Monday, April 25, 2022

Going in . . .by Dru Ann

This past month, I got on a plane or two or three to attend two reader/fan conventions.

First was to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Left Coast Crime convention. This was the first time I was in a crowd of over 100 people. Was I anxious, yes, but that feeling of being among your tribe took over and except for a few blips, I had a wonderful time. In New Mexico, the mask wearing was optional. I wore my mask when I was in mixed company, meaning if I didn’t know three-quarters of the group, my mask went all. Hugs were plenty, but I asked before giving out hugs. I was on a panel “Decades of Books” and it was cool research books during a section decade. We received kudos for our panel. As for the airplane ride, mask was still mandatory, so I was feeling comfortable on my flight. Next year, Left Coast Crime will be in Tucson, Arizona where I will be Fan Guest of Honor.

Second trip was to Bethesda, Maryland for the Malice Domestic convention. This time the mask mandate was lifted, but I still wore my mask. My guess is that 75% still wore their mask. I was Fan Guest of Honor this year and moderated a panel “Writing a Series: Keeping it Fresh” with Edith Maxwell, Amanda Flower, Cheryl Hollon, SC Perkins, and Barbara Ross. After the panel, there were continual compliments on how well it went. At the banquet, after my speech, I was surprised when I received a standing ovation.

The best part of the month of April and attending these conventions, was I got to be with my crime fiction family after an absence of two years and it felt so good.

5 comments:

  1. So sad to miss both of these fun events this year, but happy that your wonderful support for our colleagues is being widely celebrated, Dru. I'm looking forward to being able to catch up with you in person soon. Congratulations!

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  2. It was so nice meeting you at Malice. I loved your panel and am so glad you earned the award--it was well-deserved.

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  3. So glad you were able to attend these, Dru. Looking forward to seeing you in June!

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  4. Glad you were there and able to celebrate and be celebrated. Hope you are feeling better now, too. Sorry not to have been there this year, but hope to be there when you are honored at Left Coast next year.

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  5. Glad I got to meet you in Albuquerque and that your panels were such a success. A standing ovation! Go you, Dru!

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