Loaded with luggage and hungry, I arrived at the Albany Hilton late Wednesday. Imagine my delight to see old friends from the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime at a long table chowing down on pasta, salads, and steaks. I sat, the waiter came, and I pointed at Barb Goffman and said, “I’ll have what she’s having,” a bowl loaded with garlic pasta, sun roasted tomatoes, and shrimp. Yum!
Off to my room, where in the morning, I discovered I had a terrific view of the city.
I schlepped my books up to the Empire Plaza,
found my bookseller, and set up my titles.
After some meet and greet,I zipped back to the hotel for an early lunch and twenty minute lie down before the afternoon panel.
The panel was titled, "BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID: Writing Characters That Do What They Want," and it was awesome. I shared the stage with authors Sandra Brannan, Tricia Fields, mega writer Joe Lansdale, and Duane Swierczynski. Standing room only and sure do wish I had a picture of that panel!
Thursday night, my buddy Barb Goffman won the Macavity Award for Best Short Story!
So I had to go out and party with Reed Farrel Coleman, Kate Pilarcik, Frank de Blase and dance with Laura Lippman,
and David Housewright and who knows who all until I almost collapsed. The band was great and played one rock and roll dance number after another. I might have had a few too many bourbons because my hotel room circled around oddly upon my return and I had an exquisite headache in the morning. All worth it! No question.
Friday I spent part of the day recovering, then met Margaret Maron, Laurie King, Louise Penney, and my buddy Rhonda Lane for drinks in the Albany Hilton hotel. Another failed photo opportunity. Rhonda and I rushed off with some other writers and fans for the Dorothy L. Dinner at the Pump House.
It was fun, but after that, I went to bed early to rest up for my two additional Saturday panels.
First was, “IF I ONLY HAD THE WORDS TO TELL YOU: Four-Legged Sleuthing.”
Pictured: authors: Katherine O’Sullivan, Spencer Quinn, Neil S. Plakcy, Clea Simon, Sasscer Hill and moderator Carole Shmurak.
Followed later that afternoon by my favorite panel, the one I moderated, “NOBODY KNOWS BUT ME: Writing a Book Is Like Making Sausage; Lots of Stuff Goes In.”
Me, presenting fabulous authors Joe Samuel Starnes, Ariel Winter, Charles O’Brien, Roger Ellory, and Andrew Grant.
Don't you think that Andrew is just as handsome as his older brother, Lee Child? I did.
Saturday night, my idol Sue Grafton spoke
All my panels were over and it was time to play. So we did. Kate Pilarcik, the fabulous marketer and promoter had us pretend to be waiting in trepidation for our awards announcements, then respond to the overwhelming news that we had won! This occurred as we sat in the auditorium after Grafton and before the Anthony Awards. We had to do something while we waited.
Go here to see who won the Anthony Awards: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/357288/218d3bc941/1451077479/8de4e76103/
After the Anthonies, everyone’s palms were so sore from clapping that we descended en mass upon the Hilton Bar and drank like only crime writers can drink. We had fun, too.
Sunday morning everyone was feeling the end of summer camp blues.
Everyone was dragging and for the record, Janet usually looks like this
Tired or not, we are already planning for next year’s BoucherCon in Long beach, CA!
MURDER AT THE BEACH!
Off to my room, where in the morning, I discovered I had a terrific view of the city.
I schlepped my books up to the Empire Plaza,
 |
| Photo courtesy of Rhonda Lane |
After some meet and greet,I zipped back to the hotel for an early lunch and twenty minute lie down before the afternoon panel.
The panel was titled, "BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID: Writing Characters That Do What They Want," and it was awesome. I shared the stage with authors Sandra Brannan, Tricia Fields, mega writer Joe Lansdale, and Duane Swierczynski. Standing room only and sure do wish I had a picture of that panel!
 |
| Joe Lansdale |
Thursday night, my buddy Barb Goffman won the Macavity Award for Best Short Story!
So I had to go out and party with Reed Farrel Coleman, Kate Pilarcik, Frank de Blase and dance with Laura Lippman,
and David Housewright and who knows who all until I almost collapsed. The band was great and played one rock and roll dance number after another. I might have had a few too many bourbons because my hotel room circled around oddly upon my return and I had an exquisite headache in the morning. All worth it! No question.
Friday I spent part of the day recovering, then met Margaret Maron, Laurie King, Louise Penney, and my buddy Rhonda Lane for drinks in the Albany Hilton hotel. Another failed photo opportunity. Rhonda and I rushed off with some other writers and fans for the Dorothy L. Dinner at the Pump House.
 |
| The lovely and talented Sandra Parshal in pink! |
 |
| Part of the Dorothy L crowd at the Pump House |
It was fun, but after that, I went to bed early to rest up for my two additional Saturday panels.
First was, “IF I ONLY HAD THE WORDS TO TELL YOU: Four-Legged Sleuthing.”
Pictured: authors: Katherine O’Sullivan, Spencer Quinn, Neil S. Plakcy, Clea Simon, Sasscer Hill and moderator Carole Shmurak.
Followed later that afternoon by my favorite panel, the one I moderated, “NOBODY KNOWS BUT ME: Writing a Book Is Like Making Sausage; Lots of Stuff Goes In.”
Me, presenting fabulous authors Joe Samuel Starnes, Ariel Winter, Charles O’Brien, Roger Ellory, and Andrew Grant.
Don't you think that Andrew is just as handsome as his older brother, Lee Child? I did.
Saturday night, my idol Sue Grafton spoke
 |
| Rhonda Lane, Sasscer Hill, David Housewright, and Kate Pilarcik. |
Go here to see who won the Anthony Awards: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/357288/218d3bc941/1451077479/8de4e76103/
After the Anthonies, everyone’s palms were so sore from clapping that we descended en mass upon the Hilton Bar and drank like only crime writers can drink. We had fun, too.
 |
| Program Chair, our beloved Judy Bobalik |
 |
| Hank Phillippi Ryan, Sasscer Hill, and Mollie Cox Bryan |
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| Award winning authors, David Housewright and Hank Phillippi Ryan |
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| Vamping it up with Joelle Charbonneau, Kate Pilarcik, and forgive me fourth lady, I never got your name! |
Sunday morning everyone was feeling the end of summer camp blues.
 |
| Tired and facing the trip home, the amazing Janet Rudolph of Mystery Readers International and Mystery Readers Journal |
Everyone was dragging and for the record, Janet usually looks like this
Tired or not, we are already planning for next year’s BoucherCon in Long beach, CA!
MURDER AT THE BEACH!
