Now that I'm well established into a writing career, I'm cutting down on the number of conferences I attend.
I still enjoy them very much, but other things are increasingly taking preference. Like writing time.
But I will always find time for my favourites, and top of that list is Malice Domestic, held each year at the end of April in Bethesda Maryland.
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| Crooked Lane authors at Malice Domesitc |
I love the community aspect of Malice, from the fans who come every year, often having read my newest book in the meantime, to the many writer friends I have met. This year, the Crooked Lane authors, of which I am proud to be part, met for breakfast. I got to meet some of my fellow CL authors for the first time. Malice is also, for me, a busienss conference. I had lunch with my agent, the wonderful Kim Lionetti, and the Bookends Agency threw a party for us all.
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| Me with Kate Carlisle and Sheila Connely |
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| The CWC contingent. MJ Maffini, Linda WIken, Cathy Ace, Vicki Delany (missing Judy Penz Sheluk) |
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| I hosted a table with Barbara Early |
Bouncing back down the road, we stopped at the marvelous Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore where we were, as always, very warmly received and our panel was well attended. Thanks to Debbie Beamer for being so welcoming and to Dennis Royer for moderating an excellent panel.
What's coming up in the way of conferences etc?
I have the honour of being the Guest of Honor for Deadly Ink, Rockaway New Jersey June 16 - 18. Toastmaster will be none other than Mary Jane Maffini, which means more bouncing down the road.
http://www.deadly-ink.org/
Women Killing It, in Price Edward County Ontario Sept 1, 2. Ironically, although I am one of the sponsors and organizers of the festival, I won’t be there. We had set the date before a family wedding was announced. But it will be great none the less as it's in the very capable hand of Janet Kellough.
https://womenkillingitauthorsfestival.wordpress.com/
Bouchercon, Toronto October. The worlds biggest mystery conference will be in Toronto this year, and I am thrilled to be participating.
http://bouchercon2017.com/
Looks like you had a fun time! The best conferences are the ones that feel more like play than work and where you reconnect with fellow authors from year to year. Then it becomes like a class reunion.
ReplyDeleteGuest of Honor? Congratulations and I hope you really have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteThat is so true Eileen
ReplyDeleteThanks, rick
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being the Guest of Honor at Deadly Ink. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI think conferences are very helpful, but geeze, the expense! You're right about cutting into writing time, though. p.s. congratulations on your Guest of Honor status. You deserve an honor.
ReplyDeleteIf I went to every conference that appeals to me I would never be home. Plus, there's a double demand on my time since I do both historical and mystery writing. This year I'm going to Western Writers of America and Bouchercon. I'm dying to meet all of my Type M buddies.
ReplyDelete