Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Malice Domestic and the Festival of Mystery


I spent a few days in mystery writers’ heaven last week. 

First, I attended Malice Domestic, an annual celebration of traditional mysteries in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.  Writers and fans plus industry professionals all gather together to learn more about who’s writing what and to meet and network with one another.   I had a great time there, including participating on a panel called--what else?--Must Love Dogs!

From there, I headed to Oakmont, PA, outside Pittsburgh, where I grew up, for the annual Festival of Mystery, which is timed to follow Malice.  It’s presented by the Mystery Lovers Bookshop.  Before the Festival, a local library holds a delightful tea.  The Festival itself is delightfully crowded with mystery writers, and lots of fans who talk with us and buy books galore! 

I’d been quite concerned before heading to the Festival of Mystery this year.  The wonderful owners of the Mystery Lovers Bookshop had publicly announced that they wanted to sell the store to have more time for family and travel.  In these days of so many bookstores closing, I was afraid that boded the end for this one, too.  Not so!  They found a perfect buyer with a background as a librarian and bookseller, who was moving to the Pittsburgh area to be closer to family.  She was at all of the events, including the pizza party at the bookstore after the Festival, meeting people and learning all about the Festival--which I hope she’ll continue in the future, too.

One of the best things about both events, by the way, was being able to see some of my blog sisters in person!

Now I’m back home in L.A.  Lots of catching up to do with my writing, but the trip was definitely worth it.

What writers’ or readers’ events are close to where you live--and which ones do you travel to?

11 comments:

Janie Emaus said...

I'm glad you had a good time. I always attend the annual SCBWI every year in L.A. And this the RWA is in Anaheim. Can't get much closer to home than that!

Ellen said...

Depends on your definition of close. I go to Magna cum Murder in Muncie, Indiana. Been there most of the conventions. It means a drive from Minneapolis to Indianapolis, but that can be done in a day.

For the smaller definitions of close, Minneapolis is overflowing with science-fiction conventions. Those, too, are full of writers and readers, and the travel involved is more on the order of half an hour.

Linda O. Johnston said...

SCBWI sounds like fun, Janie. And I'm definitely looking forward to the RWA National Conference in Anaheim!

Linda O. Johnston said...

I suppose that close is what you decide it is, Ellen. I've never attended Magna cum Murder, but I love the name! And I'll bet the sci-fi conventions are quirky and fun.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Linda, I told Laurie Miller Stephens, the new owner of Mystery Lovers Bookstore, that all of us authors just KNEW she was perfect for the job when we saw her red tights. Wasn't that so cute? Great to see you and your husband. http://plum-oakmont.patch.com/articles/new-owner-for-mystery-lovers-bookshop-chosen

Betty Hechtman said...

Malice was great and it was nice sitting next to you at the banquet. I hope things went well with your father.

Shirley said...

I have been attending Malice for several years, live in Baltimore so I didn't have to drive far. I went to Bouchercon when it was in Indianapolis, and I am going again this year in Cleveland.

Linda O. Johnston said...

That really was adorable, Joanna. Laurie just seemed so involved and excited, and I'm delighted that she'll be taking over the store, although I'll miss Mary Alice and Richard. Great to see you, too!

Linda O. Johnston said...

I enjoyed sitting next to you, too, Betty. Thanks for asking about my dad.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I've gone to Bouchercon, too, Shirley, but unfortunately not this year. Conferences definitely are handier when they're not too far from home.

Monica Ferris said...

I highly recommend Magna cum Murder. Great panels, great attendees, very well organized. Its commander in chief, Katherine Kennison, feeds us all day long! Locally, I've been going to the events put on by Once Upon A Crime in honor of an anthology they have published featuring authors who attend their annual Writes of Spring - another great event.