The Dream Convention - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T13:59:14Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:12537?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A12784&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCoastal? No.
West of the M…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-28:537324:Comment:146632007-03-28T21:48:05.829ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Coastal? No. <br />
<br />
West of the Mississippi? You betcha. <br />
<br />
One could argue that Bristol wasn't "West Coast" of the U.S., but why? I adore that this is a convention that travels more or less to my neck o' the woods. <br />
<br />
I absolutely enjoyed the El Paso convention -- though it was quite small -- as much as those in more trendy (and beautiful) places such as Monterrey and Pasadena.
Coastal? No. <br />
<br />
West of the Mississippi? You betcha. <br />
<br />
One could argue that Bristol wasn't "West Coast" of the U.S., but why? I adore that this is a convention that travels more or less to my neck o' the woods. <br />
<br />
I absolutely enjoyed the El Paso convention -- though it was quite small -- as much as those in more trendy (and beautiful) places such as Monterrey and Pasadena. I enjoy conventions with lots…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-28:537324:Comment:146352007-03-28T21:27:36.780ZMichael Carrhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/KingM32
I enjoy conventions with lots of smaller places to meet people. I love<br />
hanging out in smallish to medium groups, but if I have to shout to be<br />
heard I find myself retreating to my hotel room.<br />
<br />
As an aside, Denver is, uhm, a <i>coastal</i> city? ;)
I enjoy conventions with lots of smaller places to meet people. I love<br />
hanging out in smallish to medium groups, but if I have to shout to be<br />
heard I find myself retreating to my hotel room.<br />
<br />
As an aside, Denver is, uhm, a <i>coastal</i> city? ;) Pari said:
"I wonder who we c…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:133192007-03-26T19:44:43.771ZRob Sidershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/52novels
Pari said:<br />
"I wonder who we could ask for Denver that might have that kind of draw? "<br />
<br />
What about Tony Hillerman?
Pari said:<br />
"I wonder who we could ask for Denver that might have that kind of draw? "<br />
<br />
What about Tony Hillerman? I'm also from Denver and I'd…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:132832007-03-26T19:02:30.215ZRob Sidershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/52novels
I'm also from Denver and I'd love to help in any way I can.<br />
<br />
To echo DADavenport... March can be a bit of a gamble for weather, as March and April are our snowiest months. This snow season, we got it all in December and January. But next year? Who knows?<br />
<br />
I also agree that Downtown Denver is the place to be and the Adams Mark is a nice property. Also, look into the Hyatt which sits across from the convention center. The bar is spectacular... it's at the top of the hotel and has stunning…
I'm also from Denver and I'd love to help in any way I can.<br />
<br />
To echo DADavenport... March can be a bit of a gamble for weather, as March and April are our snowiest months. This snow season, we got it all in December and January. But next year? Who knows?<br />
<br />
I also agree that Downtown Denver is the place to be and the Adams Mark is a nice property. Also, look into the Hyatt which sits across from the convention center. The bar is spectacular... it's at the top of the hotel and has stunning mountain and city views. The building where I work is also home to the Downtown Marriott. Nice... bar might be a little on the small side. <br />
<br />
It's early still, so there's bound to be something suitable, as there are several hotel projects in the works and, I imagine, a couple more will start in anticipation of the Democratic National Convention. <br />
<br />
In any case, if bar size and/or last call time becomes an issue, because of the proximity, there're tons of other bars within staggering distance from anywhere downtown. If you don't like where you're at, you can find another one a block up the street.<br />
<br />
One of the things DA didn't mention was that the main branch of the Denver Public Library is a short walk from Downtown. Perhaps some opportunity exists for an event or two there.<br />
<br />
DA mentioned B&N on the 16th Street Mall. Up the street is The Tattered Cover's LoDo store. And a short drive east is the Colfax store. There's also an all-mystery bookshop in south Denver, called Murder By The Book. Between TTC and MBTB, there should be some great opportunities to generate some noise locally.<br />
<br />
Finally... the "drink water" tip is a good one. I'd even suggest that people start drinking extra water a couple of days before they leave home. I love panels that become con…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:131472007-03-26T16:45:06.000ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
I love panels that become conversations. Re: scripting . . . yes, I do think that tends to happen if panelists are prepped too much. A general topic and general questions are enough.<br></br><br></br>IMHO, the moderator's job is to come up with interesting questions and to keep the conversation flowing rather than bottlenecking with an attention glutton. The moderator has to keep the audience in mind -- what the audience wants and needs, whether the entire front row is falling asleep -- that kind of…
I love panels that become conversations. Re: scripting . . . yes, I do think that tends to happen if panelists are prepped too much. A general topic and general questions are enough.<br/><br/>IMHO, the moderator's job is to come up with interesting questions and to keep the conversation flowing rather than bottlenecking with an attention glutton. The moderator has to keep the audience in mind -- what the audience wants and needs, whether the entire front row is falling asleep -- that kind of thing. And then make the panel better in the moment.<br/><br/>At least, that's how I moderate. I think it was Bcon that was…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:128582007-03-26T04:53:41.577ZRobin Burcellhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rburcell67
I think it was Bcon that was in Denver. High Crimes if I'm not mistaken. It was a great conference (in that I didn't remember anything bad at all.)<br />
<br />
But back to that moderating thing. I love to moderate. I think that some of the mistakes a moderator can make is in over-prepping the panelists. I personally don't like to send them the questions beforehand, because then they tend ot write a script, or overthink their answers. I do ask them to send me two questions that might show case them in some…
I think it was Bcon that was in Denver. High Crimes if I'm not mistaken. It was a great conference (in that I didn't remember anything bad at all.)<br />
<br />
But back to that moderating thing. I love to moderate. I think that some of the mistakes a moderator can make is in over-prepping the panelists. I personally don't like to send them the questions beforehand, because then they tend ot write a script, or overthink their answers. I do ask them to send me two questions that might show case them in some way. I don't promise to use them, but have them on hand just in case. And then the fun begins. Most good panels that I've attended and enjoyed were good not because of the questions but because of the interaction between panelists. <br />
<br />
The best panels are often the ones that go off in unintended directions. You might have attended a panel on "Writing the Continuing Series" and the closest you got to that subject was someone announcing it in the beginning. You walk out of there thinking, wow, that was a great panel, and who the heck knows what it was really about. You had fun. You were entertained.<br />
<br />
Personally I think it goes beyond what we realize. Sometimes it's just plain serendipity combined with the genius of the event organizers. Planners putting together the right mix of authors and moderator. Sometimes it's like magic, and other times the recipe doesn't work. Even a couple of Emeril's recipes have failed to please every palate. The thing with panelists that…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:128372007-03-26T04:05:49.254ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
The thing with panelists that don't participate beforehand is that they affect everyone on the panel, not just the moderator. I've found panelists like to discuss over key questions to make sure they aren't all putting out the exact same answers. Anyone at the panel Linda L. Richards was on at LCC will remember a few times when the microphone got to her she said, "What they said."<br />
<br />
When you've taken the time to talk it over and make sure the set up is structured so that people aren't…
The thing with panelists that don't participate beforehand is that they affect everyone on the panel, not just the moderator. I've found panelists like to discuss over key questions to make sure they aren't all putting out the exact same answers. Anyone at the panel Linda L. Richards was on at LCC will remember a few times when the microphone got to her she said, "What they said." <br />
<br />
When you've taken the time to talk it over and make sure the set up is structured so that people aren't duplicating it's frustrating if someone else comes in and then they say what someone else had prepared, for example. <br />
<br />
A non-participating panelist may be a gem, but it's a point of consideration. Nobody is entitled to be on a panel at a convention, other than the guests of honor. And if you do get on a panel you owe it to your colleagues and to the audience - people who've paid a lot of money to be there - to be prepared. Responding to two or three emails before a convention isn't a big deal and I do think that everyone who wants to be on a panel should expect to do that.<br />
<br />
Which is just my 2 cents on it. I know it will never happen, but I think it's too bad. We expect a lot of moderators and it isn't like they get anything for all the time and effort they put into preparation (not to mention buying the books of the others) and responding to a couple emails shouldn't be too much to ask of the authors. It's just courtesy and professionalism.<br />
<br />
I mean, imagine Alex Brett pulling off her wonderful Liar's Panel if her authors hadn't communicated beforehand - impossible. Panels like that are fantastic because people are prepared. And I venture to say they all sold a lot of books because of it. Naomi,
Good suggestions. I w…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:127842007-03-26T02:18:14.343ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Naomi, <br />
Good suggestions. I wonder who we could ask for Denver that might have that kind of draw? <br />
<br />
As to the bookroom, I couldn't agree more. I think Tom and Enid are already making good plans for this. <br />
<br />
I heard that Bouchercon in '08 (I think) will be in Indianapolis. I'm sure Jim Huang will do a marvelous job with the bookroom there, too. <br />
<br />
And we're looking at "regional" events right now. <br />
<br />
We're thinking of capitalizing on the Wild West theme. Does that sound attractive to anyone?
Naomi, <br />
Good suggestions. I wonder who we could ask for Denver that might have that kind of draw? <br />
<br />
As to the bookroom, I couldn't agree more. I think Tom and Enid are already making good plans for this. <br />
<br />
I heard that Bouchercon in '08 (I think) will be in Indianapolis. I'm sure Jim Huang will do a marvelous job with the bookroom there, too. <br />
<br />
And we're looking at "regional" events right now. <br />
<br />
We're thinking of capitalizing on the Wild West theme. Does that sound attractive to anyone? Sandra,
I agree with most of…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:127832007-03-26T02:15:54.764ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Sandra,<br />
I agree with most of this, but not all. A panelist who doesn't participate prior to the panel isn't necessarily a lost cause. It's not pleasant, but as a moderator, you do the best you do. That non-participating panelist may or may not be a gem. And, yes, I've moderated more than one panel.<br />
<br />
I do agree it's nice to get the panel list well in advance so that you can prepare and read as many of the books as possible.<br />
<br />
Mikes? -- absolutely.<br />
Publisher parties? Absolutely. For those of…
Sandra, <br />
I agree with most of this, but not all. A panelist who doesn't participate prior to the panel isn't necessarily a lost cause. It's not pleasant, but as a moderator, you do the best you do. That non-participating panelist may or may not be a gem. And, yes, I've moderated more than one panel. <br />
<br />
I do agree it's nice to get the panel list well in advance so that you can prepare and read as many of the books as possible. <br />
<br />
Mikes? -- absolutely. <br />
Publisher parties? Absolutely. For those of us with publishers who won't ever be represented at a mystery convention, it's kind of difficult to see all your friends disappear. I always have a good time with readers . . . but it feels kind of odd, off-putting. LCC '07 wasn't at a particula…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-26:537324:Comment:127792007-03-26T02:14:22.227ZBill Cameronhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/bcameron
LCC '07 wasn't at a particularly convention friendly hotel. The areas were broken up and the most open area was in the place folks were least likely to go through natural foot traffic. The bar was small and quickly got cramped, but the downstairs area had nothing there except empty space. The efforts to create events downstairs was good -- games and the like, but if you were wandering around and looked down the escalator, you saw nothing because of the way the space was designed. It was easy to…
LCC '07 wasn't at a particularly convention friendly hotel. The areas were broken up and the most open area was in the place folks were least likely to go through natural foot traffic. The bar was small and quickly got cramped, but the downstairs area had nothing there except empty space. The efforts to create events downstairs was good -- games and the like, but if you were wandering around and looked down the escalator, you saw nothing because of the way the space was designed. It was easy to miss the downstairs activity.<br />
<br />
The main hotel needs to have common areas that are welcoming even to attendees staying at other locations. If the bar is small and tucked into an out of the way corner, folks will find other places to go in the evenings.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the thing to do is arrange for a cash bar in the main convention space and encourage authors to spend their evenings there. So long as there are comfortable chairs and ready access to libation, it might work.