Hi there, guys and dolls!  I’m getting ready to embark on a Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour tomorrow, promoting DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN.  I’m so excited — the virtual Edsel’s all revved up and my fictional bags are packed.  I’ll be meeting some new friends and catching up with some old pals, so please come on along.  It’ll be some fun :-).In the meantime, it got me to thinking about our little writing and reading community.  As much as I love to write books, I love to read books, too.  That has always been a constant in my life, as well as in my two reality girls, Andrea and Heather.  And, as with all voracious readers I know, they love to read many books and by an assortment of authors.  Sometimes they stick to certain genres, sometimes they flirt with them all, but one thing is for certain, readers like to share their book and story finds with other kindred spirits. As writers, we need to think of that, too.  There are so many good stories out there and so many talented people who write them.  I try to help promote fellow authors who write what I like to friends and readers who I think will appreciate them.  Reading and writing books are not competitive sports, or at least I don’t think they should be, and get a little uncomfortable when I see it done by others, which occasionally happens unfortunately.  We all like to be at the top of the heap at one time or another (I’ve certainly enjoyed it) and cheer for others when they are there.   A healthy sense of pride for acknowledgement of your hard work and accomplishments of reaching people who like your work is wonderful, natural and should be encouraged.  But it’s also great when you realize that you can share your audience and think like a reader.  Remember that people who love to read tend not to read just one book or one author.  Reading is contagious in a good way.  Share your love of other authors and their works with your world.  As an author, be secure enough to encourage your fans to enjoy tales from other authors.  If you are doing your writing for the love of it, don’t forget that, or let insecurity cloud your good hearts.  There’s room for everyone to get along swimmingly and enjoy some good books! Toodles, Barbara Jean