With little more than a month remaining before the Left Coast Crime conference gets under way in Honolulu, the organizers have released what they hope will be the final schedule of events and panel discussions planned for the four-day event, March 16 through 19.
(Disclosure: My wife and I are currently serving on the Standing Committee that oversees these conferences.)
As one who writes mostly about classic crime, I'm particularly interested in this year's "Ghost of Honor," Earl Derr Biggers, the creator of Charlie Chan. I'm delighted to say that I'll be appearing on a Saturday afternoon panel with two other Charlie Chan enthusiasts - authors Rochelle Staab, who will moderate, and Hal Glatzer. We'll also have a Charlie Chan movie night, where we're planning to watch The Black Camel, starring Warner Oland, and Charlie Chan in Honolulu, starring Sidney Toler.
I've also been invited to join a panel on Friday morning called "Reviewers & Critics: Are authors at their mercy?" It will be moderated by my old blogfriend Jen Forbus and feature the amazing Dru Ann Love, of Dru's Book Musings (and the winner this year of the prestigious Raven Award as part of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards) and two authors (new to me), Maddie Margarita and Jane Stillwater.
My wife and I are also co-hosting the opening event of the conference - a session called "Speed Dating for Authors." It gives authors a chance to present their books to more than a hundred potential new readers - a great ice-breaker.
My wife, being a retired school librarian, will also be moderating a panel Friday morning called "YA & Mid-Grade Novels: The young and the restless," with four authors of mysteries aimed at younger readers, Kelley Armstrong, Pamela Beason, Catherine Paul (aka Evelyn Cirincione), and Penny Warner.
So much to do, so many authors to meet, so many mystery readers to entertain and enthrall. And in Hawaii, no less. I do hope to see at least some of you there!