NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

We find our genre delightfully, dangerously, and deliciously exciting - join us here, if you do too!

NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Monday, September 25, 2017

Small Reader Conferences


**Giveaway over***

Y'all know I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my readers. I used to attend a lot of writer conferences but I always made sure that I hosted a reader event in the area for my local readers. 
I would rent out a cupcake shop, coffee house, library room, restaurant, bar...many places. I would send the local readers a special invitation and it was so much fun!

I was getting a lot of reader mail asking when I was coming to their area....as a mom of four boys in every sport imaginable, an amazing husband, a house to run and writing, I was spread thin. 

I'll never forget it. I was sitting in my office reading some emails and then it dawned on me:

Why don't I have my own reader event that no one else does? Why not every year in a different location? And what if it was on a train? One of the mystery dinner trains?

It was like I was plotting one of my mystery novels. I was playing the what if game and it all seemed to fit like a perfect puzzle in my head. I googled mystery dinner trains and found one about four hours from my home. I figured I'd have local readers who might travel for a girl's weekend. I called the train and rented it. I called the local hotel and blocked out some rooms....I was going crazy.
I posted a little something on my private Cozy Krew Facebook page and in thirty minutes all sixty seats on the train was booked and paid for. 
Then...I got scared.

OMG...60 readers looking at me? I can't do this alone....

So...I called my writing BFF, Duffy Brown!

(Last year's Two Dames on a Mystery Train event)

I told her what I'd done and asked her to join me. Of course she said yes! Little did we know how popular our little adventure was going to be. 
It's turned into a Two Dames on a Mystery Train Weekend and we've gotten to meet so many amazing readers across the United States. 

This year we invited a few more fun cozy mystery authors to join us in Lockport, NY at a winery!! There's a mystery train, we stop to eat and then go back to the winery for a book signing. 
The train is full, but you're more than welcome to join us for the book signing at 4 p.m. You can follow the link under the photos for more details. 




 (Please note that Kathi Daley is unable to make the event this year.)






Have you ever been to a reader only event? Leave a comment and I'll give away a fun Southern Mystery Y'all tote to one lucky comment!! 



Tonya Kappes is a USA Today Bestselling author who's married (to Eddy) and has four grown children, grown is an overstatement. According to the law they are grown, but they are all in different colleges in the United States.  She's known for her super charged characters that not only spill humor all over the pages, but end up tripping over a lot of dead bodies. Be sure to check out her Front Porch Sittin' tab on her website at Tonyakappes.com for freebies and contests.


Have you checked out all my books? Here is a list and links! 

Olivia Bloom Paranormal Mystery Series

Magical Cures Mystery Series

Spies and Spells Mystery Series
GET WITCH OR DIE TRYING

Grandberry Falls Series

A Laurel London Mystery Series

A Divorced Diva Beading Mystery Series

Bluegrass Romance Series

A Ghostly Southern Mystery Series
A GHOSTLY SECRET

Kenni Lowry Mystery Series
SOUTHERN FRIED
AX TO GRIND (9/2017)
SIX FEET UNDER  (4/2018)

Women’s Fiction

Young Adult

Be sure to join me everywhere!!

I want to invite everyone to join the Cozy Krew group page. If you are not already a group member you can join at  facebook.com/groups/208579765929709

Join the Mailbox Love where I send snail mail and birthday cards! Click here or tonyakappes.com/kappes-krew-birthday-club

If you like to cook and have recipes that you'd like to share, please share them here or tonyakappes.com/recipes

Be sure to check out my web page for up to date information on all my books as well as a complete list of books in order at tonyakappes.com

Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/tonyakappes11

69 comments:

SandyG265 said...

I've never been to an event like that. Maybe someday.
sgiden at verizon(.)net

Unknown said...

I've never been to a readers only event but sounds like so much fun, maybe another time if one turns up closer to me (west coast)

Jill Broussard said...

Tonya, I've never been to an event like that, but it sounds like a lot of fun!

Anonymous said...

I have never been to an event like that either but boy do I wish I could. My State is so far from all this...maybe one day.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

Joyce Day said...

I've never been to a reader event. It sounds like fun.

Dianne b said...

I have not been to a readers only event but it sounds like something I would enjoy.

karenlalsip@gmail.com said...

We are so excited to attend this years event, we've been there for all of them. It's a great girls time away, our crew from Cincinnati laughs, eats and has fun the entire time. This year we just made the decision to drive straight to Niagara Falls, spend the night and the next day there then go onto New York. I can't wait to see old friends and meet new ones!

Margo said...

Looking forward to hosting you at our local Sisters in Crime chapter meeting on Saturday, Oct 7!

Brenda said...

Must have done something wrong.. My first comment didnt show.

I wish I could make this train ride. How much fun it's going to be.
Hopefully the next time you have one I can be there.

Liz said...

I’ve never been to a readers event- I think it would be fun.

Always enjoy your blog posts ��

Deb Forbes said...

In would love to but have never been able to go to one. Your Mystery train looks like so much fun.

Unknown said...

Went to RT Atlanta this year and had a blast

Kris Meins said...

I'm going to an event in Lockport NY in just a couple of weeks (my first one every)! Can't wait to meet you! I am bringing my mom who is also a mystery lover. See you soon!!!

Pandaluver32 said...

Can't wait for Two Dames on a Train next weekend. I am so excited to be attending with my mother and sister, and finally get to meet my favorite author, Tonya Kappes. It should really be a fun time.

qnofdnile said...

I would love to attend a readers only event. When are you coming to SWFL? It would be such a thrill to meet you.

amy guillaume linderman said...

sounds so fun!! never been to a readers only event but it is on my list of things i want to do!

Julie Ali said...

I love how you came up with the mystery train idea!! I'd love to attend one of these days.

Karina Thibodeau said...

I have never been to a readers event. I wish I still lived in Rochester because I definitely would have joined you. Maybe someday you'll come to Minnesota.

Judy Tucker said...

This would be awesome. I've never been but know I'd enjoy.

Missy Cook VanHoose said...

I have never been to a reader event. I would absolutely love to attend this one though. Maybe someday :)

SuzieQ said...

My friend and I will be in Lockport too! So excited to meet everyone!

Candace knight said...

I have never been to a readers only event. I would love to go and see what it's like.

Woodstock216 said...

I’ve never been to a readers only event but would love to someday.

Sally said...

I've never beeen to any kind of reader event or signing. I was excited to see Tonya booked Daytona in Feb, but I was still unwell at the time. I hope she does it again so I can meet her. The train is an awesome idea- who can I con into going with me? lol

kaisquared said...

Not readers only, just writers and readers like Barbara Vey's and Lori's get togethers. The train sounds like such fun!

Kara Marks said...

I've never been to one of these events--I'd love to be able to someday.

Debi Paglia said...

I'm just waiting for y'all to come down south and then I'm signing up! It sounds like so much fun!

Jeannie D. said...

Yes, I got to meet you at Romancing the Smokies and it was so fun. Would love to catch a spot on one of the
Mystery trains.

Anonymous said...

never had the pleasure of attending a event like that! Shelia Hall

Brooke Showalter said...

I've traveled to attend Barbara Vey's Luncheon once before. I wish there were more reader events in my area!

Allyson A. said...

No, I've never been to one of these events. They sound like they are a lot of fun.

moppysmom@gmail.com said...

Love Tonya's books! Saw some interesting other books on this site from other authors also. May have to check them out.

Kim said...

I’ve never been to a readers event. I hope to one day. Love the blog. musiqmom(at)yahoo(dot)com

koryander said...

I have never been to a reader only event and I have never seen one in my area or close enough to do one

Nova said...

I have been to one. It was in Grayson, KY. It was a blast.

Cuddle Up with a Cozy Mystery and a Dachshund said...

Hi Tonya! An event like this would be soooo amazing! I know if I lived closer I'd be coming to that book signing! I've never been to a live reader's event (only ones on Facebook) but they sure sound super fun!

Donna Caldwell said...

Never been to a reader's event. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Cryscrafts Toller said...

I would love to attend something like this. Maybe someday! Sounds like so much fun!

Debi Murray said...

You know I have, since we met at one. LOL!

John Presler said...

My wife and I were able to attend one last year in St. Louis, MO. We thoroughly enjoyed the event and are looking forward to more events in the mid-west.

Kathleen Kendler said...

Never been but they sound awesome. Don't put me in for your giveaway. Keep On writing!

GinaGriffinJohnson said...

Sounds like so much fun. If it were closer I'd be there.

Marsha said...

I would love to go on an event like that! I go to the Buckeye Book Fair every year. I met Duffy one year.

Donna E said...

It sounds like a lot of fun. But I am not close enough to come -- Oklahoma just isnt close to much really.
I have never been to an author event, though I have gotten to meet a few authors when they would be at the craft fair. And I actually had tge privledge of buying one author her first cup of Starbucks!

Marci K said...

I would definitely go if the signing was closer, I live in Utah... People rarely come here. If you do ever come here, I will be your right hand! I'll do all the work! Lol. Anyway, love your positive spirit, imagination and your books. Thank you. Konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

Becky Wilhoite said...

I'm so glad you started doing this! I'm so thankful I've been able to attend every year.

Robin Coxon said...

I've been to several book signings and enjoyed Amanda Flower's tea she held a couple years ago. It was great to see so many other people who enjoyed the same genre as I did. I haven't made it to one of your train events but it is on my bucket list. I truly do enjoy your Kenni Lowrey series as well as your other books. Enjoy your next event. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm so excited to see you... Less than 2 weeks to go! It will be such fun, but then time with you always is! ��❤

Catherine Winslow said...

I love Tonya's books!

Terry Ann saunders said...

Never been to one because no one has had any close by. I'm reading Ax to Grind and it is awesome..

Frances said...

I have never been to one though I would love to attend. Nobody comes to Alaska. Lol. It’s my dream to get to one of your book signings. In the meantime I’ll just be satisfied with reading your books and virtually being with the Kozy Krew.
cristinaalaska(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

The event sounds AWESOME! Wish I was still living near there. My late husband was from Gasport, about 20 miles from there. I don't drive that far anymore, or I would be all over it...lol.

Joanie Miles Hinton said...

I've never been but they sound like fun!! (especially yours!!!

Teri said...

I had planned to come on out to this event, but my personal plans fell through. Boy, what a terrific idea. Also, this is so thoughtfully done! Tonya, a very busy lady, goes to different locales to try and make her train trips in various locations. We can't expect her to go everywhere, but yay, way to go!

servedogmom said...

I have never had the opportunity, but I would love to attend an event. Even the few local events have been a no go based on either an inaccessible venue, health challenges of finances. I think that is a part of the reason I greatly appreciate mail, swag, bookmarks, etc from my favorite authors. I,also, appreciate the authors that are willing to interact with their readers on line. My "world" is unbelievably isolating and lonely. The vicarious escapes to the settings in books coupled with engaging characters help fill that huge void. As busy as you are, you make or take the time to interact with us. That speaks volumes about your character! Truly appreciated.

servedogmom said...

I have never had the opportunity, but I would love to attend an event. Even the few local events have been a no go based on either an inaccessible venue, health challenges of finances. I think that is a part of the reason I greatly appreciate mail, swag, bookmarks, etc from my favorite authors. I,also, appreciate the authors that are willing to interact with their readers on line. My "world" is unbelievably isolating and lonely. The vicarious escapes to the settings in books coupled with engaging characters help fill that huge void. As busy as you are, you make or take the time to interact with us. That speaks volumes about your character! Truly appreciated.

Cathy Inboden said...

I have never been to one, but would love too some day. I would love to be on the train. I love train rides, but never had the chance to do it. I do take the train to California every year. Thank you for the chance to win some nice prizes.

ptclayton said...

I have never been to a reader only event as they do not have them in our area. I would love to as how fun to be with other readers. Although I have to say even living in Ca in the bay area I never saw a reader event. Although we were heavily into baseball and we were invited to many baseball players events and they were fun. I feel sorry for authors who have so much of their time promoting books but this is a good way to do it for the reader only then you don;t get a lot of people that are just coming for the swag and not to buy the book. I read in my daily guidepost the other day an author got a call from her mother in law to bring books and she was arranging a group she said that only 1 in 10 buy the books but at her mother in laws event every book sold and that was so nice and wonderful for the author.

Unknown said...

Never been but I'd love to! Sounds like a blast!

Crochetma said...

As I have told you many times, I LOVE all of your series and gobble them up as soon as I am able. I love the mystery train events, I just don't live anywhere near the events that have gone on. When I had a community theater, one of out events we did was writing, producing and acting in our mystery dinner theater shows. All the shows I had written were comedies that could involved the audience and it was sooo much fun, aside from our musicals and regular plays at our theater. One of the mysteries was called The Stealth Yugo Mystery. one of my actors bought a Yugo which she said she was going to make into a big planter since it never ran so we used it in our dinner theater at the restaurant which had an open area as well as the dining hall. What fun we all had! Now I love and dive into cozy mysteries reading and reviewing among other things. Love You and this Blog Tonya. Merry Northstarvance(at)Gmail(dot) com

catwoman1a said...

I just love you picture of Two Dames on a Mystery Train. I love it!! So cute. I have never been to an event, but would love to go.

Unknown said...

Looking forward to one in town! In Cincy!

Unknown said...

Never been to a small readers conference. I don't travel much anyway. Just simply love the picture of the two of you as TWO DAMES ON A MYSTERY TRAIN. Looked like you had much fun.
Bless you both.

sunshinehdfan said...

Getting ready to go to Penned con this Friday!!!

Unknown said...

I've never been to a reader event like that but it sure sounds like fun!

HPERGOLSKI said...

This is my first train event but not my first Reader event. I'm so excited to go and can't believe it's
right around the corner! My first event though was the Barbara Vey Reader Luncheon here in Milwaukee.

Di Richards said...

Never been to one of these events. It sounds like great fun! Sorry I missed the one for New York.

Ginger Heruska said...

I've never been to a reader only event. It looks like a lot of fun. I'm hoping that in 2018 there will be something in my area in the southeast. I live in the Raleigh/Durham area in NC.

Jill P said...

Love lol your books

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