Hi. Barb here.
No, I don’t have any big writing announcements to make like Kaitlyn/Kathy and Lea.
Nonetheless, it’s felt like a really busy month.
So this happened.
Meet my new granddaughter and first grandchild. Isn't she beautiful?
And then this happened…
Here I am at Malice Domestic 2013 "speed-dating" with partner-in-crime Sheila Connolly. Speed-dating means you go to 20 tables of readers and have 2 minutes to pitch your book. I have to admit I had fun, though I think one advantage of being married for 1000 years should be that you don't have to do any speed-dating.
Meanwhile, this also happened…
Advanced Reader Copies of Clammed Up!
I’m giving away an Advance Reader Copy of Clammed Up to one lucky commenter on the blog today. If you’re interested, just leave me a note in the comments.
And finally, this happened.
This is the pile of manuscript submissions for the next Level Best Books anthology Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold that arrived while I was off doing those other things.
I guess you know what I’ll be doing this month!
Don’t forget to leave a comment if you want an ARC of Clammed Up!
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Beautiful granddaughter. I’d love an ARC. Thanks, Dee
Pick me! Pick me! (Congrats on granddaughter, surviving speed dating and the book! I’m a slacker by comparison!) ok, that’s enough exclamation marks…
Pretty awesome month! Congrats! [I’m trying not to feel old that you youngsters are now grandparents.]
Hah… that’s funny about speed dating. I think I’ve been married many thousands of years and also deserve not to have to speed date, although I’d do it for Malice.
Sweet, sweet baby!
I would love to win an ARC of Clammed Up.
I think the 2 minute limit would knock me out as I tend to be loquacious. Just think, if this young lady has literary genes, she can help with the pile of submissions for Level Best 25.
You have a beautiful granddaughter, and the cover of your book looks like a place I’d like to visit. Not that I’m judging…
Just — Wow! (And great answers to the oft-asked question: “what do writers do when they’re not writing?”) Congrats on everything! MCW are certainly forging ahead …. and, just to steal a tiny bit of your space today … did everyone see Paul Doiron’s review for MASSACRE POND (his new book coming in July) in Publisher’s Weekly this week?
Starred, boxed, and finished with “An unusual lead investigator, thughtful plotting, and lyrical prose add up to a winner.” Looks like a great summer for Paul, tool
Quite the set of events! And you didn’t even mention the launch of our new Wicked Cozy Authors blog and your own interview up today: http://wickedcozyauthors.com/2013/05/10/so-who-is-barbara-ross/
A lovely baby. And I can see my own Level Best submission peeking out of that pile. ;^)
Looks like a busy Spring and Summer for you. The first grandchild will definitely be top priority, after all, grandmothers need to spoil the little ones. Lots of reading ahead, but take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor in early September when “Clammed Up” hits bookshelves.
Thanks, everyone! Yes, I am feeling a bit frazzled, but very, very lucky.
My stars, a huge month. But granddaughter trumps all. I’m surprised the other starry events even registered with you. Congratulations.
What a wonderful time you’ve been having! So many good things to celebrate, and yes–that grandbaby is definitely beautiful. Congratulations on all! Although, I’m not sure about the speed dating. . .
Like Edith, I think I see my LBB envelope in that incredibly LARGE pile; how lovely that so many people are submitting their stories. I can’t wait to see how Stone Cold turns out.
Clammed Up looks so pretty. 😉
Your grandchild is lovely, Malice sounds wonderful, although speed dating doesn’t except for the experience of meeting you all, I really love the cover of Clammed Up, and I can see that you will be busy. I would love an advance. I could use a trip to Maine. 🙂
She’s SO Beautiful.
I’d love to have a copy of Clammed Up. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a beautiful baby! Would love a copy of Clammed Up. Thanks for having this contest.
Congrats on the grandbaby, Barb. She’s a doll. I have two granduaghters. So special. Good luck getting through all your mail. The speed dating doesn’t sound fun. I gues you’d get your elevator pitch down pretty good though. LOL How fun to receive a box of your book! You guys have a lot of good stuff going on up there!
Lovely little girl. I have four sons and 3 grandsons so as much as I love boys I think everyone needs a girl.Would love a early copy of your book as it seems I’ve been waiting and waiting. This seems to be a great storyline and I love Maine Writers.
.Congrats on first grandchild and a new book. Ruth Nixon
Wow. It’s all good, yes? I’ll read Lea’s copy of the book. Take a deep breath.
Thanks so much everyone for your congratulations and support. The winner has been notified. For those who didn’t win, I will try to have a few more giveaways later in the summer.
Barb