Is this your first time going to the Malice Domestic conference? If so, don't be
scared. Plan to have a bunch of fun. Most of the people going don't bite. If
you're a fan, feel free to approach your favorite author. They are there to meet
you. If you're an author and attending for the first time, breathe. This is a
vital clue to living a longer life.
The hotel is intimate. I believe there is only the one conference going on at
this time, so pretty much everyone will be an attendee. That means you can smile
at everyone. If you feel like your mouth might freeze, you can always escape to
your room to refresh or find a group of frowners and join them.
The hotel layout isn't complex but it can be tricky. The elevators are few. Plan
ahead and plan to recognize people on every ride. It's sort of like a theme
park, in that regard. You keep seeing the same people. Over and over. Read the
name tag. Say the name out loud. By the end of your stay, you'll find you know
at least twenty new names—and maybe the people, too. Note: There
are escalators to the Conference Level and elevators to the Ballroom level. From
the lobby, there are stairs to the author signing area, known as the Terrace. On
the Conference Level, you will find information and the auction and swag room
and many of the panels. On the Ballroom Level, you will find many panels, Malice
Go Round, the New Authors' Breakfast and the Banquet. Here is a link for the
floorplan to orient you: Hyatt floorplan
Though there's a lovely neighborhood of shops to browse when you want some time
outside, you will be indoors most of the time, so remember to drink water. The
air conditioning in a hotel can really parch you. Also have Chapstick and eye
drops on hand. Coffee and a light breakfast are available in the bar area of the
hotel, however, the closest Starbuck's is a half block away, on the street that
is perpendicular to the hotel.
The
panels— First of all, look at your program and using a pen, marker, or
Chapstick (if you must), tick off the panels you want to attend. There will be
so many. Now—how do you decide? I usually mark the ones with friends
first. Then theme. Then time. If there really are two that I must see at the
same time, I try to attend for half or I work on my apologies.
The new authors breakfast (Saturday)—Don't miss it. It's a nice spread and
you'll hear from debut authors who have wonderful new books! What could be
better than finding a new author to follow for years to come?
Malice Go Round (Friday)—Don't miss it. Forty-plus authors will tell you
about their books in two minutes or less. You might hear from an author that
you've never read and be wowed! The trick: you sit at one table, the authors do
the moving. It's easy!
The Poison Lady (Saturday)—Don't miss this special presentation. Lucy the
Poison Lady will share information about poisons that will knock your socks off.
She will field questions at the end.
The silent auction and live auction—Don't miss either. {Are you seeing a
theme, here?} In both instances, there will be fabulous baskets and specialty
items to bid on. Take your time at the silent auction. There's no rush. At the
live auction (Friday), speak up fast!
The opening ceremonies Friday night—simply fun and announcements of all
the nominees.
The banquet dinner on Saturday night—Some attend, some don't. I like to go
because I enjoy cheering on author pals who are nominated. I also like to hear
winning authors talk about their paths to success. Is it dressy? Some dress to
the nines; others dress casually nice. Hats are acceptable. I've seen some
fabulous ones over the years.
By the way, you can ship books and items home right from the hotel! There is a
business center on the Conference Level.
More importantly than anything else, have a good time. Consider wearing flats so
your feet don't hurt. Carry a shawl or jacket in case the rooms are cool. Feel
free to ask help from the people at the information desks (located at the bottom
of the ESCALATORS). And if you see me, please come up and "Say Cheese!"
Avery Aames
AveryAames.com
Author of Agatha Award winning A Cheese Shop Mystery Series
a.k.a. Daryl Wood Gerber
DarylWoodGerber.com
Nominated for best short story, "Palace on the Lake"
I was just informed by a very reliable source that the signings at Malice will no
longer be on the Terrace. They'll be on the Ballroom Level. Ooops!
Avery
(Daryl Wood Gerber 2:35pm April 20, 2012)
I once attended a conference at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and was amazed at the bathrooms which had a painting above every toilet and had gold fixtures. The ironic part was a room for Gamblers Anonymous right in the hotel, so pretty close to the action, right? A lively discussion at our table had the others jealous since we kept cracking up over talk about parties with romance toys. Going back to your conference, it helps to have a calendar with the hours so you know which panels overlap and can sometimes go between them.
(Alyson Widen 7:13pm April 20, 2012)
This sounds like a really fun evening surrounded by all of your fellow mystery
writers. So, do all of you have a gleam in your eyes thinking up new plots? How
about a book about a murder at a conference like this? Motive? Jealousy? Cool!
Congratulations in your nominations, Avery/Daryl. You are so deserving!
(Connie Fischer 9:22am April 21, 2012)
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