Crime on the Comstock News: December 2017

Howdy!

Welcome to all our new registrants since the last newsletter. Only about three more months until Left Coast Crime in Reno, Nevada!

Lefty Award Nominations

We hope you have been making lists of all your favorite mysteries published in 2017. If not, start looking back over your notes since your Lefty Nomination Form will be coming your way very soon! Registrants of the 2017 and 2018 Left Coast Crime Conventions will be able to nominate three titles in each Lefty Award category. Nominations will be accepted the first two weeks of January, for the four 2018 Lefty Awards:

Best Mystery Novel
Best Debut Mystery Novel
Best Humorous Mystery Novel
Best Historical Mystery Novel (The Bruce Alexander Memorial), covering events before 1960

To be eligible, titles must have been published for the first time in the United States or Canada during 2017, in book or ebook format. (If published in other countries before 2017, a book is still eligible if it meets the US or Canadian publication requirement.)

Nomination forms will be emailed to all 2017 and 2018 LCC registrants in late December. The Lefty Award nominees will be announced on January 15, 2018. Final voting for the Lefty Awards will be by paper ballot at the convention in Reno.

Questions about the Lefty Awards? Email Awards Co-Chairs Lucinda Surber & Stan Ulrich

Nugget Casino Resort

In November members of the Left Coast Crime Standing Committee had the opportunity of touring the Nugget Casino Resort. Our room block is in the Resort Tower, and our elevators open onto the Foyer of the Convention Floor (the Second Floor). All convention activities will take place on the Convention Floor: Registration in the Foyer; Book Room, Silent Auction, and Panelist Signings in Nugget 2; Hospitality in Sierra 5; panels in Serra 1–4; Breakfasts and The Banquet in Nugget 1; and special events will occur in the Cascade Rooms. It will be very easy to find your way around!

Note About Smoking
The Nugget Casino Resort has two sleeping floors which permit smoking. All other guest room floors are non-smoking. The Convention Center floor is non-smoking and separated from the Casino — you do NOT need to go through the Casino to get to any convention events. The Lobby, all Nugget Restaurants, and the Lobby Bar are also non-smoking. However, the Casino does allow smoking, and most restaurants and bars open off the Casino. (see map below) The Nugget Casino has an air purification system, but those sensitive to smoke might want to request tables away from the doors or make alternate dining plans. There are several restaurants within walking distance (2–3 blocks) of the Nugget. Room service is available 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily. If any proximity to smoke presents a serious health issue for you, we understand that you may choose to cancel your registration. We will waive the $25 processing fee if you email your cancellation request to Registrar Stan Ulrich by December 31, 2017.

Crime on the Comstock Sponsorship Opportunities

Left Coast Crime encourages publishers and organizations to sponsor a variety of events such as the Opening Ceremony, the Awards Banquet, the Saturday Breakfast, and the Hospitality Suite. Other options include sponsoring one of our Guests of Honor or supporting Left Coast Crime by sponsoring products such as the name badge holder. Please email Lucinda Surber if you are interested in learning more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Books for Book Bags
We are happy to accept crime fiction and non-fiction for distribution in the book bags. There is no charge, but you will need to ship the books to arrive in Reno between January 15th and March 12th. Any quantity is accepted. We 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. If interested, please email Lucinda Surber for shipping details.

Advertise in the Crime on the Comstock Program Book

Attention Authors! Please encourage your publisher to advertise in the Left Coast Crime Program Book. There are sizes and prices for every budget. Don’t be left out! The deadline for reserving ad space is February 3, 2018. http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/2018/Advertising.html

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 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.

“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.

Side Trips (Repeated for New Registrants)

We have arranged with Patty’s Tours, a local tour operator, to schedule three optional opportunities to explore the Reno/Sparks/Tahoe area before and after the Left Coast Crime 2018 convention. Please contact Patty’s Tours at 775-453-1794 or email Patty@pattystours.com to make reservations or with any questions you might have about the tours. Tours not meeting the minimal enrollment will be cancelled and your money refunded.

History of the Comstock

Tuesday, March 20, 2018, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Depart from the Nugget with your historian and travel to Virginia City, once a rip-roaring mining town in the 1800s. Step back in time as you explore this authentic gold mining town. Our first stop will be the Virginia City Cemetery, built in the 1860s for a wide variety of fraternal, civic and religious groups. Grave markers range in materials from wood, metal, to cut stone. The inscriptions on the markers give silent testimony to the social and economic fabric of Virginia City. Next stop will be the 4th Ward School, opened in 1877 and built to hold 1000 students. Little has changed in the classroom, which includes original maps, desks, blackboards, pump organ and potbellied stove. Also featured is the “Out of the Closet” exhibit of period clothing. We then travel a short distance to Piper’s Opera House, built in 1868. John Piper was one of the influential entrepreneurs in the West. A typical season at Piper’s included performances of Shakespeare, Lily Langtry, Edwin Booth, Lillian Russell, and Samuel Clemens. Following our tour we will enjoy a hosted lunch at the historic Werrin Building, originally a grocery store and rooming house. After lunch we travel to St. Mary’s Art Center built in 1876, the Grand Dame of Virginia City and a National Historic Landmark. Originally a hospital for Comstock miners, was left empty and abandoned for many years after the Gold Rush decline. It was saved in 1964 by Father Meinecke, creating what is now the St. Mary’s Art Center. There will be time to walk the downtown area and take the Ponderosa Mine Tour before returning to the Nugget.
Time: 9:00 AM departure, return approximately 5:00 PM (Board Motorcoach 15 mins prior to departure.)
Cost: $139 per person, lunch included
Tickets: contact Patty’s Tours at 775-453-1794 or email Patty@pattystours.com

Donner Party Historic Site

Wednesday, March 21, 2018, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Depart from the Nugget in the morning and travel through the Sierra Nevada mountains to the historical town of Truckee. We arrive at Donner Memorial State Park where we will be joined by Frank Mullen Jr., author of The Donner Party Chronicles. The walking tour will feature the Donner Museum, Memorial, and campsites of the Donner Party, the wagon train pioneers who were trapped in the high camps during the terrible winter of 1846-1847. At the very sites of horror and heroism Mr. Mullen will explain Manifest Destiny and the myths and mysteries of this iconic story. We will also visit the Alder Creek campsite and Donner Summit, the top of the barrier that doomed the pioneers. See the China Wall built for the transcontinental railroad and the magnificent view of Donner Lake and surrounding Sierras. Lunch will be hosted in the historic Truckee Hotel, with time to walk the old downtown.
Time: 9:00 AM departure, return approximately 5:00 PM (Board Motorcoach 15 mins prior to departure.)
Cost: $149 per person, lunch included
Tickets: contact Patty’s Tours at 775-453-1794 or email Patty@pattystours.com

The History of Brothels in Nevada

Monday, March 26, 2018 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Nevada’s history is strongly rooted in what was called the “Wild West.” Gold and silver were the enticements that produced the major influx of people heading west during the mid-1800s. This was also the time when early brothels and prostitution thrived. Yet, even though the “Wild West” was really noted for its lawlessness, there were local and public laws in place that loosely governed how working brothels operated. Some welcomed this type of “business” action; some not so much. Have you ever wondered what went on behind closed doors at the world-famous brothels? We will visit a working brothel and hear about the inner workings of the Mustang Ranch. Questions are welcome! Enjoy this unique opportunity to visit a legal, working brothel. Lunch will be included, with time to shop and browse in the gift shop.
Time: 10:00 AM departure, return approximately 3:00 PM (Board Motorcoach 15 mins prior to departure.)
Cost: $99 per person, lunch included
Tickets: contact Patty’s Tours at 775-453-1794 or email Patty@pattystours.com

Are You Registered for Crime on the Comstock?

Not sure if you are registered for LCC 2018? Check our Crime on the Comstock List of Attendees. The Registration fee goes up on January 1, 2018! Visit the LCC 2018 Registration Page to register. Please register with the Author/Panelist option by December 31, 2017, for panel consideration.

Left Coast Crime 2019:
Whale of a Crime

March 28–31, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Lifetime Achievement Honouree: Sue Grafton
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.