This weekend I had the pleasure of attending this event for the fourth year.  My friend, Barb, attended with me and was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and relaxed the mystery writing community is.  She was thrilled to get to speak to authors John Connelly, Andrew Grant, and Marcus Sakey. 
    It felt like old home week for me.  We attended the Friday night Meet & Greet (my first time to do so).  The first bright face of the evening was Joelle Charbonneau.  She shared marketing tips with me to help me with my campaign next year.  Her Rebecca Robbins series sounds fun and intriguing.  You all should check into it.
    It was great to see Tom Shreck again.  He emceed the day and his humor really makes my day.  Marcus Sakey had great news about his new TV program, Hidden City, which will premier on the Travel Channel in December. 
    Topics were very interesting. Karen Kolasa from the Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee came to speak to us on Psychic Awareness and Psychic Detectives.  This was particularly interesting for me since I plan to use a psychic in my third book.  Subjects like playing fair with your readers, traditional or non-traditional methods of writing, and  how characters can make or break a story were discussed. There was also a panel of marvelous authors of historical novels, Reed Farrel Coleman, Kelli Stanley, and Jeri Westerson. It was intriguing to discover their backgrounds and what prompted them to use scenes from the past for their novels.
    It was a wonderful day with wonderful people.  AND, Barb got some of her Christmas shopping done!  Can't wait to go back again next year.

    This is more like "adventures in reading" today.  Although I still prefer to read the written word in printed book form, I purchased a Nook Simple Reader today.  Yes, I've finally given in because so many of my fellow authors are publishing in ebook format only.  If I don't have an e-reader, I won't have the opportunity to read their fabulous works.
    I know, I know, many of you will say it's about time I ventured further into the world of technology.  AND, when my printed novels are out for a time, the books I will be publishing starting next year will also become available as ebooks.  Rest assured that I am well-aware that ebooks are here to stay.  I just hope the good old paper and print types don't go away.  I cannot wait to hold my first novel, Perfidy, in my hands and to see my name plastered across the front cover of a good old fashioned printed book.
    Until next time, good reading to you no matter which form you choose!!!