New book signings

2009-12-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

Great news! DESERT WIND, the seventh Lena Jones mystery will be released January 31. While investigating a series of murders near the Grand Canyon, Lena discovers a tie-in to uranium mining -- and actor John Wayne, who appears as a ghost! Reviews are already coming in, and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY has awarded it a STARRED review, saying, "Webb pulls no punches in exploring another human rights issue in her excellent seventh mystery starring Arizona PI Lena Jones (after 2009's 'Desert Lost')."

One more reminder: the Lena Jones website is http://www.bettywebb-mystery.com/
and the Zoo Series website is http://www.bettywebb-zoomystery.com/
For personal updates as to where/when I'll be, follow me on Twitter @bettywebb

JANUARY 29, 2012: Betty teaches a workshop titled "Five Story Ideas A Day, Every Day," at the Surprise Writers Conference, in celebration of "The Big Read." Betty's workshop is at 2:45 p.m., but the conference goes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ann Goldfarb teaches "Elements of Suspense," Dee Dees teaches "Personal Memoirs and Ghost Writing," and Mark De Castrique teaches elements of mystery writing. At Marley Park Heritage Club, 13243 N. Founders Park Blvd., Surprise AZ. $25. To register, call 623-935-6384.

JANUARY 31, 2012: At 7 p.m. DESERT WIND, THE NEW LENA JONES NOVEL, DEBUTS AT THE POISONED PEN BOOKSTORE, 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale AZ. Betty will sign her books, and for more fun, there'll be a discussion between Betty and Poisoned Pen Press editor Barbara Peters. The two will talk about Betty's surprise when the ghost of John Wayne inserted himself into the plot of DESERT WIND. This promises to be an enlightening study of the creative process.

February 4, 2012: All day. Betty discusses mystery writing at Murder in the Magic City, at the Homewood Library, Birmingham, Alabama. The following day she and other authors travel to Wetumpka,Alabama for their annual literary luncheon(By the way, the small town of Wetumpka is so picturesque, it's been used as the setting for several Hollywood films, such as "Big Fish," starring Ewan McGregor).

February 11, 2012: At noon, Betty discusses and signs DESERT WIND at Clues Unlimited, 3146 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson AZ. Have an idea you'd like Betty to write about? Just show up and let her know. The idea behind DESERT WIND began with a reader's suggestion (in this case, it came from Arizona State Representative Linda Binder).

February 12, 2012: At 2 p.m. Betty discusses and signs DESERT WIND at Mysterious Galaxy, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego CA. At this great store, you can scratch your itch for not only mystery, but sci-fi and fantasy.

February 13, 2012: At 7:30 p.m., Betty discusses and signs DESERT WIND at Mysterious Galaxy II, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach CA. This new store was opened by the great folks at the San Diego store -- be sure and visit.

February 14, 2012. At 5 p.m. Betty visits and signs DESERT WIND at Book 'Em, 1118 Mission St., South Pasadena CA. For this event, you can walk, drive -- or take the commuter train! It's within walking distance of Book 'Em.

February 15, 2012. At 1 p.m. Betty discusses and signs DESERT WIND at Mysteries To Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks CA.

Feb. 15, 2012. At 4 p.m., Betty discusses and signs DESERT WIND at Mystery Ink, 7176 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA.

February 19, 2012: From 1 to 5 p.m,, Betty discusses fiction and mystery writing on a writing panel with Susan Pohlman (memoirs and non-fiction); and Patricia Brooks (marketing). Mustang Library, Scottsdale AZ.

February 21, 2012: 7 p.m. Betty will talk about DESERT WIND at Changing Hands Bookstore, SW corner of McClintock & Guadalupe, Tempe AZ. (Note: check March 6 for Betty's mystery writing workshop at this wonderful store!)

February 22, 2012: 5:30 p.m. Betty discusses her books and the writing life at "Manuscripts and Munchies," a fund-raiser for Friends of the Scottsdale Library, at Fifth & Wine, 7051 E. Fifth Ave., in Old Town Scottsdale AZ. Proceeds go to Friends of the Scottsdale Library.

February 23, 2012: At 2:30 p.m. Betty discusses her mysteries, including the new DESERT WIND, at Desert Foothills Library, Cave Creek AZ. Editor Barbara Peters just might show up for this one!

February 24, 2012: 6:30 p.m. Betty discusses DESERT WIND in an informal meet-and-greet at Barnes & Noble, 90th St. and Shea, Scottsdale AZ.

February 25, 2012: 2 p.m. Betty talks about her books (especially her new DESERT WIND) and the writing experience at the Tempe Public Library, 3500 So Rural Road, Tempe AZ. This will be a fun free-for-all for both readers and writers.

March 3, 2012: 3 p.m. Betty discusses her new Lena Jones mystery DESERT WIND, gives hints about the three books remaining in the series -- and the series that comes next. Apache Junction Library, Mountain View Room. Apache Junction AZ

March 10-11, 2012: Betty speaks on several panels and signs her books at the Tucson Festival for the Book. Tucson AZ. Look for her on "Politically Motivated" with Mike Hayes, Mike Lawson, and Alan Jacobson, on Saturday 11:30 a.m. in Student Union #2; "Criminal Animals," with David Rosenfelt and Rebecca Hale, on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Student Union #2; and "Deadlier than the Male" with J.A. Jance, Elizabeth Gunn, and Susan Cummings Miller, on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Mall Tent.

March 14, 2012: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Changing Hands Bookstore, SW corner of McClintock & Guadalupe, Tempe AZ. Betty gives a two-hour mystery writing workshop. Among the subjects discussed will be the differences between thrillers and mysteries, creating a detective that will captivate the reader through an entire series, choosing the right point of view, establishing the all-important arc of action, when to explain and when to hold back, how to drop clues without giving away too much, getting the forensics and police procedure right, the complications of mystery sub-genres, tone, and much, much more. Call 480-730-0205 for registration information. IMPORTANT: When Betty gave a similar workshop at Changing Hands last year, registration had to be cut off at 25, so register early.

March 16, 2012: At noon, Betty speaks about her books and the writing life at the Winfield Authors Luncheon, in the Winfield Clubhouse, off Scottsdale Road and Westland Drive, Scottsdale AZ.

March 17, 2012: At noon, Betty speaks to the Phoenix Writers Club luncheon about her books, and also shares writing and publishing tips. Bluewater Grill, 1720 E. Camelback, Phoeniz AZ. Luncheon is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Contact Eileen Birin by March 15 to make reservations at 623-561-6751. This is an excellent group for writers and aspiring writers.

April 17, 2012: At 10:15 a.m. Betty discusses the research necessary for writing DESERT WIND, her new Lena Jones mystery, and how her discoveries changed John Wayne from a flashback walk-on into a major character in the book. Velma Teague Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.(one block north of Glendale Ave.), Glendale AZ.

April 21, 2012: Betty appears at the Arizona History Conference with other writers from Arizona PressWomen, at Point Hilton Tapitio, Phoenix AZ. Details are to come, but be sure to put this informative Arizona history conference on your schedule.

April 25, 2012: 5 p.m., Betty discusses her writing techniques and the surprising entrance of actor John Wayne into her latest Lena Jones mystery, DESERT WIND. At Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale AZ.

September 20-22, 2012: Betty discusses how newspaper headlines influence her novels at the National Federation of Press Women Conference. Phoenix AZ.

MUCH MORE TO COME, so keep checking back!

Betty Webb's signings

New book signings