Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Charmed to Death

I hope this is a case of better late than never: I will be Baltimore, Maryland, attending this year's Bouchercon ("Charmed to Death") from Wednesday, 8 October to Sunday, 12 October. For those of you not familiar with Bouchercon, it's the big American mystery convention, and is being held at the Baltimore Sheraton City Center Hotel, 101 West Fayette Street. Because I was so slow getting my act together, I'm only on one panel--Thursday, at 10:00am, in room International E. The panel is "Let's Work Together" (i.e., writing with a partner), and my fellow panel members will be Cara Black, Meredith Anthony, Donald and Renee Bain, Larry Light, and Michael Stanley. There will be a book signing in the Carroll Room immediately following the panel.

So, if you're in the area, I hope to see you there!

9 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Hope you have fun.

Steve Malley said...

I'll be there in spirit.

Have a good time!

Barbara Martin said...

Have a good time, and may you sell more books.

the2ofme said...

Just finished The Archangel Project. I enjoyed the overall story and plot. I would have enjoyed it more had you left out the long speeches pretending to be dialogue. Ranting on and on about how horrible conservatives are and how they've ruined the world gets tiresome. Why don't you have a conservative character in your next book who isn't a nut or a murderer or a zealot? Is that too hard for you to write? There is great conflict in having a character that is motivated by reasonable thinking. Actually, it's scarier because it's more believable. Ludlum and Grishom have written great novels without
slamming one particular faction. Also, the thinly veiled slams at the current administration are really transparent. Do you really want to cut the potential target for your book in half? Somebody once told the Dixie Chicks to shut up and sing.
You are a very good writer. Shut up and write.

Unknown said...

have a great conference!

cs harris said...

Charles, Steve, Barbara, and liz, thanks!

the2ofme, the characters in Archangel express their views, not necessarily mine, and carry the story. Not all heroes are conservatives, and not all villains are Arabs.

nolasteve said...

One of the greatest political thrillers of all time was/is "7 Days in May" both book and movie. It was of another time, but the ideas of usurping lawful authority is the theme of stories throughout history. Both sides view their cause as just and their actions justified by the existing circumstances. In a way that is what makes the story line more frightening and realistic. It is, after all, just a story.

the2ofme said...

Candice, while I appreciate your response, it's hard to really buy it. I'm a writer as well, and I know how much of myself goes into everything I write. Whether it's a screenplay or a 30 second commercial. Doesn't mean every character believes what I believe, but c'mon Candice, read your own book. (lol) The two main characters are libs and there are speeches all over the place that hammer the reader over the head. Clearly the "Bad" guys are the conservatives. All I'm saying is, it would have been nice for the other side to have had a more sensible voice. Or for one of the antagonists to be a lib. Since it wasn't even close to being balanced, it's not a stretch to guess what your politics are. That's all I am honestly trying to sat. I enjoyed the read but am hesitant to pick up the next one because I don't want to be forced to cast a vote - I just want to read a great story.

ElaineatHome said...

I just finished WHERE SERPENTS SLEEP (which I had to special order from Barnes and Noble)and enjoyed it a great deal. Don't fret over the "predictable" barb in that review. It just means you were good a foreshadowing the potential for the odd attraction. In response to remarks by the2ofme, I remember enjoying William Buckley's spy novels despite my slightly left of center leanings. I did not need him to toss in a token liberal hero. However, on the upside, the2ofme's remarks have instilled a strong desire to read that series of yours which I have not done to this point. I look forward to that. Off to the bookstore. Cheers.