i'm going on book tour!

Will I see you there?

It’s March 14, 2020. I’m living in London. The US book tour for my debut launch, Darling Rose Gold, starts in 16 days and has 7 stops. After that, I’m going to Toronto, where I’ll be interviewed live on a morning TV show—for the first time ever. My flights and hotels are booked. I’ve gone through media training. I’m planning my outfits. I am thrilled and terrified and overwhelmed by how much my life has changed over the past several months. I have put my anxiety aside and said yes to every opportunity. I am as ready for this book tour as I’ll ever be.

Longtime readers might remember what happened next. New readers might have guessed, based on the date I mentioned. What else happened in March 2020?

Three days before my book came out, we had to cancel the tour because of COVID.

The pandemic decimated many authors’ launches. This was not yet the age of virtual publication events. We had not pivoted to Zoom. For months leading up to March 2020, I had done little else besides promote this book. Without warning and for good reason, suddenly no one cared about reading or fiction. We all had one concern on our minds.

I was devastated but trying not to show it. After all, what was one cancelled book tour when society was facing much more major issues? Do you recall those early days, when we weren’t sure how COVID spread? I remember holding my breath when I took Moose for walks in the park. I remember wiping down groceries and obsessively following the news. I remember worrying for my grandma, who was going through chemo at the time. (She’s in remission now!)

There’s always the next book, I told myself.

In February 2022, when my second book, This Might Hurt, published, countries were still grappling with shutting down and reopening, then shutting down again. My publisher, Penguin Random House, was still wary of in-person appearances. I managed to secure one bookstore event in Scottsdale, Arizona, but other than that, my publicity tour was virtual. By then, Zoom events were well-oiled machines. It was an honor to be invited, to see the number of attendees watching from their offices and homes. But almost always, these attendees were anonymous. I couldn’t smile at a reader or share a brief one-on-one conversation about the best book we’d each read recently. My author career to date has manifested through screens—Instagram tags and Zoom interviews and emails.

What I’ve longed for, all of this time, is to meet you in person.

Now, finally, FINALLY!, four years after the pandemic ravaged the globe, we are climbing back to our feet. When my publisher asked if I’d like to go on tour to promote THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL this year, I couldn’t wipe the grin off of my face. A few of the stops are at bookstores I was scheduled to visit during my 2020 tour—Anderson’s in Chicago, The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Murder by the Book in Houston—and I can’t believe I’m actually going to make it to these places, that these booksellers and staff members are still interested in hosting me after all these years.

Look at this schedule! Someone pinch me!

You can find more information about each event on the Events page of my website.

Not only do I get to gallivant around the US, but I’ve been invited to two Canadian book festivals as well. At TIFA (Toronto International Festival of Authors), I’ll be talking to my friend, Samantha Bailey, about Hitchcock, and then—wait for it—the festival will screen Rear Window and give out FREE POPCORN to all attendees! I cannot overemphasize how delighted I am about the free popcorn. If you’d like to join, you can learn more about the event here.

In late October, I’ll be on a panel at the Vancouver Writers Fest with two other authors, plus a moderator. (More details on location to come.) The panel is called “Hunting for Clues.” Are you intrigued? I’m intrigued. Plus, I’ve never been to Vancouver, so am going to turn this trip into a mini tourist weekend. Send me your recommendations, please.

I am so excited to hit the road in September and October to connect with readers face-to-face for the first time as I introduce my third novel. If you’re able to attend, I would love to meet you at one of the events above. We’re long overdue for a get-together, wouldn’t you say?

Do you live near any of my tour stops? Which event will you attend?

See you out there,