MALE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SISTERS IN CRIME CHAPTER

Chuck Toubin, author of the new wine theme mystery novel, Guilty As Zin, has been elected 2002 president of the Heart of Texas chapter of Sisters In Crime. This may be the first time a man has been chosen to lead a chapter of the organization, which is devoted to the promotion of women in mystery fiction.

The informative mystery allows readers to learn something new while being entertained. Such novels might be set in ancient Rome or in an antiquarian bookstore or in a ranger's cabin in a remote national park.

Chuck Toubin's first mystery, GUILTY AS ZIN, is such a novel as it takes place in the California wine country. The fastpaced story uses a backdrop of contemporary Napa Valley where some of the world's finest wine grapes are grown. Vineyard techniques, wine lore and history, and specific Napa Valley locations enrich the compelling story. The novel opens a window to the winemaking business.

Former journalist and editor Toubin is an experienced writer and teacher of wine classes. He has been a member of the Society of Wine Educators and chapter president of Les Amis Du Vin.

BOOK MARKETING PLUS SELECTED FOR GUILTY AS ZIN

Respected book wholesaler Book Marketing Plus has been chosen to represent Guilty As Zin. Book Marketing Plus executive, Laura Schneider, supervises distribution at 800-356-2445.

GUILTY AS ZIN LEADS BOOK SALES AT ZINFANDEL FESTIVAL

More copies of Guilty As Zin were sold than any of the other twelve books available at the 11th Annual Zinfandel Festival. The event was held January 26, 2001,at Fort Mason in San Francisco with 240 wineries participating. Wine Appreciation Guild sources reported that no novel had ever achieved such high sales at the Zinfandel festival. An "informative mystery", Guilty As Zin opens a window into the wine industry.

GOURMET MAGAZINE PICKS GUILTY AS ZIN FOR FESTIVAL

Gourmet Magazine purchased prepublication copies of Chuck Toubin's new mystery novel, GUILTY AS ZIN, for The Gourmet Experience Weekend. Gourmet held the event in Napa, California at Copia, The American Center For Wine, Food & the Arts. Worldclass chefs including Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller, Rocco DiSpirito, and Nobu Matsuhisa gave cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Chefs from the Gourmet Test Kitchen also shared their secrets during the weekend. All participants attending The Gourmet Weekend will receive copies of the novel.

Toubin said, "After reading a proof of the novel, Gourmet managers in New York saw a fit between my novel and the event. Guilty As Zin is set in Napa Valley, utilizes the wine business as a backdrop for the plot, and is filled with references to match the flavors of recipes with various wines. Fortunately, they also liked reading the story." 

Publishing Visions is scheduled to publish GUILTY AS ZIN February 1, 2002.