BRAINPAN LEAKAGE

I actually have two of them. One is Wendy with WillowTree Press. The other is Scott McCoy who is an independent, outside publicist – meaning he is with an outside firm, not the publisher proper. This blog is about him. We all affectionately refer to Scott as “Chunkee”, because he’s a big guy. (I have to pull a Rowan and look up, just like Row does when he’s talking to Ben.)

Anyhow, I am fortunate in several ways having Chunkee and Firestorm Publicity Services… For one, Firestorm is located in St. Louis, where I live, so they are local. Makes it easier to meet up with the Chunk Man. For another, Chunkee is a good friend, as well as being my publicist. And, finally, he is more than just a friend and publicist, he’s kind of like a personal assistant as well.

To explain, he not only puts out press releases and other things that a publicist does, but he also books my gigs, handles a lot of my correspondence, and has even acted as “bodyguard” on the couple of occasions when that has been necessary.

Now, if all that isn’t enough, he also understands when it is crunch time for me trying to get a manuscript in by deadline. He knows that when such times arrive, I need not be disturbed unless it is something incredibly important. But, he also knows that I get moody and need comfort type stuff…

So, here we are at crunch time. I have a deadline to hit in about 10 days. So, I’m busy. I’m grouchy. And, I’m in need of those things which comfort my very soul.

Chunkee could tell this by the simple tone of my email responses to him…

Therefore, as I sat here at the dining room table, tapping away at the keyboard yesterday, I heard a car door, then the storm door on the front of my house creaking open. A moment or two later, I heard the car door again, followed by a vehicle pulling out of my driveway and heading off down the street. No doorbell. No knock. Nothing.

Curious, I went to the door and noticed through the windows that the storm door was propped open. Now… Like Rowan, my heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting any kind of delivery, and I have had stalkers in the past… My initial thoughts were– If I open the door is something going to explode? Will it maybe be some flaming poo instead? What could it be?…

So, with great trepidation I carefully opened the door. There, resting on the threshold I found a grocery bag with a note from Chunkee pinned to it, which read simply:

Care Package For Murv.

Looking inside I found a six pack of Blue Moon Belgian White Ale, a bag of “scoop” corn chips, and a jar of chili cheese dip. Three of my favorite comfort foods.

All I can say is Chunkee be the man. I couldn’t ask for a better publicist, or a better friend.

More to come…

Murv

In case you didn’t catch the previous blog about that Evil Miranda Woman, I’ll give a quick recap- Dorothy Morrison and I ended our recent book tour at 13 Moons in Occoquan, VA. One of my lovely and talented fans took it upon herself to arrive at the signing decked out in some provocative Dominatrix attire ala Miranda, the antagonist in the last two RGI Novels (books one and two of the Miranda Trilogy.)

All I can say (could say, can say…) is WOW! She did a great job, looked stunning, and played up the part to the delight of all in attendance throughout the day and evening long signings and workshops. I actually think more pictures were taken of her, and of patrons standing with her, than there were of folks with Morrison and me! (Hmmmm…One of my own characters stole my thunder…How’s that for gratitude? )

Anyhow, I promised to post pix when I got them and never let it be said that I went back on a promise. Yes, some the pictures showed up in my email last night. I say some because only one person sent me pix and I know there were several folks clicking shutters…I suspect I will be getting more in the not too distant future.

Now…These may already be bopping around out there on myspace sites, personal blogs, and what have you. But, since I promised as soon as I received my copies I would post some of them so that everyone could gawk, I am doing so …

Therefore…Here you have Suzanne (or should I say “Mistress Suzanne”?) dolled up as her own version of Miranda from the Miranda Trilogy of the RGI Series. She tells me she’s not really as mean as she has made herself look…I think I believe her (grin)…

But, I suppose I could be wrong… (wink)

Look at her smile…Something tells me she was really enjoying herself! (LOL)

Hmmmm…Maybe the real Miranda needs a “bondage broom” too?

I think this one gives the blurb tag line “…Wild, Dark Ride!” a whole new meaning.

There you go. Me, Miranda (aka Suzanne) and a little bit of horsing around. (Pun intended…) I’m going back to 13 Moons in late August of this year, and I’ve already been told that Suzanne is working on a whole new outfit. I’ll confess that I am looking forward to it, and I’m betting there will be more pictures. Good thing I’m just a harmless old flirt or my wife wouldn’t let me go to this gig (LOL).

You know…Now that I think of it, maybe I should just get Suzanne to show up at booksignings across the nation. Now that’d be a hell of a publicity stunt. I wonder if I can find a way to fit it into the budget?

More to come…

Murv