Two of Jane’s favorite Independent Mystery Bookseller Association bookshops, Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA, and Murder by the Beach in Delray Beach, FL, announced their April bestsellers—and Silent Auction was on both lists.

“It’s unbelievable to be in such company,” Jane says. Also on the Mystery Lovers Bookstore list were such luminaries as Elizabeth George, Alexander McCall Smith, and Charlaine Harris.

If you haven’t already, please buy your copy of the new Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, Silent Auction¸today! Thanks.

Jane’s Tour Continues: Join Jane in Pennsylvania, DC, and New York

Come meet Jane as she travels the country introducing readers to Josie and saying hey to booksellers and librarians!

The photo above shows Jane with the wonderful librarian, Susie Schachte, in Greenwood, IN. Susie hosted an event at the library last month. The bouquet Jane is holding is comprised of cookies designed to replicate the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series’ book covers. Can you imagine? This work of art was created by the library’s talented bookkeeper, Judy Posz. (“Yes,” Jane says. “We ate them. They were delicious!”)

Upcoming stops on the tour include:

June 5, 2010, Saturday 10:00 a.m.	“Coffee and Crime” Mystery Lovers Bookshop 514 Allegheny River Boulevard Oakmont PA 15139 888.800.6078 www.mysterylovers.com	Discussion/book signing
June 26, 2010, Saturday 4-5 p.m.	American Library Association conference Washington DC www.ala.org	Signing at Macmillan booth: Saturday, 4-5 p.m. Signing at Sisters in Crime booth: time TBD
June 27, 2010, Sunday 10-11 a.m.		Moderating a panel called “The Art of Distraction: Using Red Herrings” Sunday, 10-11 a.m.
June 29, 2010, Tuesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Manhattanville College, Writers’ Week 2900 Purchase St. Purchase, NY Manhattanville College, Writers’ Week For more information, contact Karen Sirabian, Director, at sirabian@mville.edu	Crafting Popular Fiction: How to Write and Sell Genre Fiction Wendy Corsi Staub, the New York Times best-selling author of more than 70 novels, from thrillers and women’s suspense to chick lit and young adult supernaturals talks with Jane K. Cleland, the IMBA best-selling author of the Josie Prescott antiques mystery series about writing commercial fiction. Where do ideas come from? Should you write for the market or should you write from your heart? How can a new author break in? What does it take to write a best seller? They’ll be plenty of time for questions in this frank conversation between two writing pros.

Check out her tour and come say hello!

Antiques Collecting Fact: Did You Know?
Antique Spice Box

Handcrafted wooden boxes, such as this, were commonly used throughout Asia to dry and store herbs and spices. From the style of joinery and the hasps, we can date this box to the mid-nineteenth century. Now coveted as trinket or jewelry boxes, examples in as good condition as this one, showing normal wear, sell from $150 to $300 dollars.

Want to pit your antiques appraisal skills against those of the professionals? Visit the archives of the free, fun challenge we ran for years called What’s It Worth? You Be the Judge.

A: That’s hard to say. I like all my books! But… okay… yes, I do. Library Journal called the plot “intricate,” which, I think, is very appealing in “fair play” traditional mysteries, such as the ones I write. Add in that the characters develop in fun and unexpected ways, and I think you do have a successful book. I’m very proud of it!

Read an excerpt of Silent Auction and order your copy today. Don’t forget to ask your librarian to order a copy, too!

P.S.  Please add "Jane_K._Cleland@mail.vresp.com" to your address book!