Dateline: Boston

Publishers Weekly asked me for some thoughts about book tours, which will appear in the May 29 issue.

I was just looking over what I wrote for them -- a piece that compares book tours to political campaigns -- and I'm a little worried that I didn't stress enough how much I enjoy meeting readers and booksellers.

While I might wish that I had more time to spend in each city... and I might wish that my family could come with me... and I might really wish that I could be teleported from city to city instead of taking my chances with airport security personnel... I couldn't wish for more support than I get from all the readers who turn out to buy my books and listen to what I have to say about them.

This time around, St. Martin's and NEC are rewarding readers in nine cities with a special plasma-TV promotion. Even in the stores that aren't part of the promotion, I'll be handing out Post-It notes and giving away water bottles, so I hope you'll think it's worth a trip. The rules of the TV promotion are here, and the list of tour stops is below.

I'll post as often as I can from the road, and my webmistress, Clair, will add information about TV and radio appearances. You can subscribe to the RSS feed by clicking on the link in the right-hand column, and feel free to leave comments.

The KILLER INSTINCT Tour (details here)

Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV Promotion!
Brookline Booksmith
Brookline, MA

Thursday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Borders-Columbus Circle
New York, NY

Friday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m.
BookExpo America
Washington, D.C.

Saturday, May 20 at 4:00 p.m.
"The Heard Word: BEA's Audiobook & Author Tea"
BookExpo America
Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, May 23 at 12:00 noon
Levenger
Delray Beach, FL

Tuesday, May 23 at 8:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Books and Books
Coral Gables, FL

Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Hastings Entertainment
Denton, TX

Thursday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Books-a-Million
Peachtree City, GA

Wednesday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m.
Seattle Mystery Books
Seattle, WA

Wednesday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
3rd Place Books
17171 Bothell Way, NW
Seattle, WA

Thursday, June 1 at 12:30 p.m.
M is for Mystery
San Mateo, CA

Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Book Passage
Corte Madera, CA

Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Warwick's
La Jolla, CA

Monday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. -- TV promotion!
Borders-Bailey's Crossroads
Bailey's Crossroads (Fairfax County), VA

Wednesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Bacon Free Library
South Natick, MA

Saturday, July 1 at 11:00 a.m.
Panel Discussion: "Now You Tell Me! Who Knew?"
Thrillerfest
Phoenix, AZ