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Thrillerfest 2013

with Lee Child

The truth is, I didn’t feel quite up to making the cross-continental trek from California to New York last week.  It meant waking up at 3AM to get to the airport on time, then going through TSA scans and frisks, and then packing myself into a sardine can, only to fly through white-knuckled turbulence which would make any atheist convert (until they made it through, anyway.)  Most of all, it meant leaving my family, with whom I’m very close.

But I did it, out of diligence.

You see, even though I knew it was going to be great to see writers and other people in the industry whom I both admire and respect, I was tired and uncertain what to expect.  Being a writer, you can get stuck in your own little world and lose perspective.  As I’ve said many times, it can be a lonely business.

But as soon as I arrived, I knew things were going to be great.  I met up with some wonderful friends that I’d met last year, and some colleagues with whom I hadn’t heard from for some time.

This year, I met some wonderful debut authors such as T.L. Costa, and Landon Parham.  There’s just too much to report, so I’ll just leave off with thanking all the wonderful people who were so kind to meet up and speak with me.  But most of all, I want to thank Jeff Ayers (aka the Thrillerfest Mayor) for taking the time to hang out with me and connect me with some fantastic new friends!  And make sure you check out his debut noel LONG OVERDUE.

Here are some memorable moments at Thrillerfest 20013

 

with T.L. Costa and Steven James

with T.L. Costa and Steven James

with Shannon Raab (Suspense Magazine)

with Shannon Raab (Suspense Magazine)

Getting ready to sign my books at the Thrillerfest bookstore (Barnes & Noble)

Getting ready to sign my books at the Thrillerfest bookstore (Barnes & Noble)

 

Jeff Ayers (aka Th

Jeff Ayers (aka The Thrillerfest Mayor)

Steve and Elizabeth Berry with M.J. Rose

Steve and Elizabeth Berry with M.J. Rose

with Michael Connelly

with Michael Connelly

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Taking a short break before the next event

That grim moment when we learned there would be no more Snickers....

That grim moment when we learned there would be no more Snickers….

 

That grim moment when we learned there would be no more Snickers....

That grim moment when we learned there would be no more Snickers….

 

David Morrell, the creator of RAMBO

David Morrell, the creator of RAMBO

in great company at the book signing

In great company at the book signing (click to enlarge)

 

Me and my long-lost cousin Heather Graham.  Note the family resemblance.

Robert Gleason, my cousin Heather, me, James Grippando, and Andrew Gross

Robert Gleason, my cousin Heather, me, James Grippando, and Andrew Gross

Jeff Ayers, Alan Jacobson, Lauren Parham, Brian Mercer, Landon Parham

Jeff Ayers, Alan Jacobson, Lauren Parham, Brian Mercer, Landon Parham

  The last reception with good friends, old and new.

Final Cocktails

Final Cocktails

This is not an original photo, I hate to say.  It represents about an hour’s worth of photoshopping compliments of the nice ladies have the distinction of photobombing this lovely shot.

So that I don’t leave you completely in suspsense, here is the original:

 

Photo bombed!

Photo bombed!

 

Did you attend Thrillerfest 2013?  Please share your favorite moments in the comments.