Malice Domestic 2018
I had a great time at Malice Domestic last weekend in Bethesda, Maryland! Malice is a "reader and author" convention, in case you're not aware of it, with authors being nominated for the prestigious Agatha Awards, panels with historical and cozy authors explaining their books, mystery tropes, characters, etc., and plenty of other neat things. Below is my panel, Main Street Investigates, with Robin Agnew of Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookshop as moderator.
Louise Penny (!!) was the Guest of Honor, who writes the wonderful Inspector Gamache series set in Quebec. I'm such a fan of her books! She was gracious enough to take a photo with anyone who wanted one. She was also interviewed and gave a wonderful speech at the Awards banquet.
Every registrant gets a tote bag packed with free books and the latest Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Mystery Scene magazines, plus the Malice Domestic convention magazine; there's swag to check out in the Hospitality Suite, a vendor room with books (new and used) for sale, plus jewelry and often clothing, both a live auction and a silent auction of items donated by authors -- the proceeds are donated to a charity. Below is the "Michigan Cozy" tote bag that included my items (teddy bear, chocolate, towel, mug, notepad, signed book) plus Sharon Farrow's Berry Basket books and items.
This year, Kensington and Midnight Ink publishers gave out free books and had their authors available to sign them. That was fun!! We Kensington authors all had a taste of what bestselling authors feel like with swarms of people wanting autographs that morning.
Malice Domestic also publishes an anthology of short stories -- this year, Murder Most Geographical -- with great selections, and a signing by most of the authors also takes place Friday night after the auction. Here's my friend Eleanor Cawood Jones signing her story, "Keep Calm and Love Moai", which entails her journey to Easter Island.
Agatha Award winners were announced at the banquet, and we had more panels Sunday morning with a delightful afternoon tea. Here's a few more photos - I'm with the Sleuths in Time authors in the group photo, and had a wonderful time overall. I also took the opportunity to sign books at the Fairfax, VA, Barnes and Noble where Bearly Departed is a Staff Recommendation!
AND my next book is coming out this month! Bear Witness to Murder is available for pre-order!!
CLICK either Amazon or Barnes and Noble -- THANK YOU!
I'll be hosting several giveaways in May and June, so keep checking my Facebook page! Spring has sprung at last, so enjoy the wonderful weather after such a bad winter.