On Location

Cape Fear Crime Festival, Wilmington, NC, Oct. 25-28th:

What I most liked about this well-attended and professionally organized festival was it's intimate, unrushed character. In comfortable meeting rooms adjacent to the library, authors and fans discussed all aspects of mystery writing; a varied, creative program was offered, as good as any one would find at larger conventions. Of course I was delighted that "Salome Waterhouse" had been randomly chosen as the name of one of the meeting rooms. Salome herself would recommend the spacious, well-lighted library--formerly a supermarket--for its good feng shui. Most of the activities, including two banquets, took place in the spirituality/knowledge and family/health guas.

Borders Books, Virginia Beach, Oct. 29th:

This massive store is possessed of bright, youthful energy, which I attribute to two factors. One, the assistant manager, Giselle, and two, the colorful artwork of Jason Schwalb located in the Cafe. Giselle took very good care of me and brought my book and feng shui to the attention of three seamen from Norfolk. By the end of the evening, the three young men were ready to change the ch'i of the US Navy, starting with a repainting of the fleet--no more battleship gray for them. Jason Schwalb's art enlivens the ch'i in the bookstore's helpful people/travel gua with bold colors and unique design. Schwalb lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and his art transforms what would otherwise be an ordinary cafe space into a showplace.

Border's Books, Fredericksburg, VA, Oct. 30th

This is a busy store with an entrance facing an intersection --a place where erratic energy converges and disperses--in a rambling shopping mall. The store is more compact that the Virginia Beach Border's. People who came in seemed to know exactly what they wanted and where to find it, and came and went quickly. A couple of planters beside the front door would mellow the energy and customers would likely spend a little more time in the store.

Books-A-Million, McLean, VA, Nov. 3rd

Taking a break from Bouchercon, the world mystery convention going on in nearby Crystal City, I spent part of the afternoon signing at this well-trafficked bookstore. This was an especially enjoyable event as old friends stopped in to chat and buy books. The front entrance opens onto an aisle that runs straight through the book store to the back wall. The rush of energy would be tempered by hanging a 30mm crystal half way down the aisle. The big store front windows provide abundant light which naturally raises the ch'i and makes customers feel welcome.

Bouchercon, Crystal City, VA, Nov. 1-4

The organizers of this year's world mystery convention put together a terrific program and, in light of the tragic events of September 11 and the ongoing anthrax scare, maintained a balanced, comfortable atmosphere. I felt fortunate to be among the many attendees--the authors, the fans, and the booksellers--who wouldn't let anything stop them from celebrating mysteries. On this leg of the trip I stayed with Marilyn and Mike Fitzgerald, the good ch'i elves of McLean, VA. Another friend, Harriet Manclark, flew in from San Antonio and we enjoyed a mini-reunion.

Creatures 'N Crooks, Richmond, VA, Nov. 6th

This bookstore, which serves up equal portions of mystery and science fiction, boasts a feature of which Salome Waterhouse would definitely applaud. All around the ceiling are hung fairy lights. This is a marvelous way to raise the ch'i and give the store a distinctive appearance, certainly at night. A comfortable seating area where visiting authors can chat with fans is located in the relationship gua. And it is there that I met with my stepbrother, Harrison Barker, whom I hadn't seen since we were young children. Indeed this was a special signing.

Whodunit?Books, Olympia, WA, Nov. 9th

A wonderful feature of this cozy mystery bookstore is the raised store front in which the owner has set up a table and chairs--and, of course, displays of books. I had the strongest urge to put myself in that window area to watch the passers by--or like author Harlan Ellison many years ago, (in another store front) write. The owner, Linda Dewberry, knows her mysteries--and books in general. Talking to her is a highly-recommended treat!

Seattle Mystery Bookstore, Seattle, WA, Nov. 10th

Here again(as at Whodunit?Books), you have a staff of booksellers who themselves provide the best feng shui a mystery bookstore could want. Knowledge is energy and can be found in abundance at the Seattle Mystery Bookstore. Because the store is a step or two down off the street, attracting good ch'i can be a challenge. Flowers in the window that faces the street and a bell on the inside of the door will do the trick. Once inside, the lively and eclectic staff raises the ch'i better than almost any feng shui "cure" or remedy. The Washington state leg of the tour was made most memorable by my cousin, Signe Nelso, who volunteered to be my "roadie." She drove me from place to place, made sure my lipstick was on straight and kept everyone laughing. Next week I head for Oklahoma with possible stops at various stores in and around Dallas/Ft. Worth. For those of you interested in the newsletter, I'm hoping to launch it within the first couple of months of 2002. Book work calls--the 3rd in the series is due March 1st and I'm currently going over the copyedit of book 2, Positioned To Die. In the next couple months I'll have a more balanced schedule and look forward to providing information about feng shui on this website.

Happy Holidays and Feng Shui Blessings To All!

Denise and Salome

The official launch of "A Deadly Arrangement" and The Feng Shui Mysteries occurred Tuesday, September 5th at the Capitola Book Cafe in Capitola, California at 7:30 p.m. Just prior to the signing, Kathryn and Tony Gaultieri, former mayor and first lady, hosted a publication party, which really got the good ch'i flowing. Members of the Women of Mystery Book Club and their men folk provided wit and good wishes before we all relocated to the Book Cafe. Imagine my surprise when, just after Janet of the Book Cafe made the introduction, Jennifer Chase, a Woman of Mystery, presented me with a gorgeous bouquet from the Book Club, referring to it as "a deadly arrangement." One outstanding and certainly auspicious feature of the Capitola Book Cafe is the gold elephant head located in the "Career" gua, just to the right of the front entrance (itself in the Knowledge gua.) Elephants represent wisdom and discernment; you can trust the owners to provide a "golden" selection of reading material. Additionally, 'ears' are the body part included in the Career gua. Makes sense; listening is integral to succeeding in all fields. Such impressive ears in the bookstore's Career position further implies a knowledgeable staff able to answer your questions (because they actually listen to you--not so common these days). All sales are conducted to the left of the entrance in the Knowledge gua.> The area is spacious and airy providing a good flow of ch'i around the staff and cash registers. To correct the "cutting ch'i" which is always a problem with ceiling fans, I suggested hanging a crystal from the fans located above the cafe. But hey, from the cafe came the best piece of carrot cake this side of my mother's kitchen. Authors from around the world speak at the Capitola Book Cafe, known as one of the West Coast's premier independent bookstores. My feng shui commentary simply underscores what everyone all ready knows. Look for the next bookstore installment after the signing at the San Francisco Mystery Bookstore to be held Saturday, September 15th, at 2 p.m. Feng Shui Blessings To All!

SIGNING AT THE SAN FRANCISCO MYSTERY BOOKSTORE

Perhaps the most heartening aspect of the signing at the San Francisco Mystery Bookstore this past Saturday, September 15th, was being a part of an active community of book lovers. They were buying lots of books, certainly not just mine. After such a dreadful week, this event re-charged this author's battery. Though I had been looking forward to the signing primarily to get a first hand sense of the atmosphere in the city, I doubted many people would show up. The bookstore is small and cozy and I could easily have fooled myself into thinking all were there for my signing. Not so. They were there for the extensive selection of titles offered, there to pick up mysteries they'd been meaning to read and, since I happened to be on site to sign, some added A Deadly Arrangement. Diane Kudisch, the owner, expressed both excitement and trepidation at the thought of having the store feng shuied. A common reaction as people often fear that the feng shui consultant's recommendations will include tearing out walls, lowering/raising ceilings, relocating the bathroom or, worst case scenario, moving out. Diane had little to worry about. Certainly nothing about the store kept people away. The bells on the door (excellent feng shui) were ringing constantly. The many free standing bookshelves do block a couple of windows in the fame gua (located in the middle of the wall opposite the entrance) but people are there for books and the more the better. And since the windows in question are not the primary light source, the simple addition of nine red tassels hung across the windows will serve to raise the ch'i (energy) in that area and maintain the store's well-established reputation.

FENG SHUI RECOMMENDATIONS

Reestablishing a sense of normality in our environments is essential to our well-being at this time. Chaos has been visited upon us all. The following suggestions can help restore harmony within home and work environments. Even if you do not want to add to these areas, you can stimulate the energy in these positions by simply giving them a thorough cleaning.

1. Family/Health

This gua or sector is located middle left of the entrance to your property as a whole, your house/apartment, and each room therein. To enhance this area use the color green. This is a good place for family pictures and photos/paintings of healthy trees. If you are blessed with a yard/land, clear out the dead wood, weeds, trash. Whether inside or outside, express your intentions to strengthen your family and, if inclined, include your neighbors/fellow citizens in this positive dialogue. The element is wood.

2. Children/Creativity

Directly opposite family/health is the children/creativity sector, being middle right of the entrance to your property as a whole, your house/apartment, and each room therein. The representative color is white, the element metal. If you have children, include them in the enhancement of this gua. Have them choose photographs of themselves and friends/family to put here, light a white candle together, let them express their intentions verbally or through a drawing. If a window is here, hang a crystal on a red cord or ribbon (red heightens the intentions). If a doorway is here, hang a wind chime so that children can swat it if they like. The sound will raise the ch'i (energy) and everyone's spirits.

3. Helpful People/Travel

Just to the right of the entrance to your property as a whole, house/apartment, and each room therein, is the helpful people/travel sector. This is the place for positive images of anything related to travel; of firemen and women, police, emergency services and military personnel, community/national leaders. Other enhancements would be a crystal, a wind chime, or any item you personally associate with travel and service. Colors are gray and black.

Let's keep our spirits up. Feng Shui Blessings to all!