...and most have been for worthwhile causes. There's nothing like knowing what you write makes a difference, even if it's only in the giving away of a book or two. The first two novels of the Alvarez Family Murder Mystery Series are to be included in a gift basket donated by members of Sisters in Crime at the Left Coast Crime Mystery Conference in Sacramento at the end of the month. This basket crammed full of books will be bid on at LCC and the money goes to a local literacy program. Get more people reading books; I'm all for it, even when they're not mine.
Want more info about the conference? Go to http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/2012/.
In addition, I am devoted to SinC, especially as Camille Minichino is one of its icons. This lovely lady gave me some sage advice several years ago at a Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference and I've never forgotten the advice or her. Here is that talented author's website: http://www.minichino.com/. Her books are great, by the way.
The second but very important cause is a children's advocacy center called The Bridge http://www.bridgecac.org/.
The overall goal of The Bridge is to help children and their families heal from the trauma of abuse so it does not define their lives. Direct quote. This wonderful program comes out of Amarillo, Texas. By happy coincidence, The Bridge is doing a murder mystery event April twentieth called A Wedding to Die For, which is the title of my second novel in the Alvarez Family Murder Mystery Series. I am donating eight of my books for the winners table and doing so with joy in my heart. The Bridge is still looking for sponsors, if anyone is interested. No cause could be better.
This is a nice part of being a published author, the giving something back. True, it ain't open heart surgery and I ain't saving lives, but it gives me a glow.
