The outside of Once Upon a Crime (Where the event was held) appeared deserted and a little forlorn; the inside hosted a bedlam of authors, readers, agents, and publishers trying to strike up new connections and maintain old affiliations. Fifty-six local mystery writers offered their books for personalization and sale. So many authors attended that Pat and Gary, co-owners of Once Upon a Crime and hosts of the event, divided the group into four one-hour segments of approximately 14 authors apiece.

Having another commitment earlier that day, I joined the last group that stood behind the table and hawked its wares. Wedged between Terry Persons and C.C. Canby, I didn’t get a chance to converse with the other authors in the 3 o’clock group until after the earlier arrivals had purchased all they were going to and the crowd started to thin. This afforded me the chance to meet Rick Shefchik, author of Amen Corner (SinC’s assigned novel for January), whose next project is titled, Green Monster, and centers around a murder in Fenway Park. Sujata Massey and Erin Hart were other members of the phalanx behind the authors table. Mr. Canby provided tips about the local publishing scene with special praise for Bang Mailing Service,  a printing company located in Brainerd that he uses to publish his firm’s books.

It wasn’t a particularly successful event so far as selling copies of Metadata Murders was concerned, but the information, new acquaintances, and networking opportunities it afforded more than made up for any financial shortfall. Here’s hoping Pat and Gary feel the same.