Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Three!

As I mentioned last week, my new release HOUNDS ABOUND, the third Pet Rescue Mystery from Berkley Prime Crime, became officially available yesterday.

And as I additionally mentioned, HOUNDS ABOUND is also a milestone for me. It’s my 30th published novel!

I’ve always liked the numeral 3, and now it has two related connotations for this story--book 3 in this series is my 30th published novel. Or maybe I’m stretching things a bit.

Even so, I recalled from my journalistic days that I was taught to end a story by adding -30- at the bottom. I never knew exactly why, so I just looked it up. The most common explanation seems to be that the use originated around the time of the Civil War when the telegraph was being used a lot, and telegraphers would end a transmission with XXX to show they were through. XXX is the Roman numeral for--you got it!--30.

Of course in my case I don’t want 30 to signify the end. Fortunately, I do have some other books in the works, including my first Harlequin Romantic Suspense, UNDERCOVER SOLDIER, which will be a July 2012 release. There will also be at least two more Pet Rescue Mysteries, as well as at least one more in my Alpha Force miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne about a covert military force of shapeshifters.

In addition, I’ve always heard that the number 13, which also contains a 3, is supposed to be unlucky, but I’ve decided it’s the opposite for me. Why? I don’t know, but I like it!

Do you have any numbers, or any other oddities, that have any significance for you? If so, why?

11 comments:

Janike Emaus said...

I'm particularly fond of the number 4. Don't ask me!
Congrats on #30.

Anonymous said...

You also were number three on the waitlist for Malice Go Round at the upcoming Malice Domestic convention, and that's worked out well for you.

Monica Ferris said...

I've always been a little bit superstitious, though I try to fight it. So I'm not fond of the number 13. On the other hand, when I was looking for bargain flights to Florida last month, I discovered the best prices were for people willing to fly on the 13th - so I did! And suffered no complications whatsoever.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I am asking, Janie, because I'm curious. I'd love to hear why the number 4 is meaningful to you.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Hey, Anonymous, that's great! Another thing to add to the meaning of 3 to me.

Linda O. Johnston said...

That seems to be what the number 13 is to me, Monica--kind of the opposite of what it feels like to other people.

Betty Hechtman said...

I'd forgotten about the -30- thing I used to type at the end of my college news stories. Interesting where it came from.

My favorite number is 23 and I have no idea why.

Congrats on number 30!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Thanks, Betty. I'm curious about where your affinity for 23 came from--something hidden in your past? Okay, my imagination has been jogged!

Camille Minichino said...

I was born on the 3rd, so I like it, too!

But what I really want to say is CONGRATULATIONS, Linda! 30 books! I hope you celebrate in a grand way.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Ah, another reason to like the number 3, Camille. And thanks for the congrats! I plan to celebrate all month.

Ellen said...

My favorite numbers are primes, and the powers of two. I've been exposed to enough math and computers to realize how useful they are.