I went to the writers’ conference Magna cum Murder last weekend. It’s a small, intimate feeling conference housed in the Columbia Club on the circle in Indianapolis. The building’s old with that faded glamour of yesteryears that I love. I didn’t learn any of the things I went for. The panels were designed mostly for readers, so no panels on publicity or marketing. I was hoping to hear how other writers and their publishers handled those challenges. BUT, the conference was small enough to make it easy to meet fellow conference goers. And the readers who attended read a LOT.
Some of them had attended the conference every year for 17 years. They’d heard the majority of the international guests of honor and domestic guests of honor. And the lists were impressive. This year, they were Reavis Z. Wortham and Peter Lovesey, who sat at our table for the final lunch. Previous guests were M.C. Beaton, Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block, and Mary Higgins Clark, among many others. Most attendees could claim 10 years or more. Only a handful of us were new.
One of the women I met there had recently retired and joined SIX mystery book clubs, 1 nonfiction book club, and 1 fiction club. I asked how she kept track of everything she was supposed to read, and she said she stacked her books in the order of her meetings. I was so impressed! This year, I’ve been making a real effort to read one book a week, if I possibly can. One lady I talked to zipped through one book A DAY. And these people were well read. They didn’t just read one sub-genre, though they had favorites. They read thrillers, suspense, cozies, and PIs. And they read outside of the mystery genre.
By the second day, I was beginning to feel borderline illiterate. But then one of the attendees generously told me, “You’re spending your time writing instead of reading.” What a kind woman! Many people I met encouraged me to come back next year. I sure enjoyed myself, but things have been so busy in my life for the last two years, I don’t feel confident making plans that far ahead. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, though. I wouldn’t mind spending another October at Magna cum Murder.
Judi Lynn 
Sounds like a fun conference. I hope some of the people you met convert to fans for you.
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Thanks, Staci!
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There have been times I’ve zipped through a book in one day. Usually in the summer when I’m lounging by the pool. Reading a book in two days happens a lot for me, but I still have those times when reading crawls to a snail’s pace because of writing commitments. Hopefully, I’ll make my GR commitment this year.
The conference sounds like it as a lot of fun and the building sounds awesome. What a great experience to share!
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I’ve NEVER finished a book in one day. Too slow of a reader. I’m impressed:)
The conference was a lot of fun. I met a lot of really nice people.
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I am glad you’re spending yor time writing! After all, some people have to provide the reading materials for all those readers! What a nice time you must have had at that conference.. Meeting people and learning about their interests gives a writer depth, and that in and of itself is a valuable education.
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We missed you at the last Scribes.
Meeting readers at the conference was just as much fun as meeting fellow writers. And these people read a lot!
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