Beginning to lock in dates for the interactive “Rolling Rose” book tour to kick off publication of my first novel in a decade, “Rose In A Storm” the fictional story of a border collie abandoned on a farm during an awful storm. The book is narrated from the point of view of the dog, and I consulted numerous behaviorists to hew closely to how a dog actually thinks and what a dog might do in such circumstances. It was a difficult, fascinating exercise for me, inspired by my life on Bedlam Farm with Rose, who has been here since she was six months old.

I am planning to throw a dog or two into my truck and drive around, stopping at bookstores, blogging, taking photos, posting on Bedlamfarm.com and Facebook. It’s a different kind of book tour, to say the least. It is beginning to firm up. Maria will be helping me with the driving and Izzy will be coming along through the Midwest, where he has a lot more fans than I do.

So far (when final, the tour will be posted on the web site):

October 12, on-sale date: Northshire Books, Manchester, Vt., 7 p.m.

October 13: Washington, D.C. and at 7 p.m, an appearance with author Rita Mae Brown at Border’s Books, Bailey’s Crossroads, Va. That will be exciting.

October 15. Red Fox Books, Glens Falls, N.Y., 7 p.m.

October 16, 2 p.m. (Saturday) The Clifton Park Library, Clifton Park, N.Y.

October 18. Books and Co., Dayton, Ohio, 7 p.m.

October 19, 7 p.m., Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, Ohio.

October 20, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, Ky., 7 p.m.

Other appearances are being planned for Washington, Boston and some other cities. Details to come.