22 West Express
Volume I, Edition 4
July 2007
Hello Readers,
Thanks to all who attended the Taking Stock Launch Party. It was a great time with a fantastic group. I was a bit frantic running about and I hope I got time to chat with everyone. We sent books all over the United States! Thanks for kicking-off Taking Stock way ahead of where Sin and Vengeance began in the early months after its release.
We barely made a dent in the Westport Rivers sparkling, but I for one did my part! I hope you all had a good time and I hope you'll be back for the next party. My sights are set on late 2008.
There are over 20 pictures in the photo gallery if you're interested.
Events...
I received some sad news earlier this year. Someone who has been a strong supporter and become a good new friend was diagnosed with cancer this past year. It is a terribly scary and difficult situation for all involved. The family is walking in a Jimmy Fund event on September 16th and I have joined the Walk for Steve team to show my support. If you'd like to walk, make a donation, or learn more about supporting cancer research, please visit: http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/cjwest
If you'd like to spend some time talking about Taking Stock or anything else that's on your mind, the walk is 13 miles. I'm expecting that it will take me a good while. I'll be short of breath and therefore a very good listener, so come on along!
Other Events
I'm beginning to schedule signings for August, September and October. I've also committed to visiting five book groups this year and would be glad to visit with yours. Drop me an email if you have a group that you'd like me to speak to. I always enjoy sharing ideas with a group of readers. If you have a favorite local bookstore you'd like me to visit, send me a note.
And the winner is....
The winner of the June drawing was N. Bristol from Wrentham. He sent a copy of Taking Stock to his daughter. There is a running list of winners on the contest page if you're ever curious to know who's winning all those books.
Thanks for reading,
CJ
Inside this Issue:
Taking Stock: The reviews are coming
Contest Corner: A hint for the Hidden Code Contest
CJ's new writing partner
Bella is a 3 and 1/2 month old Wheaten Terrier. The whole family drove to Long Island two weeks ago and returned with Bella. She's a loveable little ball of fluff and hopefully she'll be trained by the time the kids get back to school. Her sleeping habits have slowed progress on book 2 of the Randy Black series, but hopefully she'll make up for the delays with some really good ideas later on. Ok, wishful thinking, but on the plus side, she offers nothing but support with her stubby little tail wags and frequent licks.
So far Taking Stock has received one professional review from Curled Up With a Good Book. I was very pleased with what Carolynn wrote.
If you've read the book (and enjoyed it) tell the world! You can post a review on Amazon.com by going to the Taking Stock page and selecting "Write your own review." Hint: the easiest way to find the Amazon page is to go to www.22wb.com, click books, and click the Buy link. (You don't really have to buy it again.) I know it's a little like writing a book report, but the hard work's already done. It's a huge help to people who've never read my work.
Thanks to all who take a moment out to write one!
Newsletter Contest
If you're getting this forwarded from a friend, make sure you subscribe to the newsletter to be eligible for the free monthly drawing!!
When I got the idea to include contests within each book, I promised myself I wouldn't start giving hints for a new contest until the one for the previous book had been solved. So much for that. The Taking Stock Contest and the Hidden Code Contest are both running full speed ahead.
I'm really rooting for someone out there to find the codes inside Sin and Vengeance before the Taking Stock Character Contest is solved. I can't believe it's almost been 2 years, so I'm going to concentrate my contest clues on the Hidden Code Contest until someone gets it.
At the launch, several people received signed copies of both Sin and Vengeance and Taking Stock. If a signed copy of Sin and Vengeance is a good clue, then having both books autographed is a neon sign.
Also, with the revision to Sin and Vengeance, several typos were removed. They were originally there to disguise a clue to the Hidden Code Contest. The starting point to the first code is a subtle typographical error. It might take a copyeditor to pick up on it, but if you are looking at it, there should be no question in your mind that you are headed in the right direction.
Good Luck!!!
© 22 West Books 2006.
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