGhqZt5nFzdSjWz_fd4NzjwEap7OHm0pzK0Jtd8qzfZwL/s1600/short+story+panel+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN33eAuSNbsoreUDZW8838dT4uCQ5jdCYx1DhawQCrcUBQl3f7LYO7HUhSfYNmTz_CTNwWKBtnvZ-rmKbMkbzj2WxJbwpj8fRpGhqZt5nFzdSjWz_fd4NzjwEap7OHm0pzK0Jtd8qzfZwL/s400/short+story+panel+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine editor Linda Landrigan (moderating),<br />Kathy Lynn Emerson, Barb Goffman, Edith Maxwell, Art Taylor.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My Sleuthing Duos Panel </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SdBKuDkatxhT94S2WXk79iGXkqKgWgCnl8weXf6nOdZ9Nv-LqGeYo8AiBjJfAjP3zUf6c1s7qeupcHVSSJRX6lZulnBJIkipakZByUfvkPn4hNzmh8X_-m5Gs5cr7RqKeDfIyPcTTu8z/s1600/Wendy+Tyson+Tracy+Kiely+Gigi+Pandian+Hannah+Dennison+Malice+2015+panel+instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SdBKuDkatxhT94S2WXk79iGXkqKgWgCnl8weXf6nOdZ9Nv-LqGeYo8AiBjJfAjP3zUf6c1s7qeupcHVSSJRX6lZulnBJIkipakZByUfvkPn4hNzmh8X_-m5Gs5cr7RqKeDfIyPcTTu8z/s400/Wendy+Tyson+Tracy+Kiely+Gigi+Pandian+Hannah+Dennison+Malice+2015+panel+instagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Meeting for coffee to plan our panel.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg1-7q2smOr3vjbWNVP8ObocZWz9zZ2Rhpbg6Vst21sBneIqxl_97bv-mHw3B6PYCT4wLjZkRyk5vu6fiH_cU26gKJ9D-h0U8YAxh9B2q7L-DEjWkBr_zRhfu0ggrt3IGqyXBqiggxGRs/s1600/Sleuthing+Duos+panel+Tracy+Gigi+Ritter+Hannah+Wendy+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg1-7q2smOr3vjbWNVP8ObocZWz9zZ2Rhpbg6Vst21sBneIqxl_97bv-mHw3B6PYCT4wLjZkRyk5vu6fiH_cU26gKJ9D-h0U8YAxh9B2q7L-DEjWkBr_zRhfu0ggrt3IGqyXBqiggxGRs/s400/Sleuthing+Duos+panel+Tracy+Gigi+Ritter+Hannah+Wendy+Malice+2015+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tracy Kiely, Gigi Pandian, Ritter Ames, Hannah Dennison, Wendy Tyson.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hadn't met fellow panelist Ritter Ames before, and I was happy to learn about her Elizabeth Peters-inspired series. (My to-be-read pile of books grew exponentially this weekend...) </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stepping outside of the hotel to recharge </b></div>
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Green juice run with some of the Midnight Ink crew. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz_RN98q4zyzT9hjEriO-SWoDuEu3mnSFGTnNc5BC2i4yxxnO2zRXXgzvUxJchBWeVGxr_FGBv067M4UrgNQb73DrinvT6gHnzvOCxtdcLlmgvV6WrACxdlGzLtRKf84qvdysCg5Tv6eb/s1600/Green+juice+run+w+Midnight+Ink+crew+Tracy+Linda+Terri+Catriona+Malice+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz_RN98q4zyzT9hjEriO-SWoDuEu3mnSFGTnNc5BC2i4yxxnO2zRXXgzvUxJchBWeVGxr_FGBv067M4UrgNQb73DrinvT6gHnzvOCxtdcLlmgvV6WrACxdlGzLtRKf84qvdysCg5Tv6eb/s400/Green+juice+run+w+Midnight+Ink+crew+Tracy+Linda+Terri+Catriona+Malice+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tracy Weber, Linda Joffe Hull, <br />Terri Bischoff (my fabulous Midnight Ink editor), Catriona McPherson. </i></td></tr>
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Tulips were in bloom all around the hotel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia33-iC8Vlbhk7gmicxbZsbDBaZ8_3bt7Y0Rk-QIHWQqFkHOHGlod0XoZbprLL7_1t4C05asrB_yiMpWrWyXfx1ZFnbRd_Jm47pFt0P03uraJl_deQjwWU1yAC8KJ51fK7ECGuyzWOilN9/s1600/tulips+on+Malice+2015+walk+break+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia33-iC8Vlbhk7gmicxbZsbDBaZ8_3bt7Y0Rk-QIHWQqFkHOHGlod0XoZbprLL7_1t4C05asrB_yiMpWrWyXfx1ZFnbRd_Jm47pFt0P03uraJl_deQjwWU1yAC8KJ51fK7ECGuyzWOilN9/s640/tulips+on+Malice+2015+walk+break+web.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<b>The Banquet</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Pal Cynthia Kuhn (top row center) was awarded one of this year's <a href="http://www.malicedomestic.org/grants.html">William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grants</a> for unpublished traditional mystery writers! </div>
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<b> </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ_jSdPdPm_mCBTZFiHuvqkL55eBpmTtTfX6rxPzOKIvUt50qdvrKt6Q_CVUBuSUga_pk3aDm2DdBtoROCZDsKpdidY8IG-6LT38mmDjKkMeONRbNx4KTWcvsAleGAM8DV8KaSZMDkCNi/s1600/Malice+grant+winners+w+Harriette+instagram+Malice+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ_jSdPdPm_mCBTZFiHuvqkL55eBpmTtTfX6rxPzOKIvUt50qdvrKt6Q_CVUBuSUga_pk3aDm2DdBtoROCZDsKpdidY8IG-6LT38mmDjKkMeONRbNx4KTWcvsAleGAM8DV8KaSZMDkCNi/s400/Malice+grant+winners+w+Harriette+instagram+Malice+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Past and present grant-winners with committee chair <br />Harriette Sackler (top left).</i></td></tr>
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<b>The Agatha Award Winners</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-x6KKEsRboHpaz2OWBkzhHhx4JOV6Mmez18F2LPh_MVYXf4AZCCI5Y_9wRpKo9M0F6hS1bieKlFGDYMAlVf3V4uUJRSY3ZldPgBTw0Sq7w2tk_IAPg-dDKq2yOhv2RnsDQ19hdQ3fMCr/s1600/Rhys+Parnell+Penny+Agatha+teapots+at+Malice+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-x6KKEsRboHpaz2OWBkzhHhx4JOV6Mmez18F2LPh_MVYXf4AZCCI5Y_9wRpKo9M0F6hS1bieKlFGDYMAlVf3V4uUJRSY3ZldPgBTw0Sq7w2tk_IAPg-dDKq2yOhv2RnsDQ19hdQ3fMCr/s320/Rhys+Parnell+Penny+Agatha+teapots+at+Malice+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My local Sisters in Crime chapter had not one but TWO <br />Agatha winners: Rhys Bowen and Penny Warner<br />(seen here with Parnell Hall - thanks to Penny for the pic)</i></td></tr>
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Best Contemporary Novel: <i>Truth Be Told </i>by Hank Phillippi Ryan<br />
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Best Historical Novel: <i>Queen of Hearts </i>by Rhys Bowen<br />
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Best First Novel: <i>Well Read, Then Dead</i> by Terrie Farley Moran<br />
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Best Nonfiction: <i>Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer's Journey</i> by Hank Phillippi Ryan (ed) <br />
(This is a book full of essays by members of Sisters in Crime.)<br />
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Best Short Story: "The Odds are Against Us" by Art Taylor <br />
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Best Children's/Young Adult:<i> The Code Buster's Club, Case #4, The Mummy's Curse</i> by Penny Warner<br />
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Sara Peretsky was given the Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Caroline and Charles Todd were the guests of honor, and Ann Cleeves was the International guest of honor. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Closing Ceremonies Tea </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpf0fV4kGYK_tQwKsfaj2rRi0gOEOuQyvIMsr7F2aFHdV4Oi8Wa2cW0MjtgxchTjMbHLU581eb6LLIiqEiJjQnU7s67KbUAXOUoUEfkWkY7Fo69rgQoh94cd4CJ4RHAe1Dj7oN0hVRi-n/s1600/Cindy+Gigi+tea+hats+Malice+2015+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpf0fV4kGYK_tQwKsfaj2rRi0gOEOuQyvIMsr7F2aFHdV4Oi8Wa2cW0MjtgxchTjMbHLU581eb6LLIiqEiJjQnU7s67KbUAXOUoUEfkWkY7Fo69rgQoh94cd4CJ4RHAe1Dj7oN0hVRi-n/s640/Cindy+Gigi+tea+hats+Malice+2015+web.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cindy Brown and Gigi Pandian before the closing tea.</i></td></tr>
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There were many hats to be found at the tea. It used to be more of a tradition, and there's a mini movement to bring it back. (I don't yet have a photo of the Henery Press authors with their hats, but I'll add it when I get a copy.) <br />
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Poirot and Miss Marple were on hand at the tea, just in case anything untoward were to have occurred. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Poirot and Miss Marple.</i></td></tr>
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And now it's nearly time for my flight to <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-dream-during-cancer-treatments.html">Edinburgh, Scotland, where I'm doing a week-long writers retreat</a> with my local writers group to celebrate my 40th birthday. This was an idea I had while going through cancer treatments four years ago, and I can't quite believe it became a reality. But on the heels of Malice Domestic, it's perfect timing. As I type up this recap, I'm reminded again of how inspiring it is to connect with other mystery fans and writers. I'm going to take that inspiration with me to Scotland. <br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-79504390244030776692015-04-30T14:30:00.000-07:002015-04-30T14:30:01.296-07:00Book Deal Announcement: The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series Continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's official. I've signed the contract to publish the next Jaya Jones book with Henery Press!<br />
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It's perfect timing, just in time to celebrate at <a href="http://www.malicedomestic.org/">Malice Domestic</a>, and then on to Scotland<a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-dream-during-cancer-treatments.html"></a> for a <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-dream-during-cancer-treatments.html">writing retreat</a> that I've fantasized about doing since I went through chemotherapy nearly four years ago. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgW7DOSY5QwSnNEhKj6NsJH5p69LfekkcIX3jiyYmZCbo_dB7q8SG2_QI4vdA4TstyK_NmUxnJCyKWEvoUi3TI7oK86IzJwebZIGwOGdEwO9uRDh5URTbuEFIlqHB2tKYy9zCZLhDEemI/s1600/Gigi+speech+bubble+April+2015+Jaya+Book+4+book+deal+news+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgW7DOSY5QwSnNEhKj6NsJH5p69LfekkcIX3jiyYmZCbo_dB7q8SG2_QI4vdA4TstyK_NmUxnJCyKWEvoUi3TI7oK86IzJwebZIGwOGdEwO9uRDh5URTbuEFIlqHB2tKYy9zCZLhDEemI/s1600/Gigi+speech+bubble+April+2015+Jaya+Book+4+book+deal+news+2.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></div>
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You know what else a book contract means? Book deal shoes! I love Fluevogs for being the perfect combination of oh-so-cute and oh-so-comfortable, but one really needs something to celebrate to justify the expensive shoes. I'd say a book deal is a great excuse for a new pair of shiny pink Fluevogs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJub1hjlFI-00ZbV44JUIBFcW989WRGHiCVm8aR80bB1mu6eyf_2dOnfECWb6rp_94TF21SWYKJ-70R-kZt_4hju-UfAzr4-np4lxP_Ob7m7dKxGderT_b-uCyOvbCx7-3bis3ole5Napf/s1600/Fluevog+pink+Brandenburgs+-+book+deal+shoes+Jaya+book+4+Henery+April+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJub1hjlFI-00ZbV44JUIBFcW989WRGHiCVm8aR80bB1mu6eyf_2dOnfECWb6rp_94TF21SWYKJ-70R-kZt_4hju-UfAzr4-np4lxP_Ob7m7dKxGderT_b-uCyOvbCx7-3bis3ole5Napf/s1600/Fluevog+pink+Brandenburgs+-+book+deal+shoes+Jaya+book+4+Henery+April+2015.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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p.s. I'm still writing the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, too. That's exactly why I need this writing retreat! </div>
Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-31467926864119785872015-04-28T19:00:00.000-07:002015-05-29T08:50:25.214-07:00A Dream During Cancer Treatments Becomes a Reality: A Writing Retreat in Scotland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One week from today, I'll be stepping off an airplane in Edinburgh, Scotland. Along with me will be several members of my local writers group who are joining me for a week-long writing retreat. And even cooler than that? The week culminates with my 40th birthday! (<i>Update: You can see photos from the trip <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2015/05/edinburgh-writing-retreat-to-celebrate.html">here</a>.</i>)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj3KxRWH-6hlCN9BsewSc2NSBX5P5g0HyMNP_6i0TMuG-1EfAJlZ_dVBQgMCNndNc7vY_H8nT7jWZJZCmoWYQprGF1eqaTz7QDN91sthFsnq-Z1_3-p8tcz7UJciJBxNsxb16b8ykG4hF/s1600/1985+Gigi+with+a+bagpiper+by+Loch+Ness+Scotland+-+webres+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj3KxRWH-6hlCN9BsewSc2NSBX5P5g0HyMNP_6i0TMuG-1EfAJlZ_dVBQgMCNndNc7vY_H8nT7jWZJZCmoWYQprGF1eqaTz7QDN91sthFsnq-Z1_3-p8tcz7UJciJBxNsxb16b8ykG4hF/s1600/1985+Gigi+with+a+bagpiper+by+Loch+Ness+Scotland+-+webres+crop.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My first trip to Scotland, 30 years ago.</i></td></tr>
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I hatched this plan nearly 4 years ago, while I was going through chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, a time when I had no idea if I'd be alive and well at 40. The writing retreat was a fantasy that gave me something to look forward to. (So was throwing myself into my writing and going on a round-the-world trip — one down and one to go!) <br />
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Since completing my cancer treatments I've been healthier than ever, so I decided to make this writing retreat trip a reality. It's far too easy to slip back into the day-to-day responsibilities and ruts of normal life, but ever since that unexpected experience, I'm committed to seizing the day. <br />
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Why Scotland? I liked idea of taking my local writers group with me on this celebratory trip to a place that's been special to me since I was a kid. I first visited Scotland when I was 10 years old, tagging along with my professor mom who was spending the summer doing research in the Highlands of Scotland.<br />
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Scotland captured my imagination on that first trip — Loch Ness and its famous monster, castle ruins perfect for exploring, ghost stories told by people with cool accents — so I returned many times. My longest stay was when I lived in Edinburgh while attending the University of Edinburgh for my Junior year abroad during college, I set a big chunk of my first novel, <i>Artifact</i>, in the Highlands of Scotland, and my novella "Fool's Gold" (in the <i>Other People's Baggage</i> anthology) is set in Edinburgh.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgD4xDOW96_G0lWCcbovq9flx03fnve4Xut5KgziBVi3n0MWVByOWies8jEVxdiCkQKoKIvczXPBBUeUnrVTAz-dPX0agMwGpGUTpyZTOQFtQgP3hr6M-lzUnaM4AIGSdoCBjbH4oatdr/s1600/Dunnottar+distance+color+-+by+Gigi+Pandian+-+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgD4xDOW96_G0lWCcbovq9flx03fnve4Xut5KgziBVi3n0MWVByOWies8jEVxdiCkQKoKIvczXPBBUeUnrVTAz-dPX0agMwGpGUTpyZTOQFtQgP3hr6M-lzUnaM4AIGSdoCBjbH4oatdr/s1600/Dunnottar+distance+color+-+by+Gigi+Pandian+-+webres.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dunnottar Castle, Scotland, along the coast where </i>Artifact <i>is set.</i></td></tr>
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When I thought about where I'd want to go on a writing retreat, I liked the idea of Edinburgh because it's a mix of foreign and familiar, modern and mysterious. That way, I could get my creative energy flowing in a great setting, not be too distracted by feeling like I needed to go out exploring ever minute of the day, and share the experience with several of my dear friends. The plan is to spend our mornings writing in local cafes, then head out exploring the city and surrounding areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDRgIYhhIb_ppguRZgHdYFEhWPpy4p4hf3ML46jnYMM-gc4FO6SVP_cYs0Xa7fcfNOCnzXIL0QlXQnQhmfSQpr5avoQT6ApeUHwiZZjKAAXvr43bZU5egv0tF9Ci0iTG_ieO0AA3wE6d8/s1600/1985+Gigi+with+Bronwyn+in+Edinburgh+Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDRgIYhhIb_ppguRZgHdYFEhWPpy4p4hf3ML46jnYMM-gc4FO6SVP_cYs0Xa7fcfNOCnzXIL0QlXQnQhmfSQpr5avoQT6ApeUHwiZZjKAAXvr43bZU5egv0tF9Ci0iTG_ieO0AA3wE6d8/s1600/1985+Gigi+with+Bronwyn+in+Edinburgh+Scotland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Having fun in Edinburgh in the '80s.</i></td></tr>
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I wanted to do this trip with my writers group because 1) they're awesome, 2) writing is so much more fun when done with kindred spirits, and 3) they took my wig shopping before I started chemo and bought me my amazing mystery-writerly wig! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT4rzTDhCnyput-aKkkiWSxzwTKGY5l0hMoGu9TG3vkV7QzaAJWdQqREtUK1kP_AO8YC2CGVgIYzqyWXbdqlYy4fpwWnMnEYD7wLRJujmYWI3VGwPmHAbAf1WO6pqZBBEWKeJVjVDRwwG/s1600/Gigi's+new+wig+-+Pens+July+22+2011+-+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT4rzTDhCnyput-aKkkiWSxzwTKGY5l0hMoGu9TG3vkV7QzaAJWdQqREtUK1kP_AO8YC2CGVgIYzqyWXbdqlYy4fpwWnMnEYD7wLRJujmYWI3VGwPmHAbAf1WO6pqZBBEWKeJVjVDRwwG/s1600/Gigi's%2Bnew%2Bwig%2B-%2BPens%2BJuly%2B22%2B2011%2B-%2Bwebres.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pre-chemo wig shopping party with the Pens Fatales in 2011. </i></td></tr>
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I'm so glad it worked for four of my writer pals to come with me. I'll be posting photos and stories of our adventures from Edinburgh on <a href="https://twitter.com/GigiPandian">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GigiPandian?ref=hl">Facebook</a>, and perhaps even <a href="https://instagram.com/GigiPandian">Instagram</a> (we'll see...).<br />
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See you online from the other side of the world. But only while I'm not immersed in my next novel, which might just turn out to be set in Scotland. <br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-156874017669247472015-03-17T18:00:00.000-07:002015-03-18T13:24:25.400-07:00Photos from Left Coast Crime 2015 (where Pirate Vishnu won the Rose Award!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGNLANDUE6JRtW5V4AqoykTsezxQya-nHp5p9bjduLkuZmJz7N61aVIC2vazPKWkBtt4qdoNQxDmSycnTtx_KganJQy3iBz9Dc2J45rd_IzfeJrTZTq5HH4sf37Fi4feDrkBdlNHvVngh/s1600/Crimelandia-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGNLANDUE6JRtW5V4AqoykTsezxQya-nHp5p9bjduLkuZmJz7N61aVIC2vazPKWkBtt4qdoNQxDmSycnTtx_KganJQy3iBz9Dc2J45rd_IzfeJrTZTq5HH4sf37Fi4feDrkBdlNHvVngh/s1600/Crimelandia-Logo.png" height="153" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm home from Portland after attending the 25th annual Left Coast Crime convention for mystery fans. What a weekend! Here's a recap of the long weekend in photos, beginning with my surprising highlight before jumping back to the beginning of the convention.<br />
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As I mentioned elsewhere over the weekend, I'm officially the most surprised award-winner in Left Coast Crime history. I still can't quite believe that I was awarded the Rose Award on Saturday night! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with me in person and congratulated me online. I'm touched by all of your good wishes.<br />
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I was honored that <i><a href="http://gigipandian.com/pirate-vishnu/">Pirate Vishnu</a> </i>was nominated for the Rose Award for Best Novel of 2014 set in the West Coast region. But with the phenomenal competition, I thought there was <i>no chance</i> I was going to win. When toastmaster Gar Anthony Haywood announced me as the winner, he had to read my name again before I'd believe he truly said my name!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VHyO3wPW-H-X_NtW8PKWYR4jiBR9HRYL9BpUrX2K8ce5T7Rxv_F-jqq1TsrAWZTWaDegWV-uZ0-nxWc_yy8wcntBDyLOSBjLs8P9LhEdgufT-NVVq5colfvXEnLsPmKSx6dU2BQSZZhG/s1600/Gigi-with-Gar-Rose-Award-LCC-2015-Pirate-Vishnu-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VHyO3wPW-H-X_NtW8PKWYR4jiBR9HRYL9BpUrX2K8ce5T7Rxv_F-jqq1TsrAWZTWaDegWV-uZ0-nxWc_yy8wcntBDyLOSBjLs8P9LhEdgufT-NVVq5colfvXEnLsPmKSx6dU2BQSZZhG/s1600/Gigi-with-Gar-Rose-Award-LCC-2015-Pirate-Vishnu-text.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Now that my awestruck moment has kicked off this recap, back to the beginning of the convention:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiado4LlRczNgpiFF5lOVIS5tUhOymUQlgdESQT8Fnad2WG7dsOBG5bGw32poVrBxMjq7LZNbLcYPMS6zg4emm9C53WPUot52y3m73tB_aPNz40Jo9A1_1b78AMOC5Bz2aBBlz032UOCjjC/s1600/LCC+2015+website+homepage+screen+capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiado4LlRczNgpiFF5lOVIS5tUhOymUQlgdESQT8Fnad2WG7dsOBG5bGw32poVrBxMjq7LZNbLcYPMS6zg4emm9C53WPUot52y3m73tB_aPNz40Jo9A1_1b78AMOC5Bz2aBBlz032UOCjjC/s1600/LCC+2015+website+homepage+screen+capture.JPG" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
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<b>Opening Ceremonies</b> </div>
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On Thursday, March 12, the opening ceremonies officially began the gathering of over 500 mystery readers and writers. We mingled with appetizers and drinks, and the award nominees were presented with plaques. It was especially fun to have good friends as fellow nominees. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuJ00XJ4euc4dJO-j1xG1OYt_ZVg9Y6EDSAKZerJ5hEg34fRUZGcWLlU7SBnaX4V4H7sjYNcziNmIz9Pqk5PsNrnBDASJqLxwO4plZzirOg0dKx9Vw8Oz2LpwJKxkwieTT7jdhCAbjUNF/s1600/Diane+Gigi+Lisa+with+LCC+2015+nomination+plaques+instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuJ00XJ4euc4dJO-j1xG1OYt_ZVg9Y6EDSAKZerJ5hEg34fRUZGcWLlU7SBnaX4V4H7sjYNcziNmIz9Pqk5PsNrnBDASJqLxwO4plZzirOg0dKx9Vw8Oz2LpwJKxkwieTT7jdhCAbjUNF/s1600/Diane+Gigi+Lisa+with+LCC+2015+nomination+plaques+instagram.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With author pals Diane Vallere and Lisa Alber </i></td></tr>
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Best first novel nominees:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzUr011kqPc7m44m6lA4qGxEBDZ5qXvF-ndaxZNjlTIRRCchvb3eO9ZoJaLlr9AgzZSRO9iMncLpNXH8ccamdFxpUvdc0AmSp-xZxlbMJ0uzKe1O3ukesN9hlET52oMPoujUPzxhawawK/s1600/LCC-2015-Rosebud-award-nominees-Allen-Lisa-Martha-Lori-Holly-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzUr011kqPc7m44m6lA4qGxEBDZ5qXvF-ndaxZNjlTIRRCchvb3eO9ZoJaLlr9AgzZSRO9iMncLpNXH8ccamdFxpUvdc0AmSp-xZxlbMJ0uzKe1O3ukesN9hlET52oMPoujUPzxhawawK/s1600/LCC-2015-Rosebud-award-nominees-Allen-Lisa-Martha-Lori-Holly-text.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Allen Eskens, Lisa Alber, M.P. Cooley, Lori Rader-Day, Holly West</i></td></tr>
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Best humorous mystery nominees:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpm8iVKO6__F-5hNb55bSiZrBIOSsqOD34lgD9u4BsYNkwAeSm9AobKOMk8HBu03U9Y7OykO3Vbqm_5H6StnRxbBwr9EIN98jNn7YwfebqK5ZbuHX9ex2QGJB2dvF5iWub_oryJXTSPP-/s1600/LCC-2015-lefty-award-nominees-Jess-Tim-Donna-Diane-Cindy-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpm8iVKO6__F-5hNb55bSiZrBIOSsqOD34lgD9u4BsYNkwAeSm9AobKOMk8HBu03U9Y7OykO3Vbqm_5H6StnRxbBwr9EIN98jNn7YwfebqK5ZbuHX9ex2QGJB2dvF5iWub_oryJXTSPP-/s1600/LCC-2015-lefty-award-nominees-Jess-Tim-Donna-Diane-Cindy-text.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jess Lourey, Timothy Hallinan, Donna Andrews, Diane Vallere, Cindy Sample</i></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i><br /></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here's that phenomenal Rose Award competition I mentioned:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxEc6Z142MpUZXeuT9k5Tbxc2X7PO1jXjavOq6QggI2CJOv9ENAWBFSVwThndLvHGtmJRh18eDrXpMgFm9NlZBe1A9hA6q_pT8h_bbrf0r7iWxEjM91lWATEcFBABnS-PtDMIHWEQNU9V/s1600/LCC-2015-Rose-award-nominees-LJ-Gigi-Johnny-Chelsea-Terri-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxEc6Z142MpUZXeuT9k5Tbxc2X7PO1jXjavOq6QggI2CJOv9ENAWBFSVwThndLvHGtmJRh18eDrXpMgFm9NlZBe1A9hA6q_pT8h_bbrf0r7iWxEjM91lWATEcFBABnS-PtDMIHWEQNU9V/s1600/LCC-2015-Rose-award-nominees-LJ-Gigi-Johnny-Chelsea-Terri-text.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>L.J. Sellers, Gigi Pandian, Johnny Shaw, Chelsea Cain, Terri Nolan</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(And no, I'm not shrinking from my 5'9" height. I was wearing flat boots and there were a lot of tall people at this year's convention!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Attending panels</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b2_yoeY7yBNUMTcVcnnr0J6kH1nb6D30UOwy-pdrU01sR78U3kOyAV0GAyXJs6V_BX1MmXJBgLjjNF7ZObrdv_55s-_583d6hA2vcw9JVOw4xRtp03Aqx4cc3_731kntLaMREH5XZp2G/s1600/Stacy+Allen+thriller+panel+LCC+2015+lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b2_yoeY7yBNUMTcVcnnr0J6kH1nb6D30UOwy-pdrU01sR78U3kOyAV0GAyXJs6V_BX1MmXJBgLjjNF7ZObrdv_55s-_583d6hA2vcw9JVOw4xRtp03Aqx4cc3_731kntLaMREH5XZp2G/s1600/Stacy+Allen+thriller+panel+LCC+2015+lowres.jpg" height="150" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stacy Allen speaking on the Modern Thrillers panel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stacy Allen is an author I didn't know before last weekend, but I'm so happy to have gotten to know her. Not only is she a real life underwater treasure hunter (!!!) but she's one of the loveliest people imaginable. I started reading her mystery <i>Expedition Indigo</i> on the plane flight home.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEdCDvxrETne2y0bYieBybUFuDn8vGGME5Ljjsgq6HpGbwol4-xgxoA5ZufvVEEDxhZ2OoiOqeFYI6FqHXeIOesxh8osoPt8v7rCz28gp-6c_XFAMnHHfqW-KNNdy_K0geIqDZ7Q1pehz/s1600/Collaborating+panel+at+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEdCDvxrETne2y0bYieBybUFuDn8vGGME5Ljjsgq6HpGbwol4-xgxoA5ZufvVEEDxhZ2OoiOqeFYI6FqHXeIOesxh8osoPt8v7rCz28gp-6c_XFAMnHHfqW-KNNdy_K0geIqDZ7Q1pehz/s1600/Collaborating+panel+at+LCC+2015.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lee Goldberg moderating the Collaborating with a Co-Author panel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I spoke on the Plotters vs. Pansters panel, a mix of authors who outline (plotters) and who write by the seat of their pants without a plan ("pansters"). </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXrOYsBqTq4pVphzNMlNalGXgLRBi7k58tgD9vWCOKN0SKGC3vr1yGftqdgd4DVV139AW3A1xE8bdfKkoahMd1gSx0XqCDijW3Es8ZIF8tnpsuRR-5d_GvWuhJsUlZ_Q5GE-7tbkkj4ig/s1600/LCC-2015-Plotters-vs-Pansters-panel-Karen-Anne-Lori-Maia-Gigi-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXrOYsBqTq4pVphzNMlNalGXgLRBi7k58tgD9vWCOKN0SKGC3vr1yGftqdgd4DVV139AW3A1xE8bdfKkoahMd1gSx0XqCDijW3Es8ZIF8tnpsuRR-5d_GvWuhJsUlZ_Q5GE-7tbkkj4ig/s1600/LCC-2015-Plotters-vs-Pansters-panel-Karen-Anne-Lori-Maia-Gigi-text.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Karen MacInerney, Anne Cleeland, Lori Rader-Day, Maia Chance, Gigi Pandian</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Slipping out of the hotel to see Portland</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's always so much going on at mystery conventions (<a href="http://leftcoastcrime.org/2015/Panels.html">here's the program</a>)
that it's impossible to do everything. One of the best things to
avoid getting burnt out is to take breaks to recharge. I found a local
vegan restaurant that was a perfect getaway. It even had mysterious art
on the walls. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0xy8PQhfUFNLJjscqqK2GRlgFhHRcOBg1G1KEeOwniTn9crulIlyPhJdDojO0MDscIbDTC5Jd5v0MnoQs3sYA13birI6FX6mMqMipk1i2ZELNZAG6e8UFEn8QB-wbypxiCW07QbXQ3P3/s1600/LCC+2015+Henery+Press+authors+Nancy+Cindy+Gigi+Diane+intagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0xy8PQhfUFNLJjscqqK2GRlgFhHRcOBg1G1KEeOwniTn9crulIlyPhJdDojO0MDscIbDTC5Jd5v0MnoQs3sYA13birI6FX6mMqMipk1i2ZELNZAG6e8UFEn8QB-wbypxiCW07QbXQ3P3/s1600/LCC+2015+Henery+Press+authors+Nancy+Cindy+Gigi+Diane+intagram.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Henery Press authors at Left Coast Crime:<br />Nancy G. West, Cindy Brown, Gigi Pandian, Diane Vallere</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMO8ZYNI3VJRXrRmmNc0c8qSfVX1TSGPDhLpsjEajQIiMqd1tPET31rJPWOeqqUMgbCnJ8VMvH7D1C1w2bUEPsIcEAlbdlY6V7DPLrBldf-Z9vClORS2g1n8SG0kgE2NjLHfQO4fd959v/s1600/LCC+2015+Gigi+Tracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMO8ZYNI3VJRXrRmmNc0c8qSfVX1TSGPDhLpsjEajQIiMqd1tPET31rJPWOeqqUMgbCnJ8VMvH7D1C1w2bUEPsIcEAlbdlY6V7DPLrBldf-Z9vClORS2g1n8SG0kgE2NjLHfQO4fd959v/s1600/LCC+2015+Gigi+Tracy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With fellow Midnight Ink author Tracy Weber</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yup, I'm now writing two series for two publishers (The Accidental Alchemist mysteries with Midnight Ink and the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries for Henery Press). It means a more rigorous writing schedule, but also getting to know more amazing people. </div>
<b><br /></b>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Hanging out in the lobby and bar</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br />
<b></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecfUyOddMb2ZQl0fI-AfH7dg39qRWPNoZEjyIfuD4EomUaiVeMRTSxk8EsEW-J6wLuFZPMXlwC3w9v-7_7LqiDLOtgWnvD4xIB2sLvOSyG2N_iyr9y8bGxev6xkVQ4j1UqdyQnEFec74S/s1600/LCC+2015+Catriona+Stacy+Gigi+Lisa+Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecfUyOddMb2ZQl0fI-AfH7dg39qRWPNoZEjyIfuD4EomUaiVeMRTSxk8EsEW-J6wLuFZPMXlwC3w9v-7_7LqiDLOtgWnvD4xIB2sLvOSyG2N_iyr9y8bGxev6xkVQ4j1UqdyQnEFec74S/s1600/LCC+2015+Catriona+Stacy+Gigi+Lisa+Sunday.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Catriona McPherson, Stacy Allen, Gigi Pandian, Lisa Alber</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCCIcPqPYK78TpWmqGfoQgh0j8KG19dc_nCNyKzVylm2oyu7Ac77E17dxQYq0Z7ZOhZWEoYRRTHKtxDYrbLylSotsZiF8MOKkXj-8L7-UcwvowYSd9SkBp67bVd1Or1_fCJB0JVEaSeJB/s1600/LCC+2015+Gigi+Camille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCCIcPqPYK78TpWmqGfoQgh0j8KG19dc_nCNyKzVylm2oyu7Ac77E17dxQYq0Z7ZOhZWEoYRRTHKtxDYrbLylSotsZiF8MOKkXj-8L7-UcwvowYSd9SkBp67bVd1Or1_fCJB0JVEaSeJB/s1600/LCC+2015+Gigi+Camille.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With one of my favorite people, Camille Minichino<br />(who writes more mysteries under more names than I can list here!)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu6prMdl3Jyt3_MkcOpJqotELFkV-Efr1e3bwMA2bRNS-Ppt1QDHPXArBGZHNUYiLUQNZMqurfKyhJuNvSBiTS-VxfuftRJMsfeF_u6WYoMqiv3m-myQjbuB6dqXgUrNJyqto8M6Rhwsi/s1600/LCC+2015+Charlotte+Elkins+signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu6prMdl3Jyt3_MkcOpJqotELFkV-Efr1e3bwMA2bRNS-Ppt1QDHPXArBGZHNUYiLUQNZMqurfKyhJuNvSBiTS-VxfuftRJMsfeF_u6WYoMqiv3m-myQjbuB6dqXgUrNJyqto8M6Rhwsi/s1600/LCC+2015+Charlotte+Elkins+signing.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Charlotte Elkins <br />(who writes the wonderful Alix London art restorer books with Aaron Elkins)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4INizZlG6cWlWAUD72ZXf8FEjkys8b_ei2N-HwMeO1fwSC6QuJrV99BD3yhIvpQInXRcQyGUX3S-2CdBsLFxPIDrX2MghdmUzGoX6TRSC4xZncVgsP-wnmja0_6_gjr1jiD-Gco8xMr8D/s1600/LCC+2015+Cindy+Brown+holding+up+MacDeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4INizZlG6cWlWAUD72ZXf8FEjkys8b_ei2N-HwMeO1fwSC6QuJrV99BD3yhIvpQInXRcQyGUX3S-2CdBsLFxPIDrX2MghdmUzGoX6TRSC4xZncVgsP-wnmja0_6_gjr1jiD-Gco8xMr8D/s1600/LCC+2015+Cindy+Brown+holding+up+MacDeath.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Debut author Cindy Brown</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniVmqp4snyiQAc1K8JMsrkkQXSnCxY5PoUFEJ0ZvlZA7VSLLQhB9DvXUVYHtPTDHjm7-UTk1FJ8-K4a5nwZ65vnw2orMeSU5ByjA_MkMDkvYAicY2uTdlHZW86addp10btvOWlQOm6kOi/s1600/LCC+2015+Rosemarie+and+Vince+Keenan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniVmqp4snyiQAc1K8JMsrkkQXSnCxY5PoUFEJ0ZvlZA7VSLLQhB9DvXUVYHtPTDHjm7-UTk1FJ8-K4a5nwZ65vnw2orMeSU5ByjA_MkMDkvYAicY2uTdlHZW86addp10btvOWlQOm6kOi/s1600/LCC+2015+Rosemarie+and+Vince+Keenan.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rosemarie and Vince Keenan, who are collaborating on their<br />Malice Domestic Grant-winning novel (coming in 2016)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>25th Anniversary Celebration</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This year marked the 25th Left Coast Crime convention. The celebration on Friday night included toastmaster Gar Anthony Haywood holding a raffle for LCC swag from over the years, a slideshow of photos from the convention over the years, and a stage magician. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8MELeMd0GyfJxTZRV1aaKQnxJR1TOORKOTnWmG1-wyBHtjsK7MQM_pxyJMG87LXbkn2pM9VVg3p_5k4yYu57H5h7e4unzlpm9LoQavzWjmOzuH-PeIE0qDmqgehkQ3M4L6visAiBQzUm/s1600/LCC+2015+magic+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8MELeMd0GyfJxTZRV1aaKQnxJR1TOORKOTnWmG1-wyBHtjsK7MQM_pxyJMG87LXbkn2pM9VVg3p_5k4yYu57H5h7e4unzlpm9LoQavzWjmOzuH-PeIE0qDmqgehkQ3M4L6visAiBQzUm/s1600/LCC+2015+magic+show.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magician with volunteers from the audience</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The banquet</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hosted a table at the awards banquet. Since I thought there was <i>no </i>chance I was going to win, I got to enjoy a relaxing evening with my table-mates!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7dgPH7kGbDqFkVwA9HZ1Ig2P-lk7JoYeNtWSHgeiepmBXGASCr69gR9yloWReVXvghvAW_KwY_grLM-E500xPnUUJIBdmJ5Pct8b8QaI6qOzjtKokipokkOTMj_M833mqBwoxkgAt-h5/s1600/LCC-2015-banquet-table-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7dgPH7kGbDqFkVwA9HZ1Ig2P-lk7JoYeNtWSHgeiepmBXGASCr69gR9yloWReVXvghvAW_KwY_grLM-E500xPnUUJIBdmJ5Pct8b8QaI6qOzjtKokipokkOTMj_M833mqBwoxkgAt-h5/s1600/LCC-2015-banquet-table-collage.jpg" height="400" width="352" /></a></div>
<br />
To celebrate <i>Pirate Vishnu</i>'s nomination, I brought a paper pirate ship as the table centerpiece. And to have fun with my new 2015 novels, I gave my table-mates miniature dollhouse gargoyle figures (<i>The Accidental Alchemist</i>) and brought the France-themed photo props from the book launch party for <i>Quicksand</i> (the third Jaya Jones treasure hunt mystery, following <i>Pirate Vishnu</i>). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa3v90xqd4oIjc7BwSYt5xW2BUezPZqJFggG-nisbQBp0NkPbqVZxtSCiTM7sbZtyKYN4XyxB7ESdD-r_kxWGW3ek5DCUGmegZC8ZVVUs5FhEJFha4HIxDC8FvpxVa9JqZl2kdUCJxWV9/s1600/dollhouse+miniature+gargoyles+screen+cap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa3v90xqd4oIjc7BwSYt5xW2BUezPZqJFggG-nisbQBp0NkPbqVZxtSCiTM7sbZtyKYN4XyxB7ESdD-r_kxWGW3ek5DCUGmegZC8ZVVUs5FhEJFha4HIxDC8FvpxVa9JqZl2kdUCJxWV9/s1600/dollhouse+miniature+gargoyles+screen+cap.JPG" height="172" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Table favors - miniature dollhouse gargoyle figurines</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIQh5bdo8VoIVswO_gCEFfdPewcFBg1EWjMbAEa3dMAdHTU9JhALIchrJP2JChYlQSjXPCx0kwDsH8PHj7ioGGvFNmiJcbfrEEdv1YZB4eYfKGYrgXEYTz2gCnG7_ltE2c6I0FLOIFh6G/s1600/LCC+2015+Patricia+Gulley+w+parasol+IMAG0532_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIQh5bdo8VoIVswO_gCEFfdPewcFBg1EWjMbAEa3dMAdHTU9JhALIchrJP2JChYlQSjXPCx0kwDsH8PHj7ioGGvFNmiJcbfrEEdv1YZB4eYfKGYrgXEYTz2gCnG7_ltE2c6I0FLOIFh6G/s1600/LCC+2015+Patricia+Gulley+w+parasol+IMAG0532_1.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sisters in Crime Guppy pal Patricia Gulley<br />with a France photo booth prop</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4j8ORDTBwf50_Op4qe6GeW8_o7n12TPx_uXPGRFqAFudv_uzVEsk5qFCxaI8sVOi_5KKq0cl0-sTEcxAoSV_zPD39HsSxfkVw55adsRbqGx4IzUPSfMBpb36EL9wt5xtJsyaFuD6OcVg/s1600/LCC+2015+banquet+France+photo+booth+Mysti+Dale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4j8ORDTBwf50_Op4qe6GeW8_o7n12TPx_uXPGRFqAFudv_uzVEsk5qFCxaI8sVOi_5KKq0cl0-sTEcxAoSV_zPD39HsSxfkVw55adsRbqGx4IzUPSfMBpb36EL9wt5xtJsyaFuD6OcVg/s1600/LCC+2015+banquet+France+photo+booth+Mysti+Dale.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mysti and Dale Berry having fun with the French props</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A list of all the award winners is posted <a href="http://crimespreemag.com/2015-left-coast-crime-award-winners/">here</a>.<br />
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Huge thanks to Catriona McPherson, who forced me to write a brief acceptance speech even though I was certain I wouldn't use it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lkimwITsRhbJ0pipQVsZ-G-5H84hZQkeNAHUA9y02HNKy_P-PpDIkqxoRG7zyRBOQAhqE_zZleGh1dGNxRR3QAWzEEiAxoMWt8Vxw5mDEuPK5UcSEORO18mc2wFRYgXwa5Fg2wNKOUmP/s1600/Gigi+Catriona+at+banquet+w+awards+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lkimwITsRhbJ0pipQVsZ-G-5H84hZQkeNAHUA9y02HNKy_P-PpDIkqxoRG7zyRBOQAhqE_zZleGh1dGNxRR3QAWzEEiAxoMWt8Vxw5mDEuPK5UcSEORO18mc2wFRYgXwa5Fg2wNKOUmP/s1600/Gigi+Catriona+at+banquet+w+awards+LCC+2015.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Catriona McPherson, who won Best Historical Novel</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2lpL5OFyzZfl4quDIN9bsUx0ClR8eI9OQvRm91PelKLIi3XGh4cvKLu0OKln8kRXcsSHYxZ5g9sctis_2PM9bu7LecpuYjgV6qBJnfbS1SpmW5M9HhYh7vOJxW_69J-WxCMXQf7nGcvm/s1600/Gigi+Cindy+Rose+Award+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2lpL5OFyzZfl4quDIN9bsUx0ClR8eI9OQvRm91PelKLIi3XGh4cvKLu0OKln8kRXcsSHYxZ5g9sctis_2PM9bu7LecpuYjgV6qBJnfbS1SpmW5M9HhYh7vOJxW_69J-WxCMXQf7nGcvm/s1600/Gigi+Cindy+Rose+Award+LCC+2015.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Cindy Brown</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QbQflzw9US19808209wsufrQ8WV2C21vVtf25lmTOAUb48LcfKcdplJS6Sv_3dabrNwVdjyiiR2gEELzQ-gJ-wDZeiev3LQENX2jrFioHQq44oD2823MTx2FCs0Nz3FtnIPygbpoTyAX/s1600/Jen+Gigi+Kate+w+Rose+Award+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QbQflzw9US19808209wsufrQ8WV2C21vVtf25lmTOAUb48LcfKcdplJS6Sv_3dabrNwVdjyiiR2gEELzQ-gJ-wDZeiev3LQENX2jrFioHQq44oD2823MTx2FCs0Nz3FtnIPygbpoTyAX/s1600/Jen+Gigi+Kate+w+Rose+Award+LCC+2015.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Jenn McKinlay and Kate Carlisle</i></td></tr>
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<b>After the convention, visiting my parents who live near Portland</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOacOuiB3zfQDU1NiR2gXqIRwq73w91vhTkBccT_Q5uMwMYgv-QG0qTQ1wBLqDfJkFs5ZltlstUvGWncpyj3LpzTgFDmt5Ub7R2lGQ4MzsaBphZotB1H6t5uHjI31g13Zv-PcFcwHym95/s1600/Pirate+Vishnu+Rose+nomination+plaque+w+elephant+doors+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOacOuiB3zfQDU1NiR2gXqIRwq73w91vhTkBccT_Q5uMwMYgv-QG0qTQ1wBLqDfJkFs5ZltlstUvGWncpyj3LpzTgFDmt5Ub7R2lGQ4MzsaBphZotB1H6t5uHjI31g13Zv-PcFcwHym95/s1600/Pirate+Vishnu+Rose+nomination+plaque+w+elephant+doors+LCC+2015.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pirate Vishnu nomination plaque feeling right at home<br />next to a carving from India</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOujmfqbdin9UdJSlQTF_gRZLZ_-ixFqcXpVwdHIUVJ0Y_FYcwfY0SxTIznPp84QeA1NKRmcIPk0eZe9geOGZsPSldPTi5L1yMWccT0yAh9lfeJ2_fLkwfBHgjdMpPslJm5-vJXJg7Buuj/s1600/Gigi+and+Pa+with+Rose+Award+elephant+doors+LCC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOujmfqbdin9UdJSlQTF_gRZLZ_-ixFqcXpVwdHIUVJ0Y_FYcwfY0SxTIznPp84QeA1NKRmcIPk0eZe9geOGZsPSldPTi5L1yMWccT0yAh9lfeJ2_fLkwfBHgjdMpPslJm5-vJXJg7Buuj/s1600/Gigi+and+Pa+with+Rose+Award+elephant+doors+LCC+2015.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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I'm looking forward to next year. But in the meantime, I think I'll sleep for a few days. <br />
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<i>Update 3/18/15: I forgot to thank the fabulous volunteers who made the convention such a success! Lisa Alber, Bill Cameron, Kendra Elliot, Don Longmuir, Doc Macomber, L.J. Sellers, Johnny Shaw, Lucinda Surber, and Stan Ulrich -- thank you!</i><br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-53414733245235219322015-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:002015-03-10T08:41:03.545-07:00Quicksand Book Launch Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is the book release day for <i>Quicksand</i>, the third Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xySva6ISjnUTlV8jOQ-qnqX7gyafbW8Tb3r1rOrFU0nMkmaDAvVleJhZlv1-GTXQ3wmDPG6BbZuLPqr-37a_gDWNHq4yoFQtLKpdJqoenY6aqmLDaierV3WcVJYPSFm6xOUFq1QGZNHQ/s1600/QUICKSAND+by+Gigi+Pandian+book+cover+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xySva6ISjnUTlV8jOQ-qnqX7gyafbW8Tb3r1rOrFU0nMkmaDAvVleJhZlv1-GTXQ3wmDPG6BbZuLPqr-37a_gDWNHq4yoFQtLKpdJqoenY6aqmLDaierV3WcVJYPSFm6xOUFq1QGZNHQ/s1600/QUICKSAND+by+Gigi+Pandian+book+cover+medium.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A
thousand-year-old secret room.<br />
A sultan’s stolen treasure.<br />
A missing French priest.<br />
And an invitation to Paris to rekindle an old flame…</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Historian Jaya Jones finds herself on the wrong side of the law during an art
heist at the Louvre. To redeem herself, she follows clues from an illuminated
manuscript that lead from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the
quicksand-surrounded fortress of Mont Saint-Michel. With the help of enigmatic
Lane Peters and a 90-year-old stage magician, Jaya delves into France’s
colonial past in India to clear her name and catch a killer.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NcWns9kOa8yAGMZVQe_PH9-mEA6oHQ8B64mTFBwPvZKSL86x2iMc9_ySjc4LyrBDsxuxlhVBx_rYX2EjsesGA8gCdEAQnWNyhmVPbb8Wxq1vwe6Hs53DifRUAYUlsdNtKByU-quv1gLU/s1600/Quicksand-settings-webres-collage-w-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NcWns9kOa8yAGMZVQe_PH9-mEA6oHQ8B64mTFBwPvZKSL86x2iMc9_ySjc4LyrBDsxuxlhVBx_rYX2EjsesGA8gCdEAQnWNyhmVPbb8Wxq1vwe6Hs53DifRUAYUlsdNtKByU-quv1gLU/s1600/Quicksand-settings-webres-collage-w-text.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Huge thanks to A Great Good Place for Books for hosting my book launch party on Sunday! It was a France-themed party, in the spirit of the setting of the book. In addition to beer brewed by monks and French wine, we had a photo booth of French props. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ65_PeRPd0kHojv115vh17HGWMo0dHTRDzEx6M5XQICS8_bJ9sub8GTyACciEP2mUcYoXno21LXRw31DeNDA4jWTpcs9KVBaKmTSpreOEEifYSmPYF26z29EVd9IYbp8qtEsfVNtTq2W/s1600/1+Quicksand-book-launch-March-8-2015-P1000194-Gigi-Em-TEXT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ65_PeRPd0kHojv115vh17HGWMo0dHTRDzEx6M5XQICS8_bJ9sub8GTyACciEP2mUcYoXno21LXRw31DeNDA4jWTpcs9KVBaKmTSpreOEEifYSmPYF26z29EVd9IYbp8qtEsfVNtTq2W/s1600/1+Quicksand-book-launch-March-8-2015-P1000194-Gigi-Em-TEXT.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photos from the party are posted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.848204438551934.1073741829.388355981203451&type=3">here</a>. </div>
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<h4 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #800e0d; font-family: Georgia, 'URW Bookman L', serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.62em; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quicksand-Gigi-Pandian/dp/1941962270/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amazon (paperback) </a>| <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quicksand-Jaya-Jones-Treasure-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00QU3XQTI" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kindle</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quicksand-gigi-pandian/1121147171" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B&N</a> | <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/quicksand-20" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gigi_Pandian_QUICKSAND?id=Ua3cBQAAQBAJ" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Google Play </a>| <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/quicksand/id954163451?ls=1&mt=11" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">iTunes</a></b></h4>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-11284835873145529402015-03-05T17:10:00.000-08:002015-03-05T17:10:22.841-08:00The Appeal of Locked Room Mysteries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Otto Penzler's new collection.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In November I spoke on the panel “Murder in a Locked Room: Solving the ‘Perfect’ Crime” at Bouchercon, the world mystery convention. I wrote up a recap of the whole convention <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2014/11/bouchercon-2014.html">here</a>, and I'm revisiting the panel in greater detail today because I've been on a locked room mystery kick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two things have renewed my interest: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Otto Penzler's new collection of locked room stories, <i>The Black Lizard Big Book of Locked-Room Mysteries</i>. 960 pages and 68 stories! As I write this, I'm about halfway through it. I've encountered many of the stories before, but there are many that are new to me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">French author Paul Halter, who is being hailed as the new John Dickson Carr—and for good reason. His plots are every bit as ingenious, and he uses supernatural overtones to great effect. Halter's books are being translated into English by John Pugmire and <a href="http://www.mylri.com/">Locked Room International</a>. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Murder in a Locked Room: Solving the ‘Perfect’ Crime”</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm a huge fan of
locked room mysteries, so I was thrilled to be selected for the panel along with
Jeffery Deaver, Janet Dawson, Laurie King, Marvin Lachman, and Bill Gottfried
moderating. I wasn’t sure how many people would attend a panel on a mystery
sub-genre most popular during the Golden Age of detective fiction, so it was
heartening to see well over 100 people of all ages in attendance. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Murder in a Locked room panelists (left to
right): <br />Marvin Lachman, Janet Dawson, Bill Gottfried, Gigi Pandian, Jeffery
Deaver, Laurie King</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Marv
Lachman kicked off the discussion with a definition of locked room mysteries.
The classic example is a murder victim found in a room sealed from the inside,
with no way for a murderer to have escaped. But the term “locked room” is used
more broadly for any “impossible crime” situation, such as an outdoor murder in
a remote area with only the victim’s footprints in the snow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jeffery
Deaver mentioned <b>John Dickson Carr’s famous “locked room lecture,”</b> a treatise
inside his novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Three Coffins</i>
that explains the overarching methods in which an impossible crime could indeed
be possible. The specific methods used to carry out these theoretical ideas are
endless, and therefore reading the lecture doesn’t ruin the solution of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Three Coffins</i> or any other book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Why
are locked room mysteries so appealing?</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We all agreed that they provide the
ultimate puzzle. Not only is the reader baffled by who committed the crime and
why, but also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>. There’s a promise
to the reader that there will be a satisfying resolution at the end of the
book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A
secondary feature of many locked room mysteries is the Gothic, ghostly
atmosphere that dominates the investigation—because if a crime is impossible,
then surely it can only have a supernatural explanation. But that’s the trick
of a good locked room mystery: like a good magic trick, what seems supernatural
is in reality a clever illusion.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My John Dickson Carr bookshelf.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Stage
magicians are therefore a natural for locked room mystery sleuths. Clayton
Rawson’s Merlini character is a favorite of mine. Merlini appeared in several
novels and over a dozen short stories. Rawson was a contemporary of Carr, and
wrote most of his stories in the 1930s and 40s. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clayton Rawson's novels featuring The Great Merlini.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet
Dawson mentioned Agatha Christie as an author who is primarily thought of as
the queen of puzzle plots more generally, though several of her books feature
locked room mysteries. And Laurie King brought up Edgar Allan Poe’s “The
Murders in the Rue Morgue” as one of the stories credited with creating the
sub-genre. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BpFFiubaGE2mO-DB3XonCW1EljigbCedwJ7-reE8Jz37STJlXoYyhhZcVhbefIpW38fp8n0gwKERwYtvXRpj7xoBvRWwQySQ4ErQN41k338WoMckJfqNrDUev385DTvSo6W31sEW7Fh-/s1600/Floating+Lady+Murder+Harry+Houdini+Mysteries+Dan+Stashower+bookshelf+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BpFFiubaGE2mO-DB3XonCW1EljigbCedwJ7-reE8Jz37STJlXoYyhhZcVhbefIpW38fp8n0gwKERwYtvXRpj7xoBvRWwQySQ4ErQN41k338WoMckJfqNrDUev385DTvSo6W31sEW7Fh-/s1600/Floating+Lady+Murder+Harry+Houdini+Mysteries+Dan+Stashower+bookshelf+webres.jpg" height="400" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Daniel Stashower, best known for non-fiction,<br />also writes the Harry Houdini Mysteries. </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many
present-day writers are carrying the tradition forward. Authors include Paul
Halter, a French author with several novels translated into English by John Pugmire;
Daniel Stashower, who writes the Harry Houdini mysteries; the prolific Bill
Pronzini, who writes the Nameless detective series; and panelist Jeffery
Deaver, who wrote an impossible-crime magician thriller for his fifth Lincoln
Rhyme novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vanished Man</i>. There
are also many modern Japanese authors writing in the genre. Many, but not all,
have been translated into English—as our moderator Bill Gottfried learned when
he accidentally ordered a Japanese locked room mystery printed in Japanese! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
for me, I haven’t yet pulled off writing a full-length locked room novel, but I
love writing locked room mystery short stories. When I started writing my Jaya
Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series, I created a small sidekick character who
was a stage magician: Sanjay Rai, who performs under the moniker The Hindi
Houdini. But Sanjay refused to remain a sidekick, so I’ve written several
locked room short stories with him as the hero, beginning with “The Hindi
Houdini” (that was the story short-listed for Agatha and Macavity awards). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For a handout at the Bouchercon panel,
we compiled some of our favorite locked room novels, stories, anthologies, and
reference guides. Here’s a portion of the list we gave out: </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A
“starter guide” to Locked Room Mysteries: Novel Recommendations from the
Panelists</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Note
this is NOT an exhaustive list, but rather a few favorite novels from the
panelists. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The handout given to attendees also included additional reference
guides, anthologies, and short stories.</span></i></div>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Edmund Crispin THE MOVING TOYSHOP</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John Dickson Carr THE BURNING COURT</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John Dickson Carr THE CROOKED HINGE</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John Dickson Carr THE THREE COFFINS, aka
HOLLOW MAN <i>(includes Carr’s famous “locked room lecture”)</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Carter Dickson THE JUDAS WINDOW</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Carter Dickson A GRAVEYARD TO LET</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Arthur Conan Doyle THE SIGN OF FOUR</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Halter, THE INVISIBLE CIRCLE</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Keigo Higashino MALICE</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gaston Leroux THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW ROOM</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ellery Queen THE CHINESE ORANGE MYSTERY</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ellery Queen THE DOOR BETWEEN</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clayton Rawson DEATH FROM A TOP HAT</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel Stashower DIME MUSEUM MURDERS</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy reading! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.gigipandian.com/"><span style="color: #14429b;"></span></a> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-41026240665052805802015-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:002015-02-02T12:34:47.961-08:00Visiting the Seattle Mystery Bookshop & My Old Stomping Grounds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I lived in Seattle many years ago while attending graduate school, but haven't been back in years. Long before I wrote a mystery novel, I loved reading them, so I frequented the <a href="http://www.seattlemystery.com/book/9780738741840">Seattle Mystery Bookshop</a>. (Um, yes, that may have been why I turned into a much better mystery writer than grad student!) It was so much fun to return to the bookshop as a published author.<br />
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Staffer Fran read <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> and made it a <a href="http://www.seattlemystery.com/book/9780738741840">Staff Pick</a>. I especially love her review because I won her over! An excerpt:<br />
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<i><span class="yiv5600882334" style="font-family: inherit;">“</span><span style="text-align: left;">I have to admit that going into Gigi Pandian's new novel, The Accidental Alchemist, I was a bit skeptical. A reformed alchemist, a French gargoyle that cooks, a murder, AND recipes? I thought that, perhaps, she was a bit ambitious. I was wrong. She's great!</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="yiv5600882334" style="font-family: inherit;">...The
pace never lets down, the people are multilayered, and the plot is complicated
enough so that it all blends into what promises to be the beginning of a fun
new series… </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="yiv5600882334" style="font-family: inherit;">This a fabulous beginning to a series I'm looking forward to
following!”</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></div>
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<span class="yiv5600882334"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>--Seattle Mystery Bookshop STAFF PICK from Fran</i></span></span></div>
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And I just heard that the book was their #1 trade paperback bestseller in January!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds2BpBjfE0N5_JJg5pRjlJk7TEAMha998Xub9BOcruVj04OECuQ0mg1MbY0ui9wpBAp-stb3qCCJCfmNVnQA9PieYIqc4DawG058km-tM-Ei31LJOWRfQ-iTATMr36QpAkz0Q_QUEvk6v/s1600/Seattle+Mystery+Bookshop+Gigi+&+Fran+Jan+2015+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds2BpBjfE0N5_JJg5pRjlJk7TEAMha998Xub9BOcruVj04OECuQ0mg1MbY0ui9wpBAp-stb3qCCJCfmNVnQA9PieYIqc4DawG058km-tM-Ei31LJOWRfQ-iTATMr36QpAkz0Q_QUEvk6v/s1600/Seattle+Mystery+Bookshop+Gigi+&+Fran+Jan+2015+webres.jpg" /></a></div>
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In addition to visiting with old friends, no trip to Seattle would be complete without a stop at one of my favorite stores: <a href="https://www.gargoylestatuary.com/">Gargoyles Statuary</a>. I lived down the street from this wonderful little shop in the U-District. Someone needs to open a store like this in San Francisco or Berkeley. Any takers?<br />
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p.s. Since I've always been a mystery writer at heart, I loved the gray and rainy Seattle weather when I lived there. The weather cooperated beautifully while I was there -- fog and cloud-covered sky, but the rain held off while I was exploring. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has plenty of fog, too. So even though I didn't end up in Seattle in the long run, I've got plenty of atmospheric weather to inspire me. </div>
Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-4320464817335325712015-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:002015-01-27T15:17:23.809-08:00Pirate Vishnu Nominated for the Rose Award at Left Coast Crime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What a wonderful surprise to find out that <i>Pirate Vishnu</i> has been nominated for <a href="http://leftcoastcrime.org/2015/Awards.html">the Rose</a> award at <a href="http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/2015/">Left Coast Crime</a>! </div>
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Left Coast Crime is the West Coast's big mystery convention, and this year it's in Portland, Oregon, the City of Roses. Therefore the Rose is the name of the award for the best mystery set on the west coast. It's such an honor to be nominated for an LCC award with such a <a href="http://leftcoastcrime.org/2015/Awards.html">distinguished lineup</a> that also includes talented dear friends <a href="http://www.dianevallere.com/">Diane Vallere</a> (nominated for the Lefty for best humorous mystery) and <a href="http://lisaalber.com/">Lisa Alber</a> (nominated for the Rosebud for best first novel). </div>
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This is why a nomination for this particular book is especially meaningful to me:</div>
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<i>Pirate Vishnu</i> is divided into three parts: The Illusion (San Francisco), The Monsoon (south India), and The Barbary Coast (back to San Francisco). I love finding connections between different parts of the world, especially if I can shape those connections into puzzle-mystery twists. The twist that ties San Francisco to Kochi, India in <i>Pirate Vishnu</i> was something I figured it out while on a trip to India with my dad!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGHLZwzhyphenhyphen7LQImExoin0OryRmaQGfIOh-gR3pYz_TKzF2Aw5vGOiJmspia2NHLYTNCz2Kfs1KGaSfKPnwfdWk-U4G8aRy-T2aj0uDKJFBRY-xZoYXhF5J_sSnvWM4XwvwEtH3KH5I3drk/s1600/India-2010-Gigi-and-Pa-Kanyakumari-1-webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGHLZwzhyphenhyphen7LQImExoin0OryRmaQGfIOh-gR3pYz_TKzF2Aw5vGOiJmspia2NHLYTNCz2Kfs1KGaSfKPnwfdWk-U4G8aRy-T2aj0uDKJFBRY-xZoYXhF5J_sSnvWM4XwvwEtH3KH5I3drk/s1600/India-2010-Gigi-and-Pa-Kanyakumari-1-webres.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Visiting the southern tip of India with my dad, close to where he was born.</i></td></tr>
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A family legend about one of my great uncles from India inspired the book (you can read that story <a href="http://www.pensfatales.com/2011/01/family-makes-for-good-fiction.html">here</a> or in the March 2014 issue of <i>Mystery Scene</i> magazine) -- and that trip to India with my dad made it come together.<br />
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After our trip, he made sure I got the India scenes right. In one instance, when I asked why he made a certain edit, he simply said, "even though it's technically correct, it just isn't done." Ha!<br />
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Another exciting part of writing this novel was that I got to tell a parallel story set between 1900 and 1906 in San Francisco's Barbary Coast. Those historical chapters are sprinkled throughout the book and parallel the present-day story. I had such fun writing those historical chapters that I'm definitely going to do something similar in the future.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My great grand uncles in India.</i></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">PIRATE VISHNU</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>A century-old treasure map of San Francisco’s Barbary Coast. </i><i>Sacred riches from India.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Two murders, one hundred years apart. </i><i>And a love triangle… Historian Jaya Jones has her work cut out for her.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">1906. Shortly before the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Pirate Vishnu strikes the San Francisco Bay. An ancestor of Jaya’s who came to the U.S. from India draws a treasure map…</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">PRESENT DAY. Over a century later, the cryptic treasure map remains undeciphered. From San Francisco to the southern tip of India, Jaya pieces together her ancestor’s secrets, maneuvers a complicated love life she didn’t count on, and puts herself in the path of a killer to restore a revered treasure.</span><br />
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<i>Pirate Vishnu</i> is the second Jaya Jones treasure hunt mystery, published in February 2014 by Henery Press. The third book in the series, <i>Quicksand</i>, comes out March 10, 2015 -- the week of Left Coast Crime!<br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-48505357111407595592015-01-17T17:15:00.000-08:002015-01-17T17:15:06.122-08:00The Accidental Alchemist Book Launch Party Photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A recap of the book launch party through photos</h3>
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I brought my stuffed animal gargoyle to join in the fun. He doesn't look exactly like Dorian, the gargoyle in <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i>, but hey, he's still a gargoyle. </div>
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Here he is inside a magician's top hat (relevant to the book). We used the hat to draw names of attendees to win Accidental Alchemist mugs and Book Passage gift certificates. </div>
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The gargoyle made the rounds. </div>
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And yes, there was gargoyle-themed beer (in honor of Dorian), as well as French wine (in honor of alchemist Zoe Faust).</div>
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Several pals from my writers group joined in the fun. </div>
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Future writer?</div>
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Bookstore manager Cheryl McKeon was instrumental in making the event a success. </div>
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I talked about the story behind the book, did a short reading, and answered audience questions...</div>
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...before we got back to socializing and polishing off the gargoyle beer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xufs8kjAF1exYg0dTsHldQOd98jv3eb9FiRzaFNnvFC59wnO5DOD-9r7S6d2aTlWm9t4Rp82SAm0Fg6IMNynl9EHo_qKewj8F9SqxRqYCMk525L5strNl8qbOxVgg9b9wwMD5YWeNakk/s1600/medium+Accidental+Alchmist+launch+party+Jan+15+2015+Jon-David+Cesar+Gigi+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xufs8kjAF1exYg0dTsHldQOd98jv3eb9FiRzaFNnvFC59wnO5DOD-9r7S6d2aTlWm9t4Rp82SAm0Fg6IMNynl9EHo_qKewj8F9SqxRqYCMk525L5strNl8qbOxVgg9b9wwMD5YWeNakk/s1600/medium+Accidental+Alchmist+launch+party+Jan+15+2015+Jon-David+Cesar+Gigi+James.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've seen many favorite authors in the Book Passage newsletter over the years, so it was great fun to be included in their latest newsletter to advertise the event. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3dWZskLwwFS8KaaGH200hYMmInFlKKGsWvx9_FJNz8Jmi3xt1x7hiIeFurTaZWedj4XynyuTlIZgK_70nTwiqBEGSBISDXBoNUt54NWPGjym5HapICCLyI9IbUoYYRbSLZIN4Xw46jU_/s1600/Book+Passage+NEWSLETTER+Jan+2015+Gigi+Pandian+p+10+screen+capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3dWZskLwwFS8KaaGH200hYMmInFlKKGsWvx9_FJNz8Jmi3xt1x7hiIeFurTaZWedj4XynyuTlIZgK_70nTwiqBEGSBISDXBoNUt54NWPGjym5HapICCLyI9IbUoYYRbSLZIN4Xw46jU_/s1600/Book+Passage+NEWSLETTER+Jan+2015+Gigi+Pandian+p+10+screen+capture.JPG" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks to everyone who joined me in person and in spirit! </div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-54254039321329084152015-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:002015-01-15T08:34:23.018-08:00The Accidental Alchemist AUDIOBOOK <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you like listening to audiobooks? You're in luck: <i>The Accidental Alchemist </i>is my first novel that's been made into an audiobook!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX-XlG8kOQVF_p0AEcRAavHeCdLOI-rA0BAZzrrMBkvqfw8DI0vQmEdrvdjmh4e5Zs_vDE9Ife-z7Qq3K-HkZYO7gquYKfBgvW1tMNaNwIuewN6B0gDc6_4w8KlRGLbmqrJki2cBUi3Zv/s1600/Alchemist+audiobook+promo+pic+Instagram+Jan+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX-XlG8kOQVF_p0AEcRAavHeCdLOI-rA0BAZzrrMBkvqfw8DI0vQmEdrvdjmh4e5Zs_vDE9Ife-z7Qq3K-HkZYO7gquYKfBgvW1tMNaNwIuewN6B0gDc6_4w8KlRGLbmqrJki2cBUi3Zv/s1600/Alchemist+audiobook+promo+pic+Instagram+Jan+2015.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't know what to expect when I signed the contract, so it was an unexpected surprise that the folks at Audible asked for input, through a "Casting Notes Invitation." Thinking about casting notes brought back memories of when I was involved in theater in high school! I listened to audiobook narrator samples, thought about comparisons to actors playing different roles as a frame of reference, and made notes about the speaking style I envisioned. It was fun to be part of the process and see just how much more goes into a successful reading than simply speaking the words on the page. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Listen to a <a href="https://soundcloud.com/audible/the-accidental-alchemist">sample</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Accidental-Alchemist-Audiobook/B00RL10XYE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRJUDdjGlqY6MCUBF5qGe9bhKc6dHY8GRSnl8eXUtIZVSmPGT-rrGE2qgW2ELrqdydcYvnanbyrurKdXlwp2oV90fhdZWZ3hy4aoHLqy79YH_rqrMlWEW2LXqZfdg4cBPNzgh-a5AuoPn/s1600/Audio+book+screen+cap+The+Accidental+Alchemist.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Alchemist/dp/B00RN7LVPG/">Buy</a> the audiobook.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Accidental-Alchemist-Audiobook/B00RL10XYE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpge8Y2te4uHJViAlb3vdf9ZEYngx-pLAmixAOyO-9Q4rdFKGrC7kBYCX3Zgb68DTLBuq3iy6dAXgitggOw37ZaU9JpYPGJ0ttBjWUXMxeKFF6E6njdhsswjx3aryNPlSaM5XZ_x6o9Szc/s1600/Audio+book+bigger+screen+cap+The+Accidental+Alchemist.JPG" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was so pleased that Audible hired <a href="http://www.juliamotyka.com/">Julia Motyka</a> as the narrator. Her voice perfectly captures the two sides of alchemist Zoe Faust: forever 28 and optimistic about life but also having lived as an outsider for centuries. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And the fabulous narrator can even do Dorian's French accent! I hope you'll enjoy her narration as much as I do.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.brickshopaudio.com/narrators/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwF8pxJ1_ymephaO9h-7nM0moqUTYrSurd1Ml2qU6CEjvQP4WQhASoKEhx0Ybk7_sZAwtE2TN2b6HqHr4RitdmvSl3jzfW69lWxpEn9eK4ZhsgEV0fBKTAoWyRbyJV6dhVGdWxirWfiER/s1600/Julia+Motyka+BrickShopAudio+narrators+page+screen+cap.JPG" height="328" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-65793668208361016502015-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:002015-01-08T07:56:15.703-08:00Book Launch Day for The Accidental Alchemist! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> hits bookstore shelves today! It's the first book in my new mystery series
set in Portland, Oregon, featuring a centuries-old female alchemist and her
French chef sidekick</span>—<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">who happens to be a gargoyle who was accidentally
brought to life by a stage magician. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko6akuWfnAUA9e2L4JLA1wCD5Hn6AcMCOuN5octZo_OEyxYmzS2iEmorEiObH7gFs3HOn4OHjWPcAAuXDh-KCDyXxzoR6MEnB8TCr7n7EFtkG4y5uDkY8rY-575V0Mikou-75T0DYOtV2/s1600/Accidental-Alchemist-Gigi-Pandian-cover-w-text-WEB-LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko6akuWfnAUA9e2L4JLA1wCD5Hn6AcMCOuN5octZo_OEyxYmzS2iEmorEiObH7gFs3HOn4OHjWPcAAuXDh-KCDyXxzoR6MEnB8TCr7n7EFtkG4y5uDkY8rY-575V0Mikou-75T0DYOtV2/s1600/Accidental-Alchemist-Gigi-Pandian-cover-w-text-WEB-LARGE.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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Stay tuned for lots of fun tidbits about the book, along with some fun contests I've been cooking up. In the meantime, here are some details about the book and the book launch party happening next week: </div>
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<b>On the book jacket: </b>Unpacking her belongings in her new hometown of Portland,
Oregon, herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust can’t help but notice she’s
picked up a stowaway. Dorian Robert-Houdin is a living, breathing
three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle—not to mention a master of French cuisine—and he
needs Zoe’s expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Zoe, who’s trying to
put her old life behind her, isn’t so sure she wants to reopen her alchemical
past… until the dead man on her porch leaves her no choice.</div>
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There's plenty of culinary alchemy, and recipes are included. </div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.midnightinkbooks.com/excerpt.php?excerptid=102557">Read a
sample.</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">BUY THE BOOK at a bookstore or through an online retailer:</span></b></h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Alchemist-An-Mystery/dp/0738741841/"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Alchemist-An-Mystery/dp/0738741841/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon </span></a>| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-accidental-alchemist-gigi-pandian/1119693774?ean=9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Barnes &
Noble </span></a>| <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Indiebound </span></a>| <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-accidental-alchemist"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Kobo</span></a> | <a href="http://www.midnightinkbooks.com/product.php?ean=9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Midnight Ink</span></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Buy directly from one of my favorite independent
bookstores:</span></b></h3>
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<a href="http://www.murderbooks.com/book/9780738741840"></a><a href="http://www.murderbooks.com/book/9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Murder By The Book </span></a>| <a href="http://www.ggpbooks.com/book/9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">A Great Good Place for Books</span></a> |<a href="http://www.bookpassage.com/book/9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Book Passage</span></a> | <a href="http://www.seattlemystery.com/book/9780738741840"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Seattle Mystery Bookshop</span></a> | <a href="http://gigipandian.com/fun-stuff-2/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Borderlands (for a personalized copy,
upon request)</span></a></div>
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<br /><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Accidental-Alchemist-Audiobook/B00RL10XYE">Buy the AUDIOBOOK</a></b><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></h3>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/audible/the-accidental-alchemist">Listen to an
audiobook sample.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;">This is my first audiobook! (I'll talk more about that experience in another blog post.)</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/496548633818188/">Book Launch Party for<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">The Accidental Alchemist</span></i></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday, January 15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6pm</span><br />
<span class="fsl" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://bookpassage.com/event/gigi-pandian-accidental-alchemist">Book Passage</a></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="fsl" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">at the Ferry Building in San Francisco</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn6s9EkmrxqbT_Te_H3bki4f6uBqBafLES4iEHJM7ZywMxoLlm5RSOjoxmHUiRqLoI4JiDKp2QDXrRlqB38G32wTVKsqfETZDgG_64zJeX5dJBOXVrup5fZi2blymNMQljH0BHDxZC-E0/s1600/Dori-the-gargoyle-w-Accidental-Alchemist-ARCS-web-IMAG0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn6s9EkmrxqbT_Te_H3bki4f6uBqBafLES4iEHJM7ZywMxoLlm5RSOjoxmHUiRqLoI4JiDKp2QDXrRlqB38G32wTVKsqfETZDgG_64zJeX5dJBOXVrup5fZi2blymNMQljH0BHDxZC-E0/s1600/Dori-the-gargoyle-w-Accidental-Alchemist-ARCS-web-IMAG0169.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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<b>Advance Praise for The Accidental Alchemist</b></h3>
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“Pandian launches a supernatural cozy series that
hits high marks for a modern twist on an ancient practice. Amusing supporting
characters and historical details solidify this engaging mystery.”<br />
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—Library Journal</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“Pandian sets this series apart from other paranormal
mysteries with Zoe’s cute nonhuman sidekick and some mouthwatering vegan
recipes.”<br />
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—Publishers Weekly</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“This new series is off to an excellent start with an
intriguing, eccentric amateur detective… This reviewer is eagerly anticipating
more from this series, and a return of a cast more fun than an episode of
Portlandia.”<br />
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—RT Book Reviews</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“Zoe and Dorian are my new favorite amateur-sleuth duo!”<br />
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—Victoria Laurie, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Accidental Alchemist is a recipe for a great
read. Gigi Pandian’s pen never disappoints.”<br />
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—Juliet Blackwell,<i> New York Times</i> bestselling author</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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“A magical, whimsical cozy that will delight readers who
enjoy Juliet Blackwell and Heather Weber mysteries!”<br />
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—Avery Aames, aka Daryl Wood Gerber</b></div>
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“The pace never lets down, the people are multilayered,
and the plot is complicated enough so that it all blends into what promises to
be the beginning of a fun new series… This a fabulous beginning to a series I’m
looking forward to following!”</div>
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—Seattle Mystery Bookshop staff pick </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-89023929535947214262015-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:002015-01-06T09:58:13.625-08:00The Mutual Admiration Society, Featuring Victoria Laurie & Juliet Blackwell <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've gotta say that one of the coolest things about being a writer is getting to know some of my favorite authors. And even more amazing? The fact that several of my favorite authors have enjoyed my books and endorsed them. (Yes, I still pinch myself about this fact.)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY_YhScNVW7Uc1DXVieZhVQGXAmBYFAlNkwzpIz5dJcyTxAMm35-OVQr4JeykBxuJgmS5huCQKxRUWXKzipIECS0Kz1bMQHcoYlgX5MpdvUrKL-6OdDF471uDZh1SAr330tWhyphenhyphenqEKgTEK/s1600/No+Ghouls+Allowed+by+Victoria+Laurie+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY_YhScNVW7Uc1DXVieZhVQGXAmBYFAlNkwzpIz5dJcyTxAMm35-OVQr4JeykBxuJgmS5huCQKxRUWXKzipIECS0Kz1bMQHcoYlgX5MpdvUrKL-6OdDF471uDZh1SAr330tWhyphenhyphenqEKgTEK/s1600/No+Ghouls+Allowed+by+Victoria+Laurie+COVER.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Victoria Laurie's new M.J. mystery,<br />out January 6, 2015.</i></td></tr>
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I discovered Victoria Laurie's books in 2011, when I was going through chemotherapy and wanted to read fresh, engaging mysteries to keep my mind occupied. I devoured her ghost hunter and psychic eye mysteries, and I now eagerly await each new release. The M.J. Holliday ghost hunter mysteries are my favorites, so I'm thrilled that <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22522080-no-ghouls-allowed">No Ghouls Allowed</a></i> is out today! I know what I'm reading tonight. <br />
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Victoria's books are in the same genre as my new series (paranormal cozy mysteries), so when it was time to get reviews for <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i>, I summoned the courage to ask her if she'd be willing to read the book and give it an endorsement if she enjoyed it.<br />
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I was thrilled that Victoria took the time to read the book, and gobsmacked by how much she loved it. She even called me on the phone to tell me so! Who does that anymore? It was unbelievable and lovely. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">“Zoe and Dorian are my new favorite amateur-sleuth duo!”</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">—</span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><em>New York Times </em>bestselling author</span> <strong>Victoria Laurie</strong> </span><br />
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It's a wonderful feeling to receive a great review from a trade publication (I'm happy that <i>The Accidental Alchemist </i><a href="http://gigipandian.com/the-accidental-alchemist/">received praise</a> from <i>Library Journal, Publishers Weekly</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">, </a>and others), but it's not the same as receiving a heartfelt endorsement from an author you admire. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblV-gQth6IxES0Hc6b5Da3SYgXXKQGoHXS7rxqWjoT1ap89SOLz7t7RX4JD9jwfoRc0eT4fmYBoCj8rSCeWrGH8shRii0OA0rIWuvuBkRKJE2HihvHImvI-ZFII2uPsv-hWdwbrpdtu7Q/s1600/Keeper+of+the+Castle+by+Juliet+Blackwell+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblV-gQth6IxES0Hc6b5Da3SYgXXKQGoHXS7rxqWjoT1ap89SOLz7t7RX4JD9jwfoRc0eT4fmYBoCj8rSCeWrGH8shRii0OA0rIWuvuBkRKJE2HihvHImvI-ZFII2uPsv-hWdwbrpdtu7Q/s1600/Keeper+of+the+Castle+by+Juliet+Blackwell+COVER.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Juliet Blackwell's latest mystery,<br />published in December 2014.</i></td></tr>
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Juliet Blackwell is another of my favorite mystery authors. She's now a good friend of mine, but the first time I met her was when I approached her at a mystery convention to tell her how much I loved her first novel.<br />
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I was attending my first mystery convention, Malice Domestic. I didn't know a soul, but I'd read and loved Juliet's <i>Feint of Art</i> (written as Hailey Lind). Everyone at the convention was so friendly that it was easy to go up to Juliet and introduce myself. We quickly became friends, and she was an early and enthusiastic supporter of my rough draft of <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i>.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">“<em>The Accidental Alchemist</em> is a recipe for a great read. Gigi Pandian’s pen never disappoints.”</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">—</span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;"><em><em>New York Times </em></em>bestselling author </span><strong>Juliet Blackwell<em></em></strong></span><br />
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Juliet's books have always been great, but they keep getting better. If you're a fan of paranormal cozy mysteries, you should check out her new book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21911709-keeper-of-the-castle"><i>Keeper of the Castle</i></a>. <br />
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I'm tempted to ramble on about others, but it's time for me to get writing! I'll end with something that brings this blog post full circle:<br />
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If you've known me for a few years, you might remember hearing me squeal with excitement and disbelief that Aaron Elkins endorsed my first novel. Victoria Laurie and Juliet Blackwell weren't writing books when I was an impressionable kid, but Aaron Elkins was. I fell in love with his Gideon Oliver mysteries at the same time I did Elizabeth Peters' Vicky Bliss mysteries, as a teenager in the early 1990s.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NRu_oVRjASA05kHZ2qP8FSXSe2uqB2IeMWNnGsnZ7PptWTgx0tZKnve40q4i-4qtITJTBMKLWmIEw64XW0sst1oNB98wyu1iqrycvnQygsQSH1RBUHyXA1HcdL3uOkHrKbkItgzFspNc/s1600/LCC+Monterey+Aaron+Elkins+signature+on+Curses+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NRu_oVRjASA05kHZ2qP8FSXSe2uqB2IeMWNnGsnZ7PptWTgx0tZKnve40q4i-4qtITJTBMKLWmIEw64XW0sst1oNB98wyu1iqrycvnQygsQSH1RBUHyXA1HcdL3uOkHrKbkItgzFspNc/s1600/LCC+Monterey+Aaron+Elkins+signature+on+Curses+webres.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aaron Elkins signing my copy of <br />Gideon Oliver novel CURSES.</i></td></tr>
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When I was getting ready to publish <i>Artifact</i>, I knew I'd regret it if I didn't have all the fun I possibly could with the book. That meant asking Aaron Elkins, a man I had never met, if he would read the book. I'd previously blogged about how much his books meant to me, so when I contacted him he already knew I was a big fan of his. That made him willing to check out <i>Artifact</i>.<br />
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When Aaron Elkins gave me an endorsement, I knew that whatever else happened in my publishing career, I'd already made it. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">“<em>Artifact</em> is witty, clever, and twisty. Do you like Agatha Christie? Elizabeth Peters? Then you’re going to love Gigi Pandian.”<br />
—</span><span style="color: #990000;">Edgar-winning author </span><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Aaron Elkins</strong></span><br />
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Happy New Year! </div>
Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-76411864765516693902014-11-18T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-20T17:02:16.216-08:00Bouchercon 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm home after four days at Bouchercon, the world mystery convention, which was held in Long Beach this year. On my way home on Sunday I was on a flight with several other Bay Area authors, and our conversation as we waited to board sums up the whole convention experience: even though we attended the fan convention as authors, we were most excited when talking about the new mystery books and authors we discovered over the long weekend. <br />
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I roomed with a pal who was attending the convention for the first time. This wasn't my first Bouchercon, but it was my first time with multiple books out and multiple events scheduled. In other words, it was the first time I felt like I was attending professionally. But since I was a huge mystery fan long before I became a writer, I had to set alarms on my phone so I'd remember to stop browsing in the book room, chatting with old and new friends, or attending cool panels -- so I could be sure to attend my own events! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDSbQzp0p56yLGQ2BZty-BLZps5fknnEP5Fs5R5JaY1l0EI6ZX1ih5Cg1EnEiJMA-oHFRmYPjedVeOjUNDgfiGuIvhvQHgaWR4-EUh_Rzj2j6kjoBmZYGzPsjMYFbdcGtR1EjCzT5fjv5/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+IMAG0331+Mariah+Klein+Bcon+bat+signal+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDSbQzp0p56yLGQ2BZty-BLZps5fknnEP5Fs5R5JaY1l0EI6ZX1ih5Cg1EnEiJMA-oHFRmYPjedVeOjUNDgfiGuIvhvQHgaWR4-EUh_Rzj2j6kjoBmZYGzPsjMYFbdcGtR1EjCzT5fjv5/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+IMAG0331+Mariah+Klein+Bcon+bat+signal+WEBRES.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Roomie Mariah Klein in front of the hotel.</i></span></td></tr>
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My gorgeous book cover for <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> was on display at the Midnight Ink table. The publisher gave away Accidental Alchemist mugs and I signed Advance Reader Copies of the book for readers. And it was great having a chance to get to know my editor, publicist, and fellow Midnight Ink authors better over the weekend. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbRLhY8MG1Saz3rU5sMhIsttkUmam-eIDuV-etUbNourNGfHfNHj3bT1wNgf_J5lLtURl_5taIhrFAIaZA88s_95VKb-7IIW00OeJeRjaOmkMrMFCIUAOw-WSpi_PchQJHXt42sm8WYpo/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060342+Gigi+Pandian+Terri+Bischoff+Midnight+Ink+booth+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbRLhY8MG1Saz3rU5sMhIsttkUmam-eIDuV-etUbNourNGfHfNHj3bT1wNgf_J5lLtURl_5taIhrFAIaZA88s_95VKb-7IIW00OeJeRjaOmkMrMFCIUAOw-WSpi_PchQJHXt42sm8WYpo/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060342+Gigi+Pandian+Terri+Bischoff+Midnight+Ink+booth+WEBRES.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Midnight Ink booth at Bouchercon, with The Accidental Alchemist on display!<br />Here I am with my fabulous editor Terri Bischoff. </i></td></tr>
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At the "Author Speed Dating" breakfast event on the first day, writers table-hopped to tell readers about their books. I handed out goodies from a magician's hat, because stage magic is one of the overlapping subjects in the two books I've got coming out in early 2015:<i> <a href="http://gigipandian.com/books/#accidentalalchemist">The Accidental Alchemist</a></i> coming from Midnight Ink in January, and <a href="http://gigipandian.com/books/#jayajones"><i>Quicksand</i></a>, the third Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, coming from Henery Press in March. I paired up with fellow Henery Press author Susan Boyer, who writes the Liz Talbot mysteries, the first of which won an Agatha Award. We had fun until we started to lose our voices!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAluePjUYW_vR901vxUg9lW4N1h4igqeied4u3pfpoJJzUChgd-S23uDha9ir3sj2BUKGYQ-iNKDw8vgyZ8BZjTnQ_CiObKsfMiBnkQ8mHm4iFHrjJSeMQslI0KdJAYcVxevpx5XyoIXIV/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060298+Gigi+Pandian+Susan+Boyer+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAluePjUYW_vR901vxUg9lW4N1h4igqeied4u3pfpoJJzUChgd-S23uDha9ir3sj2BUKGYQ-iNKDw8vgyZ8BZjTnQ_CiObKsfMiBnkQ8mHm4iFHrjJSeMQslI0KdJAYcVxevpx5XyoIXIV/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060298+Gigi+Pandian+Susan+Boyer+WEBRES.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Susan Boyer at "Author Speed Dating."</i></td></tr>
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The Macavity Awards, given out by Mystery Readers International, were presented at the opening ceremonies. My locked room mystery "The Hindi Houdini" was up for Best Short Story. Up against fabulous short stories including Art Taylor's "The Care and Feeding of Houseplants" and John Connolly's "The Caxton Lending Library and Book Depository," I knew I wouldn't win, but it was such an honor to be nominated alongside those authors and stories. The Macavity went to to Art Taylor's story from <i>Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. </i>You can see the full list of Macavity nominees <a href="http://www.mysteryreaders.org/macavity.html">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU__c1hSCtARY8pb1fxghrUC8tV8eL70JwFyI2G2ol5cQJ1v3BZOARHTO23oYCUnTvBWJr9iN9myNXru31rxfSxPYJoHBMQEUmDhE4awTo_cneGmi03ULn7d8AoWg-VJ0ifMLtD759OWeh/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060307+opening+ceremonies+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU__c1hSCtARY8pb1fxghrUC8tV8eL70JwFyI2G2ol5cQJ1v3BZOARHTO23oYCUnTvBWJr9iN9myNXru31rxfSxPYJoHBMQEUmDhE4awTo_cneGmi03ULn7d8AoWg-VJ0ifMLtD759OWeh/s1600/Bouchercon+2014+Long+Beach+P1060307+opening+ceremonies+WEBRES.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The opening ceremonies. Fancy!</i></td></tr>
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It was only a little over a year ago that I participated in the New Author breakfasts at mystery conventions. I got up early to support the authors I knew with new books out. Plus, I had my own selfish reason for attending: I learned about several new authors I hadn't previously heard of but who are now on my reading list. (I've already downloaded Andrew Mayne's <i>Angel Killer</i>.) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New Author Breakfast. Top row: Lisa Alber, Kathy Aarons, Annette Dashofy.<br />Bottom row: Tracy Weber, Ray Daniel, Sybil Johnson.</i></td></tr>
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Appearing on the Locked Room Mysteries panel was a treat both because of the line-up (Jeffery Deaver's <i>The Vanished Man</i> is absolutely brilliant, and Marv Lachman's <i>Heirs of Anthony Boucher</i> makes him the resident Bouchercon historian) and because the subject is dear to my heart. I've always thought I was rather old-fashioned because I love locked room "impossible crime" stories that were most popular during the Golden Age of detective fiction between the two world wars, but I learned that I'm not alone! The audience was packed with well over 100 people of all ages. (I'll do a separate post on what we talked about, because otherwise I'd go on forever.) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On the Locked Room Mysteries panel with Marv Lachman, Janet Dawson, <br />Bill Gottfried (our moderator), Jeffery Deaver, and Laurie King.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Jeffery Deaver, who in addition to writing brilliant books is the nicest guy.</i></td></tr>
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Mystery conventions often raise money for local literacy charities through a silent auction and a live auction. Dozens of authors contributed to the auctions that raised money for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and WriteGirl. Camille Minichino donated this hand-made miniature (check out all the miniature mystery novels!). I donated a <i>Pirate Vishnu</i>-themed treasure chest filled with San Francisco chocolates and a signed hardcover edition of the book.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Top: Camille Minichino's mystery miniature.</i><br />
<i>Bottom: my Pirate Vishnu treasure chest.</i></td></tr>
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Conventions are always a combination of meeting new friends and catching up with old ones I don't see often enough. Diane Vallere and Kendel Lynn have been two of my stalwart writer pals since early in this journey. Sadly they don't live locally, but happily we all love attending mystery cons.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Diane Vallere and Kendel Lynn. </i></td></tr>
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And then there are some people who feel like old friends as soon as you meet them. Steve Steinbock, who writes a regular column for <i>Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine</i>, is one of those people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Steve Steinbock. </i></td></tr>
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Since there are far too many great books and far too little time, of the ways I decide which classic mysteries to read is by listening to Les Blatt's <a href="http://www.classicmysteries.net/">Classic Mysteries Podcasts</a>, so it was nice to catch up with him in person. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Les Blatt, who runs the excellent Classic Mysteries website. </i></td></tr>
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The Sisters in Crime breakfast was extra special this year because it included the presentation of the <a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=EleanorTaylorBland">Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award</a> to Maria Kelson. I served on the committee that read through many outstanding applications. Maria's rose to the top, and I can't wait to see her book in print. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eleanor Taylor Bland grant-winner Maria Kelson.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Frankie Bailey and grant-winner Maria Kelson.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Laura DiSilverio handing over the Sisters in Crime presidency to Catriona McPherson.</i></td></tr>
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I didn't remember to take photos at the Bouchercon Anthology signing, but here's the book. My locked room mystery story "The Haunted Room" appears in the anthology. (If you subscribe to <a href="http://gigipandian.com/newsletter/">my email newsletter</a>, you may recognize the story from its original incarnation as a Halloween 2013 exclusive gift to newsletter subscribers. The new story is even better thanks to Dana Cameron's editorial guidance.) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bouchercon anthology, Murder at the Beach. </i></td></tr>
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<i>UPDATE: Thanks to Tanis Mallow and Rob Brunet, I have these photos from the anthology signing!</i></div>
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The <a href="http://www.bouchercon.info/nominees.html">Anthony Awards</a>, named for Anthony Boucher, were given out at Bouchercon at a celebratory event on the last evening of the convention. The lovely Catriona McPherson won an Anthony for <i>As She Left It</i>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Catriona McPherson with her Anthony Award<br />and our shared editor Terri Bischoff. </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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On the last morning of the convention, while not attending panels I camped out in the lobby in hopes of catching up with people I hadn't yet seen over the long weekend. It worked! Though I didn't manage to see everyone on my list (with over 1,600 people in attendance that would have been tough), in addition to two scheduled meetings I ran into several more people I hadn't seen all weekend<span class="st">. I'm glad I kept my own <a href="http://www.pensfatales.com/2014/05/5-tips-for-getting-most-out-of.html">Bouchercon tips</a> in mind, even if it was on the last day! Thanks to chair Ingrid Willis and all the volunteers for a great convention. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from the Long Beach Hyatt.</i></td></tr>
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Now that I'm home, I'm incredibly inspired to finish writing my latest mystery. If only I could pull myself away from all of these great new books.... Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. </div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-66662157900485261762014-11-11T20:00:00.000-08:002014-11-11T20:54:40.453-08:00Book Deadlines & Bouchercon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday I gave a draft of my latest novel to my critique readers (woo-hoo!), and tomorrow I head to <a href="http://bouchercon2014.com/">Bouchercon</a> to hang out with mystery readers and writers. I already shared my <a href="http://www.pensfatales.com/2014/05/5-tips-for-getting-most-out-of.html">5 Tips for Getting the Most out of Bouchercon</a>, so I'm just popping in to share my schedule. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyz68LfBD2qFHT0optz4dDeBmKB55wgBRkaWgVLEo-JuABUg0YGj6qv7r3BFlicOCxVwhyphenhyphengv8p0hpqp7NxQLWMs96aPdQHGyDnvfNmU53NkNnouU_4p9P330qhXmqCAauxJdED8rmNy72/s1600/Gigi+Pandian+desk+working+on+Alchemist+2+Oct+2014+IMG_3316+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyz68LfBD2qFHT0optz4dDeBmKB55wgBRkaWgVLEo-JuABUg0YGj6qv7r3BFlicOCxVwhyphenhyphengv8p0hpqp7NxQLWMs96aPdQHGyDnvfNmU53NkNnouU_4p9P330qhXmqCAauxJdED8rmNy72/s400/Gigi+Pandian+desk+working+on+Alchemist+2+Oct+2014+IMG_3316+webres.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surrounded by notes of all kinds as I wrapped up a draft. </i></td></tr>
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Here's what I'm up to at the convention: </div>
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<li> Thursday, Nov 13 at 8:30am: “Author Speed Dating” breakfast, table hopping to chat with readers. </li>
<li>Thursday, Nov 13 at 1pm: Panel & Signing, <em>Murder in a Locked Room</em>, along with Bill Gottfried (Moderating), Janet Dawson, Jeffery Deaver, Marvin Lackman, and Laurie King.</li>
<li>Friday, Nov 14 at 11am: Signing Advance Reader Copies of <em>The Accidental Alchemist</em> at the Midnight Ink table.</li>
<li> Saturday, Nov 15 at 12:30pm: Bouchercon Anthology Book Launch & Signing. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.</i></td></tr>
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My short story “The Haunted Room” appears in the Bouchercon mystery anthology, released this month. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9-tmSC6silr3Mc7zILGM7Wd9nmYz3SCG8MpLY6koX-NogDLI7ZIceIYBYuXprs4Z9O9p0_TtI2i6OKBZ6uCpW7QPqATB_jSwyILkxz3uLv1T-oeNxz_OYD-CiLz1YwzPwxY1n3yUpFVH/s1600/Bouchercon+Anthology+screen+capture+on+BCon+website+tours+page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9-tmSC6silr3Mc7zILGM7Wd9nmYz3SCG8MpLY6koX-NogDLI7ZIceIYBYuXprs4Z9O9p0_TtI2i6OKBZ6uCpW7QPqATB_jSwyILkxz3uLv1T-oeNxz_OYD-CiLz1YwzPwxY1n3yUpFVH/s400/Bouchercon+Anthology+screen+capture+on+BCon+website+tours+page.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bouchercon 2014 short story anthology.</i></td></tr>
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Now I'm off to finish packing!<br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-79565582376766825952014-11-03T08:00:00.000-08:002014-11-03T08:43:11.231-08:00Tea with Amelia Peabody: A Tribute to Elizabeth Peters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm a huge fan of <a href="http://gigipandian.blogspot.com/2013/08/memories-of-barbara-mertz-elizabeth.html">Elizabeth Peters</a>, so I was incredibly happy to see that the Northern California Chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt was planning an event celebrating Elizabeth Peters and her indomitable heroine Amelia Peabody, the Victorian era Egyptologist in 19 of Peters' mystery novels.<br />
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A few dozen fans and scholars gathered on Sunday afternoon for a lovely tea, similar to what Amelia would have been served at Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo. Following the tea service, several scholars gave short lectures on the real-life stories behind the books. In addition, there was a costume contest for the guests who dressed as characters from the books (I did not, but about half of the guests did!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM57fHMzG8Lb1A7LEfb8jNicx4xC6hOOAIsGywFiJJ3nUCifc2Lrqb3QdUSUk5V3ySjka9vHv0sU8kn1Mh9ECGpnfPwxxaxhJDbz3Mlm53S9xb_A0Z05U-bkqhE3adi8UqSg56oOzt5MUw/s1600/Tea+in+honor+of+Elizabeth+Peters+-+Nov+2014+Alameda+event+CROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM57fHMzG8Lb1A7LEfb8jNicx4xC6hOOAIsGywFiJJ3nUCifc2Lrqb3QdUSUk5V3ySjka9vHv0sU8kn1Mh9ECGpnfPwxxaxhJDbz3Mlm53S9xb_A0Z05U-bkqhE3adi8UqSg56oOzt5MUw/s1600/Tea+in+honor+of+Elizabeth+Peters+-+Nov+2014+Alameda+event+CROP.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gummy Mummy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G_SkWJ1pBdoo1RuV35ksuM6pQPTkgsLM66A3HYqs2xLrV0CmBNPLEXlNhIroADKmb5RKfuUb2EQL0ml3AY1TyURh2I3fuoeBGTfa9_AdgUVhQCYcgX7q7oiXO8tEhvk6JQUjgc6K-FRE/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060286+-+Petrie+Emeron+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G_SkWJ1pBdoo1RuV35ksuM6pQPTkgsLM66A3HYqs2xLrV0CmBNPLEXlNhIroADKmb5RKfuUb2EQL0ml3AY1TyURh2I3fuoeBGTfa9_AdgUVhQCYcgX7q7oiXO8tEhvk6JQUjgc6K-FRE/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060286+-+Petrie+Emeron+WEBRES.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slide from one of the lectures, <br />speculating about the real life model for the character Emerson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszAiP467QSDI2Dwx7Tcoy5Kpf_9FzahMYMmD8tF2iehvqDp10Yq0T5cIHYmngqcnS_x_8Q3H5RGuStd9IKq9U6zyoffTVTxD6GD8bjbkYUOG2p4ciL8ZRZMfvpGdwAvW41C64QCWlOtv5/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060283+-+Armana+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszAiP467QSDI2Dwx7Tcoy5Kpf_9FzahMYMmD8tF2iehvqDp10Yq0T5cIHYmngqcnS_x_8Q3H5RGuStd9IKq9U6zyoffTVTxD6GD8bjbkYUOG2p4ciL8ZRZMfvpGdwAvW41C64QCWlOtv5/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060283+-+Armana+WEBRES.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the setting of <i>Crocodile on the Sandbank</i>,<br />Amelia Peabody Book 1. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J0e1yZtYiJqTtb7q9-9Z0cVbADxQgpuRClFmrrlrgsr4462PCwmOEBc2IW6w0mj7A4fWzWS1tAVjfHqcpZzL5WlD553rjt4G6WR6eaxtmngm5FcRHFNIzmYd-ofQOOvpPAwx5NjIa4Ku/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060284+-+tombs+WEBRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J0e1yZtYiJqTtb7q9-9Z0cVbADxQgpuRClFmrrlrgsr4462PCwmOEBc2IW6w0mj7A4fWzWS1tAVjfHqcpZzL5WlD553rjt4G6WR6eaxtmngm5FcRHFNIzmYd-ofQOOvpPAwx5NjIa4Ku/s1600/Elizabeth+Peters+Tribute+Tea+P1060284+-+tombs+WEBRES.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun with background from the books. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests in costume, with the resident Mummy. </td></tr>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-74645450765296532102014-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:002014-10-31T13:00:48.223-07:00Halloween in Hardcover! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For the past month I've been so focused on finishing my latest novel that I neglected to blog about the exciting news that the Jaya Jones treasure hunt mystery series is now available in hardcover!<br />
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Henery Press is still publishing all the titles in their original trade paperback format (as well as in all eBook formats), but these hardcover editions are an additional buying option. They're aimed at libraries in particular, since hardcover books last the longest in circulation. If your local library doesn't yet have copies of my books, you can request the hardcover editions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Jaya Jones treasure hunt mystery series in hardcover.<br />"Fool's Gold" (prequel novella in OTHER PEOPLE'S BAGGAGE),<br />ARTIFACT (#1), and PIRATE VISHNU (#2).</i></td></tr>
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As the Henery Press office sorted through the new hardcovers, one staffer commented on Facebook: "<i>They
look SO LOVELY!! I keep walking by and touching them. (so yes, when the
authors get them, they'll be all fingerprinty and if used in a murder,
I'll be a suspect.)</i>"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Henery Press office, taking stock of the beautiful new hardcover books!</i></td></tr>
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Now for my dilemma. When my writers group formed in 2009, only one of us had books out. I started a single shelf on my bookshelf (the top shelf of one of my biggest bookshelves) devoted to books by members of my writers group. Earlier this year, the shelf filled up! Where am I going to put all of our new books?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My writers group shelf that ran out of room last spring.</i></td></tr>
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Perhaps this lovely, rainy Halloween will inspire me to reorganize my bookshelves... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjzjKFLQqcAZGJh5vpsAPpVNkcXCY7-F-EaePPp65Oav0BFuS5F2NIl1XPTSB6KRv5EDJetHscDu30WqXXEabOtR2EiAacQPnCQvVBdz84MCyPlPEO1wDUj4GXmc-BV51tg02kVgwchWP/s1600/Dori-Paris-street-art-by-Gigi-Pandian-webres-HAPPY-HALLOWEEN-text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjzjKFLQqcAZGJh5vpsAPpVNkcXCY7-F-EaePPp65Oav0BFuS5F2NIl1XPTSB6KRv5EDJetHscDu30WqXXEabOtR2EiAacQPnCQvVBdz84MCyPlPEO1wDUj4GXmc-BV51tg02kVgwchWP/s1600/Dori-Paris-street-art-by-Gigi-Pandian-webres-HAPPY-HALLOWEEN-text.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-35274378244853002402014-09-25T12:00:00.000-07:002014-09-25T13:30:26.638-07:00A Book Cover for Quicksand (Jaya Jones Book 3)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's the fantastic book cover the Henery Press team created for the third Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery:<br />
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<a href="http://henerypress.com/books-humorous-mystery-series-book/quicksand/"><img alt="http://henerypress.com/books-humorous-mystery-series-book/quicksand/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jRcYOuZpnla0AyYdSfyEKMBVhk7kSNfbQ8dn4sj3YaTKpUCVeuU0Th1UxuT1-fDBryQXLe03OiWLY629qp4FUzVu2wmftZwM9NGM6p0I4LXQ15SnL68Pfto2We_7MI4XQ2AJEpWXM9Kh/s1600/Quicksand-final-cover-WEB-LARGE-RGB.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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I love how the new cover is perfectly suited to the new story (isn't the illustration of Mont Saint-Michel gorgeous?) but also has the same style as the first two books in the series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4_9V4IJxWJN6GLsLVv7OTXj7syG3aUnkrd3sGh_-SIO-eVsL4k5t92cTPT3Czjxq4Q3W0Gcxww1Q-mWUrhiQLnfLkqIb5DHUcx8nR1kb-vVzRvi8bnWA3rpgHyCzuwzdl90e-0FZaOK0/s1600/Artifact-Pirate-Vishnu-TOGETHER-RGB-webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4_9V4IJxWJN6GLsLVv7OTXj7syG3aUnkrd3sGh_-SIO-eVsL4k5t92cTPT3Czjxq4Q3W0Gcxww1Q-mWUrhiQLnfLkqIb5DHUcx8nR1kb-vVzRvi8bnWA3rpgHyCzuwzdl90e-0FZaOK0/s1600/Artifact-Pirate-Vishnu-TOGETHER-RGB-webres.jpg" height="294" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a teaser from the Henery Press email blast that went out this morning:<br />
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<b>Art Thieves & Adventure</b></div>
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Take a trip to Paris this spring where you'll find an art thief, a con man, and an ancient treasure. (Along with a page-turning love triangle!) QUICKSAND, the third Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, has it all. Look for the next big adventure when it releases March 10, 2015!<br />
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<b>QUICKSAND: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery</b><br />
<a href="http://henerypress.com/books-humorous-mystery-series-book/quicksand/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://henerypress.com/books-humorous-mystery-series-book/quicksand/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF5IF6tYhUYhUTIdiktmugUDqu2_8LjWUEbBHo2lpiOyQnpdwakAxsrPzICZx1jGKu_PJJ7N7DZDDWMcqxvDjbVZl6U55uzSNwi8WY-JJVyRfuSpYU5U7ogEUcR4Nha9ktnuE9y2nJVSC/s1600/QUICKSAND-set-web-236x300.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>A thousand-year-old secret room.</i><br />
<i>A sultan's stolen treasure.</i><br />
<i>A missing French priest.</i><br />
<i>And an invitation to Paris to rekindle an old flame...</i><br />
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Historian Jaya Jones finds herself on the wrong side of the law during an art heist at the Louvre. To redeem herself, she follows clues from an illuminated manuscript that lead from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the quicksand-surrounded fortress of Mont Saint-Michel. With the help of enigmatic Lane Peters and a 90-year-old stage magician, Jaya delves into France's colonial past in India to clear her name and catch a killer.<br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-67683146886618486232014-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:002014-09-22T08:18:21.928-07:00Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, Sept. 21-27, 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Each year, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. Launched in 1982 in response to an increasing number of challenges to books, Banned Books Week shines a light on the shocking number of books that are still being censored in the United States.<br />
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I'm an author who writes pretty inoffensive books and stories. Family-friendly adventure mysteries with no graphic violence, sex, or swearing (at least not stronger than the occasional "damn"). <b>So why should I care about Banned Books Week? </b><br />
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<b>First, books as seemingly unobjectionable as <i>A Light in the Attic</i> have been banned.</b> Really? <i>A Light in the Attic</i>? That's one of my favorite books from my childhood. I can still recite many of those wonderful poems off the top of my head. ("Batty" is perhaps my favorite.)<br />
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Here are two posters from the ACLU that illustrate the wide range of books that have been banned in the United States.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWzURqsFvv4I5Ii_RgYexcm2DTcYr3Z0lsftiyv_xo0x6XTAsO7mdXDDwKJAVj8T7Ijzz2Ug_7_M9-bvIOfTKpEPJoYw8QguWWPXd6dANeaUo5rEVbo8HVF80LW9RftPdBboGhj5lyRg5/s1600/Banned+Books+Week+ACLU+poster+2+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWzURqsFvv4I5Ii_RgYexcm2DTcYr3Z0lsftiyv_xo0x6XTAsO7mdXDDwKJAVj8T7Ijzz2Ug_7_M9-bvIOfTKpEPJoYw8QguWWPXd6dANeaUo5rEVbo8HVF80LW9RftPdBboGhj5lyRg5/s1600/Banned+Books+Week+ACLU+poster+2+webres.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP_Yk8VEcwZEZ15nXyxdfogn8fzcQnNhvRUienpyo0q8bJlCJYvgOLDNaOJH7Jg1Vh14DC-Qpcw0DHPVFceNZFhIuQ354-2HijNcQYkYPjrnjBBFCtkrnkJLadxIV74_dVFLdF4eMCIKB/s1600/Banned+Books+Week+ACLU+poster+1+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP_Yk8VEcwZEZ15nXyxdfogn8fzcQnNhvRUienpyo0q8bJlCJYvgOLDNaOJH7Jg1Vh14DC-Qpcw0DHPVFceNZFhIuQ354-2HijNcQYkYPjrnjBBFCtkrnkJLadxIV74_dVFLdF4eMCIKB/s1600/Banned+Books+Week+ACLU+poster+1+webres.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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If <i>A Light in the Attic </i>is being banned, what else is being censored? Those posters capture only a small sampling. There are <a href="http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10#2013">more</a>.<br />
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<b>Second, anything that infringes on freedom of speech is frightening. </b>Free speech and freedom of ideas are core values of this country. Censorship isn't the answer to objectionable books. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to force you to read a certain book. At least I hope they're not. If they are, your real life story will never make its way into one of my lighthearted mystery novels. </div>
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<b>Third,
if such a wide range of books are objectionable to someone, somewhere, what comes
next?</b> As a mystery novelist, I use some rather <i>interesting</i> research materials, as you can see in the photo of my bookshelf, below. Facts and ideas aren't poisonous. Like anything in life, it's what we do with them. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa9Uzvh8p6oVRUwWG-AGbVWHL2No39LYKNPWwMBGZv1lW8AM5eXNd1fd3ZgqgnYxxWFsUp4BhXSUtnJsvMy7UvkRpUq9wkluMQunT3EF-EZ3nz3njLezLHxsZVpSbmDVsgxr23GRtM6zD/s1600/i+heart+free+speech+water+bottle+on+bookshelf+Gigi+Pandian+webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa9Uzvh8p6oVRUwWG-AGbVWHL2No39LYKNPWwMBGZv1lW8AM5eXNd1fd3ZgqgnYxxWFsUp4BhXSUtnJsvMy7UvkRpUq9wkluMQunT3EF-EZ3nz3njLezLHxsZVpSbmDVsgxr23GRtM6zD/s1600/i+heart+free+speech+water+bottle+on+bookshelf+Gigi+Pandian+webres.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My free speech water bottle on a bookshelf with research books for writing mysteries. </i></td></tr>
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Therefore, as both a reader and a writer, censorship troubles me. But luckily, I'm not alone. </div>
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The American Library Associate has a policy of not banning books from libraries. It's parents who should be involved in figuring out what's appropriate for their children, not the state. And once we're adults, we should have the freedom to choose what we want to read. </div>
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As the Supreme Court stated: "If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable." --Justice Brennan, <i>Texas v. Johnson</i>.</div>
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This week, the ACLU of Northern California will be running a series of blog posts on their <a href="https://www.aclunc.org/blog">website</a> that explore the history of banned books along with personal stories. </div>
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I love that there are organizations like the ACLU that defend freedom of speech and the freedom to read. </div>
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<i>--Gigi</i></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-31105606199073716292014-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:002014-09-19T09:09:29.157-07:00Talk Like A Pirate Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ahoy! September 19 is "Talk Like A Pirate Day."<br />
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Yes, it's a real day! Sort of. As the <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html">official website</a> says, "a goofy idea celebrated by a handful of friends has turned into an international phenomenon that shows no sign of letting up." In addition to a virtual presence, people organize everything from fundraisers to pub crawls in honor of the day.<br />
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It's true I love fictional pirates, as evidenced by my mystery novel <i><a href="http://gigipandian.com/pirate-vishnu/">Pirate Vishnu</a></i>. But that's not the reason I find Talk Like A Pirate Day so fascinating. I think it's so great because it was a small idea shared by a few passionate friends, but it spiraled into something much larger than they ever imagined.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlrG1dVXu7qnc5Fm89TqDZForwSStykfhNdm9KBnP1jK5Q1z5rpLY-CFfwXDu3NhnTag6txsTeOhgwlruMQbHAC5nPgJGpQnW6LxAuVjxl5Z0tbMI0sSf_ioFrdDwpSEuc9GU6rRVX0RU/s1600/Talk+Like+a+Pirate+Day+Sept+19+graphic.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlrG1dVXu7qnc5Fm89TqDZForwSStykfhNdm9KBnP1jK5Q1z5rpLY-CFfwXDu3NhnTag6txsTeOhgwlruMQbHAC5nPgJGpQnW6LxAuVjxl5Z0tbMI0sSf_ioFrdDwpSEuc9GU6rRVX0RU/s1600/Talk+Like+a+Pirate+Day+Sept+19+graphic.PNG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOP6nIspQ2Sf1vehw3aQz1KfQhUx8eh1nk2ILhPRULUF9yMt6Ahce5uAiNI12fJDUtvw_Umf7uQkM0LWWy49RYyhZG0vrPNiabnF6iyZfEHOW_henh5P55rW-IPaGs5rIqhCIx7xDOjvJY/s1600/nanowrimo+shield+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOP6nIspQ2Sf1vehw3aQz1KfQhUx8eh1nk2ILhPRULUF9yMt6Ahce5uAiNI12fJDUtvw_Umf7uQkM0LWWy49RYyhZG0vrPNiabnF6iyZfEHOW_henh5P55rW-IPaGs5rIqhCIx7xDOjvJY/s1600/nanowrimo+shield+logo.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a>A similar thing happened with National Novel Writing Month, aka <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a>.<br />
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In 1999, twenty one friends got together in the San Francisco Bay Area. They had no grand ambitions that first year, and were shocked with what they accomplished.<br />
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Year two: A friend set up a website, more than 100 people signed up, and they threw a "Thank God It's Over" party at the end of the month.<br />
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In year three, they expected maybe a couple hundred people to sign up. <i>Five thousand</i> did.<br />
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(You can read the full NaNoWriMo history <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/history">here</a>.)<br />
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I discovered NaNoWriMo in their sixth year, and signed up along with 40,000 others. Not everyone finished a 50,000-word novel that month, but I did.<br />
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Because of the random idea of a few friends who wanted to try something crazy, I completed my first novel. If it hadn't been for them, I might not have pushed through to finish a full draft of a novel. The first draft of a first novel is the hardest thing to complete, because it's before a writer knows if they can pull it off. Writing a first novel <i>is</i> a crazy endeavor. But thanks to those crazy friends, I learned that I could do it--and that it was <i>fun</i>.<br />
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So thank you to all the friends out there who are cooking up zany plans in their living rooms. I look forward to hearing about your creations.<br />
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<b>Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn8_RCFzZaVuUAnvIVxxAOMBfOlusvhri2bPsVL4qtMUlMgi9YUAXD4U-7NXSgR7SNQG4ZCG39LAbQA2F99SCdv7yCmoBfk9cERvr4XMUpNaxolJgN6Qk8lckzGZ0zxhS-vDSTH5Q6D1M/s1600/PIRATE-VISHNU-cover-medium-WEB-500px.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn8_RCFzZaVuUAnvIVxxAOMBfOlusvhri2bPsVL4qtMUlMgi9YUAXD4U-7NXSgR7SNQG4ZCG39LAbQA2F99SCdv7yCmoBfk9cERvr4XMUpNaxolJgN6Qk8lckzGZ0zxhS-vDSTH5Q6D1M/s1600/PIRATE-VISHNU-cover-medium-WEB-500px.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-50289945278675759392014-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:002014-09-03T13:43:53.224-07:00My First Audio Book Sale! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I signed the contract last week and the announcement went out in yesterday's Publishers Lunch, so it's official: I've signed my first audio book contract! In addition to <i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> hitting bookstore shelves and eReaders in January, it will now also be an audio book. Special thanks to the Sisters in Crime Guppies for spotting the announcement. Thanks for all the congratulations yesterday!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGaSVk6LZrj9aVphr_xr1DLbT4jLCD_e4cGjtSiUz_AOiUJ-tJqrmNf2elHDik5nAYph7vtORp0B9O1DkGyvQXSguWxEDki_y_fsDCqpwjcegFD-ssOQXeJ2GKuHAUHrtaqNJ91FxUcPH/s1600/Publishers+Lunch+-+Alchemist+Audible+audio+book+deal+reported+Sept+2+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGaSVk6LZrj9aVphr_xr1DLbT4jLCD_e4cGjtSiUz_AOiUJ-tJqrmNf2elHDik5nAYph7vtORp0B9O1DkGyvQXSguWxEDki_y_fsDCqpwjcegFD-ssOQXeJ2GKuHAUHrtaqNJ91FxUcPH/s1600/Publishers+Lunch+-+Alchemist+Audible+audio+book+deal+reported+Sept+2+2014.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96lWjnorPAaIjgJ8scvfgyD3dLJ7rSTS5W0N1kYXY5rz5Wb7UEDQFjcG2m0EmFmOBaAcKVq4TGFzYndQkVqztFJ1A4WvFph97qkapAzLd0xrB7cLe9Mu9RXqVGVCmnlsNQGCuo0M_eUyP/s1600/Accidental-Alchemist-Gigi-Pandian-cover-w-text-WEB-LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96lWjnorPAaIjgJ8scvfgyD3dLJ7rSTS5W0N1kYXY5rz5Wb7UEDQFjcG2m0EmFmOBaAcKVq4TGFzYndQkVqztFJ1A4WvFph97qkapAzLd0xrB7cLe9Mu9RXqVGVCmnlsNQGCuo0M_eUyP/s1600/Accidental-Alchemist-Gigi-Pandian-cover-w-text-WEB-LARGE.jpg" height="640" width="411" /></a></div>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-53419847284549786742014-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:002014-08-28T18:16:53.559-07:00My Stowaway Gargoyle in Portland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dori is a sneaky little gargoyle. He's gotten into the habit of stowing away in my bag when I go out of town. Earlier this month I visited Portland, where my new Accidental Alchemist mystery series is set, and Dori came along for the ride. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAN0wAZuvO1VO8T2m2icw5VdAr4Dwk7V-h9CUL8kSOFTeNU_QteaALIKbQFF55DvKtta2YyfmlG8RpBVAQEznYkj6b9cRniCLG_4THc3dobQA2wI5tLbrtCetbGttqHnASgswvz8pDIr1/s1600/Dori+the+gargoyle+Powell's+Oscar+Juliet+Blackwell+books+Aug+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAN0wAZuvO1VO8T2m2icw5VdAr4Dwk7V-h9CUL8kSOFTeNU_QteaALIKbQFF55DvKtta2YyfmlG8RpBVAQEznYkj6b9cRniCLG_4THc3dobQA2wI5tLbrtCetbGttqHnASgswvz8pDIr1/s1600/Dori+the+gargoyle+Powell's%2BOscar%2BJuliet%2BBlackwell%2Bbooks%2BAug%2B2014.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dori at Powell's Books, finding Juliet Blackwell's books. <br />
(The character Oscar in Juliet's witchcraft series is half gargoyle.) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dori with mystery authors Lisa Alber and Cindy Brown. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confused by all the coffee in Portland. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book research at River View Cemetery. The leaves are changing color so early this year! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dinner party before heading home from a wonderful trip.</td></tr>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-1881027893746052562014-07-30T12:00:00.000-07:002014-07-30T15:56:17.912-07:00The Accidental Alchemist: a gorgeous book cover, plus Alchemist mugs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My next book, <i>The Accidental Alchemist,</i> comes out in January, 2015. This month, the fun has already begun -- check out the gorgeous book cover! <i></i><br />
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<i>The Accidental Alchemist</i> is the first book in a new series, and I'm working with a new publisher (Midnight Ink), so I didn't know what to expect. Therefore I was absolutely thrilled when they hired one of my favorite illustrators (<a href="http://hughillustration.com/">Hugh D'Andrade</a>) to design the cover. Isn't it awesome?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rpFbc-3otNaif_OQ_V9ORZrpkX0QEAQq9uor1IbDizKo_X8zzItDILi8VtZooeXDmIjJjUbfl5npCD7wI5m5JRROGGUfWkZAQ1UoY_mfq7Qrj6oDUHTVUTcrRxRCN5ooaE2eJHY7GSU7/s1600/Accidental+Alchemist+Cover+final+June+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rpFbc-3otNaif_OQ_V9ORZrpkX0QEAQq9uor1IbDizKo_X8zzItDILi8VtZooeXDmIjJjUbfl5npCD7wI5m5JRROGGUfWkZAQ1UoY_mfq7Qrj6oDUHTVUTcrRxRCN5ooaE2eJHY7GSU7/s1600/Accidental+Alchemist+Cover+final+June+2014.jpg" height="640" width="415" /></a></div>
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Here's the book jacket text:<br />
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<b>A modern tale of ancient intrigue from a <i>USA Today</i> bestselling author</b><br />
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When Zoe Faust—herbalist, alchemist, and recent transplant to Portland, Oregon—begins unpacking her bags, she can't help but notice she's picked up a stow away: a living, breathing, three-and-half-foot gargoyle. Dorian Robert-Houdin is no simple automaton, nor is he a homunculus; in fact, he needs Zoe's help to decipher a centuries-old text that explains exactly what he is. Zoe, who's trying to put her alchemical life behind her, isn't so sure she can help. But after a murder victim is discovered on her front porch, Zoe realized she's tangled up in ancient intrigue that can't be ignored. <i>Includes recipes!</i><br />
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<b>"Zoe and Dorian are my new favorite amateur-sleuth duo!"<br />—Victoria Laurie, <i>New York Times </i>bestselling author</b><br />
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I was so excited to see the beautifully illustrated cover
that I knew I had to do something cool with it. The book is
now available to <a href="http://gigipandian.com/books/#accidentalalchemist">pre-order</a>, so I decided to make mugs -- and give
everyone who orders the book a chance to win one! <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Each month from now until the end of the year, I’m giving away a mug to someone who has pre-ordered the book.
Yup, the earlier you order the book, the more chances you’ll have
to win. Simply email me at gigi [at] gigipandian.com to let me know
you’ve ordered <em>The Accidental Alchemist</em>, and you’re entered to win a mug.</span></span></span></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order the book:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Alchemist-An-Mystery/dp/0738741841/"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-accidental-alchemist-gigi-pandian/1119693774?ean=9780738741840"><span style="font-size: large;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780738741840"><span style="font-size: large;">Indiebound</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.midnightinkbooks.com/product.php?ean=9780738741840"><span style="font-size: large;">Directly from the publisher, Midnight Ink</span></a><br />
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1037881687231271690.post-23882088954591411842014-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:002014-07-18T16:32:19.931-07:00Book Events: Much Better With Friends!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I decided to throw myself into my writing after the whole stupid cancer thing got my priorities in order, I made a promise to myself that I'd keep it fun, rather than get stressed out by things beyond my control. One of the things authors often worry about is whether or not people will show up for their book signings. Well, I've got a secret to make sure people show up: I do joint events with author pals! It's a great excuse to hang out with friends, and it often brings in a larger group of people to the bookstore.<br />
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Last week, I had two such events. First stop, Borderlands Books in San Francisco with Juliet Blackwell and Kate Carlisle. It was an added celebration that day, because Juliet had just hit the <i>New York Times </i>bestseller list with her new book, <i>Vision in Velvet.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Gigi Pandian, Juliet Blackwell, and Kate Carlisle<br />at Borderlands Books in San Francisco, July 12,2014.</i> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKsPvUzsn4CSrSnoysrjzXb80YxPkqDLUEvGOCj0knEzklU64zX5azSf1KnHNt8jEkdzobs6AuU6zqdEksD624Fh1eMifiRHcyRSuPv4MgPaudHRMq3HYqtaFxA6xeuT7KbjDZjamicnj/s1600/Julie+and+Jude+at+Borderlands+July+12+2014++large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKsPvUzsn4CSrSnoysrjzXb80YxPkqDLUEvGOCj0knEzklU64zX5azSf1KnHNt8jEkdzobs6AuU6zqdEksD624Fh1eMifiRHcyRSuPv4MgPaudHRMq3HYqtaFxA6xeuT7KbjDZjamicnj/s1600/Julie+and+Jude+at+Borderlands+July+12+2014++large.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Borderlands manager Jude Feldman<br />with Juliet Blackwell.</i></td></tr>
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Next stop, Village House of Books in Los Gatos with Sophie Littlefield and Rachael Herron. I'd never been to this bookstore before, but it was just about the cutest store I'd ever visited. It's in a former cottage, so it has a cozy feel, and the owners make great use of space. There's even a treasure chest full of flowers out front.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10MBRCL2gW0g44KpBE3im0Yu1GCYksEdrqbS_NapX1YjLRXBnSIcf9aDmE22QhHNHkmCUPDpf2Mbut8D1gNM8Vh6cDRC7UhUsg_pA4rpFqFqVeYgNDKXQG3GXaR5ngogJRc3mKzPMN8tU/s1600/Gigi+in+front+of+VHOB+bookstore+7+15+14+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10MBRCL2gW0g44KpBE3im0Yu1GCYksEdrqbS_NapX1YjLRXBnSIcf9aDmE22QhHNHkmCUPDpf2Mbut8D1gNM8Vh6cDRC7UhUsg_pA4rpFqFqVeYgNDKXQG3GXaR5ngogJRc3mKzPMN8tU/s1600/Gigi+in+front+of+VHOB+bookstore+7+15+14+large.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>At Village House of Books.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QD47PNL04EK3aJOIIggYl9cTN4DNVj3jLtQhKaFktsVGPsSfjAeyJbkyVuCjpnTCZTL40FgARm9JMCjocECb5helC51RKsG8P6Ga3ip2FndfrObMXC68Kvz1su8C4MHPqTtO-EF0fQUD/s1600/Sophie+Rachael+Gigi+at+VHOB+7+15+14+square+filter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QD47PNL04EK3aJOIIggYl9cTN4DNVj3jLtQhKaFktsVGPsSfjAeyJbkyVuCjpnTCZTL40FgARm9JMCjocECb5helC51RKsG8P6Ga3ip2FndfrObMXC68Kvz1su8C4MHPqTtO-EF0fQUD/s1600/Sophie+Rachael+Gigi+at+VHOB+7+15+14+square+filter.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sophie Littlefield, Rachael Herron, and Gigi Pandian<br />at Village House of Books in Los Gatos, July 15, 2014.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sophie and Rachael.</i></td></tr>
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Gigi Pandianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15378365974242102657noreply@blogger.com0