It was finally happening, people all around were headed to Bethesda, Maryland to attend Malice Domestic 32-33-34 or as I like to call it Malice 2022. It seems like forever since I was told I would be fan guest of honor at this conference, a day I have been waiting for. So off to see friends, old and new for hugs, conversation, laughter, tears, listening, attending and just having a jolly good time.
As usual, I arrived early, I like to call that my travel day, and had dinner with a few of the Wicked Authors (Edith Maxwell, Sherry Harris, Barbara Ross, and Julie Hennrikus), plus Bill P. We dined at a French bistro and the food was delicious.
Next day Tonya and I headed out to north DC for brunch with Cheryl Head and the food was divine. We had a good time laughing and meeting Cheryl’s partner and eating. Yes, it’s all about the food.
When we got back, we headed to the registration desk and welcomed the attendees. We (Tonya W., Michael M., Kristopher Z. and Joni L) had a great time behind that desk. There were some foot magic/dance steps happening.
photo courtesy of Marco Carocari
With all the comings and goings, just hanging out with friends was the perfect remedy for the lost two years during the you-know-what.
I’m skipping ahead, but at the opening ceremony, I was introduced as fan guest of honor and I turned to the audience and waved back. I was totally in the moment there.
The next day I was moderating a panel “Writing a Series: Keeping it Fresh” with Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell, Amanda Flower, Cheryl Hollon, SC Perkins/Celeste Connally, and Barbara Ross. With tips from Kristopher Zgorski, I pulled it off. It was a fun panel. I heard if you get the audience involved in the beginning, the rest is a breeze.
photo courtesy of Korina Moss
Later that evening was the banquet where I had a table where I hosted my friends. Then it was time to give my speech and I was nervous but I did it and guess what, I made people cry and I got a stand ovation. I never got one of those. Then young Zane Henry escorted me to get my photo taken.
photo courtesy of Julie Anne Lindsey
After the speeches, the Agatha Award teapot was given to previous winners (not received due to the pandemic) and the winners of the Agatha Award this year are:
- Best Contemporary Novel: Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron
- Best Historical Novel: Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day
- Best First Novel: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
- Best Short Story: Bay of Reckoning” by Shawn Reilly Simmons in Murder on the Beach
- Best Non-Fiction: How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America by MWA with editors Lee Child and Laurie R. King
- Best Children’s/YA Mystery: I Play One on TV by Alan Orloff
The rest is a blur because on Sunday, instead of bringing books home, I brought the dreaded Covid home with me. But today I’m okay.
Sounds like an amazing event. The honor is well deserved, Dru! Thank you for all you do on behalf of the writing and reading community. I have found a number of treasures through your work. I hope to make it to Malice one day!
Sorry to hear that sinus headache turned out to be Covid. Hope you are rapidly recovering. Sounds like you had a wonderful conference and were well feted while there. Here’s to you!
Congratulations, Dru Ann. It sounds fabulous!
Nancy
Oh man, Dru. I didn’t know you had gone down with it. I’m so glad you’re better. Cx
Oh Dru. So sorry to hear you went home with Covid! Ugh! But I am glad you’re doing ok. 🙂
So glad to hear you are feeling better. Your speech was fantastic and the honor well deserved!
I’m so sorry you brought Covid home as a souvenir. But your week sounded marvelous and you deserve all of the accolades you’ve received from the cozy community. Please take care of yourself.
So sorry you got covid but am glad you’re feeling better. It was wonderful to see you. Your panel and speech were amazing!
Glad to hear you are feeling better! Congratulations on the well-deserved honor. 😀
It was a good weekend, and I think I recall those magic dance steps…
Hi Dru,
It was so good to see you at Malice, but I’m so sorry you got sick. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Sounds like a fun and thrilling experience, minus the Covid. Hope you make a full speedy recovery soon!
Congrats on the honor Dru, and thanks for the recap. I’ll get back there one of these years…sorry about the Covid, sounds like a lot of people got it there.
It was so good to see you, Dru! I had a wonderful time at Malice, seeing old friends, meeting new ones. Like you, I brought COVID home with me. I’m better, too.
Glad to hear you are better
Great recap! What a weekend – Covid and all. xoxo
It was so great to see you! I loved it when you waved to everyone. You looked so happy and that made me happy!
Fantastic recap! And I was honored to meet the famous Dru that I’d heard so much about. You gave a lovely speech! Congratulations!
It was so great to see you, Dru Ann! And to have a little time together before the craziness began. You were amazing on the panel. What great advice from Kristopher. Bill and I seem to have dodged the covid bullet. Glad you’re feeling better.
So fun to hear what it was like for you. Thanks for sharing.
Dru, I miss you, I miss live conferences..what can I say.. I miss life as it was. Hugs…
I’m honored to have been there for your first standing ovation. It was my first Malice, and it was terrific!!! I cannot wait to return. I too came home with the covid bugger. Hope you are fully recovered soon.
Thanks for the recap, Dru! It was GREAT to see you. My covid is backing out slowly and deceptively. Is it gone? No, not quite, Now is it gone? Not yet. We’ll make it!
So sorry about the Covid but thank you for the great recap–and I wish I’d been there for your standing ovation! Next time for sure, so there has to be a next time!!! Hugs and hope you’re feeling better!
So glad you are on the mend!
It was so good to see you, Dru. Sorry you got sick, but glad you are feeling better.
One of my highlights of Malice was meeting you, Dru! Sorry you caught the dreaded you-know-what, but glad to hear you’re feeling better.
It was so good to see you at Malice. I’m glad Covid didn’t hit you too hard. Stay well.
I was too chicken to go to Malice, though I would have loved to finally meet you in person! I’m so glad you had the wonderful time you deserved Dru. I’m sorry you caught a bit of Covid, but it sounds like you’re over the worst of it. Onward!
Congratulations, Dru! You’re a tireless supporter of mysteries. A much earned honor.
Congratulations again, dear Dru! A good summary and your speech was excellent! Yes, damp eyes here. Very sorry the durn COVID was involved but happy to hear you are recovered. 💐💐