Barnes & Noble at Vanderbilt Event

Great event.  Nashville's local Fox News covered the event. In addition to signing The Claret Murders, I discussed the changing publishing industry and what it means for authors and readers. There were a lot of questions about the writing process. Where do the ideas come from?  Do you prepare an outline, etc?  I think many were surprised to discover that I do not work from an outline.  I start with a couple of ideas and then let the characters take the story where they will.  I expanded that just as a reader has to unravel the mystery, I am doing the same thing as the author--often letting the characters clime out on a limb and then trying to figure out how to get them back down.

Barnes&Noble.jpg

High Tea

A tea at Belmont Mansion:  The author joined fifty ladies and gents for tea in the historic Belmont Mansion. In addition to signing his books, Tom Collins read from his latest novel, The Claret Murders, and discuss the changing world of books as well as his conversion from business executive to mystery/adventure author.  Belmont Mansion’s meticulous restoration and unique role in the history of Nashville and the South draws visitors eager to hear its story from all over the country, Canada and the United Kingdom.