Ellen Byron

Malice Memories – and a Misconception

It’s been a week since I returned from this year’s Malice Domestic convention and I’m still on a high from it. Malice felt exceptional this year. It’s like it got its con battery recharged and reached 100% positive energy. There were a ton of first-time attendees representing a wide range of ages. There were even more guys than usual, which added just the right touch of testosterone.

I arrived Thursday night and promptly set off for dinner with my fellow attending members, past and present, of the Cozy Mystery Crew Facebook page..

That’s Korina Moss, me, Tina Kashian, Libby Klein, J.C. Kenny, and Sarah Burr. We had a lovely dinner. But even lovelier was the discovery the restaurant had added a cookie bar:

Not gonna lie, I made two more trips there during the weekend. The second was for a noble reason: to score treats to bring home to the fam. And yes, they made it home untouched by moi. (Only because I already my own cookies.)

The panels were great, including the one I was on, Simply the Best. Congrats to my pal Gigi Pandian for taking home the Best Contemporary Novel teapot in addition to her fantastic toastmastering!

I got to hang out with so many of my mystery besties: my Chicks blogmates, Lisa and Leslie. My Fearless Four group of me, Gigi, Diane Vallere, and Lisa. The writer friends! The reader friends! John Copenhaver! Dru Ann Love and Sybil Johnson! Heather Harrisson! Meezan Ford! Which is the smallest of small samplings, but I gave up taking photos at some point because there were just too damn many wonderful people.

For me, I’d have to say that the highlight of this year’s Malice was hosting the New Author Breakfast and celebrating the debuts of twelve terrific new additions to the Malice family and mystery community. I ordered special pins for each of them that might serve as conversation starters during the convention, especially for any new author who’d never been to the con before. I’ve been that writer who didn’t know a single soul among the 500+ attendees. I wanted to give these newbies a dash of self-confidence, and I hope each of them left with new friends and excitement about their career and mystery tribe. (Sidebar: hey, Dru Ann Love is in two photos!)

Now, about that misconception. I’ve had more than one author tell me they don’t go to Malice because it’s a cozy convention. Wrong!! You see those new authors? I think only one of them actually debuted a cozy mystery. Here’s how Malice defines itself: “Malice celebrates the Traditional Mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely defined as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore or violence.” Cozies certainly fall under this category, but there were plenty of authors who write suspense in attendance and many who write P.I. protagonists or procedurals. Frankly, Dame Agatha wasn’t that cozy herself. Her mysteries can be dark as night. I just binged two seasons of Poirot and saw three hangings. And you won’t find a recipe or crafting hint in the back of any of Christie’s mystery.

I guarantee that unless you like your crime fiction salacious and gory, you will find authors you love at Malice Domestic. I hope to see you there next year. Especially since… I’M THE 2026 TOASTMASTER!!!

Readers, if you have attended Malice, what do you love most about it? If you haven’t, have I tempted you to give it a try?

61 thoughts on “Malice Memories – and a Misconception”

  1. Ellen,

    Malice was a blast, wasn’t it? Even if I was distracted the entire time. Too many fabulous panels. I met new to me friends/authors, as well has giving hugs to the old guard. Books galore I haven’t even had time to unpack yet.

    The banquet was fabulous, and I squealed myself when they announced your job for next year. Who knows what’s in store for us!

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  3. OMG, I love Malice and was so excited to get to hang with y’all at the banquet. You’re a rock star and I can’t wait to do it again next April!

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  4. Ellen, so good to see you – for what, a blink? You are going to rock the toastmaster gig next year and I can’t wait!

    I had that misconception about Malice for a long time. Obviously, since I’ve been going since 2017, I got over it.

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  6. I was one of those newbies to Malice and simply loved it! Such an amazing bunch of people who love to read and share their love for mysteries. Everyone is approachable and friendly, the panels were fun, all the activities well designed and completely entertaining. I have to say I was fortunate enough to sit at the best table for the banquet with such entertaining and interesting dinner companions. Thanks Ellen and Leslie for all the fun goodies and JC, that suit is a definite highlight! Congratulations on being named Toastmaster for 2026. Am sure it will be fabulous! I can only add, just go next year!

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  7. Well now I’m having FTISMO: Fear That I Seriously Missed Out. I’m definitely hitting up Left Coast next year since it’s in San Francisco, but I might just have to add Malice to the list as well!

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  8. El, I so agree on everything you’ve said here. Malice was such a sunny, positive event. I think authors and readers alike went home inspired to dig into the WIPs and TBRs. You have some great photos–wish I’d taken more, sigh.

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      1. Yes, our meals are a highlight for me! (Will see you in NOLA too, woohoo! My first visit there. Michael Meuller gave me some tips, ha.)

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  9. I loved this year’s Malice, this is my first time since covid. The best part is always getting to meet & chat with so many wonderful authors! Crafting with Ellen and the Mrs. Pollifax book discussion were highlights. Congratulations on next year’s Toastmaster honor, will Gigi be interviewing you?

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  12. If you want further proof that Malice isn’t just about cozies, look at next year’s guest of honor. Annette Dashofy doesn’t write cozies. She’s been nominated for awards at Malice how many times? And she is a very deserving Guest of Honor, too. (And I have her last Zoe Chambers book on deck to read, so I’m saying this as a fan of her books.)

    And we have a cozy author as the toastmaster next year. Huge congrats!!!

    I’m still trying to figure out where the weekend went. I didn’t have time to talk to half the people I wanted to talk to while I was there. Like talking to you for more than two minutes. But I added so many books to my TBR pile. I need more reading time!

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    1. BTW, I should mention that one highlight for me was definitely leading the Mrs. Pollifax discussion on Thursday night. I’m just sorry it was Thursday since so many people had other plans. My co-host, Neal Plakcy, did a great job of coming up with questions, and I was thrilled that people jumped in and shared their thoughts. What made me even happier was that the room was about half people who have loved the series for years and half people who had just discovered the series because of Malice honoring Dorothy Gilman. And they were definitely new fans. I am so happy that new people are finding such a fantastic series.

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  13. I agree–this year’s Malice was truly special. Maybe because if felt l(finally) ike a return to the pre-Covid era, but also because–as you say, Ellen–there were so many new and young faces. Such a pleasure to meet so many new authors and readers, and to reconnect with my old pals! And how exciting that you will be toastmaster next year–congrats!

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  14. Malice was great this year. The time flew by. I don’t know how we didn’t have the time to talk, Ellen. I saw you across the room several times, but that was it. Delighted you will be toastmaster next year. I know you’ll be great!

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    2. So glad I got to talk to you, Barb–and huge congrats again for your Agatha win for “The Postman Always Flirts Twice.”

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  15. Glad to hear that this year’s Malice was special.

    It sounds like the same positive energy infused the event like it did for Denver LCC.

    I have not been to Malice since 2002! When I was working, I could not justify asking for another week of paid vacation leave so soon after going to LCC. Another no (for me) is that Malice takes place at the same location. A big part of me going to LCC & Bouchercon is that they take place in a different city/state. I enjoying spend an extra few days/week exploring the area.

    And with the current situation between the Canadian & US governments, I am really cutting back on my travel to the US

    I am going to San Francisco LCC in 2026 but I won’t be going to Malice any time in the foreseeable future. SORRY!

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      1. I am justifying going to SF LCC for several reasons: 1)it’s in a blue state, 2) SF is one of my most fave cities to visit and 3) I can’t miss your turn as LCC Toastmaster!

        P.S. I cancelled NOLA Bouchercon trip in February and signed up for Calgary Bouchercon instead.

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        1. Grace, I totally get everything you wrote. I’m sad there will be two less chances to see you – MD (blue state, BTW) and LA (NOLA is a blue dot in a very red state) – but I will def see you in SF and probably Calgary because they’ve asked me to do my Cozies & Cocktails event.

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  16. Wait, there was a cookie bar?!

    Catching up with everyone is definitely the best part of Malice. It really is like a family reunion.

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  18. Congratulations on the Toastmistress appointment!

    I tell writers this very thing all the time – Malice isn’t just cozy. I first went with my debut which was a horror thriller and found a lot of readers there. Hoping to go next year with our new series – not cozy, but since it features an unconventional female sleuth, I know that Malice is a great fit. Can’t wait to see people!

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  19. I love that picture of the two of us. 🙂 It was so great to see you, even if only briefly. Well said about what the convention is all about – not just cozies! Congrats on being toastmaster in 2026. See you next year! In the meantime, I’ll need to check out that restaurant with the cookie bar. 🙂

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