The Salon

Years ago, I hit a very rough period. I'll spare you the details--after all, every writer has been there at one time or another, right? In those days, I used to fantasize about what I would do when I got through that rough patch. I pictured a beautiful hacienda overlooking a bluff in Mexico. And in my fantasy hacienda, I was going to have editors and agents and other writers and musicians and artists and ongoing seminars. It was going to be the most dynamic literary salon of any century.

As it happened, fortune smiled and I got over the hump, but Casa Mysterioso was still a gleam in my eye until a year and a half ago, when I got online. The reason I got online was that I knew I needed to establish a Website.

So I did some research and came offline appalled. Being Southern, I wasn't quite up to the orgy of self-congratulation that seemed to be required. I went ranting to my husband about the jungle out there.

Distinguished authors in sexy poses! T-shirts for sale! Trivia quizzes on one's own work! Genealogies of imaginary people! Recipes! Cute pet pictures! Mugs with your jacket cover on them! Yikes!

"I won't do it," I pouted. "I wasn't raised that way. Isn't there something worthwhile you can do with a Website?" My husband doesn't do rhetorical questions. He cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Why don't you start Casa Mysterioso online?"

Now there was an idea! And here it is.

Because Casa Mysterioso was conceived as a salon, the site tries to follow that model. The buttons at the side will lead to you to my books, schedule, bio, etc. The ones at the bottom will take you, if not to the beach in Mexico, at least on tours of New Orleans and into the minds of writers, artists, poets, musicians, and just plain characters.

And now to other services. Because I come from New Orleans and so does Talba, we have Big Easy lore (La. Hot Stuff). For example, links to restaurants and my suggestions for restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and music. We've also got a place for your thoughts on all things New Orleans--your trip, past or planned, for instance. If we can help, we will. If you can help us, we invite you to.

We also have interviews with New Orleans celebs and characters--and yes, we have writers, even other mystery writers. For the first interview, we were lucky enough to get Anne Rice. Others who've shared their thoughts and time with CasaMysterioso include Laura Lippman, local musician/poet Andy Forest, Jeffrey Deaver, and many, many more. If you'd like to do an interview, send us a query; we pay $35 for 500 words.

Come in and enjoy yourself. Mi Casa Es Su Casa.

Julie Smith