Please join us at the fantabulous October 15, 2010 banquet. We eat! We drink! We sing! We toast! We’re the Wolfe Pack and we love hosting parties to honor Rex Stout, the creator of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.

Meet members of Mr. Stout’s family! Hear Gayle Lynds, the New York Times bestselling author, often called the “Queen of International Espionage,” discuss, “Nero Wolfe: The Spy.”

Jane says, “The banquet will be held at the magnificent Payne Mansion and celebrated chef Michael Goldstein will cook the French menu from Rex Stout’s Too Many Cooks. We’re very fortunate that Allison Davis, a Wolfe fan, took on the role of my ‘west coast partner-in-crime.’ She did all the leg work to find the venue and chef. Cheers to Allison! For details, here’s the flyer.”

The Payne Mansion is easy to get to from the Bouchercon hotel… cab up and walk down! We’ll be providing you with an easy, fun (and free) walking tour map!

To register, please send the names of those attending and a check for $195 per person (Wolfe Pack members, spouse or partner, and immediate family, $175 each), made out to the Wolfe Pack to: Jane K. Cleland ? P.O. Box 3233 ? NY, NY 10163-3233. ? Not a member of the Wolfe Pack? Join today! It’s easy: Add $35 to your check; get a 2-year membership in the Wolfe Pack and receive the discounted price to the banquet. www.neowolfe.org.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Just announced:
Jane K. Cleland’s "Under the Writer's Veil" will
Debut at MIT’s Endicott House

Jane will be hosting and facilitating a weekend writer’s event at MIT’s magnificent Endicott House (in Dedham, MA, a suburb of Boston) over next year’s Martin Luther King weekend, from January 14 (arrive by 5:30 p.m.) to January 16 (depart after brunch). During this writing weekend, which is packed with hands-on writing exercises and inspirational experiences, you’ll be able to find your unique writer’s voice.

“Under the Writer’s Veil is designed for people who know they want to write, but aren’t sure what they want to write,” Jane explains. “In a supportive and encouraging environment, we’ll ‘sample’ six different genres as we each work to find our unique writer’s voice. For each unit, the structure will be: how to find inspiration/ write/ debrief. The six units are: Creative Non-fiction; Cookbooks; Memoirs; Literary Fiction; Mysteries & Thrillers; Children’s Books.”

Jane continues: “There will also be facilitated discussions of the writing process and next steps. The inspiration modules include observing the Endicott House’s Executive Chef prepare a dish; touring their spectacular conservatory; making our own dried flower bookmarks; et al.”

An experienced instructional designer, curriculum developer, and trainer, Jane teaches various writing courses and workshops at LIM College in Manhattan and at the Westport Writers Workshop in Connecticut. Jane has published fiction [Minotaur Books, an imprint of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group]; non-fiction [McGraw Hill and NAL, an imprint of Penguin Putnam]; short stories [Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine]; and articles [various industry journals].

While the program description isn’t yet posted on Endicott House’s website, information about the venue itself is at www.mitendicotthouse.org.

The two night, all-inclusive package includes: two nights’ lodging in their antiques-filled rooms, each with private bath. Friday: no-host bar cocktail reception and dinner (wine included); keynote speech; Saturday: breakfast, lunch, no-host bar cocktail reception, dinner (wine included); Sunday: continental breakfast, brunch. All days: coffee breaks & wine with dinners; all sessions and materials; a goodie bag including a CD filled with music sure to fire your creativity and one of Jane’s books, personally autographed.

$495.00 (double occupancy; single rooms available for a small premium), plus service charge & tax (without lodging, $375.00++).

Online registration will begin soon. If you’d like to hold your place right away, Mike Fitzgerald, the director, has invited you to contact him directly. You can reach him at mrfitzg@MIT.EDU or at 617.251.6364.

Any questions about the programming or content? Contact Jane directly.

Antiques Collecting Fact: Did You Know?
Tiffany Vases

This vase, made by Tiffany and Company was designed by Paulding Farnham (1859-1927), the creative genius behind some of Tiffany's greatest works in silver. This example from the prolific designer is an inverted baluster form. The base is set with semi-precious stones and enameled with green, yellow, and khaki strapwork; the body, which features enameled, entwined birds and scrolls, is also set with jewels. The rim features a scalloped border and the interior is of silver-gilt. The vase is marked with a beaver, the firm’s mark for the Pan-American Exposition on the bottom.

A similar vase from the same period recently sold for $115,000.

Want to pit your antiques appraisal skills against those of the professionals? Visit the archives of the free, fun challenge we ran for years called What’s It Worth? You Be the Judge.

A: Yes, Deadly Threads will be out next April. I’m thrilled with it! The pivotal antique is vintage clothing! Fun! Both Zoë and Ellis appear in the book. (Aren’t I a terrible tease?)

Read an excerpt of Silent Auction and order your copy today. Don’t forget to ask your librarian to order a copy, too!

P.S.  Please add "Jane_K._Cleland@mail.vresp.com" to your address book!

Two of Jane’s favorite Independent Mystery Bookseller Association bookshops, Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA, and Murder by the Beach in Delray Beach, FL, announced their April bestsellers—and Silent Auction was on both lists.

“It’s unbelievable to be in such company,” Jane says. Also on the Mystery Lovers Bookstore list were such luminaries as Elizabeth George, Alexander McCall Smith, and Charlaine Harris.

If you haven’t already, please buy your copy of the new Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, Silent Auction¸today! Thanks.

Jane’s Tour Continues: Join Jane in Pennsylvania, DC, and New York

Come meet Jane as she travels the country introducing readers to Josie and saying hey to booksellers and librarians!

The photo above shows Jane with the wonderful librarian, Susie Schachte, in Greenwood, IN. Susie hosted an event at the library last month. The bouquet Jane is holding is comprised of cookies designed to replicate the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series’ book covers. Can you imagine? This work of art was created by the library’s talented bookkeeper, Judy Posz. (“Yes,” Jane says. “We ate them. They were delicious!”)

Upcoming stops on the tour include:

June 5, 2010, Saturday 10:00 a.m.	“Coffee and Crime” Mystery Lovers Bookshop 514 Allegheny River Boulevard Oakmont PA 15139 888.800.6078 www.mysterylovers.com	Discussion/book signing
June 26, 2010, Saturday 4-5 p.m.	American Library Association conference Washington DC www.ala.org	Signing at Macmillan booth: Saturday, 4-5 p.m. Signing at Sisters in Crime booth: time TBD
June 27, 2010, Sunday 10-11 a.m.		Moderating a panel called “The Art of Distraction: Using Red Herrings” Sunday, 10-11 a.m.
June 29, 2010, Tuesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Manhattanville College, Writers’ Week 2900 Purchase St. Purchase, NY Manhattanville College, Writers’ Week For more information, contact Karen Sirabian, Director, at sirabian@mville.edu	Crafting Popular Fiction: How to Write and Sell Genre Fiction Wendy Corsi Staub, the New York Times best-selling author of more than 70 novels, from thrillers and women’s suspense to chick lit and young adult supernaturals talks with Jane K. Cleland, the IMBA best-selling author of the Josie Prescott antiques mystery series about writing commercial fiction. Where do ideas come from? Should you write for the market or should you write from your heart? How can a new author break in? What does it take to write a best seller? They’ll be plenty of time for questions in this frank conversation between two writing pros.

Check out her tour and come say hello!

Antiques Collecting Fact: Did You Know?
Antique Spice Box

Handcrafted wooden boxes, such as this, were commonly used throughout Asia to dry and store herbs and spices. From the style of joinery and the hasps, we can date this box to the mid-nineteenth century. Now coveted as trinket or jewelry boxes, examples in as good condition as this one, showing normal wear, sell from $150 to $300 dollars.

Want to pit your antiques appraisal skills against those of the professionals? Visit the archives of the free, fun challenge we ran for years called What’s It Worth? You Be the Judge.

A: That’s hard to say. I like all my books! But… okay… yes, I do. Library Journal called the plot “intricate,” which, I think, is very appealing in “fair play” traditional mysteries, such as the ones I write. Add in that the characters develop in fun and unexpected ways, and I think you do have a successful book. I’m very proud of it!

Read an excerpt of Silent Auction and order your copy today. Don’t forget to ask your librarian to order a copy, too!

P.S.  Please add "Jane_K._Cleland@mail.vresp.com" to your address book!

"Intricate plots" Library Journal (Read how Library Journal selected Josie as a "core title," along with 21 other novels, including those by Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, for librarians looking to build a cozy collection. www.libraryjournal.com)

"Ingenious ... engaging! ... Delightful." Publishers Weekly

"... Smartly plotted." Romantic Times

"...Erudite." Kirkus

Get your copy of the new Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, - Silent Auction, today! And please ask for it at your local library... and mention the Library Journal call out! Thanks.

You can read the entire article at www.libraryjournal.com.

Meet Jane on Tour: Join Jane in Florida, Indianapolis, D.C., Virginia, Connecticut,
California & Pennsylvania

Come meet Jane as she travels the country introducing readers to Josie and saying hey to booksellers and librarians!

The photo on the left shows Jane with her pal Rochelle McGilpin. Jane hadn't seen Rochelle for almost 20 years!

Check out her tour and come say hello!

Antiques Collecting Fact: Did You Know?
Davenport Desk

First designed, it was thought, by Captain Josiah Davenport in 1790 for his use on a trans-Atlantic journey, the original Davenport desk had been crafted by a maker named Gillows. Over the centuries the term "Davenport" has evolved to refer to any small desk with multiple storage compartments.

Want to pit your antiques appraisal skills against those of the professionals? Visit the archives of the free, fun challenge we ran for years called What’s It Worth? You Be the Judge.

A: She was indeed! She wrote several articles and short stories, but her biggest success came from a wonderful middle school novel called Bound for Freedom. The book was made into a movie for our nation's Bicentennial. She loved words, and she taught me to revere language.

Join Jane at one of these writing workshops:

May 8, 2010, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Westport Writers' Workshop 32 Webb Road Westport, CT 06880 203.227.3250 www.westportwritersworkshop.com	Workshop: Business Writing for Results
June 12, 2010, Saturday 1 p.m.- 6:15 p.m.	Symphony Space, the Thalia Studio Broadway @ 95th St. Manhattan, NY Email Jane directly with questions	Workshop: How to Write and Sell Your Mystery -- A one-day workshop with Denise Marcil of the Denise Marcil Literary Agency, Inc. Morning session: Writing Killer Fiction: An Anatomy of the Craft, Jane K. Cleland Afternoon session: Finding an Agent: Write Query Letters That Get Read, Denise Marcil

As you may know, Jane's the chair of the literary awards given out by The Wolfe Pack. Each year, in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, the Wolfe Pack awards the Black Orchid Novella Award (BONA) for the best novella that honors the tradition of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories. The winner receives $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Details are available at: www.nerowolfe.org.