I’m just not good at this blogging business; I forget to do them! Sorry, I’ve missed two Mondays in a row. I’m giving myself a pass on the one two weeks ago; that was the day after Bouchercon and I was exhausted. When you go as a vendor to a convention you need recovery time. Loading a van; unloading a van; setting up bookcases; selling for three and a half days; packing up; loading a van; driving to Columbus–these things take it out of one. Especially if one is no longer young. Thank heavens for volunteer help! That was one of the best ideas for this Bouchercon; allowing volunteers to help vendors set up in the dealers’ room. And thanks to our customers who came to the convention, and who gave us much needed and much appreciated help both setting up and tearing down. And to Diane, one of our customers, who worked with us everyday and without whom we would have died. (She’s much younger than us, and can still bend down to get things.)

Even with the work, we enjoy the conventions. It is great to be among so many mystery lovers. Talking to fans and authors about mysteries is what we love best about selling mysteries, so a Bouchercon is a terrific fix. Meeting new authors and talking to old friends makes the work worthwhile. After all, we are fans as well as booksellers, so the opportunity to fawn over our favorite authors means as much to us as it does to any other fan. Toni liked the craft room presentations; Diane got some books signed by some of her favorite authors; John got to finally meet Deborah Crombie (one of his all time favorite authors); and I found some Bill Crider books I didn’t have at two of the used book dealers.

This was our third Bouchercon as vendors (Toronto and Washington, D.C. were the others), and we loved having it in Indianapolis. Great city for a convention, with so many restaurants so close to the hotels used by the attendees. And maybe because it is easy for so many people to get to, being in the Midwest, it seems to have been one of the better attended. We didn’t get to attend panels, but from the feedback of those who visited our tables it appears to have been a success for the fans.

I got a bonus, as I had the opportunity to attend an author’s lunch when I got home to Medina. (yes, the store is in Westerville, but I live in Medina and am only sometimes in the store) Our library has an event called Writers Live each fall and spring, which is a lunch event with one or more authors who give a presentation. This time Casey Daniels was the speaker. If you get the chance to hear her, you should take it, as she is a very entertaining speaker; the crowd loved her. This isn’t a mystery crowd particularly, just people who like to do lunch and hear from a variety of authors. But I think Casey turned them into readers of at least her mysteries, and I know many of them are looking for her books, including her historical novels. Should be good for some interlibrary loan business. I really enjoyed the time, especially since I didn’t have to do anything but eat and listen, both of which I can do well. I think our library’s idea is a good one in that it introduces people to authors they might otherwise miss, and because the organizers try to get a variety of authors. We’ve had a former newspaper columnist who wrote a book about he and his wife fixing up an old house, a gardening expert, and several times, mystery authors. Of course, I like the mystery authors the best, but enjoy them all.

Anyway, I have no excuse for missing last week’s blog. Except forgetfulness, which I guess I’ll use and blame on old age. Hope everyone had a happy Halloween! Judy