Surprise!
Welcome to the New Lipstick Chronicles!
by Nancy
Surprised you, didn't we? Today you're getting the first glimpse of our new look and----Tah-dah!--our new writers!
Take a peek at the banner up top. See those names? That's right, there's a new game in town. New talent. New voices. New points of view. Readers, we're gonna rock your world! Seems fitting to me that we're launching on the same weekend as the Sex in the City movie hits theaters. Why? Because it's all about female bonding, baby. And we want you, our loyal Lipstick readers, to bond with some of the most fantastic women writers currently publishing.
On Wednesday, you'll hear from the there-are-no-superlatives-superlative enough Margaret Maron, whose most recent book, SAND SHARKS, is part of the Edgar-winning, Anthony-winning Deborah Knott mystery series. (That's Margaret above, in the center, wearing Dior.) This series broke ground that many women mystery writers have planted on since the publication of THE BOOTLEGGER'S DAUGHTER. We're pinching ourselves that Margaret has graciously agreed to join us here at TLC.
Can't believe your luck? Hang on. Thursday, you'll be reading Nancy Pickard's first post as an official Tart, too. Nancy's new book, THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTNING, is the book I'm stealing off to read between picnics this weekend. If you haven't bought your copy yet, why not?? (And click on her website to see a Barnes & Noble video interview with Nancy. She's their summer pick!)
You think I'm kidding, don't you? Right hand up to God, I'm not. It gets even more amazing:
On Friday, mystery fans, we welcome Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs mystery series--a series that reflects Jackie's deep interest in World War I and has earned such awards as the Agatha, Anthony and Alex. Check out THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH. Jackie's a transplanted Brit, and we can't wait to hear what she has to say about British elections and toe-sucked princesses. And horses!
And that's just the line-up for this week, mystery fans. In the weeks to come, we will welcome the likes of--yes!--Louise Penny, Cornelia Read and Brunonia Barry . . . and more. Plus all your favorite Book Tarts will stick around. (And we're stuck with Her, Margie, too. Who's brave enough to fire her? She knows people!)
Why the change? Why now? If you haven't heard of the Sisters in Crime monitoring project, you don't get out enough. Every year, Sisters in Crime keeps track of all the mystery novels reviewed in mainstream media. And the sad news is that women writers are reviewed significantly less often than men. 2009 was worse than before. So sometimes we girls have to join forces and make things happen for ourselves. Plus, who wouldn't want to have such women as the ones I've told you about for friends?
Please help make our new writers welcome. In the weeks, months and years to come, we promise more great, insightful, hilarious, poignant and engaging writing from some of the best in the business. No kidding.
Love it! And anything we can do to help women writers is okay by me.
Congratulations on the new roommates, and best wishes to all.
Posted by: Karen in Ohio | May 30, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Nice look, Although I will miss the "film noire" pictures.
Bring them on.
Posted by: Alan P. | May 30, 2010 at 07:43 AM
Congratulations, Le Tarts, and Welcome New Tarts! This is going to be interesting, to say the least!
Have to agree with Alan, though; the Noir Pictures need to stay. Kind of made the whole page for me....:)
Posted by: William | May 30, 2010 at 07:56 AM
WOW! Can't wait to hear what all the "newbies" have to say!
Posted by: peach | May 30, 2010 at 08:04 AM
Just announced it on my facebook page. I feel honored and delighted to be here. Thank you to the Book Tarts for welcoming those of us who have just popped fresh out of the oven. Thank you to all of you who comment here-- for being willing to scooch over for this population explosion. You're a great bunch--as I already know from hanging around here lately--and I can't wait to get to know you better.
Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin! What a welcome!
Posted by: Nancy Pickard | May 30, 2010 at 09:47 AM
Another wonderful design Holly - and I have to add my voices to those who loved the old one too - if anyone needs website design work - our own Holly is your go-to!
Exciting to see such famous authors up there - okay, let's be honest the really exciting thing is that my name is up there too- like I'm a big shot, too.
I haven't met all of the new bloggers yet but they all seem great and their books are wonderful - looking forward to many great blogs to come.
TLC is still working on the blog schedule but fear not, your old pals will still be here, just not as often (at least for most of us). That's a good thing. Variety is the spice and so forth.
Have a great holiday weekend everyone and don't forget to honor our warriors - thanks to them, we not only get a nice long weekend, but we get to sleep peacefully in our beds while they battle the bad things in the night.
Posted by: Kathy Sweeney | May 30, 2010 at 09:48 AM
Welcome to the new Book Tarts and I love the new look.
Posted by: Dru | May 30, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Wow! What a great new look!
Congratulations, Holly!
Cannot wait to read new blogs by these wonderful writers.
I already know that Nancy Pickard is funny and insightful from her comments here recently.
Here's too a new TLC!!
Posted by: marie | May 30, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Love the "join together" approach--and how lucky we all are to be the beneficiaries of your creative solution!
Posted by: bea | May 30, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Whoa. That's a hell of a lineup.
Posted by: JD Rhoades | May 30, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Congratulations, Holly! And Kathy is 120% correct: Holly re-did my entire business website, and I've received more compliments on it since the re-design than in the previous 8.5 years prior.
If you need a personal site, a business site, a fun site, a whatever site, I cannot recommend HollyGraphics enough.
(My name is William, and you bet I stand behind this endorsement....)
Posted by: William | May 30, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Yay! Party!
In fact, I'm nearly partied out. My twins turned 8 today. And yet -- party!
Posted by: Harley | May 30, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Whoo-hoo, what fun! Bring it on!
Posted by: judy merrill larsen | May 30, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Thank you, thank you. I'm so glad you like it. Our thanks to the Tarts, new and, um, 'not unexperienced' for the chance to design for people we really like (and have squeeing fanatic attachment).
Yeah, I miss the Noir Babes, too. We might see them pop up someplace.
We're pretty happy with this new look (other than a couple of glitches to fix today), but you really want to keep an eye on the sidebar now and again. All sorts of things will be happening there.
Posted by: Holly Gault | May 30, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Wow, how exciting! I am looking forward to reading the blogs of so many talented writers. I love the new look of your website, too.
I sweep off my tattered John Deere ballcap to Margaret Maron, my fellow North Carolinian.
Posted by: Shelley | May 30, 2010 at 11:48 AM
How cool! More of the people I love to read...and if you haven't picked up Nancy Pickard's latest...do it! It is riveting. Same goes for Maisie Dobbs. I was hooked with the first one in the series and have them all. Etc etc etc. And the site is tres chic, Holly :o) I may just start to gush if I don't quit while I'm ahead...oh and a small segue. I just finished Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games...it was absolutely great. Whether you read it yourself or suggest it to a young reader, it will have you wondering how it will all work out (yes, there's a sequal, but it doesn't kill the suspense). Back to you on this beautiful Sunday :o)
Posted by: Maryann Mercer | May 30, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Make that sequel...
Posted by: Maryann Mercer | May 30, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Love the new look of the site and so excited about some of the authors who will be sharing stories here. Have read books by most of them, much to my enjoyment, and look forward to getting to know them better.
Posted by: Maryann Miller | May 30, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Laissez les bon temps roulez!!! (or, to translate that into Californian: "Dudes! I'm so stoked!!!" Because in California, a dude is gender-neutral.)
I am so so so excited to get to hang out with all of you!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!
And Happy Twin Birthday, dear Harley. Mine turned sixteen in March.
Posted by: Cornelia Read | May 30, 2010 at 11:59 AM
What an exciting group of beautiful ladies! Wahoo!
Posted by: Fran | May 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I really like the new look, and I am looking forward to the new Tarts. More books for my TBR pile!
Posted by: Lil Gluckstern | May 30, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Wow, big changes! I can hardly wait to get to know the new Tarts. And I love the lipstick smear speeding bullet.
Posted by: Amy | May 30, 2010 at 01:35 PM
I didn't notice the speeding bullet until you pointed it out, Amy! Cool. I've always loved the slogan, "Just keep reading and nobody gets hurt."
Posted by: Nancy Pickard | May 30, 2010 at 01:48 PM
Got home from Shrek 3 last night (couldn't go see Sex in the City, don't own the right shoes for that line-up) and OH NO TLC wasn't available, I admit I checked every 1/2 hour until, whew it came back up.
Was I surprised, TLC new and improved, not that it needed much improvement.
Welcome to all the new to the blog author, Margaret Maron, I swoon.
Happy twins b'day Harley, hope there is lots of cake!
Posted by: gaylin in vancouver | May 30, 2010 at 01:53 PM
And yes, Holly Gee rocks!
Posted by: gaylin in vancouver | May 30, 2010 at 01:53 PM
Happy Birthday, New TLC! Very very happy to be here with all of you. Um, dudes.
So we should have a party,right? I'll bring the hot dogs and hamburgers for a cookout. Or are we holding out for lobster?
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | May 30, 2010 at 03:27 PM
When I logged on this morning TLC was so bright it hurt my eyes! Looks nice Holly.
I do hope all the new kids have a sense of humor and aren't prudish cause when fleet week is over, I'm sure the Mancini family will have some stories to tell. LOL!
Posted by: Rita Scott | May 30, 2010 at 03:41 PM
We are conjoined wid yinz, our freins, in offerance of congradulantinance to da New an da Previent Book Tart ladies. May yinz success be always in flourishance. Miss Nancy knows howta run a buzness.
(Writ widdout assistance from Head Assistant Pauletta, on accounta she's On A Mission from Her, Margie, to find Cousin Rosie. Damm swabbies!!)
Posted by: Guido and Luca | May 30, 2010 at 04:14 PM
There is never a dull moment in Tart Land. Holly, good job! I only have one fear about all this change: will my TBR stack completely overwhelm my available time??!
Harley, may the twins enter a year of sheer contentment, good health, etc., and may it be contagious for your whole family, also!
Welcome, authors new to TLC, I say, while firmly hanging onto the hands of Nancy, Sarah, Kathy, Hank, Harley, Nancie the GT, etc.--y'all are probably going to get more writing done now, but don't be strangers, please.
Posted by: Laraine | May 30, 2010 at 04:54 PM
OMG, Elaine, I just reread my post and am horrified I left your name out . . . sorry! Holding onto your hand just as firmly.
Posted by: Laraine | May 30, 2010 at 04:56 PM
Holy Guacamole! I come home from work, sleep deprived and punchy and y'all done changed things around! Looks good, tho, and hello to all the new Tarts. And those pics up on the left? Hotties one and all!
Posted by: Doc In CA | May 30, 2010 at 05:02 PM
Laraine, thanks so much! And part of the TLC deal is we'll be here all the time! (Impossible to resist, given what goes on here!)
And there goes my allotment of exclamation marks for the day.
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | May 30, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Lookin good and a big welcome to some of my favorite writers......this in the place to stop in each day!
Posted by: mary alice at mystery lovers bookshop | May 30, 2010 at 05:29 PM
The whiteness is overwhelming!
....but I know this will be better than "Sex and the City 2."
Posted by: Cinema Dave | May 30, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Wow, I'm fastening my seat belt and getting ready for a wild ride!
Posted by: Peg H | May 30, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Whoo Hoo!! Love the new look and the new powerTarts line up!!
Posted by: Marianne | May 30, 2010 at 07:26 PM
Hmmm, Marianne, a new look at Tarts:
Power Tarts
Nice.
Posted by: Laraine | May 30, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Reading/listening to Birds of a Feather currently, enjoying it -- and noted the mention of Pilates . . .tuned in to fitness with the Help Me Out Here group.
Also enjoying _Pigs in Heaven_ , trying to finish in time for _The Bean Trees_ book discussion Wed.
I should try to find my "Bunny-Sutra" coffee mug by then . . .
Posted by: storyteller Mary | May 30, 2010 at 09:55 PM
YIKES. I was shocked today! Holly Gee is wonderful, but I'll the old template.
bullet is pretty coll though
Posted by: ArkansasCyndi | May 30, 2010 at 11:26 PM
Both the site and the new lineup of writers look great! I'm looking forward to everyone's posts, and I hope that spreading out the work will lighten the load on our current authors. This site is great because of its daily posts, the humor and depth of the content, and the active participation of the backbloggers, but having such an active site has to be a lot of work. I know I appreciate it - thank you!
Two thoughts on the site - I miss the links to the authors' websites (or I can't find them...), and I wish we could have an archive page for the old banner (and the holiday variations). I really liked the former banner.
Posted by: Avis | May 30, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Holy cow! I've been among the missing lately, and everything's gone wild! I'm very excited to see some of my favorite authors joining the TLC group. I can't wait to get back here in the swing of things and join in.
Welcome, all.
Posted by: Laura (in PA) | May 31, 2010 at 10:04 PM
I'm new to TLC - looking forward to hearing from some awesome women!
Posted by: Christy | June 06, 2010 at 09:06 PM