Here's the cover for the anthology of crime fiction I edited, which Signet is publishing in September 2004. Included therein is a Kate Shugak story called "Wreck Rights." To read an excerpt, go here. To pre-order a copy of the anthology, go here.

I've been doing research for BLINDFOLD GAME, the thriller I'm working on at present. In February I spent sixteen days on patrol in the Bering Sea on board the USCG cutter Alex Haley. I posted daily to the blog, which it turned out was being read not only by the Danamaniacs but also by everyone on board, all their families and friends on shore, and pretty much the entire US Coast Guard. To read the blog and see photos from the trip, go here. To read the captain's comments about my stay on board, go here and click on General Discussion and then Dana at Sea. To visit the cutter Alex Haley's own website, go here.

A column about my experiences on board the Alex Haley appears in the May/June 2004 issue of Alaska magazine.

For those of you who want to know the difference between a mystery and a thriller: A mystery is when Aunt Ada is at risk. A thriller is when Aunt Ada's entire nation is at risk. Get it? Got it? Good.

On May 13th I'll be flying out to Manokotak, Alaska. This came from this year's Authors in the Schools program, where we put authors in Anchorage schools in person and in Bush schools via videoconferencing. One of the schools that signed on for my videoconference session was Manokotak, who had discovered the reference to Simeon Bartman in Nothing Gold Can Stay (aka Liam3). Six of his grandchildren waved at me from the television screen, an inexpressible thrill, and when I got home I had an email from the senior class inviting me to speak at their commencement. So now I'm looking for a Yupik speaker so I can at least begin and end my speech in their language. Don't worry, I'll post to the blog from Manokotak, and I'm taking my camera so I'll be posting photos, too.

I'm thinking there has to be a better name for this newsletter than Newsletter. You got one? Email me your suggestion by June 1, and I'll pick the one I like the best. There will be prizes for the winner, including an A Taint in the Blood laminated (gasp!) bookmark and a USCGC Alex Haley T-shirt.

If you're coming north and you're interested in seeing the northern lights, and if you aren't why aren't you, go here.

Danamaniacs is a group of avid readers originally brought together by the novels of Dana Stabenow. Our membership has shaped an entertaining, interactive site centered on reading. We have organized chats approximately 10 times per year. Check us out! We’re always looking for new members with great ideas!