BooksNJ 2017

Annamaria on Monday 

It was a hot gathering  I mean like 93 degrees F HOT.  And it was out of doors.  We all had a lovely time talking to avid readers and book lovers despite the uncomfortable weather.

Here is what it looked like.

On a Saturday, while the book festival was drawing a crowd outside, the regular
library services were in full use indoors.

My MWA-NY tribe set up its tent and got ready for the  afternoon.

Cold water, sweaty bottle.

There were tents on the grounds for various topics--many of them aimed at
encouraging young readers, something libraries all over the US do a very good job of.

One tent was set up for the Keynote speakers, including the guest of honour:
Mega bestselling author, Robin Cook

Our MWA-NY star and past-President, Chris Grabenstein,
was the other big attraction.  His Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's
Library was on the NY times YA best seller list for 111 weeks! 

We mystery writers  had our own address, where our panels took place.

A lot of things had to be tied down, because it was breezy about which we were all very grateful. 

I forgot to ask someone to take a picture of my panel, so
I asked our moderator and my good buddy, Charles
Salzberg to pose in my little buggy as were were
leaving for the drive back to Manhattan.

CrimeCONN 2016

Annamaria on Monday

CrimeCONN is a one-day a mystery-writing conference, jointly sponsored by the Westport, Connecticut Public Library and the New York Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.  (MWA's New York Chapter territory includes all of Connecticut, New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,  Delaware, and West Virginia.  Don't ask me why.  I have no idea)

The purpose of the conference is to showcase our Connecticut mystery/thriller authors, of which there are many illustrious novelists and television and screen writers.  

My well-used copy of the program

The MWA Coordinator of the conference is Chris Knopf,
author of 14 mystery/thrillers.  His works have received stars from
Publishers' Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. His Dead Anyway
won the 2013 Nero Award.

Books of the panelists were on offer.  Sales were brisk.

Panels concentrated on the theme of The Mind of  the Criminal.  First up was
a discussion of What Motivates Bad Guys.  Left to right: Michael Ledwidge,
Rosemary Harris, Liz Mugavero, and moderator John Valeri.

Lunchtime chat with John Roche, Karen E. Olson, Joe Meyers,
and David Rich

Lots of great conversation over lunch.

My lunch companions included Tom Straw, Writers Guild nominee for his TV
writing and producing.

The sold-out crowd reconvened after lunch.

My friend Paula Lanier and I sang the praises of our tribe--MWA-NY and made
a pitch to the emerging writers and fans to join up.

Post-lunch interview by Chris Knopf of Andrew Gross, author of NYT
bestselling thrillers, who (I am thrilled to say) has written his first historical
thriller, The One Man, set during WWII and featuring his own family's exploits.

Last chance pose with my friend John Roche, author of
Bronx Bound.

En route home, passing trough Grand Central Station, always busy, even
late on a Saturday night.  

Oh, how hanging with my tribal brothers and sisters feeds my spirit!