Southwest Sleuths Newsletter
March 23, 2022
Breaking News
We just learned this morning (
Surprise!) that the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque will be renamed The Clyde Hotel (after 1930s governor Clyde Tingley) and will no longer part of the Hyatt chain as of April 1, 2022. According to a letter we received minutes ago, all reservations will be automatically transferred to the new reservation system with no change, except that guests will not be able to apply Hyatt points. If you have any questions about your hotel reservation, please call the Hyatt at 505-842-1234. Starting April 1, call The Clyde Hotel at 505-302-6930.
And here is what we planned to share about Albuquerque in this newsletter!
Albuquerque is a high desert city, and the combination of altitude and the dry climate takes some getting used to. Remember to keep hydrated and be aware that alcohol packs a potent punch at 5312 feet. Wearing a hat and sunscreen is advisable when outdoors.
The current forecast for Albuquerque is showing clear skies the first week of April, but spring weather is changeable as we all know, so check your preferred weather app as you pack for outdoor activities.
Inside the hotel our advice is always comfortable shoes and LAYERS, since some rooms will no doubt be over-warm and others too chilly. Left Coast Crime is a casual convention, though some do like to dress up a bit for the Lefty Awards Banquet.
The Hyatt Regency Albuquerque (The Clyde Hotel by the time you arrive!) is 4.2 miles from the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Here is the Sunport (AKA Airport) page with options for getting to the convention hotel:
Ground transportation from the Albuquerque International Sunport
Volunteer Jobs
Thanks so much to everyone who has already volunteered to help. We still have a few shifts in search of volunteers. Please email Lucinda if you can help.
Book-Signing Room Assistant
Sign up for a shift helping the Signing Room. Duties include placing signage, greeting and directing authors to their seats, and managing lines to avoid congestion. We need help for these one-hour shifts: Thursday (12:15-1:15), Saturday (11:45-12:45, 1:45-2:45, 3:00-4:00, 4:15-5:15), Sunday (9:15-10:15)
Hospitality Room
Sign up for a two-hour shift helping in the Hospitality/Silent Auction room. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Thursday (2:00–4:00 PM), Friday (10:00-Noon, Noon-2:00), Saturday (Noon-2:00, 2:00–4:00 PM).
Awards Banquet Volunteers
Work with the Awards Banquet Coordinators to welcome people at the doors on Saturday evening, check tickets, and help folks find their seats at the Awards Banquet.
Registration
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 registrants and handing out the envelopes and book bags. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Friday (2:00-3:30, 3:30-5:00), Saturday (12:00-2:00, 2:00-3:30, 3:00-5:00), and Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM).
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 (10:00-Noon, 3:30-5:00 PM), Friday (8:30-10:00 AM, 10:00-Noon), Saturday (3:30-5:00), Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM).
Murderous Vision Interactive Murder Game
Can you solve the case? One of our attendees is found dead early Thursday morning and you must determine whodunnit. Police reports, newspaper articles, social media, and witness statements will all be provided as the days go by. Solve it by Saturday afternoon or the killer might get away. Check out murder victim
Sandy Yeggo's Facebook page for clues to the killer.
Southwest Sleuths Events Update
At Left Coast Crime 2022 we are offering four opportunities outside the normal panel and book signings for authors and readers to interact.
Author-Reader Connections
Participants: View and sign up for Author-Reader Connections on our Connections page. Only registered attendees can sign up for Connections. Fans may sign up for a
maximum of two Connections. A few Connections are SOLD OUT, but there are many more to choose from!
https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/Connections.html
Authors: Author-Reader Connections are open to all authors. Email Lucinda for all the information about setting up a Connection.
The deadline for setting up an Author-Reader Connection is Saturday, March 26th.
Author Speed-Dating
Author Speed-Dating, hosted by Les and Leslie Blatt, will take place Thursday, April 7, from 9:00–11:00 AM
Authors: All Speed-Daters have been confirmed and a Wait List established.
Participants: First come, first seated!
Meet the New Authors Breakfast, sponsored by Sisters in Crime
Meet the New Authors Breakfast, planned by Mike Befeler and hosted by Les and Leslie Blatt, will take place on Friday, April 8, from 7:15–8:45 AM
New Authors: have been confirmed
Participants: All LCC registrants are welcome.
Author-Hosted Tables
Partner with another author to host a table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 9. Convention attendees will sign up to sit with you at dinner. Table favors and decorations optional.
Author-Hosts: Information has been sent to everyone who has emailed so far.
There are tables still available. Email Lucinda with BOTH of your names and email addresses. You will receive a return email with more information.
Participants: When you register, look for the Author-Hosted Table signup sheets near Registration — first come, first served.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Will Be Required
As noted above, to protect us all and in line with convention best practices, LCC attendees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before checking in for the convention.
Proof of Vaccination Pre-Check
We hope to pre-check as many COVID Vaccine cards in advance as possible to avoid long lines at registration. If you would like take advantage of the pre-check option, please email a copy of your Covid Vaccine Card to
vaxed@leftcoastcrime.org by April 1. After that, you will you will need to line up and provide proof of full vaccination in person. If you have purchased a extra Banquet Ticket for a guest, that person will need to show proof of vaccination as well. You can pre-check your guest in advance, or show proof at the convention any time
BEFORE Saturday.
Masks?
As things currently stand, we will not require masks at the convention, although you are all encouraged to take whatever protective measures you prefer. If conditions change, we will follow New Mexico guidelines.
Cancellation Deadline
Due to the Covid uncertainties, we extended our normal cancellation deadline to two weeks before the convention. Cancellations by March 24, are entitled to a refund; starting March 25, there is no refund unless the convention is cancelled. We have also suspended the traditional cancellation fee until things return to normal. If you need to cancel your registration, email
Registar Stan Ulrich.
Silent Auction Information
Each Left Coast Crime Convention raises money to support a local literacy organization with funds raised through a silent and live auction and the annual Quilt Raffle. This year our recipient is Croak & Dagger’s Great (Little) Library Adventure. Croak & Dagger is the New Mexico chapter of Sisters in Crime and a New Mexico non-profit social organization. The Great (Little) Library Adventure is C&D’s free community-outreach program to libraries identified by the NM Rural Libraries Initiative: the 50+ smallest public and community libraries in the state. All proceeds from our auctions go to the Great (Little) Library Adventure. Anyone — reader, writer, bookseller, librarian, blogger — may donate items to the silent auction. You can either mail your Silent Auction donations to yourself at the hotel or bring them with you. We’ll be accepting donations on Wednesday April 6 from 2:00-4:00 PM, on Thursday morning while setting up the Silent Auction Room, and on Friday morning as well. Details about the location of the Silent Auction Room will be shared closer to the convention. Questions about your donation? Email Auction Co-Chairs Molly Moeglein and Donnell Ann Bell at <
writerdonnellannbell@gmail.com>.
If you would like to mail your donation to yourself at the hotel, use this address:
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Hold for Hotel Guest: Your Name
330 Tijeras Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Book Room Operations at Southwest Sleuths
All authors at LCC ’22 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
op.cit.books in Santa Fe — New Mexico’s largest independent bookstore — will handle sales of traditionally published books, those returnable through major publishers or distributors. Traditionally published author were asked to fill in a form with up to three books they would like
op.cit. to stock in the Book Room by February 28. If
op.cit. is not able to carry your books, we will email you soon with the the consignment information. If you missed the deadline, use the Consignment option below.
“Indie-Published” Authors (self-published and small press)
Cross Genre Books will be handling consignment sales for the authors who publish their works through alternate avenues that are not returnable. Authors will need to bring or ship their own books to the convention. Cross Genre Books will ask you to fill out this
Consignment Form (with a the details) to keep track of how many books you leave with them. Books left for consignment must have a price listed on the book, or a price sticker for those books that do not have a listed price or will be sold for a different price than listed on the books. Consignments are accepted at the rate of 60% for the author and 40% to the bookseller. At the end of the convention you will need to pick up any unsold books. Email Cross Genre Books directly <
crossgenrebooks@gmail.com> with questions about the consignment policy.
Sponsorship at Left Coast Crime
Writing Workshop
Get Your Kicks on Route 66: David Morrell Shares Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing
A Writing Workshop for authors, published or not, will take place from Noon–4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the day before the convention begins, at the convention hotel.
Drawing on his many decades as a bestselling author and the creator of the Rambo film series, David will discuss numerous topics, including his method of starting a novel, the steps to its completion, the mistakes he watches for, and his assessment of the current publishing market. The session will conclude with a long question-and-answer session.
Cost: $66 for LCC Registrants, $99 for non-LCC registrants
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Noon–4:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Details: Lunch on your own before the workshop
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Will Be Required for the Writing Workshop
Online registration
David Morrell is the author of the novel
First Blood, in which the character of Rambo originated. His numerous New York Times bestsellers include the classic espionage novel,
The Brotherhood of the Rose, the basis for the only television mini-series to air after a Super Bowl. An Anthony, Edgar, Ellis, Left Coast Crime, and Thriller Award finalist, Morrell has Comic-Con, Macavity, Nero, and Stoker awards as well as ITW’s Thriller Master award and a Bouchercon Lifetime Achievement award. His writing book,
The Successful Novelist, discusses what he has learned in his many decades as an author. [
David Morrell’s Website]
Left Coast Crime 2023
Tucson, Arizona
When: March 16–19, 2023
Where: El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Lifetime Achievement: J.A. Jance
Guest of Honor: Glen Erik Hamilton
Guest of Honor: Sujata Massey
Fan Guest of Honor: Dru Ann Love
Toastmaster: Ellen Byron
Ghost of Honor: Winn Bundy
Registration: $250 through April 10, 2022
Online Registration
El Conquistador Tucson spans 50 acres, overlooking Pusch Ridge in one direction and the Santa Catalina Mountains to the other. The resort has a swimming pool, spa, hiking and cycling trails, tennis courts, and a golf course. Our convention rate is $195 for the convention nights, plus three nights before and after the convention (subject to availability) so you can extend your stay in Tucson. The standard daily resort charge has been waived for Left Coast Crime registrants.
More information about the convention