Au Revoir

Wendall ~ TBD

I have been immeasurably lucky to have been part of Murder is Everywhere for the last two and a half years.

 

It’s hard to imagine a group more supportive and kind than my compatriots here – all writers I admire for their imagination, range of knowledge and expertise, curiosity, conviction, and humor.

 

Most of us at Bouchercon 2023 in San Diego.

 

Through their blogs and their books, I’ve traveled from South Africa to Italy, from Greece to Scotland, from India to Singapore, seen art and architecture from all over the world, learned so much about international history and politics, and gathered new insights into ways the creative process can work.

 

Jeff, Sujata, Annamaria, and me at LCC in Tucson.

I’ve also had the privilege of sharing comments with many of you who’ve been kind enough to read my pieces.

 

So, it is with a heavy heart that I have to step away from the blog, at least for a while.

 

As I go, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts.

 

First, libraries and librarians are the bedrock of our culture and our profession.  They are responsible for my lifetime love of both reading and research. From my first “reading challenge” in second grade, which included Harriet the Spy, The Phantom Tollbooth, and The Yearling,  to the hours and hours I spent over the years in research libraries, like the Graduate Library at UNC, the (late) Colindale Newspaper Library, and my forever favorite, the Humanities Reading Room in the British Library.

 

One of my early faves.

I love the British Library so much that I set a hunk of Fogged Off there and included a totally fictional, and hysterical, research librarian. 

 

Approaching the BL.

 

And inside the Reading Room.

We must do everything we can to protect and support them.

 

Second, even though many of us sell the majority of our books on Amazon, it’s up to us and all our readers to make sure the independent bookstore continues as a source of stories and community. I’m pretty sure that almost every crime writer in Southern California has been helped by Anne Saller at Book Carnival and Debbie Mitsch at Mystery Ink and I owe an eternal debt to Pete Mock and Keebe Fitch at McIntyre’s in Pittsboro, North Carolina, for amazing support of my Cyd Redondo series. 

 

Anne Saller catches an action shot! Me, Jennifer Chow, Naomi Hirahara, and Ellen Byron had a blast in 2021.

 

What would we do without Book Carnival???

 

Pete Mock, Tim Maleeny, and me at McIntyre's in my hometown.

Me getting ready to write in the window of the wonderful Book Soup on the Sunset Strip.

Face in a Book is beloved by my Northern California friends, and there are so many of these amazing spaces still going. So, wherever you are, if you have a favorite, put it in the comments. Of course support your favorite authors and friends, but I for one am making a commitment to go to at least one reading/signing this fall for a writer I’m unfamiliar with.

 

Third, don’t let the bastards get you down/take no prisoners!

 

I will always be grateful for those of you who read widely, who want to travel to other times and places, and who are kind enough to read our books. 

 

Have a great time, all of you who are going to Bouchercon. I won't be there, but I do have a new story, "Actor Sex," in the anthology Hollywood Kills, which will have a signing there with many of the other wonderful writers. 

 

All of my short stories are set in 90s LA (hence the chiffon gloves). In this one, a cynical casting assistant chases down a "headshot" killer.

 

You can still find me on my website at https://wendallthomas.com at my author page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/CydRedondoMysteries/ and on my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/ewendallthomas/

 

Fondest to you all, near and far,

 

 Goodbye, farewell. . .

 

 

~ Wendall

 

 

Hushpuppies, High School, and Joe Lansdale's Head

Wendall--every other Thursday 

The world, and a looming tax appointment, is too much with me this week, so I am turning back to one of my favorite weekends of 2024. May we all wind up at McIntyre's Books, for Crime Scene Mystery Bookfest, or just for a browse. Thanks, Pete! 

Last weekend I was honored to be included in the second CrimeScene Mystery Bookfest at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, NC. Indulge me while I gush a little. 

 

 

Rabbit photo-op.

First, the store sits in the charming Fearrington Village, which features a few lovely places to eat and drink, tons of gifts items, one of the premier eateries in North Carolina—the Fearrington House Restaurant—and a gorgeous Inn. 

 

Fearrington House is an institution.

 

Pete and friends in the Village at night.

 

The whole thing sits amidst acres of hills and ponds and ancient trees, not to mention a few sculptural sheep!

 

So many lovely places to walk, and stop.

They almost look real. . .

Until you get up close.

It also has the advantage of being a two minute drive from my all-time favorite North Carolina-style barbecue joint, Allen and Sons, where I went with a dear friend I’ve known since I was twelve. Let’s just say hushpuppies were had. . .

 

An annual tradition.

CrimeScene is the brainstorm of Pete Mock, who curates the mystery book room in the store with the kind of intensity and discernment that landed him on the cover of Our State Magazine. Many of you probably know Pete, either from doing signings in the store, or running into him at one Bouchercon "Noir at the Bar" or another. He loves crime fiction, and his generosity towards writers is legendary.

 

He has been particularly kind to me, even down to book placement! I can't think of another bookstore where Cyd Redondo would land on a bookshelf with Carl Hiassen, Craig Johnson, Louise Penny, Ace Atkins, and Lee Child.

 

Fogged Off in proximity to Squeeze Me? I can die now.

 

The store’s owner, Keebe Fitch, was an incredible host and everyone who works in the store, or came to volunteer, made it one of the loveliest events I’ve ever attended.

 

The panels all took place in the legendary Barn.

 

This is just the entrance...

This is the inside. What a great venue.

And then, I met Joe R. Lansdale. He was the Guest of Honor and has been one of my heroes for years. Even sitting behind him was heady stuff. 

 

Joe's head. Proximity is everything!

  

He was very tolerant of my blabbering admiration, made me laugh, told some heartbreaking and hilarious stories about working with Bill Paxton and Sam Shepard, bought one of my books (!) and signed his.

 

I appeared on the “Humor and Homicide” panel, moderated by the wonderful Sara Johnson (The Bone Dead), to commiserate with Tim Maleeny (Hanging the Devil) and Mark de Castrique (Dangerous Women) about the challenges of making murder funny. 

 

Getting ready.

Our panel. These folks crack me up.

Ready to sign in Pete's Mystery Book Room.

The rest of the day featured an illuminating interview with Joe Lansdale, and great panel conversations with Thomas Mullen, Kevin Powers, Eli Cranor, Rebecca Renner, Martin Clark, Jamie Mason, Katy Munger, JG Hetherton, David Joy, and Juliet Grames. 

 

Katy Munger interviews Joe from the front.

Pete, introducing Jamie Mason, Tim Maleeny, Kevin Powers, and Thomas Mullen.

Of course, the weekend was especially great for me, because I grew up about fifteen minutes from the store. At one point in the day, seven of my friends from high school (and junior high!) were together in the signing room. It was so great it made my heart hurt. Friends from college, and even my old boss—the former head of the UCLA Professional Program—attended. It was a fabulous day.

Me with people I've known forever. So grateful they showed up.

And a few more old friends.

 

The other highlight of the day was the awarding of the "Beltie" prize, Pete's choice for Best Mystery of the Year. It went to Michael Bennett's Better the Blood.

The publishing world can be tough, but being part of the mystery community and this network of writers, readers, booksellers, and librarians is a privilege I never take for granted. Thanks, Pete, Keebe, and everyone at McIntyre’s Books for making me so happy to be a crime writer.

---Wendall

Thankful

Wendall -- every other Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving. I thought I’d take this opportunity to write about a few things I’m grateful for today.

First, I am so grateful for my husband. Today is the anniversary of our first date and I want to thank him for making me laugh every day for the last twenty-three years. 

 

We never pass up a chance at a photo booth.

 

The king of funny faces.

He sent off for an inflatable Dino from Japan.

I am also grateful to the Murder is Everywhere crew. It is a privilege and a pleasure to have spent almost two years now with all of you interesting, talented, erudite writers and to be a part of the blog. I’m also grateful for all of you who follow us.

 

My first Bouchercon with most of the writers from MIE.

 

As always, I’m grateful to Stevie Wonder for still being alive. Same goes for Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan, Rickie Lee Jones, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, and on and on. For more details on how music is vital to me, see my blog from November 14.

 

 

I am grateful that James and I now have a balcony. It may overlook a freeway (we pretend the constant sound is the ocean) but it’s a private place outside to read, drink coffee and cocktails, and watch the hummingbirds while the sun rises and sets. Makes all the difference.

 

 

I am grateful to all my professors at UNC, especially the late Doris Betts, who gave me the best reading lists and taught me to think, always dig deeper, and check my sources.

 

My writing and thinking mentor, Doris Betts.

 

I’m grateful to live in California, where succulents abound.

 

Huntington Gardens.

 

A palm tree from my neighborhood.

 

I’m grateful to have grown up in the 70s, where great, profound, irreverent, and hilarious movies were in theaters every week.

 

To be a moviegoes when Altman was at his peak was a privilege.

When news was news.

No words for how prophetic this was.

When Jill Clayburgh, Diane Keaton, and Sally Field were movie stars.

Still stunning.

My idol and still one of my favorite films.

"Serpentine!"

Too many funny lines to quote.

I’m grateful that mystery organizations, librarians, and independent bookstores exist and for all the amazing people who have helped me with my research, read early drafts, chosen my stories for anthologies, and generally supported me as a writer, especially my sister, Kim. The rest of you know who you are.

 

At Chevalier's with Tim Hallinan.

 

My very first signing with Anne Saller at Book Carnival.

My first published story, thanks to Naomi Hirahara.

 

Also grateful I can still hear, see, and type!

 

Have a great holiday.

 

--Wendall