WWK goes to Malice! And, we all had a terrific time. Here are a few memories we wanted to share.
Gloria Alden
I enjoyed meeting new people and seeing those I've met before at other Malice Domestic conferences. Particularly, I liked the banquet with the speakers and the awards. Everyone was so friendly, nice, and helpful. I enjoyed the walk my friend Irma and I went on one of the nice days. I was happy to get eight books in the bag we were given, and was glad we had name tags to remember folks. Everyone seemed to be laughing and smiling, even those who weren't with Malice Domestic, but a medical group, also meeting. I thought all of the meals were very good. And, I liked the comfortable and clean rooms we had with very comfortable beds.
Paula Gail Benson
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| PGB, Gloria Alden, and Shari Randall |
The
best way to describe this year’s Malice Domestic was “a mad scramble!” WWK was
terrifically represented by Annette Dashofy, nominated for Best Contemporary Novel;
Shari Randall, nominated for Best First Novel; Grace Topping, recognized at the
New Author Breakfast for her first novel; and Debra H. Goldstein, who not only
promoted her new series, but celebrated signings with stories in the Guppy
Anthology and the Malice Anthology.
Gloria
Alden and I caught up with each other in the hall. Marilyn Levinson and I also stood
at one of the hallway’s tall tables to talk. I got a hug from Debra Goldstein
and Kaye George as I was waiting to hear Annette Dashofy’s panel. The New
Authors’ Breakfast, where we watched Grace Topping speak, gave me another
opportunity to spend time with Annette.
Some
of the happiest moments from the banquet were the tie-winners in two
categories! Shari Randall and Dianne Freeman took home teapots for Best First Novel
while Tara Laskowski and Leslie Budewitz tied for Best Short Story. I was
sitting at the table with husband and wife short story nominees, Art Taylor and
Tara Laskowski. They were wonderful hosts. Both were delighted when Tara’s name
was called.
I
see that K.M. Rockwood is in some of out group photos, but I missed seeing her
in person. Kathleen, we’ve got to plan a time to get together next year!
Annette Dashofy
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| Annette Dashofy |
This was my seventh
trip to Malice Domestic and my fourth as an Agatha nominee. There’s definitely
something Cinderella-ish about wearing that little green ribbon on my name
badge. Seeing my books in the Dealer Room is quite a kick too. But the best
part by far is seeing all my friends, be they writers or readers, whom I only
see once a year! We’ve become family. A murderous one, perhaps, and family of
the heart rather than blood, but Malice is one family reunion I look forward to
every year.
Debra H. Goldstein
Malice was a wonderful insane time. Between
eating, networking, eating, and networking, I squeezed in three signings – two
tied to the launch at Malice of two short stories: “Pig Lickin’ Good” in MURDER
MOST EDIBLE (the Malice anthology) and “Nova, Capers, and a Schmear of Cream
Cheese” in FISHY BUSINESS (the Fifth Guppy anthology) and one tied to my Foody
Panel. Add in get-to-gethers for SinC national, SinC Guppies, SEMWA and
with my agent and other authors she represents, I barely found time to attend a
few panels, have drinks with very special friends, be part of the
Malice-Go-Round, and take my “whenever we are together picture” with Dru Ann
Love. I was supposed to be back in Alabama for something on Sunday, but instead
of being home by 9:30 a.m., I was stranded in DCA for over twelve hours .. got
home at 9:30 p.m.
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| Standing: Annette Dashofy, Grace Topping, and Marilyn Levinson Seated: Debra H. Goldstein and K.M. Rockwood |
Marilyn Levinson
I had a wonderful time at Malice. I
finally got to do Malice-Go-Round. It was especially nice to hear, as I
went from table to table, that so many had enjoyed reading
DEATH OVERDUE, which was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel
last year. I got to spend time with dear friends I only get to see at
Malice, had drinks with Matt, my Crooked Lane Books publisher, then
went out for dinner with my fellow CLB authors. I also got to spend time
with my agent, Dawn Dowdle and fellow agency authors. Such a warm feeling
pervaded this year’s Malice. I enjoyed taking part in my panel and
observing other panels, and made a new friend at the banquet. I was
thrilled when my table host Shari Randall won an Agatha Award for
Best First Novel and my fellow CLB writer Ellen Byron won Best
Contemporary Novel. Sunday morning I woke up early to make the 7 a.m.
New Authors’ Breakfast to support my friend, Grace Topping. My
only glitch was that my Super Shuttle driver came much earlier than he was
supposed to. When I called, I was told they weren’t sending another driver. As
a result, I had my first Uber ride to the airport.
Shari Randall
What a weekend! I
am still floating!
It’s always a joy
to see friends at Malice and it’s extra special to see blogmates from WWK. A
scheduling conflict meant that I missed our blog photo op, so I’m hoping to
have myself Photoshopped into the picture at some point. I did get this nice
shot with Paula Benson and Gloria Alden, and many of us are in the Guppy photo
that followed the Sisters in Crime Breakfast. I want to go on record as one of
those voting for a change from breakfast to cocktail party for this gathering
of writers.
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| Shari Randall |
I didn’t think
anything could top CURSES, BOILED AGAIN being nominated for an Agatha Award,
but actually winning the award had - and has - me completely gobsmacked. In a
Malice stunner, I tied with Dianne Freeman for the award. Even more surprising,
our category wasn’t the only one with a tie. Leslie Budewitz and Tara Laskowski
tied for Best Short Story.
I nabbed the last
seat at Grace Topping’s table at the New Authors Breakfast where she introduced
us to her new book, STAGING IS MURDER. Hearty applause followed her interview -
she was calm and professional before 8:30 am - quite a feat.
I was busy with the SinC board,
stuffing book bags, signing, and a panel, but I managed to chat with Debra
Goldstein, Marilyn Levinson, Annette Dashofy, and Gloria Alden and her friend
Irma Baker several times through the conference, and was able to have lunch
with Paula Benson and share an Uber with her, Leslie Budewitz, and Linda
Landrigan to the airport. I also spotted Annette Dashofy at the gala banquet
but didn’t get to talk to her, but let me tell you, she looked amazing. I hope
she shares a photo!
Grace Topping
I
attended Malice Domestic for the first time about twenty years ago,
accompanying a friend who told me about it. Other than my friend, I didn’t know
anyone there. Over the next several years, I continued to attend Malice and met
people I now call friends. Attending Malice has become like a family reunion.
This year’s Malice
was extra special—I made my debut as a published author there. My first book, STAGING
IS MURDER, was released three days
before the conference. It was a thrilling experience to be on my first panel,
sign books, and be introduced at the New Authors’ Breakfast. Celebrating my
book launch at Malice, among the people who helped and encouraged me along the
way, is something I will always remember.
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| Grace Topping interviewed by Cindy Silberblatt |
