The winner of KILLIN' TIME IN SAN DIEGO is Lenita, in California! Lenita, please send an email to julia spencer fleming (all one word) at Gmail.com and I'll connect you to editor Holy West!
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: How to describe Bouchercon? It's a party that moves from someone's suite to the bar to the restaurant to the publisher's shindig to the hotel lobby. It's a four-day university with the best crime fiction authors in the world telling you whatever you want to know about writing mysteries. It's a massive family reunion, if you actually enjoyed seeing everyone in your family.
At my first B'con, in Austin, I was nervous and shy (I know, it's hard to believe,) and had the great good fortune to meet Steve Hamilton, who sat down with me and gave me SO much information about the world of crime fiction writers.
The next year, in Las Vegas, I swept the awards and barely remember it. What I do recall was the awful hotel/casino (it got demolished a year later!) the bug that bit my butt at the breakfast bar (which will be the title of my children's book, if I ever write one) and getting phone updates on the League Championship final during the Opening ceremonies (Boston vs. Yankees, with Ross and Lee Child parked in front of the overflow bar TV, cheering on their respective teams.)
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| Julia, Edith Maxwell &"Sherry Harris" in Albany |
Lots of my memories are crowded with people, but some are just lovely solitary moments - walking back to my hotel in San Francisco listening to street musicians playing in the warm dark. Looking out the porthole of my room at the Queen Mary at the glittering lights of Long Beach. Starting each morning in St. Petersburg soaking up the sun while swimming laps in the hotel pool.
What about you, Reds? What are some of your memorable Bouchercon moments?
JENN McKINLAY: My favorite Bouchercon was Dallas in 2019 - all the Reds were together. Why can’t I remember the name of this drink? Perhaps I had a few too many.
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| A great many of these were consumed |
Other memorable times were…meeting Sue Grafton for the first time in Long Beach (2014) and chatting for a half hour in a hallway. No one else approached her, which I found shocking! It was also my first Bouchercon - so wow, just wow!
Another fave was Toronto (2017) where I went to the top of the CN tower! I always try to do some touring while at a conference and that tower has a glass floor. So cool!
Another stellar BCon moment was Raleigh (2015) where I was told my series was getting moved into hardcover and I found out I hit #8 on the NYT which made me useless for the entire conference. Seriously, I had to meet with the head buyer for Barnes and Noble over dinner and I was as dumb as a potato. Luckily, he was very understanding and we’re still in touch. I think that’s why conferences are so important. You get to meet people and form friendships that are truly sustaining in an occupation that can be, frankly, rather lonely.
RHYS BOWEN: My first Bouchercon I knew exactly 2 people. I was chatting with one of them but had agreed to have dinner with the other. A man in the group invited me to join them for dinner. I explained I had a dinner commitment. As they walked away my acquaintance hissed, “You just turned down Jeffrey Deaver!”
(I was clueless obviously)
My most memorable was winning two Anthony awards in Toronto only the award was a giant tombstone I could hardly lift. I had to stagger through customs with an incredibly heavy box , trying not to look suspicious
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| Rhys, Louise Penny and Debs in New Orleans |
Other fond memories are all the Jungle Red game shows, good food in New Orleans, walking into Austin with matching purple cowboy hats My least favorites were the horror in Las Vegas and the dystopian Albany site.
JULIA: We really need T-shirts that say, "I Survived the Las Vegas Bouchercon." And Albany... sigh. Well, at least it was close enough to visit family and friends upstate.
HALLIE EPHRON: Oh dear, I do remember Albany. An impossible city for a conference of that size. I felt bad for the folks who worked so hard to organize it.
I vividly remember my first Bouchercon - it was in Denver (in 2000? Egads). I knew *NO ONE*! I remember after eating alone I wandered over to the bar where Lee Child was holding forth, and chickened out on hanging out. Only now do I realize what a welcoming place that conference can be, wherever it’s held.
My all time favorite (after the Jungle Red game panels which have been fabulous) was when I got to interview GoH Elizabeth George. She is so lovely and smart and it was a breeze.
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| GOH Elizabeth George & Hallie |
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Well, so many, and I think I remember the good ones more clearly. Certainly being Guest of Honor in Dallas, that was…well, I am still floating. I still kind of can’t believe it. And I got to interview James Patterson, who was incredible, hilarious, and absolutely brilliant. I adore him, and we have stayed pals. (Did you know he mentioned me and how much he loved that interview in his autobiography? Aww.)
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| What is Patterson saying to Hank? |
Anyway, yes, chatting with Sue Grafton. And the time in maybe Cleveland, where I saw a guy putting out WHIrl360 tote bags, which I knew was for my favorite book at the time, Trust Your Eyes. And I said: “Are you putting out those for Linwood Barclay? I love that book, may I have one?” And turns out, it WAS Linwood Barclay, so that was nice.
And the moment in St. Louis when William Landay told me he was worried that there were so many arcs of Defending Jacob, because he feared no one would buy it because everyone would already have it. I remember I said: Boucheron is NOT everyone.
And when Robert Crais had to cancel at the last minute, and the Bouchercon people, in a real Hollywood moment, asked me if I could fill in for him and interview David Baldacci the next day. Well, of COURSE I could. And did. And it was great.
And winning the ANTHONY four times. PLUS another time winning with the Reds for this very blog! (Where was that, you all?) And every moment with the Reds!
JULIA: St. Petersburg! I missed the awards because I was deep in conversation with Brad Parks and lost track of the time. Go on, Hank, I cut you off. What about your first?
HANK: Oh, my first Bouchercon? In Baltimore. I was MISERABLE, and lonely, and decided to give up on this whole writing thing. Lee Child, who just happened to be there when I was looking pensive, and asked me about it, told me not to. And I always do what Lee Child says.
LUCY BURDETTE: My first Bcon was in Milwaukee– 2000? I knew not a soul and I was petrified! Terrified! If I hadn't wanted to get published so badly, I probably would have flown right home. I am truly not a natural extrovert, so a big conference like that was very challenging. I have so enjoyed the times the Reds are able to all get together, especially to do a game show. My favorite might have been the one that Julia’s Ross filled in. He was hysterical! This is the photo of the Reds winning best website in St. Petersburg. Oh but wait, Dallas was great fun too, and it was an honor to interview our own Debs!
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| Some extremely happy & honored Reds in St. Petersburg |
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Oh, so many Bouchercons, so hard to choose! My first Bouchercon was in Pasadena in 1991! I was so nervous and so overwhelmed. But people were so nice and I made friends I still have to this day. I remember Jonathan Gash (he wrote Lovejoy, if you remember) stopped and spoke to me and I thought, “Wow, a real author just talked to me!"
Dallas was fabulous for so many reasons, but some of the others that stand out in memory: Las Vegas (the worst hotel, ugh); Raleigh (my luggage went to California); Albany (we all know how many times we walked up and down those hills but, still, I had a great time at that one); Toronto (Susan Shea and I discovered a pen shop!); St. Petersburg, where the Reds won Anthony! I am so excited to be making more memories in San Diego.
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| Debs & our own Ann Mason in Toronto |
JULIA: Notice how everyone has a happy memory of Lee Child at Bouchercon? That goes to show what a truly lovely gentleman he is. Now it's your turn, dear readers. Share your memories of B'con or any other literary conference/ festival you've been to. And if you're appearing in San Diego today, tomorrow or Sunday, let us know in the comments!
I've never been, but it does sound like fun . . . .
ReplyDeleteJoan, we have GOT to got you to a conference. Several of them move around, and there are still smaller regional ones - there's bound to be something within striking distance of you.
DeleteLove the photos and the JRW stories of their first Bouchercons.
ReplyDeleteBefore going to my first Bouchercon in Toronto, I remember having a conversation with my local Sisters in Crime authors at a local SinC event, Catriona was a guest speaker that day. I asked her about Bouchercon and she said it is very Big! So I was prepared before I went to Bouchercon in Toronto. I am Not a fan of crowds. However, I still had a wonderful time seeing friends I met at my first Malice Domestic the year before.
Met Louise Penny who seemed to understand my Deaf accent. She was wonderful. She signed her book for a relative's husband who is also a fan of her books. I met Sara Paretsky while getting a coffee. When I met Sara, I also met Nick Petrie and his wife. There are many photos from Bouchercon. Everywhere I went, I met authors, including new authors.
Cannot believe I missed seeing the CN Tower, Jenn! However, I did walk outside and saw the buildings . There was also construction or remodeling of a building nearby.
Look forward to Bouchercon in San Diego,
Diana
You're going to have a great time, Diana!
DeleteI've never been to Bouchercon. The one time it was in Sacramento (before our move to Portugal), Covid led to all the lockdowns, and it was cancelled. It does sound wonderful. So many of my favorite mystery authors are there, it would be great to see and hear them in person. I know everyone is having and will have a great time.
ReplyDeleteOne of the tricks is to pick a conference - Bouchercon, Malice, Left Coast Crime are the biggies - that's set in a place you want to visit for other purposes as well. Ross and the two older kids and I went to the Anchorage Bouchercon in '07 because we figured it would be our only real excuse to see Alaska. We had a wonderful time, at the con and away from it.
DeleteGreat advice! Thanks so much. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
DeleteAs a reader I had never heard of Bouchercon until I started connecting with authors online during the pandemic. Last night I was at the Tin Caps game in Fort Wayne. They are part of the San Diego Padres franchise so I felt connected to this year’s Bouchercon in a small way. I may get to one some day!
ReplyDeleteBouchercon my association! I love it. There have been several B'cons within driving distance of northern Indiana, Brenda - don't worry, they'll be one returning to the area at some point.
DeleteIt sounds both terrifying and divine. Because I started concentrating on mysteries so recently, I am way, way behind in recognition of many authors mentioned here. I even feel funny about joining The Back Room events if I haven't read anything by any of the authors. I know I shouldn't because I have met new-to-me authors in The Back Room.
ReplyDeleteBut I am going to Crimebake. I hope that I don't get too clingy when I meet the Reds there. Other than them, I will know very few people.
As for Albany, there is little to do downtown other than the museum. It's a place where you have to make your own fun.
Judy, Crime Bake is a great start for conferences. Our own Celia Wakefield will be there, and it will be her first as well! It's so easy to start up conversations, and when you see one of us, walk up and say hi!
DeleteJudy, we can definitely hang out together!
DeleteAbsolutely, Karen. I am counting on it!!
DeleteThe very first Bouchercon, as you folks know, was in Santa Monica in 1970. I was in library school and wanted to go. It was not until St. Petersburg that I met my bucket list goal. It was hard because I did not have the proper hearing devices back then. The absolute worse thing was getting a flat tire in Tampa and not being able to attend the Reds session. BUT I SAW Lucy in person. And I saw Sara Paretsky, one of my writing idols. I was there! I might have even seen Julia in the pool, TIL about early swimming. Some day I hope to return. Each year I join you in spirit. Have a great time, and a virtual ice tea on me.
ReplyDeleteCoralee, I'm hopefully going to be meeting Sara Paretsky in October. She's coming to the UMass-Dartmouth library event as one of the three featured authors. I am definitely doing all I can to not miss that.
DeleteJay, you make an excellent point - there are authors appearing all over the place! (Sorry, that sounded like chicken pox spots. You know what I mean.) Get on the mailing lists of local libraries and bookstores and/or check on your favorite author's sites for their event schedule. You might not be able to go to a conference, but there's always something that's going to be available - even more now we do Zoom events!
DeleteSince I rarely travel these days, and am closest to Albany, I was sad to read that Albany's conference was NEARLY AS BAD AS THE HORROR OF LAS VEGAS. Oh, my. The ultimate damnation. I suppose I will have to continue to enjoy them in your write-ups.
ReplyDeleteI could say "same" for everything you wrote. Albany is my first and probably only Bouchercon because I could drive there. The contrarian in me wants to sing its praises in my "official" comment, but it won't be a stretch because I had some lovely, even Jungle Red-related moments there.
DeleteAnon, there were real trials in Albany, especially for mobility-impaired conference attendees. But nothing, NOTHING compares to the horror of Las Vegas.
DeleteI braved the New Orleans Bouchercon because I was in town nursing my daughter through knee surgery and recovery. Jumped on the Canal Street streetcar labeled Cemeteries and rode down to the Quarter. I met some of the Writers Who Kill bloggers for the first time and bonded with the other Southern Magazine short story finalists. The Sisters in Crime breakfast was like a junior high lunchroom. I loved RL Stine's talk with his wife. Trying to summon the courage to attend Nashville next year, which is a five hour drive from Cincinnati. No excuses.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about Bouchercon is the fact that it wanders across the US and up into Canada. Sooner or later, it's going to be within driving distance for everyone. I've been able to drive to two so far, Baltimore and Albany.
DeleteAfter reading about Bouchercon for years on this blog, when I learned it would be held in Toronto in 2017, I had to go. Yes I’m an introvert but short flight from home, no monetary exchange rate, plenty of authors I read ( checked the list of registered authors) .
ReplyDeleteAdd having the possibility to withdraw in my room at the conference hotel when it was too much for me and the opportunity to volunteering to receive people from all over the world and help that all goes for the best, I couldn’t miss it.
It was one of my best experiences.
I met Debs and Hallie volunteering at their signature of books table. I also met Hank, then Edith Maxwell, Leslie Budewitz, Kristopher Zgorski, Grace Koshida.
I saw plenty of authors, attended panels, new authors breakfast and interviews. Especially liked the one (three amigos) with Rhys, Debs and Louise Penny.
I participated at the Reds game panel and won a book.
The best was the atmosphere of celebration and the human warmth.
Danielle
I am glad you enjoyed the 2017 Toronto event, and I do remember meeting you there. And I agree the REDS game panel was so much fun.
DeleteI met you two years later in Dallas, Danielle! I'm so glad you're continuing to come to conferences!
DeleteGosh, I have been to 24 Bouchercons, so it's hard to choose. My first (Toronto) Bouchercon was in 1992. It was a much smaller event (less than 1000 people) held at the Royal York hotel. The first author I met was Stuart M. Kaminsky who wrote the historical Toby Peters PI series. I also went to the 2004 and 2017 Toronto Bouchercons.
ReplyDeleteBEST memory: 2016 NOLA, being in the second line parade walking down Canal Street to the opening ceremonies.
WORST memory: 2013 Albany, the Egg convention center setting. All the food courts were closed Saturday & Sunday and they had to call a food truck to supply some food. Also the shuttle busses rarely came to transport us from hotel to the Egg do I walked (a lot).
And I'm here in San Diego. I have already met Kim Hays and Lisa in Long Beach in person.
As mentioned before, I am on GOH Dru Ann Love's Talking About Books panel, bright & early Saturday at 7:30 am!
Grace, I remember reading here that Reds members who attended could meet this morning .
DeleteDid it happened ? Did you meet other commenters and readers ?
Danielle
Next B'con, we need to send out buttons ahead of time that Reds people can wear. "Talk to me about JRW!" That way we can recognize each other!
DeleteHi Danielle, we’re meeting in about 35 minutes.
DeleteThanks Lisa. Danielle
DeleteMaybe we can have JRW buttons at Crome Bake, Julia!
DeleteMy first and probably only Bouchercon was at Albany because I could drive there.
ReplyDeleteI had just returned from Writer's Police Academy, a marathon not a stroll, so I was already wiped out. Sometimes my raggedy edges showed, so I dialed it back and wasn't as social as I could've been. Still, I enjoyed some wonderful moments, like dinners out with friends old and new.
One of those moments that's JRW-related was when Julia's Russ introduced himself to me because he read and enjoyed my horse blog. He talked about the horses in his life.
I was too tired and stunned to carry on a conversation ... about horses. Geez, that tells you how tired I was right there.
But I'll never forget his kindness. I realized I've mentioned it before here, Julia, and it was such a big deal that I'll probably go on about it again.
His kindness gave me one of my first inklings that the traffic data metrics--clicks, visits, comments, links--that supposedly mattered couldn't measure intangibles, like how a regular reader might feel.
Thank you.
Oh, Rhonda, thank you so much for sharing that. Ross LOVED conferences, and he loved talking to people SO much. I'm glad you got the chance to meet him.
DeleteAmanda here: I have only attended one Bcon — in Toronto, 2017, where I met the Reds but missed all the lovely commenters. I’m sad about that, but we’re well connected online. I am enjoying San Diego vicariously through Grace, Edith, Debs and others’ Facebook posts. Fun!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, Bouchercon will be back up in Canada in 2026, in Calgary. Yee-haw!
DeleteSuch great stories of writers and readers getting together! No Bouchercons for me, yet! And I agree, for an introvert, volunteering at events is a great way to ease into the festivities.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Flora, and we have to figure out a conference close enough to you so you can attend!
DeleteThanks, Julia!
DeleteIt sounds like so much fun - enjoy! aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteApril, if you're in Texas, you ought to look into Left Coast Crime. They focus on the Pacific coastal states and the mountain west, so it would be a shorter trip for you. This year's was in Tucson, and next year's is in Seattle.
DeleteGrace, you win! 24 Bouchercons!
ReplyDeleteMy first writer's conference was the 2009 Bouchercon in Indianapolis. I knew Hank online, and she and Rosemary Harris and Alexandra Sokoloff all encouraged me to go. Also a local author was going to be there, so I drove the two hours to the conference, not knowing what to expect. And then wish I'd made plans to stay! Since then I've been to Cleveland, New Orleans, Minneapolis last year, and at least one other. Planning to attend Nashville next year. Chocolate martinis with Annette Dashofy and Liz Milliron in Cleveland, yum. Hanging out with Edith and Grace in Minneapolis was grand fun, too!
New Orleans was great fun until I got really sick with some kind of virus, and then had to drive home for ten hours sick. And that was the trip I had TWO flat tires, thanks to something on the road in Alabama. Memorable, at least. The highlight of that trip was having a long, leisurely dinner and drinks with Sheila Connolly. She'd been sitting alone when I came into the hotel restaurant kind of late and she invited me to join her.
I've been to more Malice Domestics than Bouchercons, which are also fun, in a different way. Malice is the old dependable in Rockville, while Bouchercon is a moveable feast. Wish I were in SD now!
Karen, you're not a Bouchercon pro until you've had at least ONE disastrous trip, so congrats for your official designation as an "old hand." Moveable feast is a good way to describe B'con, thank you.
DeleteKAREN: Thanks but I have met attendees here who have been to 40-50+ Bouchercons. I was 5 years old in 1971 when Bouchercon started so I missed the early ones, lol.
DeleteJulia, that photo is from my first Bouchercon! I was so excited to meet you and Ross and so many others, and having Sherry on a stick was a great icebreaker. I loved New Orleans, my first visit there - and walking next to Sara Paretsky (who I had dinner with last night!) in the second line parade. Toronto, Raleigh, and the Twin Cities were also first-time visits for me and I squeezed in some touristing.
ReplyDeleteHad to miss St. Pete because of older son's wedding two weeks later. Was going to attend Sacramento, but.. And for some reason I didn't go to Long Beach.
This year has been so heartening to see a lifting up of cozy mysteries. We had a great Cozies and Cocktails Weds night with 250 people. There's a cozy GoH (Jenn and I were on a panel with Kate Carlisle yesterday). And more.
I'm hosting a Cozy spotlight this morning at 8:30, folks. Tomorrow I moderate a foodie cozy panel at 8:50, missing Lucy a lot at both. Saturday afternoon 1:30 Kensington giveaway/signing (feeding frenzy). And the banquet.
Last night I sat next to Kim Hays, and she was called out by the Barrie award giver. We were both so excited for her!
Wonderful news about Kim! One of the reasons I was sad not to go this year was that we were planning to meet up for lunch together. Hopefully, she'll have such a good time she'll make it an annual trip back to the US!
DeleteI also love the news about cozies. The subgenre is the workhorse of the mystery world, just as Romance is in the publishing world. I'm pleased to see it getting the respect and recognition it deserves.
Yes, the Cozies and Cocktails event went over very well.
DeleteI haven't been to any book conferences so I have no memories to share.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I loved that photo Lucy included that has Ingrid Thoft in it. I miss her books and wish there were more Fina Ludlow books for me to dive into.
As for Jenn asking about the name of the drink, I say if you can't remember the name, make up a new one for it. Make it a Jungle Red drink and call it "The Red Pashmina". See, problem solved!
I don't know the stories behind Albany and Las Vegas but it sounds like something that would make Freddy, Jason and Michael scream in horror.
The one thing I do take away from seeing photos and video clips of various book cons is I usually find at least one author I haven't read before and discover a new series to add to my overflowing TBR corner.
Oh, and who do I have to bribe for them to bring Bouchercon to Boston, which seems to be the only possible way I'll ever get to one of these damn things.
DeleteOh (Part 2) - One good thing about NOT having gone to a Bouchercon or any other book conference is, after seeing all the photos, everyone is looking all spiffy in their nice clothes and all. I'd have to spend a fortune on a wardrobe beforehand to blend in, because as we all know, I'm a shorts/jeans with heavy metal T-shirts kind of guy. So not going is a cost-cutting measure in advance. HA!
DeleteOh, Jay, that's just the authors. And only some of us - I've seen male writers rolling in with jeans and Ts, and the "civilian" attendees tend to go for comfort over fashion every time.
DeleteWe need to get B'con back to Beantown, and you, Jay, would be an excellent person to be on a planning committee to put in a bid to the national organization...
Why isn’t Ingrid Throft writing any more books? Does anyone know?
DeleteJAY: I have also been petitioning for a Boston Bouchercon. No luck yet.
DeleteMy first Bouchercon was my only Bouchercon, so far. I will return! I went to Dallas. I found this blog about a year earlier, it took me a bit to realize I could write comments too. People were commenting about writers conferences I remember Grace talking about Left Coast Crime and I discovered that readers could attend so I decided to go to Dallas. I never go anywhere unless it's for family events. The shocked expressions, at work were perfect. So with some trepidation I flew out to Dallas. I loved the whole trip. I said hello to each Jungle Red Author, sat in rooms during those panel discussions. Discovered so many more authors. I had the best time.
ReplyDeleteCons always seem intimidating, but once you're there, you realize everyone is there because they love mysteries, and then it becomes so easy to start up conversations!
DeleteDeana, I was very pleased to see you at Bouchercon in Dallas.
DeleteDanielle
So true about Lee Child. A true gentleman and all around swell guy. Huge talent and generosity to match. Wish I was a Bouchercon today!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Hallie!
DeleteJenn, I also have a memory of Sue Grafton in Long Beach. It was my first con. I saw her sitting in a hallway, and she wasn’t on her phone, checking emails - she was reading a book, which I thought was just lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe just read ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE by Mike Gayle in book club, so I am definitely being more outgoing than my norm. It’s easier whilst surrounded by your people - I compliment a book poking out of their book bag, or one they are looking at in the book store. And volunteering is great! It’s much easier to talk to an author when you have the intro of confirming their name is spelled correctly on the name tent or checking if they need more water!
And yay for the organizers for using a large font on the name badges! So easier to spot authors who you might not recognize at first sight or fellow blog commenters that you only know by name.
I'm so glad you're having a good time, Lisa - keep on striking up those conversations!
DeleteI’ve never been to any of the conferences and unless one takes place in my backyard (New Haven is close by!) I won’t ever get to one. I don’t do long driving trips anymore. I do enjoy hearing about Bouchercon and other conferences, so please share your experiences!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
I don't know, DebRo - Dedham, the site for Crime Bake, is only two hours away from New Haven, and I bet there are folks from Connecticut who'd like to share the ride...
DeleteI've only been to one Bouchercon - Long Beach. I had a great time. I'm going to San Diego, leaving in a few hours to be there tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could make it to more, but they are often at a time that doesn't work for me to take time off from work. Hence why I'm leaving this afternoon for this year's Bouchercon. It's quarter end at work.
Mark it can be an awkward time depending on the timing. B'con has started as early as August 31 and as late as October 31. Ross always found it hard to go to the earlier ones; it wasn't easy to get away from the classroom when school had just started for the semester.
DeleteI’m here in San Diego at my first - and hopefully not my last - Bouchercon! I have had a ball so far! Met Kim Hays the very first day and have been at multiple panels with her since. This morning we had a mini-get together of Reds and Reds readers (still not sure what we readers are called when I introduce myself to a Red writer). Edith, Grace, Kim, Rhys, Lisa in Long Beach, Priscilla Paton, Debs, another woman who lives east of Sacramento whose name I have forgotten and I were there. Thanks, Reds, for introducing me to Bouchercon! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteNow you’re hooked!
DeleteI attended the opening day and hosted a tea table at Minnesota's Bouchercon, but knew no one and was terrified, but at the same time I was delighted to see REAL faces behind all the names I love. San Diego was an even greater treat and I met MORE authors who are KIND, and GRACIOUS, and INTELLIGENT, and wonderful people.
ReplyDelete