What I Did Last Weekend (Maggie)

First, and foremost, I have to post book news. LOVER'S BITE will land at #22 on next week's NY Times Bestseller list. And since we Broads like to do things together, another of us will be on that list right beside me, but I'll let her share that news herself!

This is terrific news and it really does speak to how well the book is selling. It was #21 on this week's Bookscan bestseller list, (up from #32 last week) and it's hopping around on the Amazon and BN.com lists as well. So booksales are good.

Okay, now to the topic at hand, how I spent last weekend. Well, I'll tell you. I went to a campground in Altoona FL to be a guest speaker at the Florida Pagan Gathering. It's a big gathering of many groups and individuals who practice many different forms of spirituality, such as Wicca, and many others. The event drew more than 700 people, and was set on the shore of Lake
Sellars, a beautiful spot. And it was wonderful. There were workshops and rituals throughout the weekend, and a big drumming circle each night with dancing and revelry.




An Australian band called Spiral Dance was truly the main attraction, and their performance was breathtaking! Check them out at www.spiraldance.com.au I'm not sure of the appropriate way to describe their sound. It's modern and ancient. It's Celtic and it's rock. It's just amazing. Really. Check them out.



But the highlights for me were two. One, the main one, being the people I met. I had fans there, readers already into my books, some of whom brought them along for me to sign. And there were lots of people who were not familiar with my work at all, but will be soon. Beyond that, though, I made new friends. New connections. One or two very special women with whom I really clicked, and I know will be friends for life. I just love when that happens. I've got more photos on the way, but they were taken by my bunkmate, and she still hasn't emailed them to me. (If you're reading, Dru, you should be here!) In this pic are "Boom Boom," Diane, my bunkmate, and me. (Sorry Boom Boom, I didn't get one with your eyes open, but maybe Diane has a better shot. I looked great in this one and it's my blog. HA!)

My workshop on the Law of Attraction (yes, that same happy happy joy joy stuff I'm always spouting here) was very well attended, but more importantly, the people there got something out of it. I've heard from many of them since I got back, and I'm overwhelmed with how much the material touched them and enhanced their lives. I also led a late night round of "Midnight Magick," where we just ask people what they need, and then chant or sing or dance it into existence. It's FUN.

Another highlight for me, was the lake itself. It's gorgeous, big, and sparkling. So much wildlife around it. At home I have herons, but there, I saw herons, sand hill cranes, and an egret! There were alligators in the lake, but even though I went canoeing with my pal Diane, we didn't see one. I was hoping for just a glimpse. A distant glimpse! =)

One of the sand hill cranes walked right up behind me while I was giving my workshop outside underneath some shady trees. I didn't know he was there, but eventually I turned and saw him. It was kind of like a kid standing behind his teacher in the classroom, maybe mocking him. I wondered.... Then someone said he'd been there the whole time, so I grabbed my camera and took his picture. He didn't mind.

The best fun of all, I think, was sitting around campfires, surrounded by new faces, and singing along as a new friend strummed a guitar. This happened around various campfires, and I sang with at least four different guitar players as the weekend unfolded. And that is the best fun in the universe for me. So thanks to the FPG organizers for inviting me. I had a blast.
In the photo is Kevin, Boom Boom's other half, playing some raucous and bawdy songs. He blew me away when he threw in "Roller Derby Queen" an old Jim Croce piece I've always loved. And I know he's reading here, so hi, Kevin!

So it was a good weekend. Dozer did fine in my absence. I missed him terribly though. The kitty did fine too.

Work on the house is progressing. The insulation is almost done. I thought it was done, but the inspector said it's not, and recited items he wanted done before the sheetrock can go up. I wrote them all down and will pass it on to my crew when they arrive this morning. Then the inspector has to come back again, and then, IF everything meets his approval, we can move on to sheetrock.

Do I sound frustrated? Well, it's been nearly three months since the fire. I should be. But I know the pace is about to increase significantly and things will be getting done at a much more frantic rate from next week on. Not only do I know it, I insist on it! =)

If you haven't bought Lover's Bite yet, please go to the nearest bookstore, (preferably, one that reports to the NY Times,) and then buy it, and tell the other patrons to buy it, and move it to eye level on the shelves, and turn it face out. Thanks. I know it's a lot of work to be a Shayne fan, isn't it? I want to break that top twenty, though, so I promise I'll make it worth your while.

May your coming week be filled with happy surprises. May mine be as well! So let it be written, so let it be done!

Till next time,
Maggie.