Left Coast Crime 2022: Southwest Sleuths
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hotel: The Clyde
Date: April 7 – 10, 2022
Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, both readers and authors. LCC is held during the first quarter of the year in Western North America. Conventions have been held from Anchorage to El Paso, from Boulder to Hawaii, and various locations in between. Our purpose is to host an event where readers, authors, critics, librarians, publishers, and other fans can gather in convivial surroundings to pursue their mutual interests.
It’s been so long, okay two years, since I’ve seen my friends and attending Left Coast Crime in Albuquerque was worth its weight in gold.
I arrived early and dubbed the corner seat under Clyde’s picture as “dru’s corner”. Yes, I sat there and greeted friends who arrived through the door at the hotel.
The hugs (of course we asked if they do hugs), the laughter, the conversations, the camaraderie, and the meals were pure joy. That’s how each day of the event began.
With attending panels and chatting with friends, each day kept me busy. A special thank you to Faye Snowden for taking care of me when no food was had in the hotel.
Saturday was banquet and Lefty Awards time. The speeches by the Fan Guest of Honor, Kristopher Zgorski of BOLO Books fame, and the winners were inspiring and I hope diversity continues to move forward in the publishing industry.
And the winners of the Lefty awards are:
Best Humorous Mystery Novel: Raquel V. Reyes
Best Historical Mystery Novel (Bruce Alexander Memorial): Naomi Hirahara
Best Debut Mystery Novel: Wanda M. Morris
Best Mystery Novel: William Kent Krueger
A special thank you to Lucinda Surber, Stan Ulrich and the volunteers who help make this long awaited magical moment for us all.
A great time was had at Left Coast Crime – Southwest Sleuths. Until next time in Tucson, Arizona, where I am Fan Guest of Honor.
So happy you had a good time, Dru Ann! Hope to see you at Malice!
I’m so glad you had fun, Dru! Hurray for in-person events!
It was so so so wonderful to see you!
I’m so glad I got to finally meet you in person. You are just as kind and welcoming as your daily Facebook good morning messages.
I’m so glad I got to have a meal with you – even if it wasn’t the one we had planned! See you soon (and it feels great to say that). Cx
It’s good to see you got to go AND to have a good time! Can’t wait to see you at Malice!
Great to see you and your smile,
It was positively euphoric. I’m so glad we got to hang out at least a little!
So glad you had a great time! I am putting this conference on my bucket list.
Thanks for sharing your report, Dru! I’m glad you and so many had a good time. See you next week!