Louise Penny had wanted to write books since she was a child, but it was only after a successful career as a television journalist that she actually tried her hand at writing a novel.
She found great success. Now mystery fans know her as the creator of the award-winning Chief Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series that began with "Still Life" in 2006. She spoke by phone from Vermont where she is promoting the seventh book in the series, "A Trick of the Light."
Penny, who lives in Canada, said Gamache was written as the kind of man she would want to marry, then realized he's the kind of human being she wants to know and be. She is a lover of mystery series. She wrote her first book with a series in mind, so she wanted a character she wouldn't get bored writing about, maybe for years.
Since she wasn't at all sure that first book would be published, she also "had to hope writing it would be reward enough."
Luckily readers also reap the rewards by spending time with Gamache, a good human being who isn't perfect, but who always acts with honor, even in the most trying circumstances.
The town of Three Pines also is a creation of Penny's imagination. "It's a place where people struggle to be friends, where kindness matters," she said. When she acts as a good and kind person herself, she feels she is in Three Pines. When she's hurtful or angry, she's no longer there.
"It's my conscience — my kindly conscience."
All in all, she said, she has the greatest job in the world. Although traveling can be tiring and tedious, she loves author events and meeting people.
Her book tour will bring her to a book signing at Omaha's Bookworm in Countryside Village, 87th and Pacific Streets, at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Omahan's book tops New York Times list
Omaha native Terry Goodkind's new book, "The Omen Machine," debuts today at No. 1 in the hardcover fiction category of the New York Times best-seller list.
"The Omen Machine" focuses on Richard and Kahlan, two characters from "Confessor," the last book in Goodkind's Sword of Truth fantasy series.
Pulitzer Prize winner's talk is free
The Governor's Lecture in the Humanities with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eric Foner on Oct. 5 is free and open to the public.
Tickets to the benefit dinner before the lecture are $125 individual and $200 patron.
Author will do book signings, readings
The John G. Neihardt Foundation will present "A Sunday Afternoon at the Museum" with Lisa Sandlin, author of "The Famous Thing About Death" and "Message to the Nurse of Dreams" on Sept. 11.
The writer will read excerpts from her newest book, "You Who Make the Sky Bend," at the 2 p.m. event at the Neihardt State Historic Site, 306 W. Elm St. in Bancroft, Neb.
The program is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.neihardtcenter.org.
Fans of author have 2 chances to meet her
Children's author Judy Schachner will give two presentations in Omaha on Tuesday.
Schachner is author of the popular Skippyjon Jones books about the Siamese cat that thinks he is a Chihuahua. The newest title in the series is "Class Action" (Dutton, $17.99).
At 1:30 p.m., she will sign books and talk to her fans at the Bookworm. Then at 7 p.m., Schachner will speak and sign books at the South Omaha Library, 23rd and M Streets.
On the Calendar
Author program: John Johnson, author of "The BOOB (Burned Out Old Broads) Girls at Table 12: Sandhills and Shadows," noon Friday, Millard Library, 13214 Westwood Lane.
Book discussion: "Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen" by Bob Green, 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney. (Pre-register by calling 308-865-8559.)
Book chat: What Are You Reading? noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, the Bookworm.
Book discussion: Amiable Adult Readers Discussing Books Almost Always Read by Kids, "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan, 6 p.m. Thursday, the Bookworm.
Storytelling: Diane Wolkstein, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St. in Lincoln.
Book sale: Friends of the Omaha Public Library, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 11, Swanson Library, 90th Street and West Dodge Road.
Book discussion: Sherlock Holmes Book Club, "The Resident Patient," 10 a.m. Saturday, the Bookworm.
Author program: Joan Klingel Ray," author of "Jane Austen for Dummies," co-sponsored by the Jane Austen Book Club, 2 p.m. Saturday, Millard Library.
Children's book discussion: Golden Sowers Intermediate (4th-6th grade) Book Club, "Magic Thief" by Sarah Prineas, 3 p.m. Saturday, the Bookworm.
Books and Bagels: "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese, 11 a.m. Sept. 11, the Bookworm. (Pre-register by calling the store.)
— Events are open to the public and free.
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