Your 2019 President of the Mystery Writers of America

I’m tremendously honored to have been elected the 2019 President of the Mystery Writers of America. This organization supports and promotes thousands of working writers across the country. It presents the Edgar Awards. Being asked to serve in this position is a high point of my career.

Here’s what I said when my name was put forward for the presidency:

From the moment I became eligible to join Mystery Writers of America, I’ve been grateful to be a member. Being awarded an Edgar is one of the greatest honors of my life. That’s because MWA is one of the most significant organizations in the world dedicated to crime and mystery writing. It would be my privilege to serve as its president and support its mission: to promote recognition and respect for crime writing and those who write it, to encourage literacy, and to support aspiring writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, editors, agents, and the wonderful community devoted to the genre.

And before I get too full of myself, I should clarify that the presidency of MWA is highly ceremonial — I’ll have the privilege of emceeing the Edgars this year, and writing some articles for the MWA magazine, and perfecting my royal wave. The day-to-day work of the organization is done by a committed group of volunteers, led by Executive Vice President Donna Andrews. They’re the ones who deserve a tip of the hat.

Though my son did ask if I’ve been given the nuclear codes. Nope; just this shiny presidential badge. Which I’m going to treasure.

Question Time 2019: Ask Me Anything

As we dive into 2019, it’s time for a fresh round of Ask Me Anything. Leave your questions in the comments — about writing, publishing, books, TV, movies, the squirrel apocalypse foretold in Revelation — whatever you’re interested in. I will endeavor to answer.

Photo: Kermit the Frog, the dashing greeter at Herman Brown Free Library in Burnet, Texas. Yesterday I had a great time speaking at the library’s Coffee Talks author series. Thanks to everyone who turned out!

Into the Black Nowhere named Best of 2018: Novel Gossip, Mystery People

I’m delighted that Into the Black Nowhere is getting so much book love. It’s my baby, and I’m proud of it. So I get a warm feeling when others add it to their Best-Of lists.

Novel Gossip: BEST SERIES OF 2018 #BESTOF2018
“If you’re looking for a book that feels like watching an awesome episode of Criminal Minds, Into the Black Nowhere is the perfect choice!”

Mystery People: TOP FIVE TEXAS CRIME NOVELS 2018
“Gardiner’s second book to feature Caitlin Hendrix has the newly minted FBI agent chasing down a charming, Ted Bundy-type killer who operates along I-35. Meg truly brings the creepy to this one.”

Aw, thanks. I try.

Into the Black Nowhere makes The Real Book Spy’s Best Thrillers of 2018

I’m absolutely delighted that The Real Book Spy has included Into the Black Nowhere on his list of the Best Thrillers of 2018: “Meg Gardiner continued her scary-good series (after last year’s UNSUB), a must-read for those craving nail-biting suspense.”

Click over to see the entire list, which is packed with great novels. The holidays are upon us, and you can never give, or receive, too many fantastic books.

UNSUB and Into the Black Nowhere and a bestseller list

How absolutely wonderful to see both UNSUB and Into the Black Nowhere on the list of Oklahoma’s Top Ten Best-sellers. Thanks once again to my home state for reading the heck out of my novels.

And thanks to Best of Books for the photo. They may still have some signed copies of my books in stock, if you’re itching to grab one, or a few.

This weekend: Texas Book Festival

This weekend I’ll be at one of Austin’s biggest annual events: the Texas Book Festival. They’re expecting 40,000 people at the festival over the weekend, which is a whole lot of book love.

If you’re anywhere nearby, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello.

Texas Book Festival
October 27-28, 2018
Austin, Texas

My schedule:

Noir at the Bar at Lit Crawl Austin
Saturday, October 27, 8 PM
Stay Gold, 1910 E. Cesar Chavez Street
MysteryPeople presents a round of hip, hard-boiled, nitty-gritty noir readings with crime fiction authors. With Meg Gardiner, Lou Berney, and more.

A Trio of Texas Crime Writers
Sunday, October 28, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Texas Tent (Congress and 8th Street)
Serial killers, psychological thrills, and page-turning mystery spin from the pens of three of Texas’s most talked about crime fiction writers. Join them for a big conversation about writing the dark side. With Jeff Abbott, Meg Gardiner, and Julia Heaberlin

Come on down, y’all!

Thanks, Oklahoma

I had a fabulous time at the inaugural Oklahoma Book Festival. It was great to get back to my hometown, and to share a sunny autumn day with thousands of people who wanted to hear authors talk about books. I’ll admit that before my panel, I got concerned when the front row filled up with little kids. I was there to talk about Into the Black Nowhere, which isn’t exactly a children’s book. Then a baffled mother asked, “Is this the Extreme Animals presentation?”

Well, the novel is a cat-and-mouse psychological thriller, but that wasn’t what she wanted to know. Eventually, the families all got directions to the correct tent.

One of the great things about any book festival is getting the chance to see other authors. I was lucky to catch up with Lou Berney, a fellow Oklahoman and Edgar winner, whose new novel November Road is one of the best things I’ve read all year.

As you can see from the top photo, I signed stacks of books. They were supplied by Best of Books, a fabulous local independent bookstore. Let me tell you, those booksellers worked for days to set up the festival book tent. On Saturday they were out before sunrise, hauling boxes of books onto the display tables. They deserve massive thanks and a huge round of applause.

And if you’d like to order any signed copies of my novels, Best of Books has them. And they ship. You can order online, by phone, or in person, of course. Support local independent bookstores!

Best of Books
Kickingbird Square
1313 East Danforth Road
Edmond, OK 73034
Phone: (405)-340-9202

(Photo with Lou Berney courtesy of Joe Hight)