Ro: Next month I’ll be going to my first Deadly Ink conference, June 27-28 in Parsippany, NJ. This year the guest of honor will be Lincoln Child, award-winning author of Utopia, and Death Match, and co-author with Douglas Preston of Relic, Reliquary, Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life with Crows and many others.
Toastmaster is the suave, debonair and incredibly funny Jeff Cohen, author of It Happened One Knife, Some Like It Hot Buttered and A Night at the Operation. I’ll be joining panelists Jack Getze, Cheryl Solimini, Robin Hathaway, Ilene Schneider, Dennis Tafoya, Liz Zelvin, Renee Gardner, Elena Santangelo, Maggie Barbieri, Jane Cleland, Sandra Cody, Evelyn David, Rosemary Goodwin, Chris Grabenstein, Ken Isaacson, Jeff Markowitz, and others in Parsippany NJ.
We had a chance to ask Deadly Ink diva Debby Buchanan a few questions about the conference.
JR: Running a mystery event is a ton of work and not for the faint of heart. So why do you do it? And why in New Jersey?
DB: Chris Abbott (my daughter) and I took over Deadly Ink after Pattie Biringer, DI's founder, announced at DI 2005 that she was no longer going to run the conference. We had enjoyed DI so much over the years, we couldn't just let it end, so we bought the name, logo and mailing list from Patti and forged ahead. We've kept it in NJ because there are so many talented authors in the NY/NJ/CT/PA area.
JR: Who is Deadly Ink for?
DB: Mystery writers and fans. There are panels geared to the craft of writing a mystery and panels chosen with fans in mind.
JR: How can a new writer get the most out of Deadly Ink?
DB: Volunteer to be on a panel, attend how-to panels, get to know the other authors. Deadly Ink is a small conference, usually 100 or so attendees. There is plenty of opportunity to network with other writers and fans.
JR: We know you'll be making great memories this June, but what's your favorite memory from Deadly Ink so far?
DB: It's hard to pick just one. In 2006, an extremely talented 12 year old author entered our annual contest. I was amazed at the depth and maturity of his writing. That same year, we presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Robin Hathaway and I loved how surprised she was. In 2007, I was truly touched by the kindness and support of the authors, after a particularly difficult year for my family. And one more memory from Patti's reign...Chris, my granddaughter Amanda and I attended DI the year Lisa Scottoline was the Guest of Honor. We wore matching Deadly Ink t-shirts and were quite a sight! Lisa Scottoline took the time to write something special to Amanda, who at that time aspired to be the next J. K. Rowling.
JR: Who is Deadly Ink for?
DB: Mystery writers and fans. There are panels geared to the craft of writing a mystery and panels chosen with fans in mind.
JR: How can a new writer get the most out of Deadly Ink?
DB: Volunteer to be on a panel, attend how-to panels, get to know the other authors. Deadly Ink is a small conference, usually 100 or so attendees. There is plenty of opportunity to network with other writers and fans.
JR: We know you'll be making great memories this June, but what's your favorite memory from Deadly Ink so far?
DB: It's hard to pick just one. In 2006, an extremely talented 12 year old author entered our annual contest. I was amazed at the depth and maturity of his writing. That same year, we presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Robin Hathaway and I loved how surprised she was. In 2007, I was truly touched by the kindness and support of the authors, after a particularly difficult year for my family. And one more memory from Patti's reign...Chris, my granddaughter Amanda and I attended DI the year Lisa Scottoline was the Guest of Honor. We wore matching Deadly Ink t-shirts and were quite a sight! Lisa Scottoline took the time to write something special to Amanda, who at that time aspired to be the next J. K. Rowling.
RO: I know I’m looking forward to the show – I’ll go anywhere Jeff, Jack and Chris go..those guys are hysterical! For more info, please visit http://www.deadlyink.com/ or email info@deadlyink.com or just ask Debby right here..
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ReplyDeleteHey Debby--SO bummed to miss it! I have a day-job obligation and there's no way...
ReplyDeleteNext year for sure, okay? And I can't wait to see all the photos and hear the stories. What a great group you have! (How are you going to keep them all in line?)
May 19, 2009
Suave? Debonair? Ro, you're just buttering me up because I have to pretend to be you at an MWA panel tonight!
ReplyDeleteIt will be my first Deadly Ink conference, and I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThis is one I can ride my motorcycle to!
Hey Ken, can I borrow one of Sylvia's helmets and get a ride?
ReplyDeleteJeff, you will make a wonderful me. My hair's a little longer but other than that....
If I remember properly, Ken (and that's a big "if" these days), you did show up to one with your bicycle once, but that was just to show off how fit you are.
ReplyDelete