Left Coast Crime: Honolulu Havoc Author-Reader Info

Hope to see you at Left Coast Crime: Honolulu Havoc, March 16-19! There is still some space if you haven't registered. Here's the latest from the committee:

Panels Announced!
Panel Chairs Larry & Rosemary Mild have worked endless weeks and hours putting together a wonderful program for LCC 2017. Their goal is to make sure the LCC audience is entertained and informed.

Thursday Evening:
Charlie Chan Movie Night

At 8:00 PM on Thursday, join Charlie Chan specialists Rochelle Staab and Les Blatt for “The Black Camel” (1931) and “Charlie Chan in Honolulu” (1938).  The honorable detective was based on a real-life Honolulu Police officer named Chang Apana who patrolled Chinatown with a bull whip, often collaring more than 20 miscreants with no backup. Apana, a Hawaiian of Chinese ancestry, was the inspiration for six books by Earl Derr Biggers and 47 movies, none of which had the star played by an actor of Asian ancestry.

Friday Evening: Homicide and Hibiscus

A Fundraiser for Read Aloud America, the Honolulu Havoc Literacy Charity
It’s the 1930s, a man’s body has been found, and Charlie Chan is on the scene. Suspects include his wife, his business partner, his secretary, his mistress, and a nosy neighbor. Come inspect the crime scene, read the police and coroner’s reports, interview the suspects, and consult with the great detective before casting your vote for the murderer. And don’t be surprised if some suspects look familiar! $10 recommended donation

2017 Quilt Raffle

Each year Pam Dehnke and Vallery Feldman create a unique quilt to commemorate the Left Coast Crime Convention, signed by all the Guests of Honor. All raffle proceeds for the 2017 Quilt raffle will go to Read Aloud America. Raffle tickets will be available in the Silent Auction Room from Thursday through Saturday. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn during the Awards Banquet on Saturday evening.

Reminder: More Opportunities for Authors & Readers
At Left Coast Crime 2017 we are offering four opportunities outside the normal panel and book signings for readers and authors to interact.

Meet the New Authors Breakfast

All authors who have a first mystery, crime, thriller, or suspense novel published between March 1, 2016, and March 19, 2017, are eligible to present at the Meet the New Authors Breakfast, Friday, March 17th, hosted by Mike Befeler and Rochelle Staab.
Participants: All LCC registrants are welcome.

Author-Reader Connections

An Author-Reader Connection might include a snack or a drink, a swim at one of the three hotel pools, or a walk together on or near the hotel grounds. These Author-Reader Connections are free, and in some cases may include some special benefits from the authors.
Participants: We have a few Author-Reader Connections set up on our Author-Reader Connections Page. Check back often over the next few weeks to view all the new opportunities. Please sign up for a no more than two Author-Reader Connections, and no more than one per author. If we have extra space closer to the convention, we will let you know that it is OK to sign up for more.

Author Speed-Dating

Author Speed-Dating will take place Thursday March 16, from 9:00–11:00 AM, before the panel programming begins, and is a fun way for authors to connect to a new set of readers. The time frame and setup allows 44 authors to circulate and 160 fans to sit and enjoy the 2-minute pitches. Les and Leslie Blatt will be our Speed-Dating Hosts.
Participants: First come, first seated!

Author-Hosted Tables

Partner with another author to host a table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday, Match 18th. Convention attendees will sign up to sit with you at dinner. Authors: Table favors optional.
Participants: When you register, look for the Author-Hosted Table sign-up sheets near the registration desk.

Author Speed Dating at Bouchercon: 11/13

Bouchercon 2014: Murder at the Beach  (November 13-16, 2014) Kicks Off with one of my favorite events: Author Speed Dating. I'll be hosting this riotous and informative event with Ingrid Willis, Chair of Bouchercon. Join us at the Hyatt, Promenade 104 A-B-C at 8:30 on Thursday, November 13.  Grab your continental breakfast (free breakfast to Bcon attendees starts at 8 am) and find a table. You will love this exhausting marathon of over 100 authors "pitching" their books. Authors in pairs will make the rounds to each table. Authors will have 5 minutes (2 1/2 minutes each) to share their latest book(s) with attendees. I've attended several Author Speed Dating events, and I can't tell you how many new authors I've found through this special extravaganza. This event is a life changer--or reader changer!

Who Should attend: Everybody.
What a great chance to find new authors and to meet your favorites.

Authors: This is a great place to pitch your books to dedicated readers and fans.

There are still a few spots open for authors, so if you'd like to be included in this round-robin author speed dating event, contact: speeddating@bouchercon2014.com

For authors: This is your chance to introduce yourself and your book (s) to 500 dedicated readers, including librarians, bloggers, reviewers and fans!

A few hints to Authors: 
1. Be sure and introduce yourself with your full name.
2. Bring your book to show while you speak.
3. Bring bookmarks or postcards to hand out, but remember to wait until you're both finished (you will be paired in this event with another author with 2 1/2 minutes each to pitch) to distribute them. Otherwise, the 'reader' will be reading the postcard and not listening to you.
3. Focus on the story of your book and share something fun about how you came to write the book or something fun about yourself (this will help the attendees remember you and your book).
5. Be confident! You wrote a great book. Now tell the attendees about it!
6. You will be tired as the rounds continue, but keep up your spirit and enthusiasm. Your 20th table may be filled with bloggers, librarians, publishers, readers and fans. You want them to remember you and your book in a positive way, not as the author who flagged at the end!

Questions? Make a comment below or send a note to: speeddating@bouchercon2014.com.

Not registered for Bouchercon? It's not too late.  Register now!