 I know I really need to play it cool, but I just can't. The Bouchercon panels were recently announced, and I'm going to be on a panel with not one, but two, of my very favorite authors: Anne Perry and Caroline Todd (half of the Charles Todd writing team). I'm really looking forward to meeting the other authors on the panel too: Susanne Alleyn and Anna Loan-Wilsey, who have written some top-notch historical mysteries. And to top it all off, the session will be moderated by the lovely and talented Holly West, who was kind enough to interview me on her blog a while back.  the first Pitt novel I started reading Anne Perry's novels about twelve years ago, right when I first finished my Ph.D. in history. I hadn't been able to read for pleasure for many years--writing a dissertation will do that!--and I knew I missed reading mysteries in particular.
Somehow, I stumbled on Anne Perry's Inspector Pitt series, and I was hooked. I think I read her first TWENTY books in about six months. I kid you not. I loved the characters, the mystery, and of course the history, and I couldn't get enough. When I ran out of Anne Perry novels, I turned to--you guessed it--Charles Todd. And then Rhys Bowen, Jacqueline Winspeare, and a whole slew of other authors who write great historical mysteries. These were the authors who inspired me to write my own historical mysteries. I don't know how many authors are lucky enough to meet their personal literary heroes. Back in May, I did get the opportunity to meet Caroline Todd at Malice Domestic, which was a thrill. But I can honestly say, I never expected to get this opportunity, and I have no doubt it will be a highlight of my writing career!
11 Comments
Giles
8/17/2013 12:48:07 pm
This is AMAZING! So happy for you! 8/17/2013 01:54:28 pm
I know how it feels to meet your literary idols. They're like rock stars for me. You want uncool? You should've seen me when I met Sue Grafton. So don't worry about being cool--it's a mystery conference, for heaven's sake. :-)
Eric Beetner
8/17/2013 03:07:27 pm
Have a great panel. You know you're in good hands with Holly. I did my first group signing at the LA Festival of books sitting next to Duane Swierczynski and I probably made him feel uncomfortable with my peppering of questions and fanboy antics. We've all been there. Eric...ha ha! That's funny. Luckily, I knew Duane before he was famous. And I was with him when HE got to meet one of HIS idols-Clive Barker. It's a really great story, best told over a beer of course, but suffice it to say, it was fun to see Duane meet someone HE so admired. 8/17/2013 08:32:43 pm
I hope to see you at Bcon! I'm on a panel with Laurie King, so I know exactly how you feel. Carline Todd is great, and Anne Perry? I'll be there! 8/18/2013 05:01:59 am
You stole my blog heading! I've published one book (so far), never been to Bouchercon before and I'm on a panel with Anne Perry? Seriously I almost started hyperventilating when I read the panel assignments since there was no one in my house to hear me shout, 'I'm on a panel with Anne Perry!!!!!!" Her brilliant "Face of a Stranger"is one of the reasons I write historical novels! We can try not to gawk and act like teenagers at a rock concert together! See you next month! 8/18/2013 12:17:33 pm
Thanks! Actually book two comes out two days after Bouchercon and I'm about to send book three to the publisher any day now. Then I'll have time to do some reading. Your new book is on the top of my list! Leave a Reply. |
Susanna CalkinsHistorian. Mystery writer. Researcher. Teacher. Occasional blogger. Categories
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