Anyone Going to THRILLERFEST?

[Steven Torres]

I'm still sitting on the fence about going to THRILLERFEST in NYC in two weeks, and sitting there is getting painful. I wouldn't be on a panel, but it's great schmoozing time (I think). There again, it's $375 to register. On the other hand, I could probably stay with my parents for the weekend and not have to pay for a hotel.

Is it worth it to an author to go if you're not on a panel, and not selling books? There again, I've gone to conferences, sold zero books but made contacts that turned into things like invitations to contribute to magazines. See how I'm getting myself confused?

Anyone headed to Thrillerfest? Been to the previous one in AZ? Opinions?

[Laura Benedict]

For reasons that still aren't clear to me, it's going to be in NYC again in 2008. I really dislike how expensive the city is--and maybe I've seen "Escape from New York" too many times, but I feel so paranoid every time I go there.

I think you're right that Craftfest is geared to fledgling writers. But I'll be there working and will report back.

[Laura Benedict]

Me, too, Dave!

[Ali]

I'm coming over with my editor Mike Stotter - went to Arizona last year and it was great fun -

http://therapsheet.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-york-state-of-mind.html

Ali

[J.D. Rhoades]

I loved Thrillerfest last year in Phoenix, and I'm psyched to be going to this year's. Contacts are a big part of it, as well as the encouragement you get from fellow writers. If you've got free crash space, go for it.

[Darwyn Jones]

I went last year and am also going this year.

[Daniel Hatadi]

I'm so jealous of all of you. One of these days ..

[Toni McGee Causey]

Just saw this thread -- I'm definitely going. Last year's fest in AZ was wonderful -- like J.D. said, it was meeting the people which was just phenomenal. Hope to see a lot of you there.

[BookBitch]

I'm going. I went last year and had a blast - I'm a reviewer/fan. I wrote about it for Library Journal and I blogged about it here: http://bookbitch.blogspot.com/2006_07_09_bookbitch_archive.html

For the schedule, go here:
http://www.thrillerwriters.org/index.php?option=com_content&tas...
and on the left side of the page is a box where you can click on "schedule".

The website is a pain in the butt to navigate and as far as I can tell, this is the second version they've had. Maybe the third time will be the charm?

I'm really excited about going to NY and I'm taking my family with me - I didn't take them to Phoenix because what would they have to do there? But NY is fabulous (disclaimer: I grew up there) and I'm delighted it's there.

Can't wait to see all my favorite authors and find some new ones...

[Joan Conwell]

I'm one of those fledglings attending Craftfest, hoping to meet other writers and agents. Please say hello if you see me--I'm sometimes overcome by inexplicable bouts of extreme shyness.

[Steven Torres]

Well, it turns out I will be going to Thrillerfest, thanks to all of those who responded. Even bigger thanks (didn't know thanks came in different sizes?) goes to Stephen Blackmoore whose very generous offer allowed me to make up my mind.

Now, is it just me or is there absolutely no way to figure out from the website who is going to be in the bookroom? Seems odd, I think, that the website has to be so difficult to navigate. In fact, I think it is easily the most labyrintine site of any of the mystery related conventions. Oh well. I certainly could do no better, I'm sure.