I’ve yet to meet a mystery convention I didn’t love. Each offers its own benefits. Thanks to Malice Domestic’s William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, I have a mystery writing career. I have filled my belly with free hors d’oeuvres at Bouchercon parties hosted by publishers. And Left Coast Crime offers something you won’t find anywhere else: Author-Reader Connections.

The concept is simple. Authors create an event that readers (and sometimes fellow authors) can sign up for. Attendees are allowed to add two to their schedule, but they can’t both be hosted by the same author. The ARCs can be as basic as one I offered at LCC Bellevue in 2024, “Go Off Campus with Ellen,” where I took four readers on a walk to a beautiful bay near the convention hotel, then gifted them with swag. Or you can drop some change on the event, which I’ve also done.

Not gonna lie, I go a little crazy hosting ARCs. This year, I “cut back” and participated in four rather than five. First up was A New Orleans Nightcap, which I co-hosted with debut author Michael Rigg. We both write series set in the Big Easy and Michael parades with several krewes. It was his first ARC, and he did an amazing job. H confirmed that the hotel bartender would be able to mix several signature NOLA cocktails – the first round was on us – and gifted our four attendees with fab parade swag that made my swag pale in comparison. Dig these hats from Krewe of King Arthur!

On Thursday, I joined Facebook groupmates Mindy Quigley, Libby Klein, and Raquel V. Reyes for A Very Merry Un-Birthday with the Cozy Mystery Crew, shepherded by Mindy. We played a game that was like with musical chairs but with books wrapped in layers of paper. So much messy fun.

Next up for me was Cozy Up to Ellie Alexander and Ellen Byron. Ever the perfect hostess, Ellie baked treats from two of our series that she presented to our guests in lovely boxes. I was so enamored of her charm and talents that I forgot to take photos.

I also forgot to take photos at our annual Chicks on the Case ARC, Nightcaps, Dessert, and Movie Post-Mortem with Chicks on the Case. Then again, so did fellow Chicks hosts Lisa, Marla, Jen, and Leslie. We all plead exhaustion – the event took place at 10:15 p.m.

My fellow Chicks also hosted their own terrific ARCs. I invited myself along to Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory with Two Jennifers, Jen Chow and Jennifer Morita. It was so cool!

Leslie hosted Talk Story and ‘Ono Malasadas with Leslie Karst. The bakery turned out to be closed, so she took her attendees for ice cream instead. Judging from this photo, no one minded the switch!

And Marla joined up with Michele Chouinard for Book Bedazzling with Marla Cooper and Michele Chouinard. Crafter that I am, I cannot tell you how bummed I am that I missed inserting myself into this ARC.

Left Coast Crime 2027 will take place in Santa Fe, a city I’ve wanted to visit for years. Am I already researching locations for fun Author-Reader Connections? Oh, you bet I am.

But until then, I’ve come up with an event that will bring readers and authors together at Malice Domestic in April. For the last couple of years, I’ve put invited anyone who stitches or knits or does another type of handiwork to join me in the Hospitality Room at lunchtime on Saturday, where we take a break from the busy con life and hang out while we craft. This year, author Mindy Carlson got in touch with me to say her MWA-Mid-Atlantic chapter would love to provide snacks for the get-together. So, I give you –

If you’re going to Malice, I hope you’ll join us. And if you’re going to Left Coast Crime 2027: The Big Chile Rides Again… keep an eye out for all of our Author-Reader Connections.

Readers, what kind of ARC would you like to attend or create? (NOTE: I’m on my way back from the Tucson Festival of Books, so I’ll probably be slow in replying.)