I have an absolutely thrilling (to me) announcement to make.
But first, I have to lay some groundwork. The first book in my Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series,
Deadly Currents, takes place in Salida, Colorado during their annual
FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) whitewater festival. FIBArk is billed as the "oldest and boldest" whitewater festival in the United States, with this year being its 63rd year.
Thousands of people converge on this mountain valley town in mid June (this year, June 16-19) from all over the world to compete in and watch the events. There are a variety of long-distance and sprint races for kayaks, canoes, rafts, and stand-up paddle boards. There are rodeo events where boaters display gymnastic prowess, flipping and twisting their boats in the rapids. There's the famous "Hooligan Race" where teams build creative rafts out of anything that can float, pick a theme and dress up in costumes. And there are junior races for youngsters, running and biking events, karaoke contests, musical performances, and more. Multiple award ceremonies and parties last long into the night.
And on Saturday morning, there's a parade. The
FIBArk Parade draws hundreds of spectators who line F Street to cheer everything from homemade raft entries for the Hooligan Race to horse-drawn wagons and monster trucks, all in a spirited family atmosphere. A VIP guest is selected to be honored each year in the parade, riding in a convertible near the front.
Guess who that VIP is this year?
Me!
Yes, me!
Is that cool or what? I'm so pleased and proud to be selected that if I was wearing a shirt with buttons, I would be busting them!
To boot, the
Book Haven bookstore in Salida will be selling copies of
Deadly Currents behind the
Boathouse Cantina, which is between the boat ramp and Riverside Park, next to the main walkway along the Arkansas River. I'll be autographing books Friday and Saturday afternoons during the festival at that location.
Since I'll be spending the weekend in Salida for the festival, I volunteered to do whatever else the festival organizers want me to do--hand out awards, speak at ceremonies or dinners, judge costume or crazy river dog contests, try my hand at paddling a watercraft, whatever. This is going to be so much fun! I know I'll be beaming the whole weekend.
My participation in FIBArk is one example of "outside-the-box" book promotion activities I've been doing to target the whitewater paddling community as well as traditional mystery readers. I've guested on river ranger and whitewater outfitter blogs, held a fundraiser booksigning for
American Rivers, placed copies of my books in rafting outfitters' stores, will be appearing at
PaddleFest in Buena Vista, Colorado over Memorial Day weekend, and more.
Now, I just need to practice my princess wave! :)
Beth Groundwater will be honored and feted at the FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas river) whitewater festival in Salida, Colorado this weekend. On Saturday, June 18th, she will be the VIP in the Parade from 10:00 AM - Noon. On both Friday and Saturday afternoons, June 17th & 18th, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM, she will be signing copies of her Deadly Currents mystery, set in Salida during FIBArk, on the back deck of the Boathouse Cantina at The Book Haven bookstore's table. She'll also be participating in other festival events through Sunday as she is able.
One event this week for Robin Allen to promote If You Can't Stand the Heat, the first book in the clean, humorous Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop mystery series.
