To Salem and Back

I'm home again from a short trip down to Salem, MA. Part mini-vacation, part book promo, it's safe to say that my trip down to Witch City was everything I'd hoped it would be.

I love Salem, not only because every day is Halloween but because everyone is super friendly and very welcoming.

The first day, my family and I spent doing the tourist thing. We shopped...

and I tried fried green tomatoes (which were delicious)! We toured a few places, the cemetery, memorials and some of the museums.

And then on Wednesday I set up a book table at Wicked Book Books where I got a chance to chat with a bunch of cool people throughout the course of an afternoon.

Overall it was a really fun experience. I met a lot of people from all over the place and everyone was super friendly. Some folks took pictures with me, some wanted to chat about writing and life as an author. I met a lovely writer named Bonnie who invited me to join her at the New England Author's Expo and I met another writer named Michael who has a western comedy rolling around in his head.

I had folks ask me some interesting questions as well, like Are you a witch? And, Do you believe in Astrology? For the most part, despite the fact that I was a tourist too, I felt like I really fit in and belonged there. I'm really glad it all came together and I was able to bring my books (and my kids) down there for a bit of fun.

I am regretting not partaking in some of the other entertainment while there. I was right next to a psychic on book promo day but didn't get a chance to sneak over. There are many places to have your fortune read, whether by psychic, tarot, or runes, it seemed to be a pretty common service.

Even the police have witch's on broomsticks as their badge! Everyday is Halloween down in Salem for sure. (One day I hope to get down there in October!)

All in all a great trip and a much needed mental break. I feel very inspired to get back to work and craft some new tales about magic and supernatural creatures.