Recently, Michael McCormick of McCormick Gallery in Taos made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. He said he would invite all eight thousand clients on his gallery mailing list if I agreed to have a book signing there for Hard Country when it is released in May. Because I’d already committed to a signing at the premier Taos bookstore, Moby Dickens, I got in touch with the Events Coordinator, told her of Michael’s offer, and suggested a jointly sponsored event at the gallery. I then ran the idea past my publicist at Dutton, and voila, quickly all was arranged. Thus, I’ll be in Taos at the McCormick Gallery, 106 Paseo Norte, on Saturday, May 19, from 1 to 3 PM signing Hard Country. For more information contact Moby Dickens at 575- 758-3050 or toll free at 888-442-9980. You can also contact the McCormick Gallery at 575- 758-1372 or toll free at 800-279-0879. I never took a bribe while I was a cop, but as a writer I’m shameless. Telling eight thousand art gallery patrons about Hard Country was just too good a deal to pass up even if they all don’t come to the signing. Visit the Events page on my website to learn more about Michael’s gallery. It should be quite a bash, and thanks, Michael, for being so generous. Another big bash signing has been scheduled for earlier that same week, sponsored by one of the best independent bookstores in the country, The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale. The event will be held on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 PM in the ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue. (Very upscale, I must say.) I will be in conversation with mystery writer Jon Talton, a popular guy with a big local following. The word on the street is that Jon is quite witty and has a big personality. It should be entertaining at the very least. A party with a buffet and bar will cap off the evening. Call the store at 480-947-2974 or toll free 888-560-9919 for more information. Finally, the launch signing in Santa Fe is set for 6 PM Friday, May 11 at the Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 202 Galisteo Street, 505-988-4226. I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be in conversation with outed CIA covert operative, Valerie Plame Wilson, author of Fair Game. She promises a tough interrogation but no waterboarding. Additional events have been confirmed for Tucson, Denver, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces. I’ll post specifics in my next blog. . © Michael McGarrity 2011