Bouchercon '15 and Reds in Raleigh

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: The other night I was watching a television show, and a woman was packing for a trip. Or, rather, her maid was doing the packing, carefully laying the woman's garments in lavender-scented tissue paper, before placing them in the (gorgeous) luggage.

That, ahem, is not how my suitcase gets packed.

Raleigh, NC

As Bouchercon 2015 in Raleigh, NC, approaches (yay!), I'm starting to think of packing. And after a few years of author travel, I think I have a better idea of what's needed. For example, for my first Bouchercon, I wore really pretty shoes. Did I mention they were pretty? Soooo pretty. And painful. Seriously painful. I actually lost a toenail from my insistence on pretty shoes in Albany.

So, lesson learned — comfy shoes. (Hank can get away with high heels, I'm still not sure how she does this, but witchery and sacrifices to Anna Wintour come to mind...)

I'm tired of figuring out what to pack, clothes-wise. So I've decided to embrace my New Yorker identity and wear only (well, mostly) black. It's great. Everything matches! 

And this year — workout clothes. Yes, after four rounds of pneumonia, I'm taking my health seriously. So yoga pants and sneakers, for sure.

I'll also be multitasking — just got the edits of Maggie Hope, #6, THE QUEEN'S CONSPIRATOR, and they're due in early November. So I'm bringing the laptop and notes. Maybe I can get some work done in the early morning? We'll see....

Reds, what have you learned to pack — or not to pack — after years on the road? And who will be at Bouchercon this year? What panels will you be on? Where can folks find you to say hi?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Oh, the tyranny of the shoes!  Yes, how did you know about the sacrificial offerings (burning  issues of Harpers and other competitors of Anna) ?

Anyway, yes, actually I am so used to heels after all these years that I can get away with it longer than usual..but I have to admit I always carry little fold-up flats with me, so if I have to walk long distances, I just change shoes.

(I keep saying to myself: NO ONE CARES.)

I use tissue paper to pack and I really believe in it. I pack my carry-on suitcase, and what I can fit in there goes, and what doesn't, doesn't.  

Yes, Susan, we will be twins in black. And I am also planning to hide a bit, I must say, I have SO much to do. And I am thinking that everyone will think (if they care!) that I am somewhere else.  

My panels are amazing! I am moderating Koryta, Housewright, Gaylin and Lawrence Block on Saturday AM, and then at the librarians tea, I am moderating  Slaughter, John Hart, Maron and Reichs. SO I have a LOT of prep work to do!

And TRUTH BE TOLD is up for an Anthony!

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: Congratulations on your nomination, Hank! We're all rooting for you!

LUCY BURDETTE: Oh boo-hoo, I'm not headed to Bouchercon this time. I will miss schmoozing with the Reds and many other friends. I don't wear high heels anymore either. Can't do it with my chronic plantar fasciitis. And I am big on black mix and match too, though not tissue paper LOL. Totally agree Hank, if it doesn't fit into the carry-on and my small backpack, it doesn't go. Good luck ladies and have a wonderful time!

RHYS BOWEN: I've become quite good at packing, after years of bringing the wrong things... like going to New York wearing pastels and feeling like a creature from another planet. But I don't wear black unless I really have to (editor and marketing meeting in NY) because with my Celtic skintone I look like a zombie in black. And high heels? Never. Can't do it. Am amazed and totally impressed by Hank and her four inch heels. The most I manage is a neat little two inch wedge on comfortable sandals. Or boots. I have boots with a nifty little heel but I figure Raleigh is too warm for boots. 

I do know how to pack really lightly with just a carry on and one basic color and scarves and jewelry to change up the look. However this time I am travelling with my dear husband who always takes enough to accompany Marco Polo. And he never wears half of it. So I'll be fuming by the luggage carousel waiting for his suitcase.

My panels? Not so much. A strange one on protagonists and antagonists... what do I know about antagonists? And one of cozy mysteries being comfort reads. I really miss my Jungle Red game show! Next year in New Orleans or Malice???

DEBORAH CROMBIE: No heels here, either, but I've found some great flats from Clark's and I swear I'm going to buy them in all four color options! And, yes, I'm going to Raleigh! But not packed. I always have such good intentions... Although I have made a list of all my activities to help me figure out what to take. We'll see how well that works... Hank, tissue paper, really? I just roll stuff, and try not to pack things that wrinkle.

Really looking forward to see those REDS who can make it, but the schedule is bonkers. We need some kind of a plan. And, Rhys, yes, miss our JRW game show panel!

HALLIE EPHRON: I am so sorry to be missing Bouchercon, too. Cheering from the sidelines!

I'm just back from a weekend giving a writing workshop for the Heart of Denver Romance Writers (waving!) and it took me 30 seconds to unpack, as I've learned to bring less and less... 1 pair of walking shoes and 1 pair of presenting shoes (flat), black dress, black skirt, yoga pants and a t-shirt, and something to travel in (pants and a top). And that's it. The underwear takes up more room than the clothes. I keep travel cosmetics packed.

I just applied to TSA for pre-check, which will speed my travel even further.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I have the same standards lots of you do - two pairs of shoes, one flat and comfy, one low-heeled and comfy (ish.) I layer and roll my clothes in the rollerboard and I never check (unless it's at the gate.) Like Rhys, I'm a big believer in accessories (scarves and high-impact necklaces) to dress up simple outfits. 

I don't usually do all-black; also of Anglo-celtic descent, too much around my face makes me look like I've been improperly embalmed. Instead, my clothing secret it to take two or three colors that mix and match: Brown, beige and red, say, or Black, white and gray.
  
Another thing I've been doing for the past few years is Rent The Runway! I love this service for events where I have a big dress-up night: the Edgars, the Agatha Awards, a high-value cocktail party. They have designer dresses in every size from 0 to 22, and jewelry and clutches and wraps. You get two sizes of the dress you want with your rental (the back-up size is free) and shipping both ways is included.

I have the dress (and maybe fancy earrings or a necklace) delivered straight to my hotel. I wear it, I get compliments, then I stuff it into the included UPS bag and drop it at the desk to be mailed on my way out the door. Such a stress-free way to look fabulous. No tissue paper needed!

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: Lovely readers, do you pack with tissue-paper or are you more of a throw-stuff-in-the-bag-at-the-last-minute traveler? And will we see you at Bouchercon? I'll be on the panel Political Espionage Thrillers: Pre- and Post-Edward Snowden on Thursday, October 8th, at 2:30 p.m. and would love to see you there!

Please tell us your thoughts in the comments!