Festival! Of Books! In Virginia!

For the past few years, I’ve attended the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA. Held in March, it’s a week-long (give or take) celebration of books.

What could be better than that?

Although I’m tempted by a number of programs throughout the Festival, I only make the two-hour drive for Crime Wave Saturday. All day long, there are panels and talks about crime fiction. In a word: awesome.

In the past, I’ve been one of the many (thousands) of mystery lovers attending the panels. This year, I was thrilled to be on a panel.

And it was a very, very good panel. Moderated by Cliff Garstang, my fellow panelists were John Connolly, Deanne Raybourn, and Paul Robertson. I was thoroughly entertained (if not thoroughly entertaining). From the audience’s feedback, I think (hope) they were entertained as well. (Note to self: work on Irish accent.)

(The panel, with me hogging the mic, as usual. Photo courtesy of Alma Katsu, whose debut novel, THE TAKER, comes out this Fall from Simon & Schuster/Gallery.)

After my panel, I attended a superb luncheon, featuring Kathy Reichs as the keynote speaker. I didn’t even freak out when I discovered cheese in my entrée.

In the afternoon, I had a chance to catch up with some of my writer friends, make some new mystery-loving friends, and enjoy a stroll down the pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville.

All in all, a terrific day. If you live in Virginia, put this on your calendar for next year. You won’t be sorry!