2017 Guest of Honor: Lisa Gardner
Location: Woburn, Massachusetts
Hotel: Hilton Boston/Woburn
Date: November 10 – 12, 2017

The New England Crime Bake is the premier conference for writers and lovers of crime writing in New England. Held every Veteran’s Day weekend, Friday through Sunday. Jointly sponsored by the New England chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, Crime Bake is a learning experience, a networking opportunity, and a wonderful time. Offering numerous opportunities to meet and network with agents, editors, and authors in a small, friendly environment, Crime Bake is a must-attend for mystery fans and writers.

What I like best about this convention is the small size and the intimacy among the attendees. It was easy to grab a person and chat for a few minutes and still have time to attend a panel or two or three.

Friday, November 10, 2017: This was the first time that I selected my room from the Hilton app and I was very satisfied with my room and its location. After checking in, walked around to see who was there. Immediately ran into Edith Maxwell and would soon join her, Sherry, Kimberly, Ramona, Barbara, and Jessie for lunch at the Japanese restaurant, Maki Maki. First we got a ride in the hotel’s shuttle from Jack to the place. The company was wonderful and the experience at the restaurant was quite interesting. All in all, a good time was had by all.

I volunteered to work the registration desk on Friday and it was great seeing my friends arrive for the conference. After the Master Class which I did not attend, I went to Crime Bake 101, then off to the Pizza Party and then the “Fire Up Your Writing Brain” seminar and the Death, Desserts, & Debutante.

Saturday, November 11, 2017:This day was full of panel and I enjoyed all of those that I attended: “Alone: Inside the Writer’s Studio,” “Fear Nothing: PR & Marketing for Introverts,” “The Survivors Club: Career Strategies for the Long-Haul,” “Hide: Using Your Own Life in Your Fiction,” “Face Off: Conflict, Conflict, Conflict.”

Then it was time for the Banquet & Awards part of the day and again, had a great time. At the end, they honored those authors who received recognition in 2017 and then they made me stand with them because I was awarded the MWA Raven Award.

Sunday, November 12, 2017:
I went to the Author Breakfast and Joseph Finder was our table author. Had a good time there and then attend my last panel of the convention, “4 Lies People Will Tell You About Marketing Your Novel” presented by Barbbara Ross. The very cool thing about her presentation was she featured my blog in her talks. Way cool!

Then it was time to leave – gave hugs to all I saw. Will I be back next year? You betcha.