The Latest: On the Road

You never know where the universe will send you--and I just had to share some of the hilariously fun times and wonderful people I've been meeting.

Yes, yes, PRIME TIME comes out in just about a month..and then FACE TIME in late July and AIR TIME in late August: Thank you, endlessly, to SUE GRAFTON for the kind words: "Sassy, fast-paced and appealing..." And there's more! But more about that later.

Anyway--the photo above was at the most unpredictable event I think I've ever attended--I was a judge for a Guitar Hero contest! You're shaking your head in wonderment. Yes, you're so right. But it was for a wonderful literacy organization Everybody Wins! Metro Boston and as past president of the National Beatles Fan Club, I channeled my inner Paula Adbul and and told the contestants the truth. With me? Whoa. Alicia Sacramone, the Olympic gymnast, and Ben Mezrich, author of Bringing Down the House. His new book THE ACCIDENTAL BILLIONAIRES is the inside scoop on the chaos, conflict an big bucks in the creation of Face Book. I can't wait to read it. (And Kevin Spacey's optioned the movie. Go Ben!)

Another great cause! Pari Noskin Taichert and I were auctioneers at the Malice Domestic auction...raising a truly surprising amount of money for RICA, a regional facility in Maryland which provides treatment for emotionally disturbed adolescents . Malice attendees were so generous..and the items up for bid were stellar: A rare first edition from Katherine Hall Page, one from Nancy Pickard, a manuscript from Carolyn Hart..and the list goes on. I auctioned the name of a pet or character in the next Charlie McNally novel--so, thanks to the winner, there's going to be a cat named Squeaker. Got to love it!

Okay, this wasn't for a good cause--except wait. Sure it was. Fun. Barb Goffman of Malice came up with the world's most hilarious panel: which required me to play Nancy Drew. Hence the scarf, cardigan, headband and pearls. And perky smile. Next to me, Jeff Cohen played a brilliant Sherlock Holmes, and Judy Clemens was a smashing Amelia Peabody. Oh, I'll have to find the other photos.Vinny O'Neil was a fantastic Poirot. And our truly amazing leader Chris Grabenstein wrote a wonderful script (sorry, Chris, yes, I improvised...) Barb, it was a once in a life time experience!

Laughing with Harlan Coben. We were on the humor panel at CrimeBake 2008..and it's such fun to see this photo. What a classy, hilarious, and generous guy--and truly talented. His new book is out--which I will read as soon as I can wrest it from the hands of my dear husband.


And here's another great cause..Michael Palmer threw a wonderful party to benefit the Asperger's

Association of New England. There was a huge line to get a signed book, but the party was full of so many new friends, it was worth the wait.

So what else is on the agenda? More photos to come! Check my schedule page...

and come say hi at BEA in New York!

On Friday, May 29 at 3:45, I'll be giving away the new new version of Prime Time at the Mystery Writers of America booth...

And on Saturday May 30, I'll be signing the all new AIR TIME at 10:00 at the MIRA booth.

Wow.

Hope to see you there.

More photos to come! And Email me at hank at hankphillippiryan. com (take out spaces, natch)

Love to hear from you.

xoxo Hank