Ya Gotta Eat

by Rochelle Staab, Member-at-Large

Coffee lovers may snort at my daily decaf-soy-mocha-lattes, arguing the concoction is not even close to a real cuppa. I get it, really I do, but I take my morning decaf as seriously as you take your caffeine jolt. And when I travel to conferences, I like to know exactly where my cup of morning delight is coming from long before I hit the early panels. So I ask. At the desk. When I check in. Which is exactly what I did on a recent trip to Phoenix.       

Good news! The Starbucks directly across the street from the Hyatt—the center of the action for 2016’s LCC, The Great Cactus Caper—opens at 6 a.m. Inside the Hyatt are several more choices for a morning caffeine boost and fuel food: Einstein’s Café in the lobby begins brewing at 6:30 a.m., serving bagels and other breakfast goodies. The 2^nd floor Terrace Café opens at 6 a.m. with a breakfast menu and a decent buffet.

            All good, but in addition to my lattes, I need food three times a day or my mood goes south. Where to eat lunch and dinner? There’s Networks Bar & Grill in the Hyatt lobby (open 11 a.m. to midnight with a full bar, killer burgers, and sandwiches), or salads and sandwiches at Einstein’s (some wrapped and ready to carry-out), and a rumor that the 2^nd floor Terrace Café may stay open for lunch. In the evening, the Compass Arizona Grill at the top of the Hyatt serves American cuisine from 5:30-10 p.m.

A wide variety of restaurants are a short (three blocks or less) walking distance from the Hyatt. They range from Majerles, the sports bar and grill across the street from the hotel (I had a decent bowl of chili there), to Subway, a block away on Central Ave. and close enough to grab a sandwich and still make the 1 p.m. panels. Also close are the nine restaurants at Cityscape that vary from American comfort food to Asian Fusion, sushi, vegan, Italian, and a Celtic themed sports pub, all a three block walk from the hotel to Central Avenue and Washington. Hot tip: try the fresh-baked soft pretzels and provolone fondue appetizer at Cityscape’s Arrogant Butcher. You’ll thank me.

If you’re in the mood for steak (I always am), pizza, Korean, or Mexican, the six restaurants at Arizona Center at 3^rd Street and Van Buren (2-1/2 blocks from the hotel) serve until at least 10 p.m., including the Cold Stone Creamery. Ice cream? Hey, we’re at a conference. Calories consumed on the road don’t count.

The front desk at the Hyatt has maps and addresses for all of the above. And though The Great Cactus Caper schedule will keep us pleasantly occupied from morning to evening, take some time to get out for fresh air and a bite. Walking to restaurants does count as exercise.

Bon appetite! I’ll see you in Phoenix. 

 

Rochelle Staab is the best-selling author of the Mind for Murder Mystery series, and winner of the LCC 2013 Watson Award.

Don't Forget To...

So you've registered for Left Coast Crime 2016, The Great Cactus Caper. (Right? You have, right? If you're still on the fence, let Toastmaster Catriona McPherson convince you you need to be here.)

But are you planning to make the most out of your trip? Have you signed up for all the available opportunities?? Here's what you shouldn't miss...

Author Workshop: Writing and selling fiction is a business, but most authors don’t approach it that way. Building your brand is key to success. This class will not only help authors understand how branding and relationship building can help make you successful, but it will also explain how to go about it and give you the tools to do so.

Join us Thursday morning for a three-hour, hands-on workshop that will build your marketing and social media skills! Get more information and sign up from our website.

Author-Reader Connections: An incredible opportunity for readers to get to know authors better and talk about writing, reading, and anything else of interest.
Sample Connection: Lunch with Rochelle Staab
During 2016 Left Coast Crime: The Great Cactus Caper, Rochelle Staab will host up to three fans for good food and a lively discussion on writing, research, and favorite mystery books. Rochelle will buy lunch for the attendees, excluding alcohol.

• Authors: to sign up to provide a connection, email your proposal to connections@lcc2016.com
  
• Readers: Check the LCC website frequently (new Connections will be added as we get them) and pick an offering to sign up for!

See the City: Our partner, Affinity Group Tours, has arranged a variety of optional excursions for you to enhance your visit to Left Coast Crime 2016. You must be registered for the conference to join any of the tours; non-registered spouses and family are eligible. Don't miss out on seeing the Desert Botanical Garden, the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, or Haunted Phoenix! Get more information and sign up on Affinity's site.

We'll see you soon in Phoenix!

LCC Tip: See More of Phoenix

Some LCC attendees stay close to the hotel while they’re in a given host city for a convention. Or stay at the bar (you know who you are).

Others like to get out, see the city—or the state. Breathe in some non–air conditioned air. Stretch your legs, see some wildlife, learn some history. Or maybe have a drink somewhere else….

So for those of you who want to see more of Phoenix than what’s going on inside the hotel walls, we’ve partnered with a local tour company that’s offering a variety of optional excursions to enhance your visit to Left Coast Crime 2016.

Tours include:

• Experience Haunted Jerome (Mon., Feb. 22, to Wed., Feb. 24)
• The Heard Museum (Wed., Feb. 24, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Walking Tour of Haunted Phoenix
  (Wed., Feb. 24, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Dinner at Rustler’s Rooste
  (Wed., Feb. 24, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Desert Botanical Garden (Thurs., Feb. 25, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine
  (Sun., Feb. 28, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

For detailed information and to sign up for any tours, visit Affinity’s Left Coast Crime Tour page.

Note: You must be registered for the conference to join any of the tours; non-registered spouses and family are eligible. Unless noted, tours will depart from the Hyatt Regency.

LCC Tips: The In Crowd

by Rochelle Staab, LCC2016 Member at Large

Lone wolf? Lost in crowds? Feel left out? Shy about registering for LCC because you won’t know anyone at conference? I know. I’ve been there.

My passion for writing and reading mysteries prompted me to attend, alone, my first Left Coast Crime in Los Angeles, 2010. Didn’t know a soul. Felt like an outsider. Wandered around the Omni Hotel certain everyone knew everyone else but no one knew me. And yet, I had a blast. I took notes during panels, cruised the book room, and chatted with a lovely group of librarians and readers seated at our banquet table during the awards. I bonded with a writer who looked as lost as I felt—Carlene and I are still friends.

But why do it the long way? There’s a much faster and easier way to meet people, fit in, and instantly become part of the action—

VOLUNTEER!

Left Coast Crime hums along by the grace of folks who, among other things, get involved by monitoring panels or book signings, stuffing registration packets and book bags, handing out badges, or staffing the hospitality suite. They have a backstage pass to the action and meet everyone!

Throughout the years I’ve had a great time pitching in to stuff book bags, acting as a panel monitor to hand out nameplates and cue the moderator for time, and building auction baskets. My conference-buds circle has grown to a group of writers and readers whose friendly faces I look forward to seeing in Phoenix.

As a volunteer you’re “part of” instead of “at,” and will leave with a sense of belonging and accomplishment. Not to mention the new friends you’ll make.

Consider joining us by emailing the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@LCC2016.com.

And please make sure to stop and say “hello” to me in Phoenix. I can’t wait to see you there.

___________________________

Rochelle Staab is the best-selling author of the Mind for Murder Mystery series, and winner of the LCC 2013 Watson Award.

LCC Tips: Scoring a Panel Slot

by Rochelle Staab, LCC2016 Member at Large

In my newbie conference days I often wondered how authors got seated on a panel to talk about their books and generate interest and curiosity in their work. After all, especially at conferences like LCC that draw a large number of readers, panel sessions are a direct path to attract a new-to-you audience or meet some of your fan base. I wanted in.

I’ve heard one or two published authors say they refuse to register for a conference unless they are guaranteed a panel. Guess what, Too-Cool-for-the-Room? It doesn’t work that way unless you’re an invited guest. The rest of us check the right boxes on the registration form, cross our fingers, and hope to see our names listed when the panel schedule comes out.

The Bottom Line:

• Do you have to be famous? No. 
• Do you have to be registered for LCC? Yes, by December 15, 2015. 
• Do you have to be published mystery author? Yes, with a book released by June 1, 2016. 
• What about self-published authors? Also eligible.

Before you get all excited and email me directly for a panel slot—forget it. I have nothing to do with LCC conference programming. I’m in the same panel-aspiring boat you are. However, I learned two tricks over the years that I believe help to increase the odds. Because we’re friends, I’m sharing them with you.

1. Register Early. Think about it. The conference begins February 25. The programming committee will be hard at work creating and populating panels from the pool of registered authors at least a month before. Dive in now! How can you score a panel if your name isn’t in the mix? (Don’t forget to fill out the panel info section for authors when you register.) Are you already registered, but forgot to click the panel info, or just want to up your chances? Then, 
2. Suggest new session ideas. Programming committees like input, so get creative. Create a new panel you’d like to participate on or moderate—a sub-genre niche, a specialty topic, or a unique area of interest to fans. Email your suggestions to: programming@lcc2016.com.

These tips won’t guarantee you a panel slot, but why not give it a try? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I wish you luck, and can’t wait to see you in Phoenix!

___________________________

Rochelle Staab is the best-selling author of the Mind for Murder Mystery series, and winner of the LCC 2013 Watson Award.