Fran's Favorite Links
www.randallhyltonshow.com
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HAPPY FOURTH OF
JULY TO EVERYONE !
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Guest blog appeared Saturday, June 21, 2008 at
MurderousMusings.blogspot.com
6/15/08
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU DADDIES!
This is a true story about a father I
met a few months ago.
Recently, I was invited for a reading and signing at the Laurens County Public Library one Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bill Cooper, director of the library, was both charming and hospitable as he carried books in for me.
During the reading, my eye constantly moved to the back of the room where a gentleman sat with a little girl about seven years old. I hadn’t planned to say anything inappropriate anyway. I couldn't help wondering if the child or her dad had seen the advertisements and mistakenly thought I wrote children’s books. After all, the first two titles do begin with nursery rhymes
The guests were enthusiastic and asked interesting questions—including whether or not there really exists such a thing as an inflatable bra. (Yes, several styles.)
Toward the end of the meeting, the gentleman with the little girl spoke up. He said, “I hope that it was all right to bring my daughter this afternoon. She’s in second grade and loves to read. She’s reading way above her level, and wants to be a writer.”
He paused and I almost said, “It's fine, but she's not old enough to read my books. Even without profanity, my books are mysteries with murders, hardly suitable for one so young.”
When he continued, I was glad I hadn’t said anything. He said, “She saw the posters and advertising about this afternoon and begged me to bring her. I explained that it wasn’t for children, but she insisted, 'Daddy, she’s a real author. I’ve never met a real author before.'"
I assured him that both he and his daughter were welcome. Though Berkley Prime Crime publishes my Callie Parrish Mysteries, it was the first time that I thought of myself as a real author! I’ll never forget that young lady, and someday, when she signs her first book, I’ll be at the front of the line!
I wanted to tell this true story today, on Father's Day, because it reminds me of my own father, who died in 1988. He was the kind of daddy who would take his little daughter to the library on a Sunday afternoon to meet a writer.
June 8, 2008
Randall Hylton at Bill's Pickin' Parlor, West Columbia,
South Carolina.
While seeking a blog spot, I've decided to post a weekly blog here. Yes, I'll change the name of the page later. Doing this means that there is no guestbook at this time. If you wish to correspond with me, please e-mail me. It's as easy as a click of the button at the bottom of my home page.
No formal pix from the wedding yet. Photographer says another couple of weeks.
I've been asked if Randall Hylton (the person that Andy Campbell imitates in the book) is a real person. Indeed, Randall was a real person, a great performer, a brilliant songwriter, and a wonderful friend. Randall passed away in 2001, but much of his material is still available. To learn more about Randall and to order CD's, go to:
I have them all and hope that you enjoy his work as much as I did and still do. Andy Campbell is, however, a totally fictitious character, as are all characters in the Callie Parrish Mystery Series.
Fran
5/18/08 Dear Readers,
My son Nathan wed his beautiful bride Heather last night. The wedding was gorgeous! I hope you don't mind if I share some of the photos as soon as they are available.
There's a wedding in book 4, but I PROMISE it is similar in NO WAY to my son's wedding. No, I'm not telling who will be getting married. You'll have to read the book to find out.
Congratulations Nate and Heather!
Dear Readers,
Lisa Reed asked in the Guestbook if
there will be any more Callie books.
The third book is scheduled to be released October, 2008; however, the title has
been changed from
Rub a Dub, Dub, Dead Man
in a Tub to
Casket Case.
Yes, I know some folks don't like leaving the nursery rhymes behind, but I
promise you it will be the same Callie and Jane having even more adventures.
I apologize for not changing the website more frequently. There will be new pix and info posted the end of May. Right now, I'm busy writing book four as well as getting ready for my son's wedding in May. I've done a few guest blogs and would like to do more. I may join in with an existing blog group or post a weekly blog right here on the web page.
What do you think? Let me know by e-mailing me by writing, which is accomplished by clicking the e-mail button at the bottom of this page.