Thursday, May 14, 2015

Malice Domestic 2015 Rocked!


by Jackie King

Malice Domestic, a yearly convention to celebrate the vast pleasure of reading Mystery Stories, was held May 1 through May 3, 2015, in Bethesda, Maryland. This was the 27th such celebration, and my first to attend. Unlike many writer gatherings, Malice Domestic is held primarily for readers, and is called a Reader-Fest. Nothing is as much fun as hanging out with Readers, since people who read are also Smart.
 
I made it!
All writers were first readers. Nearly all who follow this profession are not only smart, they are empathetic. The combination of both readers (at the convention, they proudly call themselves, “Fans,”) and writers, make the best audiences ever. These groups are attentive, receptive and enthusiastic. It was so easy to speak to them.
 
These writers finished Malice-Go-Round. It's
Like speed dating, but with Authors & Readers

“YOU COULD DIE LAUGHING,” was the panel I was fortunate enough to speak with. I read each author’s book, and each made me laugh. Here is the list:

L-R Cindy Brown, 
Kathryn Leigh Scott, Moderator—JINXED  (I especially recommend for film fans.) Standing in back
Left to Right:
Cindy Brown—MACDEATH  (If you love the theater, you’ll love this mystery!)
Nancy G. West—FIT TO BE DEAD  (If you’ve ever struggled with your weight, imagine it with a dead body thrown in. Fun mystery set in a gym.)
Shelley Costa—BASIL INSTINCT  (A riotously funny Italian family ever; plus recipes.)
Tim Hall—DEAD STOCK  (If you love vintage clothing, this is your cup of tea.)
Jackie King—THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE  (No resources, no job skills and a stranger’s body in Grace’s bed. A B&B mystery.)

 
The Audience Gathers


Authors dead from laughing?
Am I next?
Even so, I can't stop laughing!
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Other photos from my trip to Malice Domestic 27:
Sara Paretsky--Malice Lifetime Achievement Award
L-Caroline Todd half of the Charles Todd writing team who was Guest of Honor
R-The wonderful Sara Paretsky

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At the Agatha Awards Banquet:
Judy Rosser-My fabulous Beta Reader, Moi, and LuLu Harrington, writer
Winners:
Best Children/Young Adult Novel
The Code Buster's Case #4 by Penny Warner
Best Short Story
The Odds Are Against Us,  by Art Taylor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
Best Nonfiction
Writes of Passage-Adventures on the Writer's Journey, by Hank Phillippi Ryan, editor
Best First Novel
Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran
Best Historical Novel
Queen of Hearts, by Rhys Bowen
Best Contemporary Novel
Truth Be Told by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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Next year this Convention will be held April 29 through May 1, 2016. Attend if you possibly can.


My May 28th post, will feature one of the delightful writers from the humor panel, Cindy Brown, author of MACDEATH.

5 comments:

Bill Kirton said...

I envy you, Jackie. It sounds great - and with the focus on readers makes lots and lots of sense. And to give laughter such prominence, especially in our genre, is another bonus. I wish the USA wasn't so far way.

Jean Henry Mead said...

It must have been an enjoyable experience, Jackie. I wish I could have been there.

Jackie King said...

I think you would have enjoyed it, Bill. The entire weekend was great fun. Perhaps one day science will learn a method to zap us from one location to another, like Startrek.

Jackie King said...

It would have been fun to see you, Jean. Maybe one day...

June Shaw said...

Jackie, I'm so glad you got to attend Malice! It went twice and loved all of it. Hope you get to go again.