Marilyn's Musings

While I'm writing this, Bouchercon is going on in Raleigh, North Carolina and I've been following all the photos and comments as they've appeared on Facebook. I've also been reading some blog posts and comments from some who think that these big mystery cons are a waste of time and money for mid-list authors. Here's my take on the matter. My first Bouchercon was in Monterey CA and I had a great time. I didn't sell any books, because I didn't have any, however I was on a panel--my first. I had friends who were there and made lots of new ones. Hubby and I attended many more Bouchercons and Left Coast Crimes all over the United States and had fun. I got to meet many favorite authors and lots of fans. Did it do anything for my mystery writing career? Probably not a whole lot. I never sold many books, after all some of the most famous mystery writer are always in attendance. Going with the thought of selling lots of books will probably end up in disap...

Despite the fact that Bouchercon is in California again this year, Long Beach to be exact, I've chosen not to go. It makes me sad because I'll miss seeing all the authors who attend, many of them are friends that I only get to see at events like this. Many mystery readers also go to Bouchercon and I'm friends with many and won't be seeing them either. At first I did plan to go, even had a roommate all scheduled. But unfortunately she only made reservation for Friday and Saturday night at the hotel. Frankly, it's best to arrive on Wednesday because other events are always planned. Also, if you are a small press author, the probability is that if you are put on a panel it will be on Thursday or Sunday. Also, the only way I'd go would be to fly (I never drive in L.A. anymore, far too scary for this old lady). I'd have to fly from Bakersfield into LAX then take a taxi or other mode of transportation to the Long Beach hotel. For two nights, it just wa...

There are many mystery conventions to choose from. I'm only going to talk about the ones I've attended. The biggest, of course, is Bouchercon, where I am right now. Bouchercon moves all over the country and I've attended them in lots of different places including Wisconsin twice, Texas, and Alaska. Bouchercon is big--big name writers and lots of fans attend--as well as small press writers like me. It can be overwhelming and a good idea if you have a roommate. While there though, be sure not only to take advantage of the panels, and there are lots to choose from, also go take advantage of the other things offered to do. Talk to everyone, make new friends, speak to your favorite authors, let them know that you love their books. Have a good time. Left Coast Crime is probably the next biggest I've attended and they are always supposed to be in the west somewhere. Not quite as many attend, though there are still a lot of people and the con is much like Bouchercon, just small...

Not everyone was here when the photo was taken, but a schedule of events was sent out and I have to give the girls in charge credit, they followed their schedule and things moved along one after another--no one had the chance to be bored. On Saturday afternoon there was free time and a lot of the attendees took the opportunity to shop at the Outlet stores next door and I know some of the grandparents and parents did some Christmas shopping. I only went to one store and bought a new carry-on that I plan to use for Bouchercon in San Francisco. I don't want to have to pay to send any luggage for a 1 1/2 hour flight. That ties up the family reunion. If you want to see more pictures, check out my family reunion album on Facebook. Marilyn http://fictionforyou.com

The galley proof has been checked and sent back in, the cover is ready, now it's a matter of time before I'll be able to order copies of Invisible Path. I've already set the date for the book launch at the little used book store in Porterville. It'll be Saturday, October 23rd from 1-4. I'm hoping to have one at the library in Springville the Friday afternoon before, but haven't made those arrangements yet. As usual, I'm doing a blog tour, but have no information about that as yet. Some of the things that are planned, are events I signed up for awhile ago knowing I'd have a new book out at the same time. The biggie is Bouchercon in San Francisco, also in October. I haven't attended the last two Bouchercons, but this one is too close to pass up. In November, hubby and I are going on a week long mystery cruise. Of course, I'll take copies of Invisible Path as well as An Axe to Grind. So far nothing is scheduled for December, but I'm sure somethi...

In a couple of blogs I've confessed that I'm not a famous author nor do I make very much money. So I'm sure there are those out there who wonder why I keep at it. After all, my first book was published way back in 1981. Shouldn't success have caught up with me by now? I have a whole slew of reasons why I keep on. First, I don't think I could quit even if I wanted to. All those characters in my head want to get out paper. I want to know what Tempe and Hutch will be up to next as well as that whole Rocky Bluff P.D. bunch. The friends I've made over the years are priceless. Those fans who are waiting for my next book and tell me so, I love. The ones I know will show up at my next book launch and buy a book. Friends I only see once a year at conferences like Mayhem in the Midlands: Sarah Weiss and her mom, Benay, who could be her sister. Other authors who I look forward to seeing and hanging out with, like Radine Nehring and her husband, John--and way to many more t...

The crowds were huge, especially on Saturday, and people were buying. I always advertise in the program that they hand out and fortunately, this year, my ad landed at the front and on the right hand side. Some people came to my booth, paper in hand, looking for me. Of course there were others who merely stopped because they were curious. The only way to sell books at these affairs is to smile and speak to everyone who passes. Those who read will stop and take a look. At that point I begin telling them about each book. I have a one sentence blurb or "elevator pitch" for each one. I brought 20 of my own titles with me and also a friend's book. You never know what might interest someone. Some covers attract people--but not the same covers. I had only two copies left of one book and only one of another. I put them on the table with a sign saying these were the last. They were snapped up immediately. I did very well both days though the majority of the sales came in the mornin...

Doesn't seem like anyone with good sense would actually do that, but it happens all the time among the mystery community. Every time a mystery convention draws close appeals for roommates turn up on various lists, they usually say something like: Looking for female roommate, Non smoker--or male roommate,non smoker. What makes it so intriguing, is that among these potential female or male roommates are people who figure out ways to kill people. I know this, because these same folks turn up on the same or other lists asking questions like: What would be a good poison that would look like natural causes? Or what kind of medication put into a drink wouldn't taste bad and would knock a man out for at least two hours? What kind of gun could kill someone who was shooting from 50 yards away? Actually the questions posed are far more intricate than what I made up here. So, you ask for the roommate and hope he or she doesn't want to experiment on you, right? Actually, I've been o...

(I wrote this on another blog I'm on, but I think it's important enough to repeat on my own blog.) I'm back on my soap box once again. On DorothyL, the premiere list for mystery fans and authors, they've been discussing the fact that Bouchercon has voted against discriminating against small press as far as allowing their authors to serve on panels. (They won't let self-pubbed or those who paid to be published however unless they've won a prestigious prize.) Left Coast Crime on the other hand will not allow any author published by a non-MWA approved publisher be on a panel. Though going to mystery cons is an enjoyable experience, they are very expensive. If you can't be on a panel, your books will not be in the book room. If you're not on a panel of course no one will be able to purchase your book. For an author, part of the reason to go to a con is to let people know about your book. I've decided to only attend mystery cons and writers conferences wh...

http://www.bouchercon.info:80/minutes_anchorage.html Take a look at this, and go near the bottom and you'll see that the committee (consisting of Mayhem people) is going to come up with rules to exclude more authors. I can't believe this. They had lots of big name authors in Anchorage--but it was really expensive. I guess author's like me don't count, not even my money. Despite belong to MWA, Sisters in Crime, and other writers organizations, serving as an instructor for Writers Digest for 10 years and being invited to be an instructor at the Maui Writers retreat, having 20 published books, doesn't make me a "legitimate" author. Marilyn

Bouchercon was absolutely wonderful! I met the most interesting people and visited with old friends. After my panel about Ethnic Detectives which I was on with Victoria Heckman, also my roommate, I did an Author Special with one person who was a good friend from the midwest, Boobye Johnson. Great catching up with her. Most of the other panels I attended were on Forensics of one sort or another. My favorite was a Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard who was a real "Guardian" rescue swimmer out of Fairbanks, AK. For some unknown reason, the person who was supposed to arrange my visit to the schools didn't do it. She also wanted me to drive a rental car which I didn't want to do. One day on the sidewalk, I met a woman who was attending the con. I told her my dilemma and she offered not only to drive me to the home where I was staying in Wasila, but also to the schools if I ever had one to go to. What a God send! After the closing ceremonies, Pat, my new friend drove m...

After trying to figure out what to pack for Alaska, I'm finally ready to go. We were told to bring layers--so that's what I've packed. I'll be there for 8 days, so I packed things I could wear a second time. Because I'm taking books too, my big suitcase is heavy. Since I'm going alone, I'm the one who will have to haul them around. Hubby doesn't like Alaska. He was there once during his Navy career. Hubby and I are driving to Fresno where we'll stay in a hotel close to the airport overnight. Otherwise we'd have to get up soon after we went to bed in order to get there in time. The plane leaves at 6 a.m. It leaves at 6 a.m. when I'm coming home too--no telling how I'll get to the airport on time then. I guess I'd better not cross that bridge until I come to it. My travel home is taking much longer than getting there. Not exactly sure why. There is an hour time difference between Alaska and California but I don't know which way. I...

Nothing like having a reviewer burst your euphoria about having a new book out by letting you know about an error on one of the pages. Actually I appreciated her doing that. Ironically, I got the message on my Blackberry while I was in Tampa at the WOW conference. My editor was there too and I told him. What he's decided to do is correct the error and issue a second edition. By the way, the conference was terrific. I have copies of the "first edition" of Judgment Fire with the mistake and I am offering them to anyone who would like a copy for the $10 price and $2.50 for shipping along with a copy of the first book in the series, Deadly Omen , both autographed of course. Who knows, it may become a collector's copy. Anyway, if your interested, email me at mmeredith@ocsnet.net and tell me you'd like to order the book and I'll send you my address. Next week I'm leaving for Anchorage to attend Bouchercon. I'm staying over a few days to participate in the ...