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I had a wonderful time at Sleuthfest. This year, we drove down a day early so that I could attend Third Degree Thursday, a half-day of panels designed with aspiring writers in mind. I ran into several members of the Tampa FWA chapter there, which was a pleasant surprise. That evening, I attended the Reader’s Corner, where I met some people face-to-face whom I’ve previously only talked to on-line via a writers’ group I belong to.

Friday’s highlight was a presentation by FDLE Agent James O. Born, author of Walking Moneyand Burn Zone, on weaponry. Carolyn attended this lecture/demonstration last year and told me that it was a “can’t-miss” for this year, so I arrived early and sat in the front row. That meant that I was the nearest person on whom to demonstrate a variety of techniques, including the use of an ASP to disable a violent suspect, defending against a suspect trying to take your firearm, and how a police-issue flashlight can be used as a club against an unruly suspect. Born said I was a “good sport.” Really I’m just a ham who loves attention even if it means getting roughed up a little.

Later that morning, I sat poolside with romance writers Amy J. Fetzer (Fight Fire with Fire) and Rhonda Pollero (Fat Chance). The ladies were a lot of fun, and when I said I thought it might be fun to try my hand at a romance novel, they heaped encouragement on me and gave me a lot of great advice.  I also enjoyed running into Terry Odell (When Danger Calls) , whom I met last year.

Saturday I had my agent pitch appointment, which resulted in a request for pages. My favorite session of the day was the one hosted by Kris Montee, one of the two sisters who write as P. J. Parrish (South of Hell). She talked about pacing in suspense novels, building on her Third Degree Thursday lecture on scene focus. I got a lot of great tips on plotting that I’ll put to good use on my next novel.

After lunch, I got to talk for a few minutes with both guests of honor. I ran into John Hart in the elevator after I’d just dropped off my copy of Down River in my room. (I got him to sign it on Sunday morning, though.) I stopped Brad Meltzer in the hall to ask him to sign my copy of Justice League of America, Vol. 1: The Tornado’s Path. Continuing the theme of the weekend, both authors offered encouragement and helpful advice.

Conferences offer a unique opportunity for fledgling authors to learn from established writers and each other. The road to publication is a difficult one that relies on chance as much as talent in many ways, but I feel like attending conferences like Sleuthfest gives me a little bit of an advantage. It certainly provides a lot of inspiration and encouragement, and I’m a little sad that it’s over.

I am, however, glad to be home to the critters.