HALLIE EPHRON: November means we're coming up on the annual conference for crime fiction, The New England Crime Bake. And YES you can still register!
It's the coziest (not as in cozy vs hardboiled; cozy as in welcoming to all) of conferences. It's sponsored by the New England Chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
I still have the program from the first conference, November 9, 2002.
The Crime Bake started out as a one-day affair and featured an amazing roster of New England crime fiction authors. Jeremiah Healy gave the Keynote. Among the panelists were some of the greats who have since left us, including Barbara Neely, Phil Craig, Bill Tapply, Al Blanchard, and Jane Langton.
Even more amazingly, there are many writers who were there and, like me, will back in November, 22 years later (including Paula Munier, Kate Flora, Toni Kelner, Leslie Wheeler, Sarah Smith, and Gary Goshgarian)! Yes, there will be newbies, too.
The Crime Bake started as a glimmer in Kate Flora's eye and has been going strong ever since, now encompassing three days and including pitch sessions with agents and editors, manuscript critiques, and forensics experts.
This year the guest of honor will be Gabino Iglesias.
His novels include Zero Saints, Coyote Songs, The Devil Takes You Home, and his recent release, House of Bone and Rain. An Edgar Award finalist and winner of the Shirley Jackson, Bram Stoker, and numerous Book of the Year Awards. He also teaches writing. I can't wait to meet him.
Here's what The New York Times says about him:
Iglesias, a Puerto Rican novelist, found himself without a salary or health insurance. Unable to find other work in the bleak 2020 job market, he gambled on finishing the book he had started writing on his lunch breaks.
As Covid-19 raged outside, he wrote at a feverish pace for months on “The Devil Takes You Home,” his haunting noir thriller, which Mulholland Books will publish on Tuesday. Echoing the Book of Job, it follows a father in Austin who loses his job and health insurance, his young daughter to terrible disease and, finally, his marriage.
I'll be at the Crime Bake this year, too, on a panel and doing something that I'm not supposed to tell you about but TRUTH BE TOLD it will be exciting for any and all who follow Jungle Red.
So hope to see many of you at the Dedham Hilton (a 60-second cab ride from Amtrak's RTE 128 station.) I'll be in the bar sipping my Virgin Martini, looking to put names to faces.
So here's that link to register.
This sounds like an amazing conference, Hallie . . . .
ReplyDeleteIt is, year in and year out...
DeleteI have wanted to--and not been able to--attend Crime Bake for the last 20 years. Alas, it's not to happen for me this year either. Darn it!
ReplyDeleteAnnette, you'd find so many fans there!
DeleteNot to mention getting to see all you lovely ladies. :-(
DeleteHallie, I didn't see the link to register. BUT I will see you there -- I'm already registered!
ReplyDeleteAt first I was hesitant because it looks all noir-ish this year, but then found out it's a mix of traditional, thriller and cozy mysteries, as always.
SEE YOU THERE! Hank and Julia and I will be on the lookout.
DeleteThis year I have to sit out, but next year is possible.
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you!
DeleteLike Dru Ann, I can't make it this year. Darn!
ReplyDeleteYou won't be there???? Darn indeed... we'll miss you, Edith
DeleteSounds terrific. I love how conferences evolve over the years...I'll be there in spirit only. (What's in a virgin martini????)
ReplyDeleteI'm virgin martini-ing these days, too.
DeleteOh how I'd love to be at Crime Bake but as usual, it just isn't possible for me. Darn the luck!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you, Jay.
DeleteI will miss you all so much! This conference has been a remarkable labor of love for so many and I was proud to be on the planning committee for years.
ReplyDeleteI was, too, and co-chair for two years!
DeleteI went to NE Crime Bake in 2005. I will be in Montreal that weekend at a chocolate festival.
ReplyDeleteA *CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL*? Now there's a blog topic I don't think we've done: Are you a dark or milk chocolate fan?
DeleteA chocolate festival???? Sounds heavenly. Love dark chocolate 🍫
DeleteWe really must talk about Crime Bake in June. That is when the enticements need to begin. Everyone talk about Boucheron for months and knew who was going. Next year, Hallie, if we begin to chat it up early enough. Last year we knew Debs (and Edith and Lucy and Jenn and Hank and Hallie) would be there and I registered in June.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice.
DeleteThe New England Crime Bake sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt is, it is!
DeleteFrom Celia: unfortunately I had to cancel myself last year due to ill health. I was hoping I might make it this year with my new knee but COVID has flattened us so let’s hope that next year is the charm. I hope everyone has a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteSending healing wishes for you and Victor, Celia! This 'mild' version of COVID didn't feel so mild to me.
DeleteOh no, Celia! Feel better soon, both of you!
DeleteI had to miss last year, too... the first and only time I've missed it.
DeleteI wish I lived closer! What a lovely invitation.
ReplyDeleteSuch a teaser, Hallie! I'd be there in a minute if I could!! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteCrime Bake has long been on my "conferences I must attend." Now that I have so much PTO at work, maybe I'll just have to plan it for 2025.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there! Cannot wait to hear what you are going to do! (And I'll be doing a special program--so exciting!--go to the website, you all, and check it out! ) And cannot wait to hear from Gabino.
ReplyDeleteAnd SO many wonderful authors will be there: William Martin, Tracy Sierra, Sara DiVello, Juliet Grames...SO great! And more!
ReplyDeleteMaybe, some day, maybe. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteThe writer I mentored through the SinC pilot program this year, Becky Sue Epstein, will be there. Keep an eye open for her please, Hallie, and say hi.
ReplyDeleteOh, Becky's great! Hope she has a great time!
DeleteThanks, Susan - I'll be o the look out for Becky Sue Epstein, too.
DeleteThanks -- looking forward to seeing everyone there!
DeleteI'm trying to remember the first time I went to Crime Bake - I think it was the year Janet Evanovich was the GoH. Over the years I've made friends, met my agent, laughed til I cried and learned so much from the other authors there. Crime Bake is so intimate and very affordable (driving distance from Boston covers a LOT of ground) that I'm not surprised it's grown and grown. It's still a little bit of an undiscovered gem, though, so I always encourage mystery lovers to check it out!
ReplyDeleteSo many conferences, so little time (and budget). This is definitely on my bucket list. I'm in the process of selling my house in South Florida and moving to the west coast of Florida. I'm in Mass and Maine often since my grandchildren are there. I'll be sure to plan a trip around Crime Bake in the very near future. The key note speaker sounds incredible.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet Gabino and get a signed book.
DeleteI have Crime Bake on my calendar for 2025. Hoping to get there!
ReplyDeleteHoping to see you, Gay
DeleteI was honored to be GOH at least year's Crime Bake and I had the BEST time!! Great panels, terrific organizers, and the dancing! So much fun. I wish Boston wasn't so far from Texas, sigh. Hope to make it again, especially if we can get all the Reds there.
ReplyDeleteI missed you last year, Debs :-( I think I was out with covid.
DeleteLooking forward to attending again next month. I haven't been at all Crime Bakes, but I've been to most of them!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you, Toni!
DeleteI've missed going since 2020 (Covid and moved out of the NE region), but I'll be there this year! I went every year from 2012 to 2019 (except 2015 when I had foot surgery). It's such a great experience - fun and educational!
ReplyDeleteI remember that first year! Fun times. I haven’t missed a year yet!
ReplyDeleteI was one of the founding members. We met at Kate Flora’s house. Lots of conversation, food and wine! Kate even cooked a Turkey dinner for us one time. Lots of good times. I have never missed a bake, and was so proud to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award last year. Looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteOMG! How much love is there to go around? Crime Bake is a very special place and knowing I'll see Hallie and Hank again is fabulous. Dancing with Deb last year was a highlight! And Gabino as GOH typifies the CB community by his cheering on all writers while his own career soars. Looking forward to seeing you all again!
ReplyDelete