A Love Letter to Malice

Malice Domestic is a cozy mystery conference held in the Baltimore/DC area at the end of April each year.  From my perch overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it's on the other edge of the continent.  It's a long trip for a three-day event, but I tried it this year and it was worth every mile.

 I really tried to talk myself out of it.  It was too far.  The registration/hotel/airfare was expensive.  I couldn't get time off work.  All the usual arguments.  I bargained with myself.  I couldn't afford to go, but if SINK TRAP was nominated for Best First Novel (hey, a girl's gotta have her dreams!) I'd go anyway.  When that didn't happen, I told myself I'd won (or lost) the argument about going.  I was staying home.

The Internet, however, had other ideas.  First, Travelocity taunted me with a ridiculously fare for the cross-country flight.  Then my boss said he thought we could manage if I was gone a couple days.  And I got on a list with other cozy writers and asked about a roommate - within minutes the fabulous Maggie Sefton (who'll be guest blogging here in a couple days) popped up and said she was looking for someone to share.

What could I do?  I was outnumbered; Travelocity, my boss, AND Maggie were all aligned against me and my fading will power.  Add to that the incredible Malice organizers who managed to get me in the program book and give me a signing, even though I decided at the last minute.  I had to go!

Which is how I found myself on a flight leaving Portland at 11 pm on Wednesday, heading to Atlanta and connecting to Washington National.  I landed in Atlanta with just enough time to race from one gate to the other, lugging my laptop and my Kindle - my two travel must-haves.

Even after working all day and flying all night, I was excited to arrive in DC.  The Marriott had a shuttle, and my room was ready, even though I arrived about 10 in the morning!  By the time I met up with Maggie a bit after noon, I'd settled in and was ready to explore Georgetown.

After our walking tour, we met a bunch of other writers for dinner and to assemble the goodie bags we gave out over the weekend.  I can't believe how many wonderful people I met!  When I finally fell into bed well past midnight, I could hardly wait for the next day.

Friday was a blur of activity, leading up to the dinner hosted by my publisher, Berkley.  An incredible meal with my amazing editor, Michelle, and the other editors and writers.  It was especially wonderful to share a dinner table with my editor-sisters, Diana Orgain and Lila Dare.

Saturday was more of the same, interrupted by a lovely lunch with my editor, a book signing, and winding up with the awards banquet on Saturday night.  Parnell Hall was hysterical, Rhys Bowen was delightful, and Mary Higgins Clark was charming and gracious.

My biggest regret was that I had to leave before the finish of the Tea that closed the convention on Sunday afternoon.  Next time I'll know I need to take a later flight.

And I can guarantee you, there WILL be a next time!!