MY FIRST CON (GCLS 2017)

(signing books with mystery author Anne Hagan)

I needed some time to unplug, and unwind when I got back from my first GCLS Con. I drove from upstate New York to Chicago over the course of two days in each direction. On the way I stopped in Pittsburgh to see family, and on the way back in Ohio & Buffalo. I rested for a day, and then drove Sue back to Maine, and came back the next day. So, now that I’ve had a couple days to process, I can tell you it was a great experience. Before I write all about it, I would like to give a shout out to the board of GCLS for all their hard work planning this year’s con. They, along with the volunteers and committees helped make it all possible.

As you might imagine, the Con is a whirlwind of activity, with a smorgasbord of choices. Snippets from books read by authors, panels of interesting topics, master classes of useful information, and a vendor room full of new reading possibilities, plus a chance to get your favorite authors signatures. The event is topped off by an award ceremony and dance. Despite it being my first time there, I was fortunate enough to have some bids on me for the author’s dance, helping to raise money for the scholarship fund. Thank you to Deb Amia for placing the winning bid—and not leaving me standing alone like the nightmare that was high school gym class.

I figured if I was going to attend, I should go all out and do it all. So, I am glad that I had the opportunity to have a vendor table. That is truly something I would not have been able to do without the support of my posse, Rita Carver and Sue Koren, who took care of the table allowing me the opportunity to read, sit on panels, and attend master classes and panels. I am grateful to them both for allowing me the opportunity to take advantage of as much as I could. I’m sure the people that met and conversed with them would agree; they were truly a delight, and far more outgoing then this crazy introverted artist/author.

My posse and I debuted our talents at the Open Mic on Wednesday, which really can’t be described, so if you missed it you’ll just have to hope for a do-over next year! (I don’t think GCLS video-taped the Open Mic)

I had the opportunity to be on the Mystery & Mayhem panel with Jessie Chandler, Anne Hagan, Penny Mickelbury, and Linda Vogt, moderated by Catherine Maorisi. It was my first panel, and yikes was I nervous!

For my author spotlight I choose a reading from one of my early novels, "Soul Mistakes".

One of the biggest highlights for me was being able to not only sit on a panel with Penny Mickelbury, but then I had the chance to have a drink with her and really get to know her. If you missed her special talk, you truly missed the goddess at work.


(with Rita Carver, Penny Mickelbury and Sue Koren)

And the last panel I was on, I dreaded, mostly because we had to talk for five minutes about our process. But the lovely Karin Kallmaker pulled herself out of her sick bed to moderate, and my fellow panelists Kimberly Cooper Griffin, Genevieve Fortin, Mercedes Lewis, and Cass Sellers had fascinating stories, and I enjoyed the panel a lot. I hope the audience did too.

I want to congratulate all the Goldie Winners this year (you can see a full list on my author page). I encourage you to check out their books.

A big shout out to all those who bought my artwork and books. Thank you, I hope you enjoy them.