by Barb, writing on an April shower-y day
This week, four of the Wickeds–Barb, Sherry, Edith/Maddie and Julie/Julia–will be returning to the Malice Domestic conference after a two year hiatus because of the you-know-what.
If you’re at Malice (Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24, registration required), please say hello.
Here are the places you are sure to find us.
Panels
Barb and Edith/Maddie will be on the panel “Writing a Series: Keeping it Fresh” at 11:00 AM on Saturday, along with moderator Dru Ann Love, and Amanda Flower, Cheryl Hollon, and SC Perkins/Celeste Connally.
Julie/Julia will moderate the panel “The Place of Cozies in a Non-Cozy World” at 2:00 PM on Saturday, appearing along with Tina deBellegarde, Emmeline Duncan, KP Gresham, and Terrie Farley Moran.
Sherry will be on the panel “Sleuths with Unconventional Careers” at 10:00 AM on Sunday, along with Moderator Josh Pachter, and Heather Weidner, Mary Angela, and Grace Topping.
Other places
Wearing her alternate hat as Executive Director of Sisters in Crime National, Julie will be staffing various shifts of “office hours” at the SinC table. Members and non-members alike should feel free to drop by to chat about the organization.
2022 marks the first year since 2014 that no member of the Wickeds has been nominated for an Agatha Award. Making up for that in a big way, Edith will be at the banquet on Saturday evening accepting her 2020 Agatha teapot for her win for Best Historical Novel for Charity’s Burden.
And unofficially…
In addition to our official Malice events, we four Wickeds will be around all weekend. Come look for us in the lobby or the bar, the book room or the hallways. We would dearly love to chat with you.
Anticipation
Barb: Back when I signed up for Malice, it was hard to see the future and hard to know what I’d be willing to do. Registering was a leap of faith! Now that it’s upon us, I’m both excited and nervous. Excited to see so many members of the crime reading and writing community for the first time in ages. Nervous, not so much about the virus, as about being in a crowd at all. I’m never great at large social events. Usually, at the start, I square my shoulders and tell myself it’s my job. And then, once things get going, I have a wonderful time. Because how could you not–surrounded by people who love what you love? Despite what I’m sure will be another terrific time this year, I’ll be missing four people who were at the last in-person Malice and are no longer with us: Sheila Connolly, Ramona DeFelice Long, Lea Wait and Jan Kurtz.
Edith/Maddie: I will also miss those four so very much, Barb. Of course I’m excited to pick up my Agatha Award – and teapot – at long last, and hope the organizers give me a few moments to thank my support crew of the Wickeds, to express my gratitude for Ramona, who edited the book (and all the other Quaker Midwife Mysteries), and to applaud other nominees and winners in the historical genre. To be honest, despite having had my second booster, I am concerned about the virus. But I’m not staying home on that account, because I’m super delighted to see all my long-time author and fan pals – in person!
Sherry: I’m nervous/excited too. I’ve become such a hermit these past two years and I’ve always loved going to conferences and being in the thick of things with people. I’m also thrilled that I’ll get the certificate for my Agatha nomination for Best Contemporary Novel from last year’s online Malice. I always love spending time with the Wickeds, readers, and authors.
Julie: I’m really looking forward to seeing people at Malice. Like Barb, I will miss those who aren’t there, and raise a glass in their memory. Having been at Left Coast Crime, I know a bit about how emotional the weekend will be–seeing people and catching up. Malice Domestic was my first big conference, and holds a special place in my heart. Plus I get to spend some time with three of the Wickeds, check in with Sisters in Crime chapter leaders, see SinC board members, and cheer friends on. And I get to say hello to readers. In other words, the perfect mix.
Readers: Do you have something coming up that you’re excited/nervous about?
