Another stupendous piece of news. I've received notice that "Dancing on His Grave" is a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association (PNWA) annual writing competition. This is a prestigious organization, based in the Seattle area, that have been around since 1955. They've aided in the discovery of a number of best-selling authors. I couldn't have been more stunned. The person who called told me that theirs is now an international competition, with entries coming in from, for example, Spain, the UK, Australia, Canada (to name a few) and all over the U.S. The memoir category had hundreds of entries, and only eight were chosen. Even more interesting, the choices for finalist were made from a synopsis of the story and the first twenty or so pages of the book. Some of the more horrifying events in my story were not part of the review.

Even if being selected as a finalist is as far as this goes, it will still engender notice from agents, editors and publishers, who will make the final selections of winners. Even after all the work I've done over the past seven years, I would still go to a mainstream publisher if they offered an advance that would pay back my sizable investment in this project. I am poised to do a complete revision, whether or not the books--or books--are picked up by a publisher. I'd like to think that I've become a better writer since "Dancing" was self-published.

I'm keeping very busy shipping copies of "Chasing Ghosts," and unpacking boxes.

We are back in the Big Sky! We emptied/consolidated three houses in two months, and arrived back in White Sulphur Springs with a caravan: Jim driving the biggest U-haul truck pulling the Camry on a dolly, and me driving our Tundra pulling a trailer, all chock full. Jim's mother rode with me, and we drivers kept in touch with cell-phones. It was almost luxury compared with some moves I've made. Now I'm trying to decide what to do with four or five of EVERYTHING. We had a big rummage sale before leaving Sequim, but it hardly made a dent. We'll need another rummage sale and lots of trips to Good Will before winter. I want my garage back (which is now full to the rafters.) At least I'm losing weight (that's good news.) Betty (my mother-in-law, age 90) has settled into her rooms on the first floor of our house, and Jim and I are making our basement apartment cozy and functional. We all share the upstairs kitchen, dining and living rooms.

Now I'm looking forward to spreading the word that "Chasing Ghosts" is available. I received my first shipment of books, and have mailed a few. I've received lots of inquiries about it. Thanks to all for your patience.

A few weeks ago I received pleasant news. "Walking Wounded" received the first runner-up award in the Trafford Publishing Golden Pen competition. Hundreds of books were entered. It is so reassuring to keep getting affirmation of the value of my work. So far "Chasing Ghosts" has received nothing but good reviews.

We will have the website updated soon. All the best to all my friends.

I forgot to say that my new address for ordering books from me after June 1 will be Box 749, White Sulphur Springs, Mt. 59645 My e-mail will remain the same.

The move is progressing.

I haven't mailed or e-mailed notifications about the availability of "Chasing Ghosts." Trafford STILL has not sent my supply of books. I'm glad to be busy with other things. My patience is wearing thin. I also intend to place ads in many local Montana newspapers. The link to the Trafford website is www.Trafford.com/08-1379.

Thanks for hanging with me.

Finally, good news! Chasing Ghosts can be ordered through the Trafford.com website, and will be available from Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com within a few weeks. Anyone who would like a signed copy can order it from me at 150 Elizabeth Lane, Sequim, WA 98382, postage paid. I will have a supply of copies within a week or so. I'm busy creating an e-mail list to get out, along with postcards, in a few days.

We've made the decision to move back to Montana. Jim's mom will go with us. Because of the economy, we've decided to combine households to save money. We have a lot of work facing us in the next three months, including some retrofit of the White Sulphur Springs house for handicap access. We hope to be settled there by the end of June.

The proof was received, reviewed, and the final agreement and authorization mailed. Perhaps I'll have books and post cards in my hands in a couple of weeks. Just about the time I want to get out in the yard and dig in my herb beds, not sit in front of the computer sending post cards and e-mails. I think I'll tell Trafford that they should give me a couple of dozen more free books, as payment for my patience. (By the way, this book will be priced $3 less than the others--it's slightly slimmer.) Now I'm seriously considering a major revision of Dancing on His Grave. Russ and I have learned a lot in the process of producing three books--about layout, font size, etc. This might be vanity on my part, but I think the third book exudes a higher quality than the first one.

FINALLY, I received a proof--by e-mail! I was upset for a moment; I like to feel a book in my hands. Then I read the fine print of the cover letter, which said that as soon as I reviewed the document and accepted it, a hard copy would be sent. So, the only irritant is an extra step in the production process that delays the final printing for another two to three weeks. Sigh... So many things to do--updating the website, sending out post cards announcing the book, entering the book in various competitions and reviews, etc., and all I can do is hurry up and wait. I have authorized the production of a hard copy proof, so perhaps I will have it soon. I apologize again to all the people who have inquired about "Chasing Ghosts." I think (I hope) you will find the wait worthwhile.

Work progresses on the essays.

I've an exciting new idea for another book. It would be something like "The Murders of McCone County." In my lifetime there have been at least five murders or suspicious "suicides" in this remote, thinly populated Montana county, my childhood home, (and adjoining Garfield County.) In addition, there have been scandals and intrigue: A rancher with Las Vegas ties slaughtering several extremely valuable race horses and concealing the carcasses in a lake; a woman involved in a highway accident vanishing from the scene under the very eyes of the responding law enforcement officers; the Garfield County Freemen; many others that escape me at the moment. Doing the research alone for such a book might take the rest of my life! But what fun, reading trial transcripts, police records, archived newspapers, etc. My mother's diaries would be VERY helpful--she chronicled many of these events when they happened. I've always loved True Crime stories, especially when the perp is caught. Any idea where that came from?

Ideas like this stimulate me to finish my group of essays, so I can start something else.

I have been notified by Trafford that a proof copy of "Chasing Ghosts" won't be available until February 19th. How disappointing! After that, it could be six more weeks after I approve the proof, before they release the book on-line and in stores. They are conducting a merger with two other companies and remodelling their entire facility. When I submitted the first book to them, Dancing on His Grave, I had a proof in hand in less than two weeks. I'm just not accustomed to waiting like this. On the other hand, I should be thankful I'm not dealing with a mainstream publisher. THAT process takes a couple of years after a manuscript is accepted.

To all who have been e-mailing and inquiring about the availability of "Chasing," I will be sending out e-mails and postcards and posting an announcement on this blog just as soon as I am able to order books. Now it appears that might be sometime in March.

We are taking a quick trip to Montana to help Barry (youngest son) install a wood-burning stove and a basement bathroom in his new house. I'm also committed to teaching him how to keep books for his new business on Quicken, including internet downloading from his bank, the IRS, Turbo-tax, etc. It's a lot to learn; I hope he's patient. This will help fill the time while waiting for "Chasing."