Thursday, May 06, 2010

Part II of Festival of Mystery

By Paula Matter

Everything that Annette said yesterday? Yeah. This event, sponsored by Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA, is worth the four hour drive. I had a plan ahead of time, and knew exactly what books I'd buy and I'd stick to my budget.

Yeah. Right.

I was grateful for Hank Phillippi Ryan's generosity -- again -- when she gave me a gorgeous tote bag. I've no idea why, but I hadn't gotten around to reading Hank' s books. I know! Can you imagine? When I bought her first three books, she gave me the tote bag. Big enough for all of my books.

I spent more than I'd planned because I met a lot of authors. Some I'd never read before; some I buy their books as soon as they come out. Speaking of which, the hat I'm wearing is from another generous author -- Rosemary Harris. I bought her latest, Dead Head, and she sent me the hat. Cool, huh?

I bought a few books just because the authors were so sweet, nice and/or funny. Not pushy at all. (The pushy ones get glares from me, but come to think of it there weren't any pushy ones this year). So, without further ado, some of my photos from Monday's event...




Deborah Sharp and Joanna Campbell Slan
(Fellow Florida gals!)


Sandra Parshall

Alan Orloff

Sheila Connolly

Karen E. Olsen

Rosemary Harris

Mary Jane Maffini

Nancy Martin

Kevin O'Brien

Wendy Lyn Watson and Heather Webber

Jason Pinter

Wendy Lyn Watson (with her eyes open this time!)

Brad Parks

Hank Phillippi Ryan
(Glad everyone knows how beautiful she is since I took a lousy shot)

Joyce Tremel and Annette Dashofy

A good time had by all according to these photos. I'm already looking forward to next year.
Thanks so much Mary Alice and Richard!

13 comments:

Susan said...

Looks like you guys had a great time! Never realized how much I loved seeing pictures in blogs until I read this one and Annette's!

Felt like I was there!

susan

Jenna said...

Check in tomorrow for a guest post from Laura Bradford AKA Elizabeth Lynn Casey. She was there, too!

Wilfred Bereswill said...

I thought Laura was scheduled to be there.

Too bad I have this darn day job. I would have embarked on the journey.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Will!

Paula

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

Thanks, Paula! Yes, it was fantastic...wonderful to see you! (And such a terrific event...thanks to all who made it possible!)

Patg said...

Happy Birthday Will?????
When's your birthday, Will?
I understand the pesky day job, my excuse is a country width away.
Patg

Wilfred Bereswill said...

Thanks, Paula and Pat. Well and Annette and everyone else sending my Birthday wishes via Facebook.

Alan Orloff said...

Great meeting you in person, Paula, and thanks for posting these pictures! It was a very cool event. Thanks to all the volunteers!

Annette said...

Paula, I'm glad you finally figured out how to use that camera. The pictures are GREAT!

Did you all hear that Wendy Lyn Watson got stuck in the elevator at the hotel after the Festival? Took a bunch of hunky firefighters to rescue her. If you're on Facebook, check out Heather Webber's photos and account of the adventure.

M Pax said...

Looks like a great time!

Laurissa said...

Happy Birthday, Will!

Paula, thanks for the great pictures. It was nice to finally meet you (I'm glad you didn't quit writing, haha). I also hadn't(I don't know why either)read any of Hank's books prior to the festival, but bought all four of them while there and can hardly put them down. This isn't helping me at all in getting ready for Pennwriters next week, but they're great! :-)
I'm already looking forward to next year's festival!

Patg said...

Will,
I asked what date was your birthday because my b-day is May 5.
What is your date?
patg

MaryQ said...

I was so mad that I missed this. I was out of town last week and came home Sunday to find out that it was Monday. I had a dentist appt that I considered cancelling, but the decision was taken out of my hands when I ended up sick. It was killing me that it was not 10 minutes from my house & I couldn't get up the strength to get off the couch, let alone make it down to Oakmont. It's going on my calendar for next year. And I will NOT get sick again for it!