Imaginarium 2024 Report

 

 

This past weekend, the Imaginarium Convention for creatives was held. Hundreds of authors, filmmakers, gamers, and artists attended. I, along with my Sisters-in-Crime chapter, the Derby Rotten Scoundrels (above) also attended.

My fellow sisters and I had a wonderful, if not exhausting time. Yesterday was the first day afterward that I felt human again. Conventions are like that, exhilarating, exhausting, but fun. I saw a lot of online friends that I only get to see in person at this convention each year. I met some new people that I'm sure will be friends soon. Oh, and I sold some books. 📚

 One particular person that I enjoyed meeting was television and movie actor, Bill Oberst, Jr. (above on the right). Look him up, he's a big deal in horror films and appeared on the TV show, Criminal Minds. I think he stopped by our table everyday to chat with us. He's a very nice gentleman and was truly interested in what we did.

The best thing to happen to me was that I won first place with my screenplay, Summer Darkness in the Short Format category at the Awards Banquet on Saturday night. 🏆

 This was a total shock for me because there were so many other screenwriters nominated that are much more talented that I am. I had no acceptance speech prepared because I didn't think I would win. Afterward, I did do a little celebrating.

 

It was a wonderful weekend and I look forward to going again next year.

Carol

Murder in Mystic Hollow Release Day

Washington Irving's short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has always been one of my favorite reads. Apparently, I'm not alone in that because if you check the IMDB.com page, you'll find a seemingly endless list of various movies, television shows, and even animation devoted to the story. My favorite movie is Sleepy Hollow, starting Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. However, I think my all-time favorite version is the television show, Sleepy Hollow (2013-1017). This series starred Tom Mison as Icabod Crane. He does a wonderful job portraying a Revolutionary era time traveler. If you have not listened to the audio book of Tom Mison reading Washington Irving's story, you are missing out on a great listen. It's so good.

As you can see, I'm a fan. So much so, that I decided to write the fourth book in my Nathan Perry Mystery series loosely based on it. I'm excited to announce that today is the release day for Murder in Mystic Hollow.

Murder in Mystic Hollow is a modern-day retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. If you read closely, you can see elements of Washington Irving's original short story. You'll find it has all the characters you loved from the first three Nathan Perry books. You'll also meet newly hired librarian, Isaac Caine, who comes to Mystic for a new start and ends up falling for the lovely Katina Van Allen. When Isaac finds a dead body at the bottom of his staircase, his world is turned upside down, and Detective Nathan Perry is called upon to find the killer.

 So many people are on the list of suspects that Nathan becomes frustrated at not being able to sort it all out. Throw in a thirty-five-year-old bank robbery cold case, not to mention the mysterious motorcycle rider that keeps taunting Isaac, and the officers from the Mystic Police Department have their hands full. It all comes down to Nathan figuring out, “who done it.”

You can find Murder in Mystic Hollow in Kindle and print formats at Amazon, https://amzn.to/4cw9QSW More buy links for online stores will be added later.

I hope you enjoy the book. It was so much fun to write. Thank you.

Carol

Murder in Mystic Hollow Release Date

  

I'm excited to announce that the fourth book in my Nathan Perry Mystery Series, Murder in Mystic Hollow will be released on June 24, 2024 in both print and e-book. Check back here on Monday for more information and buy links.

Carol

Josh Gates: Host of Expedition Unknown

 

Last weekend, I attended the speaking performance of Josh Gates, host of the Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown at The Palace Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. I've been a fan of Josh Gates since Expedition Unknown started, so this was a special treat for me.

It was also a very long day. We had meet & greet tickets and that was happening before his performance. The email said to be there by 4:00 pm. The show didn't start until 8 PM. The heat was blistering, but we were one of the first in line, and fortunately in the shade. Believe me, it was still hot. Finally, a little after 4:30, they opened the doors. I didn't have anything for him to sign so I went to the merchandise table and purchased his book, which I'd had bookmarked on Amazon for a while. I wish I had bought it there because the merch table price was almost double that of Amazon. 

 

Then, was the next wait. At least we were inside in the air conditioning. I was the first in line. 

(I'm very proud. That's never happened before.) Because I had been having knee pain, I was using a cane. However, I was still leaning against the wall. Believe me, a cane can be a golden ticket, as my son-in-law said later. One of the guys working at The Palace saw the cane and me leaning, and brought a chair so I could sit while waiting. What a nice guy! I wish I had gotten his name. So, the wait after that was only about fifteen minutes. We were then ushered into the theater auditorium. I still didn't see Josh Gates, but as we walked toward the stage area, I saw a black curtain had been erected and the shadow of a man behind it. You couldn't miss that silhouette. It was him.

It was exciting to know I was about to meet him. With celebrities, you never know if they're going to be nice, or just want to get through everyone in line. I'm very happen to say, he was so nice. He thanked me for coming and asked where I was from. I've never been nervous around other celebrities I've met, but I must have been with him because I completely forgot to ask him about my favorite episode and another question, but that went right out of my head too. The main thing I noticed was how tall he was. For some reason, I always thought he was kind of short. The person I sat next to later, told me he was 6'2". 

 

 On to the show. It was fabulous. I enjoyed every bit of it. He talked about how he got started in
 exploration and television, and spoke a little about each show he's hosted. There's been three of them. Fascinating stuff. He ended the night with a Question and Answer session. I was too tired, and the line too long for me to stand to ask my question.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening that I enjoyed very much. I hope I can do it again sometime.

Carol

 

Screenwriting Nomination

 

I'm so excited to announce that my horror/thriller screenplay, Summer Darkness has been nominated as a finalist for Best Short Screenplay in the Imaginarium Independent Film Festival. The winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet at the Imaginarium Writing Convention on July 20, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the second nomination this screenplay has received.

Carol

 

A Wonderful Day of Booksigning

My Derby Rotten Scoundrel sisters, Patience Martin, holding Max, Jeanette Pope, Elaine Munsch, and myself had a wonderful time at From the Ground Up Books and Resources in La Grange, Kentucky. Thank you, Lynn Tincher for having us. 

If you're ever in the LaGrange area, make sure you stop by. They're at the end of Main Street and will be moving to a new location next door to the current location soon. They also are opening a new store in Shepardsville, Kentucky soon. You can find out more information about them at https://www.fromthegroundupbooks.com/

We hope to visit again soon to your new locations.

Carol

 

Booksiginng

Save the date - On March 30, at From the Ground Up Books, Main Street, LeGrange, Kentucky, I, along with two of my sisters from the Derby Rotten Scoundrels, Elaine Munsch and Jeanette Pope will be signing our books. Spend the day in beautiful LaGrange, walk the town, visit the shops, have some lunch, and get some great books. 

I'll have all three of my Nathan Perry Mysteries available for sale. Unfortunately, book four will not yet be available, but soon. However, I hope to have my romance, Her Bluegrass Beau, set in Kentucky, available there in limited supply.

We hope to see you there.

Carol