Edith, recalling Monterey, California
As you read this I’ll be winging home from my whirlwind tour of northern California, culminating in three and a half days at Calamari Crime: Left Coast Crime in gorgeous Monterey. Since I landed on March 13, it’s been sunny and mild, with fragrant flowers blooming and my native California seeming even more friendly than usual.
I had three great author events in Oakland, San Francisco, and 
Berkeley, and also caught up with relatives and friends from nearly every era of my life, from childhood and high school right through tech writing in Boston.
Left Coast Crime is a big, well-run conference (except for the conference bookstore somehow not stocking my book!). Wicked Sherry Harris was on a fun panel of “Deadly New Voices” with other debut authors. I heard some of my favorite giants – Deborah Crombie and Louise Penny, moderated by Jacqueline Winspear – talk about “The Heart and Soul 
of Murder: Mysteries with a Meaning.” I laughed for forty-five minutes listening to Jess Lourey moderate a panel on writing sex scenes with Catriona McPherson, Deborah Coonts, Linda Joffe Hull, and Johnny Shaw.
Dinner the first night was with a bunch of Guppies, and I finally met a number of online friends in person. The second night Sisters in Crime Northern California sponsored a group dinner out, also a delight. In 
addition to meeting fellow writers, I chatted with readers wherever I went, since LCC is a fan conference. I had donated a basket to the charity auction and was pleased to see that it had a bunch of bids signed up.
My own panel, “A Taste for Murder” was a lot of fun, too, with four 
other foodie cozy authors. Kensington had sent a box of my books for the attendee bags, so recipients brought those books for me to sign afterwards.
And I hosted a full table at the banquet, giving away ARCs of ‘Til 
Dirt 
Do Us Part to nine people who signed up because they wanted to eat with me! Catriona McPherson won the 
Best Historical award, well deserved.
As usual when I attend a conference, whether aimed at readers or at writers, I came away with new ideas for my own writing. I resolved to go deeper into my characters. I feel energized going forward in my books.
It sounds like a good time was had by all.
It sounds like a wonderful trip! And congrats on escaping the cold if only for a little while!
Sounds like a great conference Edith! And great that your book was in attendee bags, so folks can get primed for the next one.
What a terrific week you have had! Your photos were beautiful. Could you tell us who won some of the other awards? I love Catriona books. Glad to hear she won!
Sounds like a delightful trip! So good you could connect with your roots too…but we are happy to have you back on this end of the continent. 😉
[Writing from mid-air on Jet Blue!] Thanks, all. Louise Penny won for Best Novel set outside the US, of course. Brad Parks won the Lefty for humorous, and William Kent Kruger won for best novel set in the US.
It was great meeting you in person!
And you, Lori!
All the reports I’m reading make this sound like a very fun convention. I really wish I could have gone and gotten a chance to meet you.
Next time, Mark!