On Veteran's Day

  Veterans Day 2008

My father, Jack Barry, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and served in Patton’s army during World War II. He told some very entertaining stories about the day to day escapades of military life which sounded like a cross between the old Sgt. Bilko series of the 1950’s and an episode of MASH. But like most veterans of his era, there were some things in his experience that he was extremely reluctant to discuss. When pressed, he would simply quote General Sherman’s address to the 1879 graduating class of Michigan Military Academy: "War is hell!"

In the service, my father met my uncle, Morkie, who became his best friend for life. On their first day back in Massachusetts, Morkie introduced my father to his sister, June, whom Dad married a few years later. Two years after that, I was born, then my brother, Mark. My father once told me that, when the war ended, what he wanted most in the world was to come home to the small town where his family had lived for generations, to work and raise his own family there. If the war had done one thing for him, he said, it was to make him understand what it was he really wanted.

So today is Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day. It was on this day (11/11) in 1918 at 11 AM that World War I (“The War to end all wars”) ended. In honor of my father and all veterans who have served our country, I wish them the peace in body, mind, and spirit that they have sacrificially earned and so richly deserve.

Brunonia

P.S. For the historical context of the phrase "War is hell!", go here.

Call Me Tonight at 8 PM Eastern

Tonight's the night. I'll be hosting my first call-in book club. And for the record, you don't have to be a book club to participate, everyone who has read the book is welcome.

SPOILER ALERT!!! I'll be discussing everything about the book so don't call unless you've finished reading it.

If this works, we'll do more of these on a regular basis so please participate if you can. Thanks.

Brunonia

EVENT:  "The Lace Reader" Call-In Book Club Wednesday 11/05/08

DATE & TIME: Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00pm Eastern

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)

EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=4864134

============================================================

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN "The Lace Reader"  BOOK CLUB MEETING?

It's easy. Just visit the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK shown above and you'll find all the information you need to attend. We recommend that you print out that page for future reference so that you'll have all the information handy for the actual event.

 

CAN I SUBMIT QUESTIONS?

Absolutely. The EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK has an area that let's you send Brunonia your questions. You can submit your questions at any time, you can even do it during the meeting itself. However, your chances of getting your questions answered are better if you submit them sooner rather than later. And it's perfectly fine to submit more than one question but please enter them one at a a time by pressing the SUBMIT after each question you enter. Be sure provide your name, location, and book club name (if you have one) so that Brunonia can identify you in case she needs to discuss your question directly with you.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE MEETING LAST?

The meeting is scheduled to last one hour.

 

THIS ISN'T THE NORMAL MEETING TIME FOR MY BOOK CLUB, CAN WE STILL ATTEND EVEN IF WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE?

Sure. The great thing about this call-in book club format is that the  members of your book club can be in separate places and each one of them can still listen either via phone or by webcast. Of course, if you are together in one location, all you need is a single speakerphone that is loud enough for everyone to hear or a computer with good speakers if you elect to use the the webcast option.

 

WHAT'S A WEBCAST AND HOW DO I USE IT?

A webcast is a way to listen to the book club meeting using your computer instead of a phone. When you go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK, you'll see both a phone number (for those that want to use a telephone) as well as a "Listen Live Via Web" PLAY button (the PLAY button is only active during the actual time of the meeting). The advantage of the webcast option is that you don't have to pay for a phone call (you do have to have a fast Internet connection like DSL or Cable Modem). There are two ways to use the "Listen Live Via Web" option: FLASH player and POP-UP player. If you are not sure, try the FLASH player option first. If that doesn't work simply switch to the POP-UP player.

 

MY BOOK CLUB WILL BE AT MY HOUSE THAT NIGHT. HOW DO WE LISTEN BY PHONE?

Just go to the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. There you'll find the phone number to call and and the CONFERENCE ID#. Then just before the event starts (say a minute or two before), dial the phone number and enter the CONFERENCE ID# when you are asked for it. Be sure to press the # key on your phone after you enter the ID#. You will then be connected to the book club event. If you call in early, just stay on the line until the events starts.

 

I'M JUST AN INDIVIDUAL READER, NOT A BOOK CLUB. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?

Of course. Just call in by phone or use the webcast option. You can go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK  and submit any questions you might have.

 

CAN PEOPLE HEAR WHAT WE SAY DURING THE EVENT?

To protect your privacy and to keep the noise level down, book club call-in participants are normally muted out so you can say whatever you want and no one will hear you. However, Brunonia does have the ability to  un-mute everyone on the phones and depending on the number of people on the call and other factors, she may in fact do that (don't worry, she'll announce it just before she flips the switch). In this case, she will call on a particular person or book club to speak to as this is the only way to keep some sense of order. If everyone starts talking at the same time, no one will be heard and she'll have to mute everyone again. If you've elected to use the webcast option, there's no way for you to speak and be heard by others even if Brunonia un-mutes everyone. The webcast method is "listen only" option.

 

IS THERE A WAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID AFTER THE EVENT?

Yes. Within 30 minutes after the call has ended, a complete recording will be posted at the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. Simply go to that webpage and click on the PLAY button.

Walking Past the Future

My husband and I walk to the polls this morning to cast our votes. It is a beautiful day in Salem, Indian summer, maybe, though I'm not sure whether or not we've yet had a killing frost since I've been away on book tour for so many weeks. The Halloween crowds have all left and gone back to their normal and, hopefully, less scary lives. We can once again hear the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot as we stroll the wavy brick sidewalks past the centuries old Federal style mansions. There is something so old fashioned, so connected to history about walking to the polls to vote. At the same time, in this age of energy consumption reevaluation, there is something new and green about it as well. No fossil fuel is consumed, just some of the calories we had for breakfast. Change is in the air.

Call-In Book Club for "The Lace Reader" this Wednesday

I've had so many requests for book club meetings in so many different places that we're going to try a call-in format this Wednesday evening to see if this might be a better way to talk to book clubs. The details on how to attend are listed below. Please call-in if you can. If this works, we'll do more of these on a regular basis. Thanks.

Brunonia

EVENT:  "The Lace Reader" Call-In Book Club Wednesday 11/05/08

DATE & TIME: Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00pm Eastern

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)

EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=4864134

============================================================

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN "The Lace Reader"  BOOK CLUB MEETING?

It's easy. Just visit the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK shown above and you'll find all the information you need to attend. We recommend that you print out that page for future reference so that you'll have all the information handy for the actual event.

 

CAN I SUBMIT QUESTIONS?

Absolutely. The EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK has an area that let's you send Brunonia your questions. You can submit your questions at any time, you can even do it during the meeting itself. However, your chances of getting your questions answered are better if you submit them sooner rather than later. And it's perfectly fine to submit more than one question but please enter them one at a a time by pressing the SUBMIT after each question you enter. Be sure provide your name, location, and book club name (if you have one) so that Brunonia can identify you in case she needs to discuss your question directly with you.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE MEETING LAST?

The meeting is scheduled to last one hour.

 

THIS ISN'T THE NORMAL MEETING TIME FOR MY BOOK CLUB, CAN WE STILL ATTEND EVEN IF WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE?

Sure. The great thing about this call-in book club format is that the  members of your book club can be in separate places and each one of them can still listen either via phone or by webcast. Of course, if you are together in one location, all you need is a single speakerphone that is loud enough for everyone to hear or a computer with good speakers if you elect to use the the webcast option.

 

WHAT'S A WEBCAST AND HOW DO I USE IT?

A webcast is a way to listen to the book club meeting using your computer instead of a phone. When you go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK, you'll see both a phone number (for those that want to use a telephone) as well as a "Listen Live Via Web" PLAY button (the PLAY button is only active during the actual time of the meeting). The advantage of the webcast option is that you don't have to pay for a phone call (you do have to have a fast Internet connection like DSL or Cable Modem). There are two ways to use the "Listen Live Via Web" option: FLASH player and POP-UP player. If you are not sure, try the FLASH player option first. If that doesn't work simply switch to the POP-UP player.

 

MY BOOK CLUB WILL BE AT MY HOUSE THAT NIGHT. HOW DO WE LISTEN BY PHONE?

Just go to the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. There you'll find the phone number to call and and the CONFERENCE ID#. Then just before the event starts (say a minute or two before), dial the phone number and enter the CONFERENCE ID# when you are asked for it. Be sure to press the # key on your phone after you enter the ID#. You will then be connected to the book club event. If you call in early, just stay on the line until the events starts.

 

I'M JUST AN INDIVIDUAL READER, NOT A BOOK CLUB. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?

Of course. Just call in by phone or use the webcast option. You can go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK  and submit any questions you might have.

 

CAN PEOPLE HEAR WHAT WE SAY DURING THE EVENT?

To protect your privacy and to keep the noise level down, book club call-in participants are normally muted out so you can say whatever you want and no one will hear you. However, Brunonia does have the ability to  un-mute everyone on the phones and depending on the number of people on the call and other factors, she may in fact do that (don't worry, she'll announce it just before she flips the switch). In this case, she will call on a particular person or book club to speak to as this is the only way to keep some sense of order. If everyone starts talking at the same time, no one will be heard and she'll have to mute everyone again. If you've elected to use the webcast option, there's no way for you to speak and be heard by others even if Brunonia un-mutes everyone. The webcast method is "listen only" option.

 

IS THERE A WAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID AFTER THE EVENT?

Yes. Within 30 minutes after the call has ended, a complete recording will be posted at the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. Simply go to that webpage and click on the PLAY button.

Happy Halloween!

Since The Lace Reader is set in contemporary Salem, and we are expecting more than 100,000 visitors plus 250 police officers to come here to celebrate today, I thought I'd share some of the information that the city wants everyone to know.

First, there are all sorts of events taking place, so be sure to check out the schedule of Haunted Happenings by clicking here. You'll find everything from Crunchy Granola Baby gatherings (for the little ones) to historical presentations to Wiccan ceremonies to cocktail parties and a fireworks finale.

Secondly, the town of Salem has new rules. You can read them by clicking here. For example, they have tripled the fines for public drinking today. These rules seem like common sense (unless, of course, you love to do most of your drinking in public but then sense, common or otherwise, may not be your forte). Also, be sure to leave your plastic swords and axes at home as they will confiscate anything that looks like a weapon.

Finally, while I love Halloween (especially because I live in Salem), it is only appropriate to pause for a moment to remember when the accusation of  "witch" could cost you your life. Erika Mailman has written an insightful op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune today. You can check it out here.

Massachusetts Book Signings Today and Tomorrow

Tonight and tomorrow night are my last scheduled public book signings in Massachusetts for 2008. We had a wonderful event at the Borders in Peabody last night. It was a large crowd and almost everyone had read the book so it quickly turned into a lively book club meeting where we could discuss everything about "The Lace Reader. If you'd like to join the conversation, please stop by one of the events listed below.

Happy Halloween!

10/29 SALEM, MA/Cornerstone Books/Halloween Event 7pm

10/30 GLOUCESTER, MA/Bookstore of Gloucester/Speaking & Signing 7pm

Book Tour: Milwaukee, Chicago, Omaha, and San Jose

I'm on the road, and it's a busy week. Last night, I visited Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor, MI, one of my all-time favorite bookstores. Nicola's is so good at getting the word out that even a heavy rainstorm didn't prevent us from having a standing room only event. Thanks, Nicola and Bill! The rest of my schedule is below. If you live or work near any of these locations, please stop by.

10/21 MILWAUKEE, WI/Harry Schwartz Bookshop/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/22 CHICAGO, IL/Anderson’s Bookshop/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/23 OMAHA, NE/The Bookworm/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/24-26 SAN JOSE, CA/Book Group Expo/Speaking, Signing, Panel, & Events

Notes from my Book Tour

The first stop on my tour was Los Angeles. Since Gary and I met in LA, and lived there for almost twenty years, it was like visiting our history, a homecoming of sorts. I always tell people that I was raised in Massachusetts but that I grew up in LA. I think that's pretty accurate. In any case, there was a certain feeling of comfort as the plane landed at LAX, and I was thankful for it. Losing my mother has been very difficult, going to LA was a visit to a different part of my history. With Cindy in Fullerton

We had an author's escort, Cindy, someone who knew the bookstores well and was able to navigate the tangled freeways better than I could have. Our first stops were to sign stock. We went to many of the stores where my appearances had been cancelled due to my mother's illness. They were incredibly understanding and welcoming. At The Mystery Bookstore in Westwood, they have a real jail register that originally came from Sacramento. All of the authors who visit sign the book, and plead their case. They ask why you were arrested. I said it was for stealing sheep. Someone once told me that my family had been kicked out of Ireland for stealing sheep. They ask for your reason. I like sheep. Simple... This is a great bookstore. If you get a chance, go by. I asked for a book to read on the plane, and they recommended a great one, exactly what I had in mind. I am never disappointed when I ask a bookstore to recommend.

The next stop was at Vroman's in Pasadena. This was one of my favorite book stores when I lived in Los Feliz.

I then signed stock at Borders in Pasadena, another favorite haunt. We then left LA and drove down to Orange County to Fullerton to see the Red Hats. For those of you who have not read my book, the Red Hats, though minor characters play a very important role in "The Lace Reader." I had to find a group of women, who would have been both clients at Eva's tearoom and might have also been her friends. I needed a group strong enough to stand up to Cal Boynton and unafraid of the consequences. The Red Hats were perfect. Outrageous, fun loving, yet feisty, they act as a bit of a Greek Chorus in my story.

The event was at the Red Hat Society Store in Fullerton. It was my first public appearance since my mother died, and, frankly, I wasn't certain how I would do when I started to speak. But the store itself has a way of lifting one's spirits: Pink couches, purple boas, red lace gloves. A wild and beautiful place, this was definitely a different world. It drew me in completely.

I was introduced to Sue Ellen Cooper, the founder of the Red Hats and their Exalted Queen Mother. She directed me to sit next to her. She knew about my mother and expressed her condolences. And then something strange happened. In a wonderfully hypnotic reversal, I became almost a character in my own book, and, just as they were able to do with the grieving woman in "The Lace Reader, the Red Hatters surrounded me and made me smile and laugh for the first time in many weeks. I will be forever grateful that my first event after Mom's passing was with these lovely and spirited women.

After Fullerton, it was on to the Borders in Torrance to sign more stock, then a quick stop in Redondo Beach where I met Terry Gilman, one of the owners of Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. She was great, and I signed some stock for the store. I've made a note to make sure I get to the Mysterious Galaxy when I'm down in San Diego in October.

Madison, CT on Thursday 10/2

If you are anywhere near Madison, CT on Thursday, please stop by and see me. I'm finding more and more people at my signings have read the book so we end up having a book club meeting after the signing where we can discuss everything about the book, including the ending. Hope to see you there! 10/2 MADISON, CT / R.J. Julia Booksellers / Speaking & Signing 7pm

Down South: New Orleans, LA and Jackson, MS

I have two events in the coming days that I'm very much looking forward to as I haven't visited any portion the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Katrina or the recent hurricanes. If you are in the area, please stop by as I'd love to hear firsthand from residents what life is now like in this storied and unique part of our country. 9/25 NEW ORLEANS, LA/Garden District Bookshop/Speaking & Signing 5 PM

9/26 JACKSON, MS/Lemuria Books/Speaking & Signing 5 PM

June's Passing

My mother, June Welch Barry, passed away Saturday morning. My brother, my husband, and I were all at her bedside. My mother had the misfortune of being diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis at the early age of 45. She courageously and uncomplainingly battled the disease for an astonishing 37 years. Eventually, RA took from her the use of her hands, feet, arms, and legs, until she could no longer walk, dress, feed or care for herself. Her specialist deemed it one of the worst cases of RA that they had ever seen. As her daughter, I saw both her distress and her dignity. I was lucky enough to see her almost every day for the last three years of her life and, before that, to act as a part-time caregiver. These last weeks, many of our family held vigil with my mother. Her friends came from all over to sit at her bedside to share stories of their time with June and what it meant to them.

Time can steal those things which are subject to its laws. But it has no sway over the heart. Hers was strong, heroic, silly, and loving. My sadness is broken by the dreams I have of her now, healthy once more. I see her dancing with my father to some old favorite tune, some Fred and Ginger favorite. She is graceful and happy.

One of June's last wishes was for me to return to the book tour as soon as possible. My mother was an inspiration for The Lace Reader, very much like Eva, very much a lady in the old sense but with a special gift for predicting the future. She didn't read lace, but she could often tell the future. She told me early on that this book would do well, and it has.

Though it is difficult, and I'm not sure how to do it, I am heading out tonight confident that my mother's inspiration will guide me.

Book Tour on Hold

On the day before I was to head out West, my mother, June, became seriously ill. She is now in hospice care and I am staying with her for the duration. I was so looking forward to meeting everyone in Seattle, Bellingham, and the San Francisco Bay area. I hope that we can see each other sometime in the near future.

So much is uncertain right now that I can't say when things will resume but when more is known, I'll announce it here.

Thanks in advance for understanding.

Brunonia

My Book Tour Goes Way Out West

For the last month, I've logged over 2,000 miles driving around the New England area to bookstores and libraries for events. I've kept a photo diary of these events, click here if you'd like to see it. However, for the next three weeks, I'll take to the air and head out to the West coast.

Here are the first two stops on the West coast tour:

    9/7 Seattle, WA at the Seattle Public Library (Secret Garden Bookshop) on Sunday at 2PM

    9/8 Bellingham, WA at Village Books on Monday at 7PM

I'll be speaking, signing, and taking questions so please stop by if you can.

After Washington state, I'll be in the San Francisco Bay area and in and around Los Angeles. Then I'm off to Colorado, Arizona, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Click here for my full book tour schedule and all of the details.

I hope to see you soon.

Keeping Me in Stitches

A work in progress. Bobbin lace on a lace maker's pillow. A few days ago, I was in South Hadley, MA at the wonderful Odyssey Bookstore to speak about The Lace Reader and to do a signing. One of the attendees brought in a piece of lace she was making (in the photo, it's attached to her lace maker's pillow.) Having tried and failed to make lace myself, I'm always in awe of anyone who can nimbly toss the stick-like bobbins back and forth and end up with something so beautiful and delicate. Another lace maker in the audience remarked that lace making is not very complex, reducing the process to it's most simple. "You take two threads and you either go over one or go under the other. "

While what she said is absolutely true, my failed attempt tied not only the piece I was working on into knots but my mental state as well. I ended up putting my work (with bobbins still attached) into a hatbox and shoving the whole thing to the back of my closet with all the other treasures I plan to fix or complete.

So I am thrilled when the lace makers come to one of my signings, and even happier when they embrace the book. Lace makers are true artists, and they are all around the country. So if you get a chance to see a demonstration, or even to try lace making yourself, I encourage you do it. Who knows? Like the Whitney women, you might even see a vision in the lace.

Waiting patiently for the world to know me

And there I sat for a long long time, waiting patiently for the world to know me. 

                    Nathaniel Hawthorne

My national book tour began a few days ago at the House of the Seven Gables, in the shadow of the masterful Hawthorne. The Lace Reader is set in Salem, and it has been embraced by the city and by the staff of the House of Seven Gables, in particular by Anita Blackaby, the executive director of the famous domicile. After reading my book, Anita emailed and invited me over for a visit. Not only did they want to help to make my book successful, but they also wanted to create a Lace Reader litera-tour so that many of the places in the book could easily be located by readers visiting Salem. And, upon finding out that my second book will be set on the same street as the Gables, Anita offered me writing space in their beautiful gardens. What a delight! I can't thank her enough.

Cornerstone Books in Salem hosted the event which took place in two parts. The first was my reading, a presentation, Q&A, and a signing. Then later, in the gardens, there was a reception to benefit HAWC, a local group that helps abused women and children, a fitting pairing since my fictional story deals with an island shelter for such victims.

The event was sold out, so Cornerstone hosted another, earlier signing. It was warm and muggy plus I was a little nervous. Ben Bruton, my publicist from William Morrow, kept me cool and calm by telling me stories of his visit to Salem, most particularly about his witnessing of a tourist attraction called Cry Innocent which is mentioned in my novel. In this guerilla theater reenactment (which runs several times a day during the summer months), Bridget Bishop (Salem's first of the accused) is literally dragged through the streets, then tried for witchcraft all over again, giving the tourists a chance to act as the jury and perhaps to change the historical outcome. On this afternoon, a particularly hot one, tourists were hard to come by, so another local actor (who was playing a fully costumed giant slurpee for a shop on the corner) tried to help, grabbing Bridget by the arm. The image that Ben created of the giant slurpee dragging Bridget down the street, while the young actress stayed in perfect period character vehemently protesting her innocence, made me laugh out loud. I realized once again why I love this place. These are my people: from Hawthorne, to HAWC, to the giant Slurpee, - what a great city!

To learn more about The House of Seven Gables, click here.

To learn more about HAWC, click here.