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 … Continue reading Malice Memories – and a Misconception
Over the last few years, I’ve found myself on the road or in the air a lot for various professional and personal reasons. Since March, I’ve been in Wisconsin, Phoenix, New York, and Seattle. I leave a week from Thursday for Maryland and Malice Domestic. Given how stressful traveling can be, I’m always on the hunt for gadgets that will the journey make easier. Since … Continue reading 5 Handy-Dandy Travel Gadgets
Well, yes, my eyes are getting worse. But this post isn’t about failing eyesight but boundaries, particularly with my “professional” and “personal” self. In my previous career as a social worker, we used to talk a lot about setting boundaries. It’s better for your emotional health to have rigid lines. As an author, I’ve found the lines blurring. Want some examples? CHICKS. Clearly, here at … Continue reading The Lines Are Blurring
This week marks the 35th Malice Domestic, the convention celebrating the traditional mystery. If you’re attending, please say hello–we’d love to see you! Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico “Cozy Or Traditional – What’s The Difference?” panel (Friday at 2 pm) “Simply the Best: Our Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees” panel (Friday at 4 pm) Book Signing (Saturday at 10 am) Kensington Multi-Author Book Signing Event (Saturday … Continue reading Gone to Malice Domestic 2023
A few of us Chicks on the Case bloggers are excited to attend Malice Domestic 2022 this week! If you’re going, please come find us! Where will we be? Glad you asked: 🫖Friday 10:00-11:45 am Malice Go Round: It’s Like Speed Dating, But With AuthorsBecky Clark, Jennifer Chow 2:00-2:50 pm Blurring Genres: Blending a Cozy with Romance? With Fantasy?Moderator: Elizabeth CrowensPaula Gail Benson, Kaye George, Leslie Karst, … Continue reading Join Us at Malice Domestic
Greetings, Mystery Fans, from the Acela Express! Lisa here, chugging home from the annual Malice Domestic conference in Bethesda, MD. I haven’t even begun to process all the amazing events of the weekend–but here are just a few from my Chicks highlight reel. Continue reading The Chick on the Train (from Malice 2019)
This week, some of the Chicks are attending Malice Domestic. Be sure to join us Sunday at 10 am for the Chicks on the Case panel…featuring Mystery Trivia. And many of us will be attending the Author-Media Mixer on Friday night in the Korby Kitchen bar area as well. Please say hello! We are scheduled to appear in the following places. Ellen Byron Best Mystery … Continue reading Gone to Malice Domestic 2019
We are so thrilled to host the incomparable Art Taylor today, winner of many awards – including the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Short Story – writer of fantastic mysteries, be-er of great human beings. Share with us, oh, awesome Art! This week, the annual Malice Domestic convention takes place in Bethesda, Maryland, uniting writers and readers in their shared love of the traditional mystery. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Art Taylor
Lots of authors and readers are gearing up for their annual pilgrimage to Bethesda, Maryland for Malice Domestic this week. Many have posted on social media how much they’re looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and how attending their first Malice was like finding their tribe. Kindred spirits. I felt that way, too. In fact, it was at my very first … Continue reading Unhappy camper, and finding your tribe
I’ve always been afraid of flying. I do it, but not without copious amounts of Xanax and wine. I once burned through so many sedatives traveling from New York to Australia that I thought I’d have to check into rehab when we landed. Then there was the time I burst into tears on a particularly turbulent cross-country flight and was comforted by a ten-year-old girl … Continue reading Parenting a Teen Cured My Fear of Flying
Here it is, my obligatory Malice Domestic post! Actually, it’s my second. Yesterday I was over at Cozy Up with Kathy blogging about the fact that the thirtieth Malice happened to coincide with my fifth visit (although not in order), so it felt like a bit of an anniversary for me as well. Today, I thought I’d share a fun photo album. Let’s start with … Continue reading Malice-iously yours: a photo album
We put some interesting questions to this year’s nominees for the Agatha Best Contemporary Novel award. Here are their answers, plus a special mini-interview with nominee and legendary mystery author, Margaret Maron… QUESTION: What would you do differently if you were starting out as a writer again? LOUISE PENNY: I think I’d enjoy it more. I’d spent decades dreaming of what it would be … Continue reading Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees: We Asked, They Answered
Chicks on the Case 