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Things got by me last month, and I didn’t post here on Slice of Orange. I thought about it when it was just a little late but decided I didn’t have anything as exciting to say as the posts already there, so I chose not to say anything.

But here I am. I’m back! And this is a special month.

Yes, it’s August–can you believe the year is going so fast?

August is the publication month of my latest Harlequin Romantic

Suspense, COVERT ALLIANCE. It’s part of my Identity Division mini-series about a non-witness protection program. As with the last story, the heroine has had her identity changed for her protection. But now there’s a critical reason for her to ignore her promises and return to the place she learned of criminal activity that resulted in threats to her life, but that she couldn’t help prove if the bad guys were arrested. Someone else from the Identity Division is now in town collecting evidence–and of course, the two of them meet. And clash. And are highly attracted to one another…

As you may know, these days I’ve been writing more cozy mysteries than romances, but that may be about to change. The book I’m working on now is one of my Harlequin Nocturnes, a paranormal romance about Alpha Force, a covert military unit of shapeshifters. Looks as if I may be writing another Alpha Force story, too. And a different Harlequin Romantic Suspense series as well. It’s not completely decided yet, but I’m excited.

Meanwhile, I had a great time at the RWA National Conference last month. Hope you did, too. And I’m planning on attending this month’s OCC meeting, and I hope to see you there as well!

Linda O. Johnston

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Upcoming Round Table Chapter Meeting

June 6, 2016 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

by Linda O. Johnston

Did you realize that today is 6/6/16? That’s right–sixth day of the sixth month of twenty-sixteen. Lots of sixes–which are hopefully good luck despite their possibly bad reputation when grouped in sets of three. I like sixes anyway. And in addition to my romances and other mysteries, I happen to write the Superstition Mysteries.

But, boy, this year is certainly going fast–nearly at the halfway point.

As I mentioned last month, I missed several OCC meetings early in the year. I did attend the one in May–and now I’ll be there for the June one, too. A bunch of published authors have been recruited to lead discussions at various tables at the afternoon meeting, and I’ll be at the one where we’ll talk about traditional publishers.

Yes, I’ve been at this a long time, and although I’ve done a bit of self-publishing, including republishing some of my earliest backlist as e-books, mostly those published by Dorchester, I still remain mostly traditionally published.

And enjoy it.

For my mysteries, I’ve written for Berkley Prime Crime and am now being published by a smaller publisher, Midnight Ink. I’m fortunate, since both have worked out well for me.

For romances, I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Harlequin series romance. In fact, my next published novel, due out in August this year, will be COVERT ALLIANCE, a Harlequin Romantic Suspense.

I guess I’m qualified to talk about traditional publishing! And I hope those of you who come to the meeting will join me at my table, along with Tara Lain, so we can talk about the pros and cons of it.

See you there!

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Looking Forward to Romance

May 6, 2016 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Linda O. Johnston

by Linda O. Johnston

My attendance at OCC meetings has been spotty this year due to conferences, book festivals and family matters, but I’m delighted to say I intend to be there this month.

The conferences I’ve attended this year have all related to mysteries, which I write in addition to romances. One was the Sisters in Crime meets Hollywood event, where speakers taught us how to pitch our mysteries to those who might be interested in making them into movies or TV shows. It was fun, but I’ll be surprised if any of my stories even get optioned.

Another event was the Dog Writers Association of America annual meeting in New York City. Most of the writers there write nonfiction–about dogs, of course. I was there because one of my mysteries was a finalist in the fiction category of their Maxwell Awards. It was fun, plus it was right next door to the Westminster Dog Show. I even saw some of my favorite pups: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

I also attended Left Coast Crime in Phoenix in February this year. And last weekend I was at Malice Domestic in Bethesda, Maryland. It’s for cozy mystery writers and fans. And I’m glad to say that my next cozy, TO CATCH A TREAT, the second in my Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries, is officially available in a couple of days, on May 8.

Lots of events and conferences. I’ve only one more currently planned, and I’m really looking forward to it: RWA National in San Diego! I’ll bet a lot of you who are reading this blog post will be there, too. RWA National is always fun and informative, and this year the conference is practically in our backyard.

Hope to see you at OCC this month–and RWA National in July!

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Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

April 6, 2016 by Linda O. Johnston in category Events, Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Reading tagged as Linda O. Johnston, Mystery Writers of America, RWA, The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

by Linda O. Johnston

Sorry to say that, once again, I’ll be missing this month’s OCC meeting. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is the same weekend, and I’m doing things there both days.

Of course they’re predicting rain, maybe even thunderstorms, for both Saturday and Sunday. During almost any other time I’d be thrilled about that. Not next weekend, though.

I’ve been attending the LATFOB for many years, starting when it was held at the UCLA campus. Now it is at USC, which in some ways is more convenient for me since I can take the Metro there rather than drive.

There are a lot of interesting-sounding speakers and panels this year, although I probably won’t hear any of them. I’ll be busy signing at a couple of booths for mystery writers, helping to staff the booth promoting the Mystery Writers of America, and volunteering at the romance writers’ booth. It’s always fun to walk around and see what else is going on, too. And buy a few books? Why not!

I always think it’s fun to attend any kind of book event, and the LATFOB is always huge and enjoyable. I’m sure it will be this year, too–depending on the amount and timing of any rain.

And as an author, I find it very helpful and productive to attend these kinds of events and meet potential readers and other authors. How about you?

I hope the OCC meeting goes great–and I hope to get there again soon. And in the meantime, even if you attend OCC this weekend, you can always head up to the USC campus on Sunday to check out the LATFOB.

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Lion and Lamb

March 6, 2016 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as #amwriting, Linda O. Johnston

by Linda O. Johnston

March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb. That’s the expression, and it’s supposed to refer to weather.

I live in LA, and this year March has come in like a lamb, although some rain is expected around now. No huge El Nino effect as previously predicted, though. And I anticipate it’ll also go out like a lamb.

But if I look at non-weather things, the expression may apply. My March started with my having a lot to do on the writing front, from finalizing a couple of copyedits for books to be published this year, to several proposals–some required and others self-imposed, to working on a manuscript for which I’m under deadline.

On top of that were a couple of trips–the one to New York that I mentioned last time, plus one to Phoenix for Left Coast Crime, both at the end of February but affecting my March. I’ve also had an unexpected and busy family visit–fun, but time-consuming. And a few other things that have required time.

Plus, I’m hoping to attend this month’s OCC meeting, although I couldn’t last month.

I love being a work-from-home writer, especially when I am at home. And most of the things that have taken up my time have been good. But I’m finally foreseeing and hoping for some of them to end so I actually have more time to write!

I’m sure all of you reading this can identify some with it, even if the details in your life are very different. My three-year-old grandson, after being told that Grandma writes books, has kept asking me why.

My response–and most likely yours, too–is that I love it!

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