Networking for Book Nerds

Where Fleur gets out of her comfort zone and even wears a dress.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to travel a lot lately. Some of it’s for fun, but most has been for work. Conventions, book fairs, school visits—all really amazing. I’ve been able to connect to lots of people, which has been…

Well, it’s been a lot. If you’re a book nerd like me, you probably like to read. And reading is about solitude: just you, the book, and your imagination. Writing stories works much the same way.

Being an author does not work that way. Sure, you can NOT go out there and talk about your books, but then who’s going to know about them? Exactly. Each author approaches this need for being social differently, but all have to get out of their book nerd comfort zone to connect with readers (and fellow writers).

Last weekend, I was at Malice Domestic, a mystery fan conference in Bethesda, Maryland. I’d been wanting to go for years and now I was finally able to. I had a lot of fun. But still, it was tasking for this book nerd. This was my first foray into a conference that has its own history, group of friends, and culture.

Thankfully, everyone was super friendly. At one point I was roaming a cocktail party (readers, I was wearing an actual DRESS with HEELS, to which there is no photographic evidence) and a group of lovely ladies saved me from cocktail party awkwardness by waving me over. Malice Domestic people are the best.

I also had dinner with author friends Josh Pacher, John Copenhaver and Avrim Lavinsky, where we discussed travel and writing and life.

I was finally able to meet author friend and fellow literacy advocate Beth Schmelzer, who is surely one of my favorite people.

I was on a panel where we talked about mysteries for kids. We could’ve gone on talking for another hour…

I feel very fortunate for the great company I get to keep.

If you find yourself dreading a cocktail party and scary social situation as a book nerd, go anyway. I promise it is worth it.

I hear pantsuits are the cool thing for women now, so you don’t even have to suffer in a dress.

Good News

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel is on the Idaho Battle of the Books list…! Yay for more mystery books to keep kids reading. I love their motto: It’s like sports but with books!

I also have a new literary agent, Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. More news to come, as I polish up my work to get it ready for submission…

What I’m Writing

It’s a dull story, but other than a detour into short fiction every so often, I’m still working on my YA murder mystery, book 2 in a series. I just made it past the half point on the rough draft, which I feel deserves cake, or at least cookies. Writing a novel takes time…

What I’m Watching

I’m loving Will Trent, for the mystery, characters, and sense of humor. Alas, the season finale is this week, so then I’ll have to find a new series to sink my teeth into.

What I’m Reading

I just finished Robert Crais latest Elvis Cole and Joe Pike book, The Big Empty. Good if you like your mysteries with humor and a little grit.

Otherwise, I’m enjoying more short stories and gearing up to make a summer reading list. My to-read list is getting unwieldy, especially after learning about so many great books at conventions… Being a book nerd is tough. So many books, and never enough time.

Your Bi-Weekly Kittens.

I’m enjoying a fresh batch of fosters, named Mulder and Scully. They are cute, fluffy, and slowly making weight after which they will be available for adoption at the Colorado Springs Humane Society.

Enjoy the cuteness.