I was always terrible at writing thank you notes. My aunt and uncle once gave me this huge box of beautifully engraved pink stationery – and my mom was still using it as note paper thirty years later, having decapitated my lovely, raised scripted name with a pair of pinking shears.   

Recently back from the first leg of the book tour, I’m still amazed at the outpouring of support from friends and colleagues, especially those I hadn’t seen in a few years (okay...32 years?) who were good enough to spend a lunch or an afternoon together. They made the launch party at Partners & Crime here in New York and all the signings something really special. Those that couldn’t make an event offered much support and many good wishes for a dream come true. To all of you, my deepest gratitude for everything you’ve said and done. It wouldn’t have been any kind of celebration without you.  

And then there were the independent bookstores. I’m still reeling from their support of a title whose author had no celebrity platform, no media platform, and no national reviews. Any good news coming my way at this point is grounded in the overwhelming attention I’ve received from these stores and their customers.

Very special thanks to Kizman Reeves at Partners & Crime; Barbara Peters at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale; Deborah Gould at Village Book Shop in Glendora, CA; Roberta Rubin at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL; Julie Swayze at Metropolis Books in Los Angeles; Kathleen Caldwell at A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland; Alzada Knickerbocker and Stan Forbes at The Avid Reader in Sacramento; and (in advance for next week) Doug Robinson and George Scott at the Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, GA – and to their teams of people – who made me feel so welcome.

If you get a chance to stop by any of these stores, you’re in for a terrific experience.      

Finally, to my family. You’ve been great ever since the scribbling started so many years ago, and especially supportive of my taking a chance these last couple of years – even though you were probably scratching your heads and wondering if there really was a book until you saw the final draft. I’ll never forget it.

Thanks again, everybody.

Next post: A few more words about the independent stores. Where are your favorites? If you e-mail me the store names – be sure to include the city and state / country, wherever in the world it may be – I’ll post the list here for armchair and traveling readers alike!