Tj O'Connor, author of Dying to Know, Dying for the Past, and Dying to Tell
Ah, summertime. Warm days sitting in a hammock with my feet
up with a nice drink in my hand. Nothing to do but … oh, hell no. That’s not right at all. This summer I’m taking Dying
on the Road! It’s me, Dying to
Know, Dying for the Past, and the
highway …
Right now, you’re saying “Huh?” Easy. Since Book II—Dying for the Past—of the Gumshoe Ghost
series launched in January, I’ve been everywhere trying to build an audience
and cultivate more fans. I’ve had a great time doing that and met some amazing
authors, great fans, and even a few celebrities along the way. Thus far, my
travels have included:
·
February: Farpoint
Fan Convention, Timonium, Maryland—It was subzero weather but still had
some fans come out and enjoy the Sci-Fi convention.
·
February: Winchester
Book Gallery, Winchester, Virginia—a major snow storm dumped more than a
foot of snow and chilled my book launch in my home town… alas, I still sold a
few!
·
March: Virginia
Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, Virginia—a rather disappointing
turnout at this great event. Not many folks attended, but I still managed to
meet some great folks and sign a dozen books or so.
·
April: Children’s
Specialized Hospital Charity, Summit, New Jersey—Probably the event of
the year. What a great cause! I was one of the guest speakers and got to meet
some wonderful philanthropists and sign a bunch of books. What a wonderful
event!
·
May: Malice
Domestic, Bethesda, Maryland—The annual fan conference where I spoke on
a panel with some amazing authors like Toni LP Kelner, Charlaine Harris, Judy
Hogan (moderator), and Tonya Kappes. I was honored to be in their company.
·
May: Gaithersburg
Book Festival, Gaithersburg, Maryland—no snow, thank God … but a
massive thunderstorm sent us shelter! Met some great folks and got to finally
meet my childhood author-hero, James Grady.
·
May: Millbrook
Book Festival, Millbrook, New York—one of my fav events. Not a lot of
turnout this year (I think they competed with a county-wide yard sale and some
high school graduations) but I was a speaker at the event and got to hang with
my pals Louis Romano and Jim Holmgren! Always a pleasure!
·
June: Iroquois
Public Library Book Club, Erie, Pennsylvania—What a fun gathering! I
met a dozen or more avid readers who I hope are all fans now. Had a great talk
and spent a couple hours chatting and answering questions. Can’t wait for next
year! Thanks, ladies!!!!!
·
June: Great
Escapes Book/Blog Tour—What a great experience! Ten blog and review
sites gave me a guest spot via the Great Escapes Blog Tour and I did interviews
and had Dying for the Past Reviewed … and what a fabulous bunch of reviews I
got! These sites included The Community Bookstop, Fuonly Knew, Sapphyria’s Book
Reviews, View from the Bird House, Deal Sharing Aunt, Griperang’s Bookmarks, A
Chick Who Reads, Back Porchervations, and Writers and Readers of Paranormal
Mystery. I’m giving away a bunch of signed books and sent out the grand prize
winner a Kindle Reader with both my current books loaded on it. This tour was
fabulous for reaching new fans and adding some wonderful reviews to the list.
Thanks to all who participated!
And I took a breather …
Now for the charge into fall… I’ll be visiting and speaking
at a host of new venues. Please come on out and say hi!
·
July 9-12: Thriller
Fest, Manhattan, New York—I’m a spectator for this one. Since I’m working
on a new thriller and mystery, I’m attending this fabulous event to get some
insight. I’m hoping to rope some time with my agent, Kimberley Cameron, and
plan to conquer the literary world!
·
July 24-26: Scares
that Care, Children’s charity in Williamsburg, Virginia—This is a
charity event in historic Williamsburg. I’m so looking forward to this one.
I’ll be meeting readers and fans, signing some books, and visiting with some
old and new pals I’ve met on the circuit!
·
August 8: Comic
Con, Dover, Delaware—This is a first for me. I’m looking forward to
spending the day speaking on my books and meeting the folks in Dover. I may
have a panel speaking gig so come on down and support this great event.
·
August 22: Suffolk
Mystery Authors Festival, Suffolk, Virginia—Another first! But wow, am
I ready for this one. I was invited down to be a guest author to speak and meet
mystery fans. This is in historic Suffolk, Virginia, and from the list of
attendees, I’m again honored to be part of this group! A lot of friends will be
there!
·
September 26: Murder As You Like It Mystery Conference, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania—This fun conference is sponsored by some wonderful folks at the Mechanicsburg
Mystery Bookshop. They’ve invited me to be a panelist, a panel moderator, and
the Key Note speaker … what a day that’ll be!
·
October 2-4: Monster
Mania Horror Fan Convention, Hunt Valley, Maryland—For the second year,
I’ll attend this wild and crazy show to talk to fans and sign books. Last year
I met some fabulous people like Han Solo, Princess Leia, a few wookies, some
bizarre cosplay folks, and many others. It’s a ton of laughs, great fans, and
always some celebrities to smooze with!
·
October 8-11: Bouchercon Authors Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina—I’m
looking forward to this one. These conventions are great for meeting fans,
seeking out new fans, and spending some great times with fellow authors
everywhere. Very much looking forward to it!
As I take Dying on the
Road, I’ll be out talking about my books and meeting readers and fans and
generally selling my soul to build an audience. If you’re near any of these
events, come on by and say hello. If you do and you mention this blog, I’ll
drop a book in your hands pro bono!
Tj O’CONNOR IS THE GOLD
MEDAL WINNER OF THE 2015 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS BOOK AWARDS FOR MYSTERIES. He
is the author of Dying to Know and Dying
for the Past, available in bookstores and e-books from Midnight Ink. His
third paranormal mystery, DYING TO TELL,
will be released January 2016. He is currently working on a traditional mystery
and a new thriller. Tj is an international security consultant specializing in
anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive
his novels. With his former life as a government agent and years as a
consultant, he has lived and worked around the world in places like Greece,
Turkey, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Americas—among
others. He was raised in New York's Hudson Valley and lives with his wife and Lab
companions in Virginia where they raised five children. Dying to Know is also a Foreword
Review’s 2014 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award finalist.
Learn about Tj’s
world at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tjoconnor.author
Blog: http://tjoconnorbooks.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7148441.T_J_O_Connor
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