Mysteries

Toasting the Toastmasters

Having a Chick serve as toastmaster at a mystery conference is big news. But in 2026, not one but TWO Chicks will step up to take center stage, at two of our favorite mystery conferences, and we couldn’t be more excited!

First up, at the end of the month, Leslie Karst will serve as Toastmaster for Left Coast Crime in San Francisco. Then, in April, Ellen Byron will be the Toastmaster at Malice Domestic. Add to that award nominations for Leslie, Ellen, and Jennifer Chow, and we’ve got a banner year for conference fun. We’re going to get our toastmasters all warmed up by asking them lots of questions about their upcoming gigs, so read on for a behind-the-scenes peek at the art of toastmastering!

Okay, so first things first: The name “toastmaster” brings all sorts of things to mind (Raised cocktail glasses? Toaster ovens?) but what does a toastmaster actually do?

ELLEN: The duties vary with the convention. I was toastmaster for Left Coast in 2022, but I’m still waiting to learn what’s required of me for Malice. To be continued.

LESLIE: I guess I’d better ask Ellen for advice as to what to do at Left Coast Crime! But seriously, it’s basically an emcee gig: keep the show running smoothly and keep the audience amused. And I assume I do in fact get to make a toast!

Left Coast Crime and Malice Domestic are two of our favorite places to connect with other cozy mystery authors and readers. Tell us a bit about the conference you’ll be headlining. 

LESLIE: What I love about LCC is the variety of genres it encompasses, from the coziest of cozies to the noirest of the noir–and everything in between. And everyone gets along! You may belly up the bar after the panels are over for the day and end up discussing either tea shops in the Cotswolds or ways to smuggle opium from China to Brooklyn. You never know.

ELLEN: I’ll let Malice tell you in its own words: “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.” Since I’m terrible at writing all of those things, it’s a great match for me. But I adore Left Coast too.

What part of the job are you most excited about? Do you have any special activities planned?

LESLIE: I’m excited to host Movie Night (with popcorn!), where we’ll watch After the Thin Man, the second film in the marvelous series loosely based on the Dashiell Hammett novel, which is set in San Francisco where LCC takes place this year.

ELLEN: No activities planned. Right now, I’m most excited about the nine-ounce pour of wine I intend to imbibe alone in my hotel room when it’s all over.

Being a toastmaster requires a particular skillset and a willingness to get up on stage in front of hundreds of attendees — and both of you have a background that makes you particularly well suited for the job. What in your past experience has led to this moment?

ELLEN: My degree in Theatre, for sure. Plus, ten years performing with improv troupes. The hardest part will be getting me to stop talking.

LESLIE: I was the lead singer (and songwriter and rhythm guitarist) for two different bands back in the ’80s and ’90s, so I have no problem making a fool of myself in front of a crowd. But have no fear, I will NOT sing in my role as toastmaster.

What advice or tip do you have for authors who might be nervous about public speaking?

LESLIE: Just remember that most folks are so nervous about getting up in front of the public that they will admire the heck out of you for being willing to do so, no matter what you do. And sure, go ahead and imagine the audience all in their underwear…

ELLEN: I cannot top Leslie’s advice. But as someone who once actually had to go onstage in her underwear because the costume assistant forgot the pants I needed for a quick scene change, I can truly share that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Readers, do you have any questions for our toastmasters? Have you ever had to make a speech in front of a crowd, and, if so, how did it go?

44 thoughts on “Toasting the Toastmasters”

  1. I am so excited for this news. You both are great talkers, and I know you will bring the houses down.

    Have I ever spoken in front of a crowd? Lordie, you don’t want to hear this. But yes. For my job, when I have to be as serious as all get out. Has not been fun.

    I much prefer speaking on things where I can be entertaining. I’m very good at it. I cannot do small talk at a party, but I can entertain the pants off a crowd (sorry for the pun, Ellen).
    Two hints I can give?
    You will be nervous beforehand, that’s a 95% guarantee. But most people lose their nervousness the second they start speaking, especially if you are talking about a passion.

    a trick I learned in college by accident? First time I spoke, I was sweating, and my glasses kept slipping down. So I took them off and put them on the podium. The crowd thought it was a casual, cool movement I did. But I was able to see the faces of fewer people!

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  2. I can’t wait to see you guys. You both will be marvelous.

    When I won the Agatha, I had to go on stage to accept and I do believe I made the audience cry. I was nervous as heck though so I don’t know how made it to the end of my speech.

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  3. Yes, I have spoken in front of large groups and it is nerve-wracking until you get started, so whatever works to get you to that point is good! All I can offer is my confidence in you! Know you will both do a fabulous job! Sending my long distance good wishes to Leslie and will be cheering Ellen on in person, toasting you both!

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    1. Hope you were wearing nice underwear, El–you know, like moms everywhere always warned about, in case of an emergency.

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  6. LESLIE & ELLEN: Congrats on the dual Toastmaster gigs at LCC & Malice, respectively.

    i am sure you’ll do a fabulous job.

    Yes, i gave an impromptu speech as fan GOH at last year’s Denver LCC.

    Several attendees told me they were inspired by what I ssid.

    i only vaguely remember what I actually said. At least I didn’t ramble, and it was good to go first before Sara Paretsky!

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  7. Kudos to you two, Leslie and El! I’ll be cheering both of you on in person!

    I don’t usually mind speaking to adults (although maybe not improv), but I get so nervous speaking in front of adolescents! A few months ago, I presented before pre-teens and teens, and it was so hard to figure out if they were bored, engaged, or indifferent! P.S. According to the staff, they enjoyed my presentation.

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  8. Congratulations to both of you! Looking forward to seeing/hearing Ellen at MD38!

    Quick speaker story: in my former life as a DoD international law attorney, I used to give lectures on the law of war. During a break during one lecture in a mid-sized auditorium, one of the young officers came to me and asked if I could turn down my mic. Of course, I readily agreed. But the joke was on him – I wasn’t mic’ed!

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  10. Hours before making any kind of speech or large presentation, I’m sick to my stomach. Once I’m up there, though, with my security iced tea hidden in the podium, the adrenaline kicks in and I’m okay. I think. As an editor I gave keynote speeches (yup, me) at writers conferences and also presented my publisher’s bi-annual children’s books lists to the sales force (those conferences were fortunately always in sunny, gorgeous locations). Usually I was up all night beforehand, writing and rewriting index cards I never used. People are always very nice to editors, so no one actually told me I sucked. But at least now author panels and presentations are a little easier, lol.

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  11. PS: Huge congrats to Leslie and El on their Toastmaster gigs–can’t wait to hear you both. We know you’ll both be great!!

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      1. No, it’s right in the middle of quarter end close.

        I’d thought about Malice again, but have kept putting off asking about taking the time off.

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  13. I’ve done a lot of public speaking in my lifetime so I concur: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

    I won’t be at LCC, but I can’t wait to see Ellen at Malice – I know she’ll do a bang-up job and I’m sure Leslie will knock it out of the park too!

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    1. I just thought of this story: In 2025, I was invited to be a guest speaker, with two other authors, at a get-together sponsored by the American Association of University Women. It wasn’t supposed to be about books, but about my journey as a writer. Cool. I’ve done that.

      The other two women went first. They had heartrending stories: one was in COVID lock-down at a hospice with her mother, and her mother died while she was there (not of COVID) and the other talked about her father, who had dementia and died, which led to her book.

      Then there was me. I stood up and said, “Well, I write about murder. Fictional murder. I don’t have any touching stories. So welcome to the light-hearted part of the program.” I proceeded to have the audience in stitches for the next fifteen minutes. Afterwards, two women told me I should do standup.

      The kicker? I don’t think of myself as particularly funny. The universe must have been helping me out.

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  14. Congratulations to both of you! I’m so bummed I have to miss LCC- Leslie is a hoot! But I’m beyond excited to watch Ellen at Malice! (I still fan-girl every time I see her!)

    During my very first panel as a new author, I was nervous, because I tend to ramble! Then the moderator asked if there were any authors that inspired us- I mentioned Ellen. The moderator pointed out that Ellen was in the room… and I burst into tears! (face palm!)

    Cheers to both of you!

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