Ghostly Book Signing

Tomorrow's the big day for book signing at the Lord Baltimore Hotel on 20W. Baltimore St. from 4-8 pm. I hope to get some sales from guests staying at the hotel and people who have read about the signing in the newspapers. Mostly, I hope the staff that works at the LB will get the word and come down and buy a novel about their hotel. If you've never seen the Lord Baltimore, it is a beauty. Like a museum that still operates at full throttle decades after it was built. No expense was spared when it was constructed in the 1920's. The ceilings, marble, iron work and ballrooms are incredible. The art deco abounds. It is worth coming down just to tour the hotel. Maybe I'll see some of you there. At any rate, thanks to all of you who have spread the word. Sales are slow but steady. Thankfully, everyone who has read it, loves the story and wants to know when the next book is coming out. It doesn't get any better than that.

Best,

Joan

Where to Find Heaven Below

Now that the word is getting out, more and more folks are asking where they can find copies of Heaven Below. The easiest way to get a copy is to order one on Amazon.com. Just look under the book department and type in the title or my name. Books can also be found in the following stores:

Glen Burnie: BWMC gift shop

Towson: Ukazoo Books

Annapolis: The Hard Bean on the city dock

Deale: Cottage Chicks

Shady Side: Salem Avery Museum

Pasadena: All Things Country

Of course, if you see me, I've always got a few extra copies to sign. Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.

Best,

Joan

Spooky Signing at the Lord Baltimore

Just after the 1929 stock market crash, at least four people jumped to their deaths from the roof of the Lord Baltimore Hotel. The hotel was built in 1928 and was the tallest building in the city at that time. Some time after, employees at the hotel began reporting strange sights: people dressed in vintage clothing that disappeared at the end of the hall, two men and a woman at the back of a dark ballroom who disappeared when the lights were turned on and the Lord Baltimore's little darling, a small girl who appears in a long cream-colored dress and black patent leather shoes. The leapers from the roof and their ghosts are described in the Baltimore section of "Heaven Below." Join me on Friday, October 30th from 4-8pm in the lobby of the Radisson Lord Baltimore Hotel for a little more about these ghosts and pick up a copy of Heaven Below. Perhaps you can take the elevator to the 19th floor and take a look for yourself. Hope to see you there!

Shady Side Hospitality

Despite a drizzly, chilly day, there was a generous turnout at the West River Heritage Oyster Festival. Offered was every conceivable oyster concoction: steamed, frittered, stewed and the ever popular "on the halfshell." (I slid down 6 plump salty delectables myself.) The people of the town of Shady Side were gracious in hearing about the historical novel where the main character, Sean O'Connell, lands in their waterside town and decides it is the "Heaven Below" he's been looking for. Besides oysters, there was barbecued fare and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages including Yuengling beer--what a coincidence? A fitting accompaniment for those slippery little devils. Two dozen books were purchased yesterday afternoon and six more were consigned to the Salem Avery museum for sale. The two page article in the Baltimore Sun helped pave my way for the signing. Most attendees had read it with their morning coffee and were happy to see me at the event. Some Shady Siders have vowed to buy more books at the book signing in Deale, at Cottage Chicks, on Sunday, November 1 from 12-4. This event will be indoors, regardless, I'm hoping for weather that's a little less "ducky."

Heaven Update

The book signing at the Hardbean on Sunday was great. The weather couldn't have been better and there was a nice crowd. I sold a few books and made some networking connections. Yesterday I was interviewed by Jonathan Pitts from the Baltimore Sun. Tomorrow the photographer comes out for a shot for the Arundel Report. The article should come out on Sunday. Also this Sunday, I will be doing a signing at the West River Heritage Oyster Festival in Shady Side at the Salem Avery house from 12:30-5:00. My article in The Bay Weekly should come out tomorrow. Hope there is a good attendance at the festival. I met a new internet buddy, Mindie Burgoyne. She is a writer on the Eastern Shore. She particulary likes Irish, maritime and religious themes. I sent her a copy of Heaven Below and think it will be right up her alley. My next goal is to get an article into Guideposts. That would be an awesome venue for publicity. Time to pull out the heavy blankets. I think our Indian Summer is gone for the year. Bring plenty of wood onto the porch and bundle up. It is going to be a chilly one.

Yuengling Here I Come!!

Hi everyone,

What a week it has been. Yesterday, I did an interview with Simone Gorrindo of The Bay Weekly. Sunday, I'm doing a book signing at the Hard Bean at the sailboat show in Annapolis. Monday I'm doing an interview with Jonathan Pitts of the Baltimore Sun. Later that week the Sun photographer will come out for a couple of shots. Wednesday I interview with Teri Winslow of the Capital/Gazette. I just scheduled a book signing with All Things Country for November 8. I just scheduled a book signing with the Lord Baltimore Hotel on October 30. Tina Tym from the Republican-Herald in Pennsylvania is covering the story from Pottsville and...

Mr. Dick Yuengling has graciously offered his brewery for a book signing on November 14.

Unbelievable. If you have never toured the Yuengling brewery, it is a fascinating slice of history and the success story of an immigrant who landed in Pottsville and made his family's recipe a household word. Come out for a tour and the book signing in the crisp fall air (perfect beer drinking weather.)

I hope to see you there!

(I'll be the one selling all the books with the smile on my face.)

Best,

Joan

Hunter's Moon

Last night there was a full moon. It was gorgeous. Tonight should be nice too. I already see Venus shining in the southeastern sky. The American Indians had a name for each moon, their natural calendar, according to their tribes:

January-Wolf Moon
February-Snow Moon (Hunger Moon)
March-Maple Sugar Moon (Crow Moon)
April-Grass Moon
May-Flower Moon
June-Strawberry Moon (Rose Moon)
July-Cherry Moon (Blood Moon)
August-Green Corn Moon (Thunder Moon)
September-Harvest Moon
October-Hunter's Moon
November-Beaver Moon (Falling Leaves Moon)
December-Cold Moon

I like to step back from my busy day, away from the confines of my home or the hospital and survey the skies and observe the seasons. Living in a world where there's a clock in almost every room, not to mention one around my wrist, it's hard to imagine trying to gauge time by gazing at the moon. I invite you to step outdoors for just a moment to feel and breathe the fall air, look up into the heavens and reflect on a simpler time.