There were lots of things going on in my world last week!

First of all, hats off to the courageous, competent Metro Nashville Police Department for neutralizing what could have been such a tragic situation.

The poli-sci geek in me was having a field day this week over Nashville's municipal elections. Taking the future of your local community in your own hands is critically important, and I can't wait to see how this mayoral campaign shakes out and (hopefully) moves Nashville to even greater heights.

In the publishing realm, have you been following author Steve Hamilton's saga? Earlier this week, Hamilton announced his departure from St. Martin's Press, citing a lack of support in his publisher's marketing plans, and signed with Putnam (with whom Catherine and I publish the Nicholas Drummond series). It's hugely unconventional for an author to buy back their rights, pay back their advance, and exit a publishing house so close to a new book's pub date. It's a bold move, but ultimately it's one that should pay off for Hamilton--and his readers.

What exactly happens between me typing "the end" on a manuscript to you holding the book in your hands? The lovely Diana Gabaldon explains it ain't no small task. 

Did you read GO SET A WATCHMAN? What did you think? Well, if the novel was something different you envisioned, then you're not alone. And if you bought the book from this Michigan bookstore, your pocketbook might be in luck.

I'm all about working smarter, so I was really digging this blog post on habits of highly organized people. So many good nuggets in here. 

Are you people watching True Detective Season 2? Good grief, this plot's convoluted. Just . . . no.

Looking for a surefire way to get your favorite author's next book? You can "follow" them on Amazon, and you'll never miss another book again. This should greatly enhance your status at the watercooler, as your friends and colleagues deem you "the font of culture" for knowing all the things. Who doesn't want to be the font of culture?

I like free things. You like free things. I like books. You like books. My publisher MIRA is blending all of these wonderful happenstances into one nice giveaway, celebrating the summer season with some reading goodies and 10 fabulous books (one of which is written by, ahem, moi). Go get you some free stuff!

And this week on the Tao, I had the privilege of hosting my longtime friend and wicked talented singer/songwriter/musician, Les Kerr, in a musical edition of 7 Minutes With...

And, of course, here's an overview of what happened in book world this week.

That's all I've got. Keep reading, folks!