Double Launch—and a Giveaway!

2017 double Agatha-nominated and national best-selling author Edith Maxwell writes the Quaker Midwife Mysteries and the Local Foods Mysteries; as Maddie Day she writes the Country Store Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. Her award-winning short crime fiction has appeared in many juried anthologies and journals. She is President of Sisters in Crime New England. Maxwell writes, cooks, and gardens north of Boston with her beau and three cats. She blogs at WickedCozyAuthors.com, Killer Characters, and with the Midnight Ink authors. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at www.edithmaxwell.com.

Thanks for having me back today! My eleventh mystery officially released earlier this month. Called to Justice is my second Quaker Midwife Mystery and I’m delighted by the reviews and cheers it has received so far. When the Grits Hit the Fan, my tenth mystery, came out at the end of March, and I was confronted with how to celebrate two books (under two names in two series from two publishers) at once.

So I held a double launch party at my fabulous local independent bookstore, Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport, MA a few weeks ago. To top off the celebration, I’ll give away an advance copy of my third spring book, Mulch Ado About Murder, to one commenter today! (Note: a version of this post appeared on wickedcozyauthors.com.)

Jabberwocky Bookshop

Jabberwocky owner Sue Little is super supportive of local authors and readers everywhere. When I mentioned I wanted to interview my alter ego Maddie Day  – and vice versa – she thought it was a great idea.

Edith Maxwell and Sue Little

I found an Indiana cap, and brought my Quaker bonnet. I baked gingersnaps from the late 1800s (Fanny Farmer helped with the recipe) as well as Kahlua Brownies Robbie Jordan might serve in her country store restaurant (recipe in Flipped for Murder). I assembled a few door prizes. And I wrote up a number of questions for Maddie and me to ask each other.

The audience kept building. I spied local writer pals, a bunch of Quakers, fans I’d met at previous library events, and more.

Connie Hambly, Mary Schaefer, Nancy Langmeyer, Edith Maxwell, Laurie Mendoza and Holly Robinson

My darling son JD helped dole out raffle tickets.

I’d started speaking when two Wicked Cozy Authors slipped in – Julie Hennrikus and Barb Ross, having battled traffic all the way up from the Boston area (we three slipped out for a drink and a late dinner afterwards, too).

Edith Maxwell, Julie Hennrikus and Barb Ross

It was one of the more fun launch parties I’ve held. People seemed to like the alter egos talking to each other.

After my script was done, I read a short first scene from each book, and then entertained lively audience questions.

Afterwards? Wine, dessert, and signing books, of course.

And if anyone not local to north of Boston wants to order a signed copy of Called to Justice or When the Grits Hit the Fan, please consider doing it via Jabberwocky! Just make sure to request a signed copy in the comments when you check out.

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Giveaway

Readers: Which authors have you helped celebrate launches – or wished you had? Writers, favorite launch parties? Tips and downfalls? Enter your comment below for a chance to win an advance reading copy of Mulch Ado About Murder. The winning name will be drawn Friday evening, April 28th. Open to residents of the US.