Like Jason and Sarah, I'm just going with the bullet points for my ThrillerFest round-up:
- The program was a smashing success and I was very proud of the hard work that everyone did. I didn't get to see all the panels, of course, but the ones I did see were good.
- The Readers Panel -- featuring Rae Helmsworth, Janine Wilson, Paul Turner and Nancy Slusar, and moderated by Gregg Hurwitz -- was one of the best panels I've seen at a conference. I'd like to see more of that in the future.
- ITW took the time to recognize my outstanding service to the organization. They gave me a beautiful award. Everyone applauded. I was not there.
- You know you're someplace cool when Jeffery Deaver just happens to be stopping by to say hello, even though he's not attending the conference.
- Reed Coleman, a true gentleman and a fine writer, put to rest any nonsense about a feud between ITW and MWA. It simply isn't true.
- My copy of the Thriller anthology has been signed by 26 of the 32 contributors. Unfortunately, I missed Alex Kava at the conference, but I got everyone else who was there.
- R.L. Stine is a very funny guy who tells a good story.
- Brad Meltzer is also a funny guy who tells a good story -- and I didn't believe a word of it.
- Clive Cussler had great stories as well. I don't know if they were true or not.
- It really is that hot in Phoenix. I lived in Bakersfield for 20 years, where it often breaks 100 degrees in the summer, and Phoenix is even worse. You never do get used to it.
- The Killer Year folks -- a group of debut authors with books out in 2007 -- are nice people and have excellent taste in critics.
- The Arizona Biltmore is a great hotel/resort, but they need better air conditioning in the main building. My gorgeous room, on the other hand, was like a meat locker. And I loved it. I woke up in the morning and the ice in my ice bucket was still frozen, even though I left the lid off.
- Having editors ask you, "So, what's your book about?" is a guaranteed tongue-tying moment.
- Several thriller writers have wives who are much better looking than they are. Since I am one of them, I can't complain.
- Lee Child, Joseph Finder, Barry Eisler and M.J. Rose make wonderful dinner companions. Talking with them was like getting a master's class in publishing.
- When Jim Born shouts, "Police! Don't move!," you don't move.
- Michele Martinez must have been one helluva good prosecutor. I'm glad that I never committed a crime in her district.
- Even Lee Child admitted that Jack Reacher was guilty. I still voted to acquit, however, as I'm a contrarian at heart.
- The Awards Banquet wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And Michael Palmer and his son Daniel are actually talented musicians.
- A Tanqueray and Tonic still tastes damn good when it costs $8. But it tastes even better when someone buys it for you.
- You know how people are always saying, "I owe you a beer"? Apparently they don't mean it. I have made the appropriate notations on my Naughty List.
- Everyone was so kind, both about the book and the baby... I was blown away.
- I'm already looking forward to ThrillerFest 2007 in NYC!
