Sorry I haven't posted on ye olde blog for a while, but I'm finishing up my second novel, which is due at the publisher September 15th. So, it's cram time.

The second novel, titled THE DEAD WHISPER ON, will release Summer of 2007, again from the fine folks at Bethany House Publishers. No, it's not a sequel to WAKING LAZARUS; it's a separate standalone thriller set in Butte, Montana--one of my favorite cities.

Sometimes, kids are pereceptive. In the case of my lovely eight-year-old daughter, too perceptive. She knows all about my first book, and can pretty much recite a log line: "WAKING LAZARUS is about a man who has died three times." The other day, while I was madly typing away on the new manuscript, she wandered in and watched me for a few minutes.

"Are you working on your new book, daddy?"

"Yup."

"What's it called?"

"It's called THE DEAD WHISPER ON."

She thought quietly for a few moments, then spoke again. "Dad, when are you going to stop writing books about dead people?"

Um, leave it to an eight-year-old to point out your morbid fascination with death. At least she doesn't charge $125 an hour.

I should be finished up within the next week, however, so look for more regular postings--weekly, anyway--as we head to publication on novel #2. (Of course, I'll have updates on what's happening with good ol' WAKING LAZARUS, as well.)

This week brings a few interviews and appearances, and I'd love to hear a few friendly voices or see a few friendly faces. I'd even settle for not-so-friendly ones, so long as I'm not sitting around and twiddling my thumbs.

First up: on Wednesday, August 9 from 6:30 to 7:00 pm Mountain (that's 8:30 to 9:00 pm Eastern, 7:30 to 8:00 Central and 5:30 to 6:00 Pacific), I'll be on "Writers, Authors 'n More." You can listen to the program right here, I'm told, and if you'd like to call in and ask a question during the show, the toll-free number is 800-405-6425.

On Thursday, August 10, I'll be taping an interview for KNEO's "Authors Corner" in Neosho, Missouri; not sure when the interview will be broadcast, but I'll let you know.

Saturday, August 12, I'll be at the Billings, Montana Barnes & Noble from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for a reading and signing. The event will be part of a fundraiser for the Parmly Billings Public Library; present this voucher when you buy WAKING LAZARUS (or anything else) between August 6 and August 19, and the Library Foundation gets 15% of the total.

Hmm, guess I'd better come up with something to read at that. I'm thinking "Green Eggs & Ham" would be good.

Next week, I'll be signing at the Billings Hastings between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, so if you can't make the B&N event, please drop by then. I'm also working on a few other local signings for early September, so hang tight.