It’s Conference Time!

When is a conference not a conference? <drum roll> When it happens in March 2020. The last time I went to a writing conference was in 2020 for Left Coast Crime in San Diego. It was surreal experiencing the shutdown of the entire event. Notices were quickly taped to doors and windows. People scrambled for their phones to rearrange transportation and find lodging. I resigned myself to canceling my hotel reservation (hoping for a refund) and traveling the two hours back to Los … [Read more...]

To Swag or Not to Swag?

It’s conference season time! As an author, a lot my time is spent in solitary creation. There comes a few points every year where I actually get to go out and meet folks, including readers. This happens at book festivals, and to a smaller extent, at bookstores. Fan conventions, though, are a different beast entirely. These gatherings invite readers to mingle with their favorite authors. They’ve been on pause (or virtual) for the last few years, so I’m excited to see them up and running … [Read more...]

May 2021 Book Suggestions

I'm blogging on Writers Who Kill today and talking about books I've read or want to read by AAPI creators for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Follow along: https://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2021/05/aapihm-book-recommendations-by-jennifer.html … [Read more...]

Virtual Bouchercon

There is such a thing as conference fatigue. I had a fabulous time this past weekend with 900 or so other friends checking out Bouchercon 2020. Though I didn't get to travel to the state capital and frolic in Sacramento, I still got to attend the event virtually. The highlights of the event were: Pre-taped videos: High-quality video interviews with amazing people like Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, Catriona McPherson, and the past presidents of Sisters in CrimeLive presentations: Unique … [Read more...]

Bouchercon, Here I Come!

I was excited to attend my first Bouchercon, a huge conference for mystery lovers, this year. It would've been held in my state (Sacramento, CA) this upcoming weekend. Thankfully, it didn't get canceled. Like many other conventions, though, it's turned virtual. Now I can be there from the comfort of my own home. Not only do I get a chance to listen to great authors, but I'm actually on a panel! I'll be on the Our Furry Friends panel on Friday, Oct. 16th at 3pm with Lane Stone, Jackie Layton, … [Read more...]