Conference check-in

So how were this past weekend’s twin mystery conferences? David Montgomery shares his spiel on the Chicago-based Love is Murder conference:

I usually enjoy these smaller conferences a lot, as you have the

chance to talk to people in a more intimate way. So often at

Bouchercon, it’s all just nodding and waving from across the room.

(Granted, you do get to wave at a lot more people.)

But at Love is Murder, I was actually able to talk to several good writers and friends…if you go to a conference like this, you can meet and talk to a lot of

fine writers, both famous and unknown, and other industry pros. Doing

so can be fun and entertaining, and it can also be informative and

inspiring.

Jon Jordan adds his — with pictures — over at Central Crime Zone.

As for Murder in the Magic City, Kathy McMullen had a great time meeting “famous people” who in her words, “were friendly and personable and genuinely pleased that their fans had

turned out to learn from them — and, of course, buy their books.” Hell yeah. Later this week, check back for  Susan McBride and Harley Jane Kozak’s report on MMC and last Sunday’s Murder on the Menu in Wetumpka (which I only knew as Elizabeth Spiers‘s hometown, not a hotbed of mystery fandom. Who knew?)

UPDATE: McBride’s account is now up and features the most hilarious “cozy-noir” plot synopsis, like ever. Or as she put it, “It’s fresh, it’s hip, it’s cozy meets noir! Wouldn’t you rush to the store to buy it?  If I were drinking heavily, by God, I would!”