January 21, 2006

Books

There are several characteristics I admire in other writers, but I think the one that impresses me most is the talent to write books coming from widely different genres. Most writers stick to one corner of the world: they write mysteries, they write fantasy, they write hard-wired science fiction, they write “literary” fiction, they write erotica. I think that’s great, too; any writer who can make a living at this difficult and chancy calling deserves my respect.

Some writers simply don’t want to write anything else but the genre they chose. That’s great, too. I thought that would be my career, and I had no problem with it. When I branched off from conventional mysteries to leap into the paranormal world, it was a leap born of desperation and faith.

Several other writers have taken the leap many times, and I wanted to point out a couple of them. Barbara Hambly is at the top of my list. Whatever Barbara does, she does excellently; she’s written two of the best vampire books every written, “Those Who Hunt the Night” and “Travelling With the Dead”. She’s written biographies. She’s written the excellent Benjamin January mysteries set in pre-Civil War Louisiana. She wrote a romantic novella that’s in “Night’s Edge” along with mine. She writes fantasy, too, “Sisters of the Raven” being just one example. In short, Barbara can do anything.

Tanya Huff is on my “diversity” list, too, though Tanya’s books are all in the category of science fiction. Tanya wrote the Blood series – “Blood Price,” “Blood Debt,” and others. She’s also written the two Summoning books, which are on my favorites shelf. In fact, the first one, “Summon the Keeper,” would be on my list of my all-time favorite books. Lately, Tanya’s been writing about a couple of characters we met in the Blood books, continuing their adventures in yet another direction. Her Valor books are hi-tech military science fiction.

There are several more writers as multi-talented as Barbara and Tanya, but they’ve earned my admiration for their great writing ability and their courage to veer off the expected path in their writing choices. Give them a place on your shelves, too. You won’t be sorry.

BLOG

I’d like to draw your attention to my calendar. Pretty soon, I’ll be putting up my tour dates when all the bookings are confirmed. This May, I’ll be going to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, New Orleans, Little Rock, Birmingham, Lexington, Cincinnati, Dayton, Chicago, San Diego, and Richmond. (These cities are subject to change at this point, but that’s the current plan.)

Next Friday night, I’ll be in New York City, at the Black Orchid. If you’re planning on coming (and I hope you are), please be there as early in the signing time (6-8) as you can, since I will need to leave at 8 pretty promptly for dinner with my editor.

In February, I’ll be at VisionCon in Springfield, MO, and on March 29 I’ll be speaking in Mississippi, my home state, in Oxford. At twelve noon, I take the podium at the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library, 401 Bramlett Boulevard. This is free, and there’s a light lunch, and I think you’ll be able to buy books and get them signed on the spot, so this is a good deal. I love appearing in my home state! In April, I’ll be at Malice Domestic in Washington, and in May I’ll end my tour at Romantic Times in Daytona.

The rest of my year is up on the calendar already. An event or two may be added, so look from time to time, but I’m pretty settled for 2006.

Please check this feature on my website BEFORE you ask me if I’m appearing in your hometown. I’d love to see all of you, but I only have so much time to travel. See you on the road . . .

Charlaine Harris