In person again! Except … not

It was a thrill to schedule my first in-person book events in more than a year.  

I signed up for Bouchercon, the world mystery book convention, in New Orleans – a location that doubles the fun of my favorite writers’ conference. I scheduled readings at two Montana independent bookstores, Fact and Fiction in Missoula and This House of Books in Billings, to coincide with the releases of The Truth of It All and Best Kept Secrets. And I was scheduled for two different panels at the Montana Book Festival with writers whose work I really admire. 

I couldn’t wait! 

Except, I – along with everyone else – will have to. 

Thanks to a resurgence of COVID, Bouchercon went virtual and the Montana Book Festival is going to do likewise. No word yet on the bookstore readings, but I’m guessing they’ll also be virtual. 

Truly, it’s the best and safest thing to do. And virtual events offer lots of benefits in their ability to include people who might not otherwise be able to make it in person. 

But there’s something so special about seeing people face-to-face – the energy of talking about writing with other writers, the warmth of meeting readers.  

“It’s fine,” is my new mantra. “It’s fine, it’s fine.” 

But dammit, it really isn’t. 

Here’s hoping the great unvaxxed see the light and that someday – soon, please – we can go back to normal, for real this time.