Readers, Writers, and Books... Wahoo!

Left Coast Crime is a book conference built around fans of Crime Fiction. It's probably my favorite event in the publishing world.

Attending doesn't guarantee any book sales (I often give them away), but it does guarantee an opportunity to meet readers, existing and new, many of whom become friends. In addition I'm thrilled to connect with writer friends and experience a rare opportunity to "talk shop" with people whose eyes don't glaze over after about five minutes.

This past weekend was no exception. People were welcoming and excited about being in a group of people who love to read cozies and suspense and mysteries and noir and thrillers of all kinds and... well, everything and anything that has to do with crime. I only wish I could have spent more time with more people.

As much as I love the event, I'm always glad to get home and decompress. And get back to the manuscript I'm working on.




It's all better with friends.

Left Coast Crime

I'm getting ready to leave for Left Coast Crime Wednesday morning.

A few years ago, March of 2011, at my first LCC, I didn't have a book out. I didn't have any chops. That's where I got to know and feel the support from other writers, an editor, and a librarian. We came together and formed a blog called Crime Fiction Collective.

That conference changed my life.

And why did I go in the first place? LJ Sellers emailed me to see if I might be interested in being her roommate. Hello? Are you kidding me? I hadn't regsitered but that one email spurred me to action.

I now have three books available and those books have been well received. As of this afternoon my fourth book has been sent to my editor. It's possible I might have arrived here another way, but the fact remains I'm here because of LCC and one woman.

Through Left Coast Crime I've been encouraged to step out in faith. I've found other writers who give me a sounding board because we're in it together, and I've found readers who I've loved being able to connect with. All of you have become my friends. It's worth going to the conference every year just to see you again.

If you're in Portland, look me up. I'd love to meet you.


It's all better with friends.

Left Coast Crime 2013

On the first full day of the conference, I sat in on a very interesting presentation. Even more interesting were the two women I sat next to.

They each looked like everyone's favorite aunt, maybe even grandmother. I overheard part of their conversation. Knitting, patterns, a craft magazine. I fell for it. 

After saying hello, I asked them what type of crime fiction they most enjoyed reading. The woman nearest me answered, "I like a little violence in mine." Then she thumbed to her friend, "She likes even more."

Since my mama didn't raise me to be stupid, I immediately handed each of them a bookmark. Lo and behold, one of them had The Missings on her phone. How cool was that?

Here are a few photos:

LJ Sellers, Marlyn Beebe,
Gayle Carline, Andrew E. Kaufman, moi, and Jodie Renner

At my first ever signing table!

Fellow Colorado author, Chuck Greaves and I 

at the Sisters in Crime reception.

L.J. Sellers talking to a fan.

Mark Stevens and Darrell James

Laura DiSilverio and a nice looking guy.

The Awards Banquet

Toastmaster David Corbett

Guest of Honor, Laura Lippman

Guest of Honor, Craig Johnson

NOTE: The new season of Longmire begins in June!

Special Guest Lou Diamond Phillips who plays
Henry Standing Bear in the Longmire series.
(Thanks to Lourdes Venard for the photo.)

It's all better with friends.

Left Coast Crime Spawns Creativity

After LCC, held in Santa Fe this year, I had a much needed visit with my sister in Tucson. This is an emotional time of year for us. Today, April 2nd, is my mom's birthday. I was with her to celebrate her 75th, three years ago. She died three days later. Pictures from LCC and Tucson are on my Facebook page.

But the LoML made this message for me, and when we pulled into our garage I knew I was in a good place. I particularly love the image of him cutting the letters out and putting them on the door.

But I digress.

In Santa Fe, strange things can happen. My hotel was haunted (and a Roman Catholic archbishop knew it). Let me tell you a bit about Sister George. She was rather fond of cigars when she was alive. I didn't know about any of this until I was on the shuttle for Albuquerque, but my roommate and I had spent some time trying to figure out where the smell of tobacco was coming from in our room.

But even more strange . . . a few of us got together and decided it would be fun to do a blog with several contributors. Of course, we did this pretty much in a bar over drinks.

And even more strange . . . we've followed through. I'll be announcing a new blog loud and clear, but you guys get a heads-up. It should be awesome. We have a name . . . Crime Fiction Collective.

LJ Sellers, who was my roommate at LCC and made the decision to become self-employed as an independent author even though she'd been traditionally published, is our headliner. (Other than me, of course. LOL). Judy Borger writes mysteries geared toward providing an escape for manic moms; Andrew Kaufman swears his current book is not horror, but since it began hitting the high notes among the horror fans he decided to go with it; Marlyn Beebe is a librarian and our resident reviewer; and Jodie Renner is LJ's editor and will fill that slot. In addition, we'll have guest bloggers with related topics. ie: technology; screenwriting; audio book production; cover design; formatting; etc.

We've targeted April 18th as Opening Day, and plan on having two weeks of giveaways to celebrate.

This could be a real hoot, and hopefully our fragile new friendships will be able to weather whatever comes down the pike.



CR: Top Suspense by Top Suspense Group, a truly wonderful collection of short stories. If you get this book, I'm sure you'll be introduced to at least one new author you'll enjoy.

It's all better with friends.

Left Coast Crime

I'm very excited to be attending Left Coast Crime this year. If any of you will be there, please look for me. I've learned that this process of getting published is a fun (but sometimes frustrating) process of connections and dedication.

And here's a list of the Left Coast Crime 2011 Award Nominations:

Four awards will be given at Left Coast Crime's 22nd annual convention in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The winners will be selected by ballot at the convention. We are delighted to announce the nominees for books published in 2010:

The Lefty has been awarded for the best humorous mystery novel since 1996. This year's nominees, in alphabetical order, are:


Donna Andrews, Stork Raving Mad (Minotaur Books)
Laura DiSilverio, Swift Justice (Minotaur Books/Thomas Dunne Books)
Donna Moore, Old Dogs (Busted Flush Press)
Kris Neri, Revenge for Old Times' Sake (Cherokee McGhee)
J. Michael Orenduff, The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein (Oak Tree Press)


The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award, first awarded in 2004, is given for mystery novels covering events before 1950. This year's nominees are:


Rebecca Cantrell, A Night of Long Knives (Forge Books)
Robert Kresge, Murder for Greenhorns (ABQ Press)
Kelli Stanley, City of Dragons (Minotaur Books)
Jeri Westerson, The Demon's Parchment (Minotaur Books)
Jacqueline Winspear, The Mapping of Love and Death (HarperCollins)


The Hillerman Sky Award is a special award given this year, in honor of the convention's New Mexico location, to the mystery that best captures the landscape of the Southwest:


Sandy Ault, Wild Penance (Berkley Hardcover)
Christine Barber, The Bone Fire (Minotaur Books)
Margaret Coel, The Spider's Web (Berkley Hardcover)
Deborah J Ledford, Snare (Second Wind Publishing)


The Watson is another special award given this year to the mystery novel with the best sidekick. The nominees are:


Sandy Ault, Wild Penance (Berkley Hardcover)
Rachel Brady, Dead Lift (Poisoned Pen Press)
Chris Grabenstein, Rolling Thunder (Pegasus)
Craig Johnson, Junkyard Dogs (Viking)
Spencer Quinn, To Fetch a Thief (Atria)


If you're coming to the convention where we will vote on the award winners, now you've got your reading list!

Lucinda Surber & Stan Ulrich, LCC 2011 Awards Committee Co-Chairs
Pari Noskin Taichert, LCC 2011 Chair