This month marks the two-year anniversary since I started this blog, back in 2005.  In two years, I’ve written 139 posts, which works out to an average of an entry every five days.   With all the weeks I’ve spent on the road, I think that’s pretty good.  When I began the blog, I wasn’t really sure what I’d write about.  As it turned out, I’ve never been at a loss for topics — my only problem has been finding the time to do it.  I also wasn’t quite clear about why I should blog.  Since then, I’ve realized that this blog isn’t about self-promotion.  It’s not about selling more books or getting my name out there or making people like me.

It’s about catharsis.

Like most writers, I lead a pretty isolated life for most of the year.  There are times when I get riled up about the business, or I learn some interesting publishing gossip, or I get asked a question about the writing process.  And I want to talk to someone about it.  Or I want to rant.  Or I want to dish.

So I talk to you.  And I thank you all for listening. I don’t know if this sells any books, but it does make me feel better.  You are all, collectively, my therapists.

Now I’m giving you all a little vacation from playing psychiatrist.   I have to leave for London and will be traveling for the next two weeks.  First I have a book tour in the UK, promoting The Mephisto Club.  (My UK readers can find my booksigning schedule on my “Author events” link.)  Then I’ll be off to Florida for Bookmania on Hutchinson Island.  I’ll blog all about it when I get back.

In the meantime, you might want to check out this cool contest from the International Thriller Writers:

“It’s a thriller lover’s dream - the chance to win autographed copies of 150 novels by some of the biggest and best thriller authors in the business. That’s right, 150 thrillers, signed by the authors.

Imagine receiving signed books by Joseph Finder, Tess Gerritsen, John Lescroart, Gayle Lynds, and David Baldacci for free. Then multiply that by thirty, because they represent only five of the 150 books you will receive if you’re the winner in the International Thriller Writer’s “150 Thrillers” contest.

The best part? Just by entering you’ll begin receiving the free ITW newsletter, a monthly email newsletter that contains loads of information about upcoming thriller novels, thriller authors and thriller news.

Once you’ve subscribed, you’re entered. The winner will be picked randomly from all entrants, and will receive 150 books from some of the top thriller novelists writing today. Three runner-up entrants will each receive a copy of the 2006 Thriller Anthology, edited by James Patterson. But really, everyone who signs up to receive the ITW newsletter is a winner.”