Child #4 and the Rancho Santa Fe Library Visit

The Rancho Santa Fe library visit went super well. This is a library that goes to a lot of trouble to put on a great event. I mean, just look at the sign. Too cute!

I took Child #4 (11 year old daughter) along with me. She took the photos. And helped me find the library (because she actually has a sense of direction!). And she helped with the technical junk (setting up the projector, speakers, etc.). Basically, the kid is indispensable. (Read the end of this post for her words of wisdom on the visit.)


The library put out a red carpet runway, decorated the room and tables, and provided glam sunglasses and other favors for the participants. Teen volunteers acted as servers and paparazzi. There was a raffle with lots of prizes.

You can see why I want every book I write to be celebrated at the RSF library!

I did a powerpoint and chatted about writing I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS. Since I visited Hollywood three times (my life is so hard!) to research this book, I have lots of photos and Hollywood/Beverly Hills stories.
This is a shot of one of the tables. I really enjoyed meeting readers and parents. It's quite the kick to meet in real life a tween who's been emailing about Sherry and gang. (Hello Maysen, Joy's granddaughters and Jim's wife and Clara). A special thank you to the people who drove from my town all the way to Rancho Santa Fe. And a huge thank you to Maddie for all the hard work she put into this event. Also, Librarian Debbie, you will be sorely missed (although we hope you enjoy your retirement)!

Conversation with Child #4 as I'm Tucking Her In That Night

Me: So, did I do okay today at the library?

Child #4: Yeah. You were good.

Me: Is it weird seeing me up there, talking in front of a crowd.

Child #4: It is weird.

Me: Weird embarrassing or weird cool?

Child #4: Definitely weird cool. (She pauses.) But I kind of wanted to say, "That's my mom. Why do you want her autograph?"

Tomorrow: brunch in La Jolla with the delightful Cindy Pon, YA author of SILVER PHOENIX and FURY OF THE PHOENIX.

Fortunes, a Book Signing, a Link

I'm not sure why, but I somehow got in the habit of saving the messages from fortune cookies. I keep them in my sunglasses' case, which isn't particularly handy. I have to be careful when getting out my sunglasses (which is often because a) I live in San Diego and b) the sunglasses are prescription) so that the fortunes don't fall out or blow away. I do have a history with fortunte cookies, although I can't stand the taste of them, but am only interested in the bits of paper found inside.

Here's a fortune I handpicked for you today! Enjoy!

If you're anywhere near San Diego, please consider stopping by the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego 92111, tel: 858-268-4747. It's the store's 18th birthday so they'll be serving cake and hosting several spotlight authors. I'm on at 11:00 am. Here's a link detailing the event, including a list of all the spotlight authors. This bookstore is more than worth a visit. The employees are super well read and friendly. The store specializes in, well, everything, but especially mysteries, sci fi, and fantasy. As an added bonus, there's a really good game store almost next door, Game Empire.

Last, but certainly not least, if you've got a sec, hop on over to David Cranmer's The Education of a Pulp Writer blog where the delightful Denise has posted about Sherry and I So Don't Do Famous.

And, now, I'm logging off to return to writing. I hit a decent stride yesterday and am hoping to return to it this morning. Happy Weekend to all!

I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS is out!!!

Please welcome Sherry in her fourth mystery! For this case, she travels to Hollywood and goes undercover to bust up a burglary ring that's been breaking into celebrity homes!

A book release day is very exciting. In fact, it's uberexciting. Quite possibly, you've heard the screams bursting forth from the Summy household!

In case you were wondering what I did on this most exciting day, here's the rundown:
-I tidied the house. I had to. I live with teens.
-I fed the chameleons and walked the dog. They don't appear to understand the concept of Release Day.
-I talked on the phone and answered emails. Sometimes simultaneously.
-I wrote. I'm behind on my current manuscript.

And....now I'm going out for a drink with a friend which will segue into a delicious sushi dinner with Mr. Summy. The children are at various practices.

Hello Sherry! I'm looking forward to seeing you in bookstores and hearing about you from readers!

What makes it real?

I So Don't Do Famous, the fourth mystery in the "i so don't do" series, comes out on May 10.

So, Sherry will be out and about in the real world in eighteen short days. This time, she's busting up a burglary ring in Hollywood. It was a fun book to research (3 trips to Hollywood!) and write. Uberfun! I love this book.

It's hard to believe that Famous' release is almost here.

Here's how I know it's really happening....

A hot-off-the-presses copy arrives from my editor. Wrapped in ribbon. Complete with a love note.



Apparently, it's real for Child #4 too!

Looking forward to seeing you in stores on May 10, Sherry!

Oh, and Child #4 picked the winner for the I SO DON'T DO MAKEUP paperback contest. Congratulations, Olivia!! My people will email your people for an address. Happy Reading! Thanks to everyone who entered.

book trailer for I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS!

This was a REALLY fun book trailer to make. In fact, lots of the slides are from photos I took while in Hollywood and environs. And some are from photos Editor Wendy took. Yes, she is multi-talented. Thanks to all of you for permission to use your pictures for the very cute "real people credits" at the end. A special shout-out to those who didn't give me permission, but I used the pics anyway. (joke)

A huge and heartfelt thank-you to the ubertalented author and videographer, PJ Hoover! She has the patience of a saint.

Click here for HOME.

Thanks for visiting!

Cover for i so don't do famous!!

I don't think I ever posted this beautiful cover! When I first got it, I was under strict orders not to post it because there was still a chance of changes. But all's a go now. Amazon and b&n beat me to the punch, and already have this cover up.

When does this book come out? MAY 10!!!

What I've Been Up To

I found this cute photo of Sherry online. This has nothing to do with the cover for the next book, I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS. It's just a fun photo. The NANOSECOND I get a final cover for FAMOUS and permission to post, you know I'm throwing it up here!

Oh, where oh where have I been?

Well...

I finished and sent back the copy-edits for I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS. Like any normal person, I'm glad to have work done and gone. Truly, I'm glad.

BUT, this is most likely the last Sherry mystery, which means this was my last time hanging out with Sherry et al. And I'll miss them. (The next time I see this book, it will be an ARC--Advance Reader Copy.)

However, as we all know, life goes on. No doubt, some day in the future, I'll look back on this post and say, "Barrie Summy, are you crazy? Sherry was great, but look at all the wonderful, fun things you got a chance to write BECAUSE you were done with Sherry!"

Still, for today, sending off the FAMOUS copy-edits was bitter sweet.


And where will I be?

Well...

We took an extension on our taxes and now must do them. YUCKITY YUCK YUCK YUCK! This is one of my MOST-HATED chores. It is so boring and complicated (yes, yes, these adjectives can go together).

I will have a My Town Monday post up.

Happy Weekend to all!

The Blog Gets Beautified and Other News

One night, I was poking around the internet, reading blogs, commenting on blogs. You know, life as usual.

And I stumbled across a blog called Annie Bakes. (Yes, contrary to popular belief, I do actually cook from time to time.) Anyway, I thought, wow, this is one good-looking blog. I wonder who designed it.

And that is how I discovered the most talented blog designer in the entire universe: Crissy of Affordable Blog Design! I begged her to take a haitus from her haitus. Luckily, she took pity on me and my blog and created this incredible work of beauty. Didn't she do an amazing job? Honestly, I could sit and stare at my blog for hours on end. (I, personally, have some work to do on the blog (filling in information, etc.), but won't get to that until....)

After March 1 when I turn in I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS. I am still working hard on it. Ack.


Our female chameleon is pregnant yet again. She's been climbing down the cage and scratching around the Birthing Bucket. I expect she'll lay her eggs any day now. There's been a fair amount of chameleon news, not all of it good, I'm afraid. I promise to catch you up in March.

So, I'm headed back to the manuscript. March 1 will come and go, and I'll be back to visiting your blogs. I'm looking forward to it.

THANK YOU CRISSY FOR THIS UBERGORGEOUS BLOG!

Oh, and look at that cute signature below!

My Town Monday: Pink's Hot Dog Stand, Hollywood, CA

I was back up in Hollywood, CA yesterday. Doing research. I'm furiously writing i so don't do famous, Book#4 in the mystery series.

Suddenly I discover there are a few places 13-year-old detective Sherry Holmes Baldwin is determined to visit. Places I've never been to. And a couple more more places she plans to hang out at that I, uh, barely remember.

So, off a-researching I go.

With Sherry's love of junk food, you know she'll be eating at the one-and-only Pink's Hot Dog Stand. Plus, it's located fairly close to the hotel she's staying at with her dad and her best friend, Junie.

Pink's is family owned and has been around since 1939. At first, it was a large-wheeled pushcart.

By the way, it took a while to get this shot because there's so much traffic on La Brea. But, for your viewing pleasure, I waited patiently.

Everybody eats at Pink's. Including a lot of famous people. You might see a limo pull up while you're in line!

Here's a close-up of a fellow countryman. Some famous people have hot dogs named after them. For example, the $5.70 Martha Stewart dog is 16" long with relish, chopped tomatoes, onions, sauerkraut, bacon and sour cream. And a little trivia about prices: During the depression, Pink's chili dogs sold for 10 cents.

Here's part of the menu.

Thank you to the young man who let me snap a shot of his order! Sorry, but it was too early in the day for me to successfully face a hot dog.

Before I forget, here's the address for Pink's: 709 North La Brea Ave. (this is at the corner of La Brea and Melrose), Los Angeles, CA 90038-3338. Phone: 323-931-4223

And a special thank you to Kathy Krevat, fellow Denny's Chick critique partner, who researched with me. And made it such a fun day!

Now, hop on over to the My Town Monday blog to see what others are posting about.

Sources: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/pgz/history.htm

My Town Monday: San Diego bugs (+ 2 contests)

In the middle of all the festivities, it's time for a My Town Monday post! So, I am closeting myself and my laptop away from my noisy family to spend a little time putting together the post and hanging out with all of you.

This week features...bugs and creepy crawlies around San Diego County.

Bugs, Christmas, New Year's Eve? Don't even look for a connection. There isn't one!

My adorable critique partner, Kathy Krevat, found a bug in her backyard, emailed me a jpeg of said bug and asked if I could identify it. I happen to be doing some research on assassin bugs (also called kissing bugs) for Sherry's fourth mystery, i so don't do famous (Surprise, Editor Wendy! ;) ). And there's your twisty windy explanation for how this post came about.

Here are a few facts about some bugs in San Diego County:

*Watch out for black spiders with an hour glass shape on the abdomen. These are western black widows. The poison from a black widow's bite is five times more toxic than the poison from a rattlesnake bite.

*If you find a cobalt blue pillbug, you've spotted a pillbug with a virus (iridovirus). Researchers from the University of California at Riverside and at Berkeley are hot on the trail of this ill pillbug (intentional rhyme).

*We have four species of fireflies, but not one of them flashes light.

*In the summer, you'll find lots of large green beetles called figeaters or green fruit beetles. They have a loud buzz and fly around as though they've spent too much time at the local watering hole.

Here is Kathy's mystery bug. Can you identify it? Tell us anything about it?

Please pop over to the My Town Monday blog to see what others in the group are posting about. ALSO, I'LL NAME THE MYSTERIOUS BUG THERE.

And abruptly changing topics:

Random House gave Blogger Bookworm Readers a copy of i so don't do spooky and and an ARC to use in a giveaway. The details are here. Thank you to Bookworm Readers and Random House.

WHILE AT THE ORTHODONTIST, Child #4 stumbled upon a contest to win a copy of i so don't do spooky through the American Cheerleader magazine. Enter online here.



sources:
http://www.sdnhm.org/research/entomology/entofaq.html
http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/assissin_bug.html