Guest Blogger Karen E. Olson

Today is the lay down date for Karen's latest "Tattoo Shop" mystery, Pretty in Ink. It's a great series, and I got an early peak at this one because she was coming to North Carolina. You'll enjoy Brett Kavanaugh whether you have tattoos or not! Karen is going to tell you about our first meeting in her blog below.

Please join me in welcoming Karen Olson!

I had a whole blog post written for Molly, but I’ve decided to change it up. Because I’ve just spent the weekend with her and I have to rave about it.

I met Molly briefly at Bouchercon in October. Not long after, I received an email from her asking if I’d want to come to Raleigh, North Carolina for a mini book tour. She’d arrange all the events, I’d just have to show up. Hank Phillippi Ryan and Julie Hyzy would also be included.

I think I hesitated only a nanosecond before I said yes.


I had an ulterior motive: My new tattoo shop mystery Pretty in Ink would be out March 2 (today!), and maybe we’d be able to get some copies early from the publisher to sell at the events.

Having books early was only the first thrill of the weekend. I have never done a tour like this before, staying mostly in my own backyard in Connecticut and doing local events here. Occasionally I’ll head to New York or Boston or Rhode Island, but it’s all within driving distance. And when I do that, it’s pretty much a solo act. I’m there, all by myself, hoping to entertain and entice the audience to buy my books.

I absolutely loved being part of a trio. At Hank's suggestion, Molly called us the Triple Threat Tour, and you couldn’t find three women probably less threatening than us. Hank and Julie are super, so fun and gracious and their books are fantastic. It was also so wonderful to share stories.

Writing can be a lonely business, we sit in our rooms by ourselves spending time with imaginary people. To actually go out in public and dress up (I’m usually writing in sweats and a fleece pullover and a big pair of woolen socks) and meet other writers, booksellers, librarians, and readers is such a treat. The folks Molly introduced us to were all amazing and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

It was a blast to connect with the real world, not one that’s just in our heads. I was so excited to have the chance to talk about my books, and especially my new one, with new potential readers, to share my enthusiasm for Brett Kavanaugh, my tattoo artist protagonist, and her world in Las Vegas. I spent years writing “what I know” as I penned the Annie Seymour mysteries, set here in my hometown of New Haven and in a newsroom, a place where I spent more than 20 years of my life. The challenge of writing about something completely different has been so liberating for me, and I know it’s clear on the pages of my books that I’m excited about it.

So I’m giving Molly a big shout out Thank You here, and thanks so much for having me here at Meritorious Mysteries on the launch day of Pretty in Ink!

Karen

To see more abut Karen and her series (she's also got a terrific Annie Seymour series), visit her website!