So nice to be home! Like most writers, I love getting out and meeting readers, booksellers, librarians, and other writers. But also like most writers, I love being home — at my desk, with my cat and Mr. Right close by, and my imaginary friends at play on the page in front of me.

I’m delighted to share a lovely review of Death al Dente in the Fall issue of Mystery Scene. Click on the link for the full review; some snippets:

“Is there a cozy lover among us who could resist a new series boasting the label “A Food Lover’s Village Mystery”? Read on if you would like to indulge in a healthy helping of Death Al Dente, Leslie Budewitz’ scrumptious new series opener  …   but I can’t ruin the suspense. Instead, I encourage you to savor this new culinary mystery that offers a unique taste of Montana. Author Budewitz has created an engaging character, a charming town, and a whole new perspective on the state.”

Speaking of the state, if you have not attended your state’s Festival of the Book, put it on your schedule right now! Here’s a list of festivals across the country. Last weekend, I participated in the Humanities Montana Festival of the Book in Missoula. What fun! Friday morning, I got a chance to talk about Death al Dente and read an excerpt to 60 mystery and thriller fans, and the chance to listen to two Montana mystery writers share their books — Keith McCafferty and Gary L. Cook. (Turns out my camera’s cranky and when I hand it to someone else to take my picture, I get a blank — but here’s a shot of the gathering and one of Keith talking about his PI/cop/fly fishing mysteries!) Later on Friday, Keith and I joined novelists Emily Jane Miller, Russell Rowland, and Peter Rock for a panel discussion about food, research, writing from another perspective, and of course, writing fiction set in Montana.

This book venture has given me a chance to do many new things, including my first radio interview on The Write Question, a program of Montana Public Radio. It was broadcast on October 17, but can be streamed or downloaded as a podcast from the website.

Thanks to the Whitefish Community Library for hosting “Local Authors Night” on October 3.

And at the 23d annual Flathead River Writers Conference, sponsored by the Authors of the Flathead, Authors president Jess Owen and I moderated a First Impressions session, reading the first page of fiction submitted by the conference go-ers for comments by two literary agents, Paige Wheeler of Folio Literary Management and Liz Kracht of Kimberly Cameron & Associates, and several published writers who taught during the weekend conference. It was a great opportunity for writers to hear how agents analyze work, what they look for, and what’s often missing. We’re starting the planning for next year’s conference, September 27-28, 2014, and another session is already on the schedule.

As for me, if you’re in Western Montana, I’d be delighted to visit your library or book club. Drop me a line at leslie at lesliebudewitz dot com. You’ll find me doing one of the things I love most: writing.

Thank you all, friends and readers, for the opportunity.