MALICIOUS PLEASURE
Along with Femmes Donna Andrews, Toni Kelner, Hank Phillipi Ryan, Elaine Viets, Marcia Talley, and Catriona McPherson, I was in Bethesda this past weekend for Malice Domestic. I think it’s the original and only conference designed to spotlight the traditional mystery. The Femmes have a long history at Malice. Hank, Toni, Donna, Dana Cameron, and Elaine have been Toastmaster. Marcia Talley will be the Toastmaster next year.
Next year, I will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Looking at the list of people who have also received that honor makes me feel quite inadequate: Anne Perry, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, Robert Barnard, Dick Francis, to name only a few. Visit the Malice website and read the whole list. It’s a high bar.
Somehow, the Lifetime Achievement Award seems a bit final. Maybe a hint that the recipient has done enough. Maybe she should rest on her laurels now. I have been assured that is not true, that I am welcome to keep on producing! I hope so. Tomorrow is drop day for NIGHT SHIFT, my third Midnight book, and in October the first Aurora Teagarden in many years, ALL THE LITTLE LIARS, will be out.
We Femmes are a hard-working crew, and we all seem to shine at Malice Domestic. I wish you could join us there next year. Femme Elaine will be Guest of Honor, Marcia Talley will be Toastmaster, and I will be the happiest of all.
Charlaine Harris
Congratulations!!! A much deserved honor.
Posted by: susan | May 02, 2016 at 12:36 PM
Thanks, Susan. But when I look at the list of names of previous winners, I feel so unworthy!
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | May 02, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Congratulations, Charlaine. All of the Lifetime Achievement award winners are alive and still plotting murder. You will simply join the pantheon. Looking forward to next year's Malice. We'll all have so much fun.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | May 02, 2016 at 04:41 PM
I am so pleased and honored to be tapped as Toastmaster! I'm already thinking about wardrobe. A new frock is in order, surely?
Posted by: Marcia Talley | May 02, 2016 at 05:04 PM
Congrats on the honor!
Posted by: Mark | May 02, 2016 at 07:13 PM
I'm already thinking clothes, too, Marcia. Elaine, we will have a great time, but I think some of the Lifetime Achievement winners have retired to the bookstore in the sky. Thanks, Mark! I am tickled pink to be receiving this award.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | May 03, 2016 at 05:57 AM
It was a great conference, as always, and a great pleasure to see next year's roster of honorees. Well deserved!
Posted by: Aubrey Hamilton | May 05, 2016 at 04:46 PM
Thanks, Aubrey. I'm really flattered by this honor.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | May 06, 2016 at 05:41 AM