Crime on the Comstock News: February 2018
Howdy!
Welcome to all our new registrants since the last newsletter. Only about six weeks until Left Coast Crime in Reno, Nevada!
The Panels are Here!
We are thrilled to announce that we have posted the
Almost Final Panel Schedule and the schedule for
One Shots and You Had Me At… Panel Chair Chantelle Aimée Osman and her minions have worked endless hours putting together a wonderful program for LCC 2018. Our goal is to make sure the LCC audience is entertained and informed. If you have any questions about the Panels, One Shots, or You Had Me At… please
email Chantelle.
Hotel Convention Rate Deadline — February 20th
The cut-off date for our convention rate at the Nugget Casino Resort is February 20, 2018. Can’t find your hotel code?
Email Registrar Stan Ulrich
Crime on the Comstock Events
At Left Coast Crime 2018 we are offering four opportunities outside the normal panel and book signings for authors and readers to interact.
Meet the New Authors Breakfast
All authors who have a first mystery, crime, thriller, or suspense novel published between March 20, 2017, and March 25, 2018, are eligible to present at the Meet the New Authors Breakfast, Friday, March 23rd, hosted by Mike Befeler.
New Authors: Email Mike Befeler at
mikebef@aol.com.
Participants: All LCC registrants are welcome.
Author Speed-Dating
Author Speed-Dating will take place Thursday March 22, 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 44 authors to circulate and 160 fans to sit and enjoy the 2-minute pitches. Les and Leslie Blatt will be our Speed-Dating Hosts.
Authors:
Speed Dating is fully booked. Email Lucinda Surber if you would like to be placed on the Wait List.
Participants: First come, first seated!
Author-Hosted Tables
Partner with another author to host a table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 24th. Convention attendees will sign up to sit with you at dinner. Table favors optional.
Authors:
It appears that we will have plenty of space for all interested authors. Partner up with another author to host a table and
email Lucinda Surber with both of your names.
Participants: When you register, look for the Author-Hosted Table signup sheets near the registration desk.
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. For Left Coast Crime 2015 in Portland, Co-Chair Bill Cameron invented Author-Reader Connections to provide an easy forum for readers and authors to enjoy some time together. An Author-Reader Connection might include a snack or a drink, a visit to the Nugget Casino, or a walk together near the hotel. 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 Surber for more information.
Participants: We have a few
Author-Reader Connections already set up on our Author-Reader Connections Page. Check back often over the next few weeks to view new opportunities to spend time with an author. Please sign up for no more than two Author-Reader Connections, and no more than one per author.
Crime on the Comstock Needs You!
As an all-volunteer organization, LCC can’t run conventions without volunteers like you! Emails have gone out to all who expressed interest in volunteering when they registered, but there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for everyone. To volunteer for any of the Volunteer opportunities listed below, please
email Volunteer Coordinator Lucinda Surber with the Volunteer Job(s) you would like along with some times you are available.
Registration Desk
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 registrations and handing out the registration 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 (9:00 AM – 5:00 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.
Author-Hosted Table Sign-Ups
Sign up for a two-hour shift to help Author-Hosted Table Captains Fran Vella & Sara Bowling assist people chose the Author-Hosted Table they would like to join. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on on Wednesday (3:00 – 5:00 PM), Thursday (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM), and Friday (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM). If you would like to help with Author-Hosted Table sign-ups, please note some time blocks you would be available.
Silent Auction
Sign up for a shift helping Auction Chair Noemi Levine with the Silent Auction. Responsibilities include keeping an eye on the Silent Auction items, selling Quilt Raffle Tickets, and answering questions. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Wednesday (3:00–5:00 PM to set up the room), Thursday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM), Friday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 6:30 – 7:30 PM for final bidding, 9:30 – 10:30 PM for payment), and Sunday (8:30 – 10:30 AM for final pickup). If you would like to help in the Silent Auction room, please select some time blocks you would be available.
Panel Room Timekeeper/Monitor
Sign up for a shift managing a panel room. We need 76 volunteers for this fun 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.
Book Signings
Sign up for a shift helping Book Signing Captain Lucinda Long with the author signings following each panel. Duties include placing signage, greeting and directing authors to their seats, and managing lines to avoid congestion. We need volunteers for one-hour shifts on Thursday (12:15–3:45 PM), Friday (9:15 AM – 5:15 PM), Saturday (9:15 AM – 4:00 PM), Sunday (9:15–11:30 AM). If you would like to help with the Book Signings, please specify some time blocks you would be available.
Book Room Operations at Crime on the Comstock
All authors at LCC 2018 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
Sundance Books and Music, a wonderful Reno independent bookstore, will be in the Book Room selling traditionally published books, those returnable through major publishers or distributors like Ingram or Baker and Taylor.
Everyone with a panel assignment will receive an email in the next few days with more information about the publishers Sundance will carry and directions for submitting three book titles.
“Indie-Published” Authors (self and small press)
Cross Genre Books will be handling consignment sales for authors published through alternate avenues that are not returnable. Authors will need to bring or ship their own books to the convention. Details about consignment sales are available in the
Consignment Form. If you have questions, please contact Cross Genre Books at
crossgenrebooks@gmail.com.
Left Coast Crime 2019:
Whale of a Crime
March 28–31, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Guests of Honour: C.J. Box & Maureen Jennings
Fan Guests of Honour: Don & Jen Longmuir
Toastmaster: Cathy Ace
Visit the Whale of a Crime website for all the details and to register.