Southwest Sleuths Newsletter

February 28, 2022



Important Notes

Convention Registration
You are receiving this newsletter because we believe you are planning to come to Left Coast Crime 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If your plans have changed and you are NOT planning to attend the 2022 convention, please reply to this email and let us know to remove your name.

Hotel Reservations
If you plan to stay at the convention hotel, you will need to make your room reservation before March 22 to receive the LCC discounted room rate. If you have misplaced your confirmation with the hotel code, please reply to this email and request a new one.

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Will Be Required
To protect us all and in line with convention best practices, LCC attendees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before checking in for the convention. More information below.
 

The Panels Are Here!

We are thrilled to announce that we have posted the Nearly Final Panel Schedule: https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/Panels.html. It’s always a challenge to find places for everyone who requests panel appearances, and the available panel slots are limited. Our ultimate goal is to make sure the LCC audience is entertained and informed. Some panelists have yet to confirm, so do check back over the next week or so to view additions and changes.
 

Southwest Sleuths Events

At Left Coast Crime 2022 we are offering four opportunities outside the normal panel and book signings for authors and readers to interact.

Author Speed-Dating
Author Speed-Dating will take place Thursday, April 7, 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 40 authors to circulate in pairs and 144 fans to relax and enjoy the 2-minute pitches. Les and Leslie Blatt will be our Speed-Dating Hosts.
Authors: If you are interested in Speed-Dating, please email Lucinda. If you have a partner in mind, mention the name and we will do our best to pair you up. First-time Speed-Daters will be placed first.
Participants: First come, first seated!

Meet the New Authors Breakfast, sponsored by Sisters in Crime
Authors who have a first mystery, crime, thriller, or suspense novel published in 2020 and 2021, as well as 2019 debut authors who did not get a chance to present in 2020, are eligible to present at the Meet the New Authors Breakfast, Friday, March 29th, planned by Mike Befeler and hosted by Les and Leslie Blatt.
New Authors: If you haven't already heard from Mike Befeler, please email him at mikebef@aol.com with your title and publication date.
Participants: All LCC registrants are welcome.

Author-Hosted Tables
Partner with another author to host a table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 9. Convention attendees will sign up to sit with you at dinner. Table favors and decorations optional.
Author-Hosts: Email Lucinda with BOTH of your names and email addresses. You will receive a return email with more information.
Participants: When you register, look for the Author-Hosted Table signup sheets near Registration, first come, first served.

Author-Reader Connections
One of the best things about Left Coast Crime is the chance to get to know your fellow readers and writers. But sometimes, during the excitement and flurry of activities, it’s not always easy to find time to meet your favorite writer. Author-Reader Connections provide an easy forum for readers and authors to enjoy some time together in a small group. These Author-Reader Connections are free, and in some cases may include some special benefits from the authors.
Authors: Author-Reader Connections are open to all authors. Email Lucinda for all the information about setting up a Connection.
Participants: Only registered attendees can sign up for Connections. Attendees may sign up for a maximum of two Connections, and no more than one per author. Author-Reader Connections will be posted beginning next week. View and sign up for Author-Reader Connections on our Connections page: https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/Connections.html
 

Phishy Capers

If you received a poorly written email from one "Jerosha fawn" at theleadscollect.com, just ignore it. This is a known phishing outfit of dubious ethics. Be assured, however, that Left Coast Crime does not sell, share, or otherwise post your email addresses, although is has been traditional for mystery conventions to list their attendees' names, along with authors' web links.
 

Southwest Sleuths Needs You!

As an all-volunteer organization, LCC can’t run conventions without volunteers like you! There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for everyone. To volunteer for any of the opportunities listed below, please email Lucinda with the Volunteer Job(s) you would like along with some times you are available.

Registration
Sign up for a two-hour shift helping Registrar Stan Ulrich and Registration Captain Dotty Morefield manage the registration table. We need both experienced Registration volunteers and those who have never done this fun job of welcoming convention registrants and handing out the envelopes and book bags. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Wednesday (3:00-5:00 PM), Thursday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Friday (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM), Saturday (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM), Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM). If you would like to volunteer for Registration, please note some time blocks you would be available.

Volunteer Table
Sign up for a two-hour shift helping Volunteer Coordinator Lucinda Surber distribute and collect Panel Room Packets and fill in for any volunteers who don’t show up. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Thursday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM), Friday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM), Saturday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM), Sunday (8:30 – 10:30 AM). If you would like to help out at the Volunteer Table, please specify some time blocks you would be available.

Panel Room Timekeeper/Monitor
Sign up for a shift managing a panel room. We need 74 volunteers for this fun and important job. Responsibilities include picking up the Panel Packet and arranging the panelist name tents before the panel, holding up signs so the Panel Moderator knows how much time is left before the end of the panel, and escorting the panelists to the signing space after the panel. Written instructions will be provided. If you are interested, please look over the Panel Schedule and send a list of some panels you would like to help with. Please include a maximum number of panels if you are sending several possibilities.
 

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Will Be Required

As noted above, to protect us all and in line with convention best practices, LCC attendees will be required to provide proof of the complete series of a vaccine approved for use against COVID-19 (the primary series plus the booster) before checking in for the convention.

Proof of Vaccination Pre-Check
We hope to pre-check as many COVID Vaccine cards in advance as possible to avoid long lines at registration. If you would like take advantage of the pre-check option, please email a copy of your Covid Vaccine Card to vaxed@leftcoastcrime.org. We will also be verifying proof of full vaccination at the convention.

Masks?
As things currently stand, we will not require masks at the convention, although you are all encouraged to take whatever protective measures you prefer. If conditions change, we will follow New Mexico guidelines.

Cancellation Deadline
Due to the Covid uncertainties, we extended our normal cancellation deadline to two weeks before the convention. Cancellations by March 24, are entitled to a refund; starting March 25, there is no refund unless the convention is cancelled. We have also suspended the traditional cancellation fee until things return to normal. If you need to cancel your registration, email Registar Stan Ulrich.
 

Book Room Operations at Southwest Sleuths

All authors at LCC ’22 will have the opportunity to have books for sale in the Book Room.
Dale Johnson of Cross Genre Books is our Book Room Chair.

“Traditionally Published” Authors
op.cit.books in Santa Fe — New Mexico’s largest independent bookstore — will handle sales of traditionally published books, those returnable through major publishers or distributors. If you are a traditionally published author, you need to fill out <THIS FORM> with up to three books you would like op.cit. to stock in the Book Room. The deadline for submitting the form is today February 28.

“Indie-Published” Authors (self-published and small press)
Cross Genre Books will be handling consignment sales for the authors who publish their works through alternate avenues that are not returnable. Authors will need to bring or ship their own books to the convention. Cross Genre Books will ask you to fill out this Consignment Form (with a the details) to keep track of how many books you leave with them. Books left for consignment must have a price listed on the book, or a price sticker for those books that do not have a listed price or will be sold for a different price than listed on the books. Consignments are accepted at the rate of 60% for the author and 40% to the bookseller. At the end of the convention you will need to pick up any unsold books. Email Cross Genre Books directly <crossgenrebooks@gmail.com> with questions about the consignment policy.
 

Silent Auction Information

Each Left Coast Crime Convention raises money to support a local literacy organization with funds raised through a silent and live auction and the annual Quilt Raffle. This year our recipient is Croak & Dagger’s Great (Little) Library Adventure. Croak & Dagger is the New Mexico chapter of Sisters in Crime and a New Mexico non-profit social organization. The Great (Little) Library Adventure is C&D’s free community-outreach program to libraries identified by the NM Rural Libraries Initiative: the 50+ smallest public and community libraries in the state. All proceeds from our auctions go to the Great (Little) Library Adventure. Anyone — reader, writer, bookseller, librarian, blogger — may donate items to the silent auction. You can either mail your Silent Auction donations to yourself at the hotel or bring them with you. We’ll be accepting donations on Wednesday April 6 from 2:00-4:00 PM, on Thursday morning while setting up the Silent Auction Room, and on Friday morning as well. Details about the location of the Silent Auction Room will be shared closer to the convention. Questions about your donation? Email Auction Co-Chairs Molly Moeglein and Donnell Ann Bell at <writerdonnellannbell@gmail.com>.
 

Sponsorship at Left Coast Crime



Interested in sponsoring Left Coast Crime? Available options include the Saturday breakfast,  the hospitality suite, sponsoring one of our Guests of Honor, plus the convention book bag and name tag holder.

Books for Book Bags
We are happy to accept crime fiction and non-fiction books for distribution to all attendees in our book bags. There is no charge, but you will need to ship the books to arrive in early 2022. We accept any quantity of books, but prefer not to have more than 200 copies of a single title; multiple titles are recommended if you would like to place a book in every bag. In order to make book distribution work for both the participants (who will love receiving your books) and the booksellers (who will plan to bring different books to sell), we ask that you provide the title(s) and number of books you would like to donate.

Please email Lucinda Surber if you are interested in learning more about our sponsorship opportunities or would like to donate books.
 

Writing Workshop

Get Your Kicks on Route 66: David Morrell Shares Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing

A Writing Workshop for authors, published or not, will take place from Noon–4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the day before the convention begins, at the convention hotel.

Drawing on his many decades as a bestselling author and the creator of the Rambo film series, David will discuss numerous topics, including his method of starting a novel, the steps to its completion, the mistakes he watches for, and his assessment of the current publishing market. The session will conclude with a long question-and-answer session.

Cost: $66 for LCC Registrants, $99 for non-LCC registrants
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Noon–4:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 330 Tijeras Avenue NW, 87102
Details: Lunch on your own before the workshop
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Will Be Required for the Writing Workshop
Online registration

David Morrell is the author of the novel First Blood, in which the character of Rambo originated. His numerous New York Times bestsellers include the classic espionage novel, The Brotherhood of the Rose, the basis for the only television mini-series to air after a Super Bowl. An Anthony, Edgar, Ellis, Left Coast Crime, and Thriller Award finalist, Morrell has Comic-Con, Macavity, Nero, and Stoker awards as well as ITW’s Thriller Master award and a Bouchercon Lifetime Achievement award. His writing book, The Successful Novelist, discusses what he has learned in his many decades as an author. [David Morrell’s Website]
 

Left Coast Crime 2023
Tucson, Arizona

When: March 16–19, 2023
Where: El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Lifetime Achievement: J.A. Jance
Guest of Honor: Glen Erik Hamilton
Guest of Honor: Sujata Massey
Fan Guest of Honor: Dru Ann Love
Toastmaster: Ellen Byron
Ghost of Honor: Winn Bundy
Registration: $250 through April 10, 2022
Online Registration

El Conquistador Tucson spans 50 acres, overlooking Pusch Ridge in one direction and the Santa Catalina Mountains to the other. The resort has a swimming pool, spa, hiking and cycling trails, tennis courts, and a golf course. Our convention rate is $195 for the convention nights, plus three nights before and after the convention (subject to availability) so you can extend your stay in Tucson. The standard daily resort charge has been waived for Left Coast Crime registrants.
More information about the convention