Monday, November 28, 2022

Back to Conferences: A Red Round Up!

JENN McKINLAY: It’s time for conference round up! Okay, yes, I just made that up. Still, I just registered for Left Coast Crime - it’s in Tucson, AZ next year - and Bouchercon, which is in San Diego! These will be my first conferences since I got sent home from Left Coast Crime in March of 2020 when the state of California was about to enter lockdown. That was one surreal couple of days, let me tell you. I am still on the fence about attending Malice Domestic as Bethesda is super tricky to get to from Phoenix, so we’ll see. So, chime in Reds, what conferences are you planning on attending next year if any? 



LUCY BURDETTE: Oh fingers crossed this all works as we hope it does! I too am registered for Bouchercon in San Diego–with any luck we’ll have a big Jungle Reds contingent and a game show! (I think my last ones were in Dallas, St Petersburg, and Toronto–all fantastic!) But I know I’ll also be headed to Crimebake, both because I miss my New England pals, and DEBORAH CROMBIE will be the guest of honor. Hooray! 



HALLIE EPHRON: I went to my first ‘live’ conference a few weeks ago in Vancouver - the fabulous Surrey International Writers Conference - and lived to tell about it! It was so lovely to give a talk and tell from the audience reaction whether I was connecting. And hang out in the bar. And catch up with so many old friends. Sigh. Heaven. Not to mention hear the writing of some superbly talented as-yet-unpublished writers. And a few weeks ago I was at The New England Crime Bake where I got to actually hug Hank. Of COURSE I *plan* to go to Boucheron in San Diego – fingers crossed that we’ll all be there and gaming it! – and cheer on our own Deborah Crombie. 


RHYS BOWEN: this year I attended Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic and the Edgars. No masks. Holding my breath all the time. But now, having had Covid, I’ll be more relaxed next year 
(unless the variant from hell emerges). I’ll be going to Left Coast in Tucson Malice and Bouchercon. Taking daughter Clare with me to introduce her further to the community I love my peeps! 


HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Well, of COURSE I’m going to Malice–I’m the Guest of Honor. Whoo hoo and I am already nervous. And Ann Cleeves is international GOH, and I am SUCH a fan! Jenn, fly to DC! I always do. And Rhys, we will all swoop Clare up and make her an auxiliary Red! Bouchercon, yes, how can I resist. Another Reds-o-rama. :-) ! 
And CrimeBake with queen Debs will be wonderful. (I was GOH for its first mid-post--Covid event. I was floating with the honor…who’d have EVER thought? It was so amazing to see everyone, and so fraught and fabulous at the same time.) In this crazy-wonderful year, I was GOH at Killer Nashville, too. It was incredible, I have to say. SO welcoming! And I’d adore to go back. I have never been to Left Coast Crime, hmmm. I HAVE to write!!


DEBORAH CROMBIE: I haven't been to a conference since Bouchercon in Dallas in 2019, so 2023 is going to be very exciting. In March, I'm GOH for Murderous March, the virtual conference organized by the Upper Hudson Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Then in June, I'm GOH (along with the fabulous Rachel Howzell Hall) at the California Crime Writers conference in LA. I am registering for Bouchercon in San Diego as well (tackle that to-do list!) And then the icing on the cake, I'll be GOH at Crime Bake in November in Boston. It will be my first Crime Bake and I'm so excited! I hope we'll have a great REDs contingent there. I would dearly love to go to Malice (it's been much too long) but as Hank says, I have to write...

 
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I'll be tagging along and applauding my friends at Malice, Bouchercon and Crime Bake next year. It's always fun when B'con is in a city I like visiting, and I plan to take full advantage of being in San Diego! 
 
I'll also be at the Maine Crime Wave in Portland next June and the Novelists, Inc. conference in St. Petersburg in September. That last is entirely for published authors, and I found the first one I attended, this past fall, to be so full of useful information, I definitely want to go back. Thrillerfest 2023? Maybe? I love the excuse to go the New York City, and I'd really like to teach a masterclass there one year, so that's a strong impetus to go.

What about you, Readers? What conferences will you be attending next year? Or are you not ready yet?

 

83 comments:

  1. Who knows? I’m hoping to go to malice domestic in Bethesda. I want to go to bouchercon in San Diego and left coast crime too. I may have to pick one. Unfortunately since 2016 I always get sick 😷 if I stay more than a night in an American hotel. No idea why I get sick in hotels?

    If I go in 2023, it will be very brief with one night stay or maybe two? Nights.

    Wonder if a “green” room, meaning environment would make a difference like in me NOT getting sick?

    And I want to go to Icelandic noir in Iceland.

    Diana

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    1. Diana, if you go to Malice, try getting a room at the EVEN Hotel down the street from the conference hotel. It's on a bus line (very short trip, just a couple blocks, but not a walking-conducive area), and the hotel itself is set up for healthy living. Cork floors in the rooms, and every room has a mini-gym. I've stayed there three times, and it's less convenient, but quiet and comfortable.

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    2. I had no idea there was an Iceland noir conference. Hmmmm. This might be a MUST do :)

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    3. Jenn, my friend Karin Salvalaggio has been to Iceland Noir a couple of times and says it's great!

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  2. Time will tell about this . . . I'm glad to see everything getting back to some sort of normal after all the Covid mess . . . .

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    2. Yes. It's weirdly exhilarating to be among people again probably because a writer's life is such a solitary one.

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  3. I will be attending Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon simply because I'm Fan Guest of Honor. Yippee. I will also be at Malice and crossing fingers if I have enough work time off, Crime Bake. Will be exciting to see all the Jungle Red Writers in 2023.

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    1. Yippee, indeed, DRU. Looking forward to giving you a big GOH hug at both LCC and Bouchercon!

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    2. You're definitely making me lean toward Malice and I haven't been to Crime Bake since 2010 - maybe it's time.

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    3. Jenn, come to Crime Bake! And Dru, congrats on the Fan GOHs!! So looking forward to seeing you at Bouchercon and hopefully Crime Bake!

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  4. I'm registered for LCC but am not sure I'm going, after being in Puerto Rico for nearly half of February. Definitely Malice and Bouchercon and Crime Bake! (Yikes, the comment area is whacko this morning - I'm typing into a black box! Can't wait to see everyone in person, esp those I haven't seen yet.

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  5. I just registered for my First Bouchercon! I’ve always wanted to go to a book conference and this will be my first one.

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    1. It's huge Sheri, but you will have a blast with all the books and book people!

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    2. San Diego will be an excellent starter Bouchercon!

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  6. This is great news! I hoped at get to meet at least one or two of you Reds and Readers at the conferences I'm attending, and now it sounds like I'll get to meet LOTS of you. Yes, in 2023 I'm attending Malic Domestic in Bethesda and Bouchercon in San Diego, and this will be my first time at any writing-related conference of any kind, so I'm excited and a bit apprehensive. For Malice I'll already be on the East Coast, since SONS AND BROTHERS, my second Linder and Donatelli book, is launching in NYC at the end of April, but the Bouchercon will be a very long trip from Switzerland to the West Coast for just one conference. This is neither practical nor environmentally friendly. But I want to see what Bouchercon like. BTW, other attenders, I don't have a hotel in either Bethesda or San Diego yet. Any advice?

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    1. Kim, it's always the most fun to stay at the conference hotel, since you can more easily hang out with other conference-goers. The bar, in particular, always seems to be hopping. However, see my response to Diana above about the EVEN Hotel in Bethesda. It's an alternative.

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    2. KIM: I agree with Karen that it's best to stay at the convention hotel, esp. since it's your first time. Me, I chose a cheaper place near Little Italy since I am staying for 10 nights. I can walk to the farmers market and restaurants in less than 5 minutes. I will take the trolley down to the Gaslamp District when Bouchercon is happening.

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    3. Congratulations on your upcoming release and your travels. We look forward to meeting you as well!

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    4. Kim, so looking forward to meeting you at Bouchercon! And definitely the conference hotel!

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  7. I am registered for both Tucson LCC and San Diego Bouchercon. Looking forward to seeing many Reds and several JRW readers in person!

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  8. Well, I'm going to hope and try for New England Crime Bake but beyond that, I'll just be reading recaps from everyone else's trips to various conventions.

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    1. Another reason for me to go to Crime Bake!

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    2. Jenn, while the possibility of me being there isn't a good enough reason for anyone to go to Crime Bake, it would be great if you did go. Because with Deb being the GOH and you, that would give me the complete "I Met" set for everyone currently writing for JRW.

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  9. Did I mention one of the great pleasures of going to a conference is getting to actual see the people who show up and hang out with us on the blog. They become names with FACES!

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    1. It is delightful. We should have a party if we all end up in San Diego or Boston :)

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  10. I've attended Killer Nashville for the past two years and may go in 2023.

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  11. So tempted to go to both LCC--I've never been--and to Malice this year. It's been several years since I went to Bethesda, since my daughter moved away. I used to combine purposes with a visit to her.

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  12. You are such a tease Jenn !
    I didn’t travel since Bouchercon 2019 in Dallas. Now, I’m yearning for Bouchercon San Diego to meet you all and because San Diego seems a fantastic place to visit.
    Danielle

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  13. I am registered for Bouchercon in San Diego - the flight from Pittsburgh to the West Coast is not convenient, but who knows when I'll get an opportunity to see the Pacific (for the first time) again?

    Also going to Malice. And Pennwriters since it's right here in Pittsburgh next year. Other than that, we'll see what the budget allows for.

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    1. San Diego is one of my fave cities :) Totally worth it!

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  14. Not quite ready yet. It's tricky to get any place from the Crown of Maine except by car! I'll be attending vicariously with the Reds - take good notes, please :)

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    1. Kait, come down to Maine Crime, Julia and I will be there - Celia

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    2. Sometimes the trek is just too daunting!

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    3. I hear you, Kait - Youngest attended the Maine School for Science and Mathematics in Limestone, and it took as long to reach there from our home in Southern Maine as it does to drive to New York City!

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    4. Hi, Julia, not this year, I don't think. Maybe next year though! I'd love to meet you and Julia in person. Julia, yes and we're an hour and a half from Limestone, but I wouldn't trade this glorious country for anything!

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  15. This is exciting, thanks Jenn, now all I need is the dates for Crime Bake as I think I must finally get to a mystery com. Yup, true confessions here, I didn’t even know about them until I met Julia. What have I been doing all my life? I can’t travel far right now but local is fine so I’ll try out Maine Crime too. Driving distance works. And to meet you all, I can’t wait - Celia

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    1. How lovely, Celia. It would be wonderful to meet you.

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    2. Celia, Crime Bake usually happens on Veteran's Day weekend, in Dedham Mass - an easy drive from Sudbury! Registration will open in the summer - that gives you plenty of time to plan.

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    3. Celia, it would be wonderful to meet you at Crime Bake!

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    4. Yes yes yes! You must come! Xxx

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  16. Having cancelled my registration at the past three (LCC and Bouchercon) conventions, I am registered for Bouchercon 2023 in San Diego (I live in Northern CA) and am crossing my fingers that all goes well. I've never been to Bouchercon so I am really looking forward to it!

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    1. Me, too! I feel as if it might finally be fun again.

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  17. I'm registered for Malice and Bouchercon. Went to Malice this year but cancelled out of Bouchercon because it was the same weekend as Ottawa ComicCon (no hotel or airfare is going to win pretty much every time). Hoping to go to New York before Malice and Los Angeles before Bouchercon but need a travel buddy.

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  18. I went to Bouchercon this year in Minneapolis and loved every minute--and got Covid, but it was mild. Next year I'm reveling in conferences, because they are on my side of the nation. I'll be at Tucson Festival of Books, then Left Coast Crime, then California Crime Writers (right here in my new hometown of LA), and will be going to Bouchercon in San Diego--driving instead of flying. I'm already thinking "wardrobe" and "diet." How come those always go along with the fun?

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    1. Terry, when I booked to do the Ninc conference in St. Pete's in September, wardrobe and diet were the first things I thought of as well!

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    2. TERRY: I also enjoyed the Minneapolis Bouchercon a lot. I stayed unmasked and was luckier than you.

      Too bad the Tucson Festival of Books and LCC are not closer together in dates. I would love to attend this festival one day.

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    3. Terry, cannot wait to hang out at California Crime Writers!!! Hugs!!

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    4. Woo hoo! Can't wait to see you, Terry!

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  19. I've been seriously thinking about Bouchercon since I can drive to San Diego. It's a long drive but it will be worth it. Especially since I can stop at other places along the way. I loved my first conference when I went to Dallas a couple of years ago.

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  20. As a reader, I am both intrigued and intimidated about attending a writer’s conference. This year’s Bouchercon was very near me, but frankly Minneapolis is not a place I like to go. Our 2023 travel budget is tied to an 18 day tour in Italy which was originally scheduled for March/April 2020, but I look forward to hearing more about the various conferences as I contemplate attendance. If I can tie the trip in with a vintage base ball event, even better.

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    1. Brenda, you should give it a try. It's very easy to strike up conversations - most of these are reader/fan conferences, so there are plenty of folks who have the same interests you do. And in my experience, people are very open and happy to meet newcomers.

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    2. Brenda: I've attended only one conference -- Bouchercon in Toronto -- and, as a reader, discovered it was easy to chat with anyone by using this opening line: "Are you a reader or a writer?" The conversation went naturally from there...I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

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    3. Ooh, you had me at 18 days in Italy. *sigh*

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  21. I would love to attend a conference, but it just isn’t in the budget. I’m relying on all of you who go to any of the conferences to tell us about your experiences!

    DebRo

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  22. Conferences are such fun, but I'm not sure my budget will stretch to anywhere next year. I look forward to participating vicariously through all of you :)

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    1. It does get pricey, Amanda. The smaller ones might be worth it if you can find one in your area and not have to sleep at the hotel. I was thinking of doing that for the Tucson LCC but I don't want to drive. Hmm.

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  23. Crime Bake looks like a natural for next year. I just drove home from Boston ( actually Salem) this morning and it was NBD. I would love to attend any one of the other events but haven't explored the possibilities nor the expenses yet.

    I used to attend conferences all of the time, but knew I'd be with long time friends. I'll confess, it is a bit intimidating.

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    1. Agreed! If you are naturally outgoing you will have a great time, in Dallas I observed several Jungle Red commentators were ignored..Perhaps not unexpected given the author’s schedules. They seemed to only notice and talk to those who already had relationships with them, I had a great time, but I’m not afraid to make myself known.

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    2. This year was the first time I went to Malice on my own. Granted, I know a lot of people who go but it was fine. I only ate by myself once. People would join me or invite me to join them.

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    3. This is why we need to have Jungle Red party. Conferences are so hectic - we'll create our own safe space :)

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  24. I'm hoping to pop down to Bouchercon for Saturday. Sadly, with my work schedule, getting away for the entire conference is out of the question. But San Diego is just down the road. Totally doable, right? (Never mind the traffic involved....)

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    1. Spoken like a true Californian. "You need to take the 8 to the 5 but you don't want to do it at rush hour..." LOL.

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  25. I don't see any 2023 conferences in my future. Things are still too up in the air with a house for sale and half of our unit here in Virginia and the other half in Texas. I would like to visit Malice some year since it is driveable from here.

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    1. Oh, that is in limob. Hugs. Moving is such a pain.

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  26. I am very excited to attend Bouchercon in my town ! (Thanks to the scheduling gods for making my first ever mystery readers/writers convention easy to attend!) I am so looking forward to seeing many of the Reds in person - both writers and other readers.
    Pat S.

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  27. It sure was fun and inspiring, both, to be at B'con this year, out in the world and amongst my tribe. I'd love to go to San Diego but I won't have a new book out and can't really justify it. But Malice is an easy train ride for me, I get to visit dear friends in Baltimore, and that? I can justify that! I really hope to go to CrimeBake though. I have never been and it sounds hugely, practically useful for someone who might have a new book eventually. Plus fun of course!

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    1. I like how you're working through it, Triss. You've got this!

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  28. I'm so excited about next year's Bouchercon in San Diego. I'm registered and have my room. It is going to be such a great reunion with so many authors and other readers whom I haven't seen since Bouchercon 2018 in St. Pete. That one was so special, celebrating Elly Griffiths' ten year anniversary of the Ruth Galloway series with a dinner, meeting and spending time and a dinner with Martin Edwards, meeting my pal and British author Lesley Thomson, taking pictures of the Jungle Red Writers after they won the Anthony for Best Online Content, and so much more. I fully expect San Diego to be the same kind of Bouchercon. I know so many authors and readers who haven't attended, like me, for several years will be out in force next year. I think Bouchercon 2023 should be a week long, with all the catching up we have to do. Like you, Julia, I'm planning on doing some sightseeing while there, before or after or both. If you need someone on an adventure, give me a call.

    Other conventions next year, I'm not sure about yet. I had intended to do Left Coast Crime in Tucson because that's where one of my best and longest (since childhood neighbors) friends lives, but, alas, he and his husband are spending January through March in New Orleans next year, so I probably won't go now. But, I have been to Tucson, and it is an interesting place to visit. I would love to finally go to a Malice, and that one is still on the table. However, the one that is at the top of a second conference to attend list is Crime Bake. With Debs being GOH, it would be the perfect time to attend my first one. And, I would love to spend some time in Boston. It's hard to believe, but I have never been to Boston, and for a history-loving traveler like me, that's unacceptable.

    So, I know that Bouchercon in San Diego is a go, but the others are up in the air. Next year is supposed to be the year I finally go on my England trip, but travel buddies are not looking promising at this point for next year. I've been invited to go on a Christmas Seine River Cruise, with me paying my expenses, but I haven't decided because of still wanting the England trip to happen. Oh, it's so lovely to be thinking about travel again.

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    1. It is, isn't it? I do love traveling so. I hope your England trip works out, Kathy. There's something about being in a foreign country that just makes grow in ways you can't conceive until you're there :)

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  29. Oh, I missed this entire day! So silly! And love, love, love reading all of these. And cannot wait to see you all! Has anyone gone to Writers police academy?

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