The Edgars were this week and Malice Domestic this weekend, and I've been hearing all kinds of banter about both on Facebook and all the lists that I'm on. Obviously, I didn't go to either.
I've been to Malice twice and once to the Edgars. Enjoyed both, but living in a dinky place in the middle of California, traveling to the East coast can be a pain. I've decide that from now on, I'm only going to events that are easy to get to.
Having said that, the mystery convention I'm headed to next is Mayhem in the Midlands. It used to be an easier trip than it is now. Last year we were stranded in Denver overnight due to some weather and missing the only plane out of Denver to Bakersfield and there wasn't another the next day. We ended up flying to Fresno and having to ask a relative to pick us up there and drive us to Bakersfield airport to pick up our car.
This year, we're still coming back through Denver, but will be flying from there to San Francisco and then Bakersfield. (Haven't broken that news to my husband yet.)
We love Mayhem and Omaha so hope we have so much fun it won't matter that we're making this weird trip to get home. And I'm on two panels, moderating another, and doing an author chat with two others.
In June, it's the Public Safety Writers Conference which is a writers conference with a lot of speakers and panels geared toward the whole writing experience as well as writing mysteries. Because I'm in charge of the program, I'm a bit anxious but also looking forward to it. It's the only place where I can boss police officers, FBI men and others in the law enforcement field around. Kind of heady for an old lady.
I'm also planning on going to San Francisco in the fall to Bouchercon. A good friend asked me to be her roommate and I figured it was a sign that I ought to go. Bouchercons are always a bit overwhelming, but lots of fun.
What conventions/conferences to like to attend?
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
Showing posts with label Mayhem in the Midlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayhem in the Midlands. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My Sisters in Crime Group
A couple of Saturday's ago I was the speaker for the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime. I am one of the founding members of this chapter. I remember going to a meeting in a restaurant where everyone who was interested in forming a chapter gathered--probably about 20 or so women.
Over the years the chapter has met regularly on the first Saturday of the month. We started in a fabulous restaurant in the Tower District of Fresno. Now we meet in another restaurant that is famous for it's food right off the 99 freeway.
Last month our speaker were Henry Hill, the gangster (now retired) of GoodFella fame and a retired cop and author, Denny Griffin, who writes about gangsters and crime in Las Vegas. These two drew a huge crowd.
About half that number came to see me. Of course I've spoken to this group nearly every year. Some of the people could tell my stories. I do have fans and most of them showed up, eager to buy my latest two books, No Sanctuary and Kindred Spirits.
They had requested ahead of time that I answer their questions.
Here are two of them along with the answers.
1. How do I handle writers' block? My answer is I never have writer's block. I learned early on when it's time for me to quit writing for the day to stop in the middle of a scene, that way I don't have any trouble beginning the next time I sit down to write.
2. How do I schedule my time including speaking engagements? I try to write every single day until I run out of steam. I also have blogs that I have to write, like this one. Often I write them ahead of time when I have a few extra minutes. I try to do some social networking every day through Facebook, Twitter, etc. As for my physical engagements, I keep a calendar by my computer and when some calls or emails asking me to speak, I can immediately check to make sure I'm not double-booking. I also have a calendar I carry around with me. I try to go to a few writing or mystery cons every year. For this year it's been Epicon, then Mayhem in the Midlands where I'm on two panels and moderating another, the Sisters in Crime/Mystery Writers of America California Crime Writers Conference where I'll be on a panel about e-publishing, then Public Safety Writers Association's conference (I'm in charge of the program there) and that's it for this year though I have other speaking engagements.
Despite the small number of sisters there, I sold 18 books. I was thrilled. Plus hubby and I had a great time. One of the sisters said she's starting a fan club on Facebook for hubby. He has a following wherever he goes.
I'm so glad I joined Sisters in Crime.
Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith
http://fictionforyou.com
Over the years the chapter has met regularly on the first Saturday of the month. We started in a fabulous restaurant in the Tower District of Fresno. Now we meet in another restaurant that is famous for it's food right off the 99 freeway.
Last month our speaker were Henry Hill, the gangster (now retired) of GoodFella fame and a retired cop and author, Denny Griffin, who writes about gangsters and crime in Las Vegas. These two drew a huge crowd.
About half that number came to see me. Of course I've spoken to this group nearly every year. Some of the people could tell my stories. I do have fans and most of them showed up, eager to buy my latest two books, No Sanctuary and Kindred Spirits.
They had requested ahead of time that I answer their questions.
Here are two of them along with the answers.
1. How do I handle writers' block? My answer is I never have writer's block. I learned early on when it's time for me to quit writing for the day to stop in the middle of a scene, that way I don't have any trouble beginning the next time I sit down to write.
2. How do I schedule my time including speaking engagements? I try to write every single day until I run out of steam. I also have blogs that I have to write, like this one. Often I write them ahead of time when I have a few extra minutes. I try to do some social networking every day through Facebook, Twitter, etc. As for my physical engagements, I keep a calendar by my computer and when some calls or emails asking me to speak, I can immediately check to make sure I'm not double-booking. I also have a calendar I carry around with me. I try to go to a few writing or mystery cons every year. For this year it's been Epicon, then Mayhem in the Midlands where I'm on two panels and moderating another, the Sisters in Crime/Mystery Writers of America California Crime Writers Conference where I'll be on a panel about e-publishing, then Public Safety Writers Association's conference (I'm in charge of the program there) and that's it for this year though I have other speaking engagements.
Despite the small number of sisters there, I sold 18 books. I was thrilled. Plus hubby and I had a great time. One of the sisters said she's starting a fan club on Facebook for hubby. He has a following wherever he goes.
I'm so glad I joined Sisters in Crime.
Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith
http://fictionforyou.com
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