This weekend conference, which takes place in central New Jersey, attracts writers and fans from the local area and also a few from afar. For my tribe of New York Metro Area crime writers, its a chance to spend a weekend talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. The hotel is comfortable and after a few years of going back to the same location and joining in the activities, it feels a bit like being back in a college dorm--in the fun sense of that experience, where one's friends are nearby and companionship is always at the ready. Here are some snaps of the highlights for me:
 |
| The kick off panelists: who set their tales in New Jersey: Kate Gallison, Jeff Markowitz, E.F. Watkins, Roberta Rogow, (standing) S.A. Solomon, Jo-ann Lamon Reccoppa. |
 |
| The stars of the show: Guest of Honor--Brad Parks, Toastmaster - E.F. Watkins David Award (tied) winners Jeff Markowitz for Death and White Diamonds and Steve Rigolosi for The Outsmarting of Criminals. |
 |
| My panel on Location, Location, Location with K. Gallison, Kim Kash, R. Ragow, KB Inglee, me, and moderator J,. Markowitz. |
 |
| I moderated a super-fun panel, where these authors answered as their protagonists: Jane Kelly, E.F. Watkins, Sheila York, K. Kash, B. Parks, and moi. |
 |
| Our NY chapter of MWA hosted the conference Sunday brunch: Here I am making a pitch for people to join the tribe! |
Annamaria - Monday
Posts
What a great looking, fun loving crew, but personally I'm partial to the one labeled "moi."
ReplyDeleteFun was our by-word, Bro. Laughing was a major activity, moi included!
DeleteSounds like fun! (If you're in a New Jersey State of Mind...)
ReplyDeleteWe talked a lot about the New Jersey State of Mind, EvKa--the state's great diversity and talk-shit-take-none attitude. The location takes on an extremely exotic attitude because the hotel weddings--this weekend, as always, when we are there, there were two--one Indian and one ultra orthodox Jewish. Walking around were women in exquisite sari's and men in the incredible high, round fur hats--shoulder width and long shiny payos. NJ is an interesting place!
DeleteThat looks like great fun... just one question. Can you clarify that there is a writer called Kim Kash and she's just not a walking abbreviation ?
ReplyDeleteYes, she is definitely not an abbreviation! She is real--six feet one of lovely lady. She lives in Saudi Arabia and writes pulpy mysteries about a beach resort in Maryland--great fun!
DeleteI exist! (That was satisfying on an existential level.)
ReplyDeleteScrivo ergo sum!
DeleteSo much fun so far away.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to come your way one day!
DeleteI had such a wonderful time, making new friends and catching up with my Tri-state tribe.
ReplyDeleteIt was SUPER to see you, Paula. Come to the reading on Saturday if you can!!!
DeleteDeadly Ink is always fun. It’s an intimate gathering of the mystery community, a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones, a chance to listen and learn, to bitch and moan. It is, in the best sense, a family reunion.
ReplyDeleteJeff, what a perfect description. CONGRATULATIONS on your David award. Warning to readers of MIE: Reading Death and White Diamonds causes uncontrollable laughter. If you do it in public, you will get funny looks as I did from my fellow passengers on the Q train. I held up the book so they could see the title. I am not sure if that did my reputation any good. But the book lifted my spirits enormously!
Delete