Wednesday 30 January 2008

Iche bin adeen haladeelnik

stormy, rain, freezing rain then snow. Wind warning (no, nothing to do with the Montreal apartment)

Well, this was going to be a quiet day. I was longing for a couple of quiet days before beginning to write the next book. That starts Friday. But time slipped away. Went to Vermont for gas and picked up two video's - Extras and Ab Fab - and then had to declare them at the border. My mind is so warped - after being caught smuggling I know I'm in the system, but I still find myself thinking, 'Now, they'll never know. Just put it in your purse. What harm could it do.'

Now there are famous last words. 'What harm could it do?'

By the time I was across the border (DVD's declared) the heavy rain was turning to sleet, and then snow. I could see on my dashboard the temperature dropping by degrees as I drove north, until finally it was almost white-out. Wasn't worried. I know the road so well and Sutton wasn't far. But still, quite dramatic.

Bought food, returned home and made chili con carne. Opened mail, and there was the German publishers spring brochure. Right there, taking up an amazing three full pages, was their spread for A FATAL GRACE/DEAD COLD. Which, of course, now has another name. UND DIE FURCHT GEBIERT DEN ZORN. I don't speak German, but wasn't Zorn a character in an original Star Trek episode? Hope they haven't renamed Gamache 'Zorn'.

The only German I speak I learned in school. All I remember is: Iche bin Frau Seichs. Which isn't as useful as you might imagine. But perhaps slightly more useful than the only Russian I can remember: adeen haladeelnik (sp?) which means - one refrigerator.

But I must say I'm BEYOND thrilled with the German publishers going all out to promote the second book. Adds in all major newspapers and magazines - they've drawn a map of Three Pines and put together a very moody presentation. Fabulous. The publisher is Limes. Impressive.

And more good news about the second book - this time known as A FATAL GRACE. The American audio book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Audie Award, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association and Audio File Magazine. It's really a great acknowledgement of the skill of the narrator, Ralph Cosham. Congratulations, Ralph.

Take care, and I'll try to write soon.

4 comments:

donna said...

Hi Louise - Am sitting hear drinking a lovely Dunkin Donuts Milky Way Hot Chocolate -you must try one when you are in the States - and wanted to check in and see how your world was. Love all of your books and am looking forward to the new one coming out in the USA. I love the blog as it gives us a way to keep in touch with you between books and appreciate the time you spend writing it. Regards from Connecticut,
Donna

Louise Penny Author said...

Hi Donna,

Sounds like heaven! Hope you had a chocolate glazed donut as well.

Thanks for the kind words - and let me know what you think of The Cruelest Month.

In fact, I'm going to be in New Canaan on the book tour in March. Is that close to you, and your Dunkin donuts?

All best - and thanks for the support. I can taste the HC right now.

Louise

Anonymous said...

Fantastic - New Canaan is not far at all - about 30 minutes away. I live in Milford - a nice town on the shore of Long Island Sound. My idea of heaven is taking a good book down to the beach and reading and looking at the water. I love to read about your location and Three Pines but I am a summer girl at heart! Please let me know the details of New Canaan - where, when, time as I definitely would like to come. Regards, Donna
I am having a little bit of a hard time posting as I don't quite know how to get it to go through so hope this works!

Louise Penny Author said...

Hi donna,

It worked! and thrilled New Canaan is so close. Happily in mid-March I won't be stealing valuable beach time from you.

Can't actually remember the details right now, but I believe they're on the website at the events page. And - if you'd like to subscribe (for free) to the newsletter, I'll be sending along the details in the march newsletter. I can tell you it's the Monday - I believe it's March 10th - at noon - and I think it's at the library in New Canaan. There, remembered more than I expected.

It would be wonderful to see you there - and bring friends!

Louise