As summer winds to a close (not technically, but it feels like it, doesn’t it?) I can’t help but feel like it just barely started. Even with the climate crisis giving us shorter winters, the logistics of summer in Maine really haven’t changed. The seasonal businesses open up around Memorial Day or a little after. In June, the summer people start trickling in. Things ramp up after Fourth of July, then slow down two short months later, after Labor Day.

Before we know it, we’ll be pulling the mucklucks out of the drawer, putting the snow tires on the car and stocking up on soup.

Another thing that slows down once the weather gets cooler are author events [though there are still many great author events and appearances through the winter holidays!]. I get it — there are fewer people around and libraries and other organizations are reluctant to schedule something that the weather may cancel.

That all got me to thinking about the crazy variety of author events I’ve done so far this summer. From street craft fairs to an overnight stay on beautiful Vinalhaven to being the featured author at the Phillips Public Library’s big annual fundraiser — it’s been a author-licious summer. All of these wildly different events have in common one of the great things that makes living and writing in the great state of Maine such a treat — the support and enthusiasm of readers and people who love books. Librarians, friends of Maine’s awesome libraries, Mainers and summer visitors have all made it another summer to remember.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share some photos from this summer’s Maine author adventures.

The lights went out during a tremendous thunderstorm during an early July panel in Topsham featuring me, Kate Flora, John Clark and Vaughn Hardacker. Being the troupers we are, we carried on as though nothing had happened until the librarian informed us and our awesome audience that fire regulations didn’t allow us to stay in a public building with no power. We had 10 minutes to get out (pictured above), but that didn’t stop some of our fans from taking the time to buy books. A big thank-you to Linda Meadows of the Topsham Public Library, the rest of the staff there and the library’s patrons for sticking with us and turning out in the first place.

Kate Flora (above, in Bath), Matt Cost and I have been doing the monthly art walks in downtown Brunswick and Bath this year. This is an interesting experience because most people don’t expect to find books at an art walk [or craft fair] — or an art walk on a downtown street for that matter — and it involves a lot of conversations with a huge variety of people, some who are into books and some not so much. I like to think that every conversation, even with someone who marches up to announce “I don’t read books!” has some benefit. I’ve met many interesting people who’ve I’ve convinced to at least take a bookmark. Bringing Maine mysteries to the people!

The Vinalhaven Ferry

In July, the Friends of Vinalhaven Public Library hosted Kate Flora, Jule Selbo and me for an overnight combo cocktail reception and Making a Mystery panel [for a more detailed account, see Jule’s excellent post]. We were basically treated like rock stars. What a great time! A big thank-you to the library friends, the library staff and the people who came out on a hot and humid night to talk to us, take part in our panel and buy our books.

Kate and Jule approach the Vinalhaven Public Library before our big event.

It was standing room only at the Vinalhaven Public Library to hear our Making a Mystery panel.

Vinalhaven readers were very supportive and generous – they bought many books!

Shortly after the Vinalhaven experience, I was honored to be the guest author at the Phillips Public Library Readers, Writers and Runners 5K [no, I didn’t have to run!]. The event is the library’s big fundraiser of the year and features a 5K, a potluck lunch and an author talk. As an added treat, it’s in Franklin County, in western Maine, right near where my fictional town of Redimere is. A huge thank-you to Phillips library Anna Plog, her awesome staff and the wonderful people who attended to hear me talk and also support their library.

In Phillips, I was given a cool medal designed by a local artist and based on my author logo (designed by my sister Rebecca). The winning runners in the 5K also got medals with the same design. How cool is that?

I talked while those attending the Phillips event ate the pot luck lunch (delicious!), which I thought was great. I feel people are much more inclined to listen to a talk if they have the soothing addition of good food. As you may have noticed, I’m wearing my medal!

Summer certainly isn’t over, and there are more events to come, including the Maine Bookfest in Waterville this weekend, where I’m sharing a table on Saturday and Sunday with Kate Flora. I have some other things going on, including traveling to Presque Isle in December for the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce annual holiday craft fair. I love meeting people all over the great state of Maine. I can’t wait for the next event. If you’re looking for something to do, consider attending a local author event and supporting Maine writers, as well as libraries, chambers of commerce, nonprofits and other institutions that host the events we appear at.