Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Meeting Fans and Fellow Writers



Flyer for our library panel

                                  Sunday afternoon I participated in an author panel at a local library.

Our Panel



My chapter of SinC, the Chesapeake Chapter, arranged for it at the request of the librarian of the Taneytown branch of the Carroll County Library in Maryland.

Last month, I gave a talk at the library in Gettysburg, PA.

I enjoy these chances to meet fans and perhaps develop new ones. Our books are for sale, although the sales are not a driving force behind the programs.
Selling Books at the Library Panel


Later this week, I will be traveling to Toronto to attend Bouchercon.

Bouchercon, the Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Convention, is an annual convention of creator and fans of mystery and detective fiction. It's named in honor of the writer, reviewer, and editor Anthony Boucher, and pronounced rhyming with "voucher," the way he did.

It is held annually in the fall, each year being hosted in a different city by a different group of volunteers. The convention starts on Thursday and finishes on Sunday.


Each year, Bouchercon nominates and votes the Anthony Awards for excellence in crime fiction, including: Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Short Story, Best Critical Non-Fiction, and Best Paperback Original.

At the convention, I will be on an author’s panel, one that highlights amateur detectives. My amateur detective, Jesse Damon, features in my crime novel series.

This year, Bouchercon is releasing an anthology of short stories titled Passport to Murder. My story, “Making Tracks,” is included in the anthology. I am pleased to be in such good company.

I find participating in activities like these, especially attending conventions that draw a huge number of authors and fans, to be inspiring. I will see old friends and hope to meet new ones.

Later this month, the Chesapeake Chapter of SinC will sponsor two panels for members who have published this year, one in Maryland and one in Virginia. I welcome the opportunity to present the stories I have had published this year.

Do you enjoy such presentations, either as an author or as a fan? Or possibly both?


16 comments:

  1. Have a great time, KM. And thank you for clearing up how to pronounce the name of the conference!

    I've not yet attended Bouchercon, and Toronto is a bit far for me this year, but next year it is in St. Pete - so I'm planning on attending my very first. I hope I'll see you there.

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  2. I enjoy presentations. It gives this introvert a specific reason to get out and meet folks. Since I take the time to prepare, I do a good job and am not overly nervous about such opportunities.

    I also enjoy listening to other authors when I attend conferences. Have fun at Bouchercon.

    ~ Jim

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  3. I was in New Orleans tending to a family member at the same time as Bouchercon, and was able to hop the Canal streetcar down to the Quarter and attend.

    It was overwhelming.

    Enjoy Toronto and congratulations on the anthology acceptance!

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  4. Conferences and presentations are a fun chance to show mu author persona.

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  5. I enjoy giving presentations to book clubs or other events. I'll be doing one next Monday in Pittsburgh for their chapter of Sisters in Crime as a money maker for libraries. I'm donating books for the event which will be held in a hotel.

    Have a good time at Bouchercon.

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  6. Hope you have a terrific time at Bouchercon, Kathleen. I look forward to hearing about your experiences. I've been to Malice and Sleuthfest and have found that they give a boost to my writing energy. Next month I'm going to New England Crime Bake for the first time.

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  7. Have a great time at Bouchercon! I look forward to your stories.

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  8. Hi Kathleen, looking forward to seeing you in Toronto and getting you to sign my copy of the anthology. Traveling mercies to you.

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  9. Kait, I bet you'll love it!

    I don't know if I will go or not--I was thinking this was a bit far for me, too, but when they accepted my story for the anthology--well, I had to go.

    Get your hotel reservations early! They fill up fast! I was very fortunate that a friend is going & didn't have a roommate yet.

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  10. Thanks, Jim. I know you are always prepared when you have a task such as a presentation, and it shows. No one would realize from them at you're an introvert. I've always enjoyed things you've worked on at Malice Domestic.

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  11. Yes, Margaret, Bouchercon is an overwhelming experience. I find it much more so than Malice Domestic. Of course, most of the people who arrange for Malice Domestic are in my SinC chapter, so I hear a lot of the plans ahead of time.

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  12. Warren, now that you're on the west coast, I'm not sure when we'll be able to get together at a conference.

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  13. Gloria, it's always fun to go to Malice with you! And we did go to the Raleigh Bouchercon a few years ago!

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  14. Grace, you have to let us know about Crime Bake. I've thought about going--it's supposed to be smaller conference, and everyone I've ever talked to who went to one loved it. One of these days!

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  15. Thanks, Julie. I love writing the short stories. Of course not all of mine get accepted, but I just keep working at it. The anthology calls help me focus and meet a challenge.

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  16. Shari, looking forward to seeing you at Bouchercon!

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