BEYOND THE SHELF is general commentary about the blog or the mystery and crime writing business by author and site administrator Shannon Muir that doesn’t fall in the scope of a regular column. This week’s topic focuses on going to conventions and events to network and learn.

WATCH FOR PART 13 OF 14 OF “SHINING A LIGHT ON CRIME” TO RESUME ON APRIL 20, 2019. SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION!

Right now I am gearing up to be spending next weekend at Wondercon in Anaheim, California. Many of you may have heard of its big sibling, Comic-Con International: San Diego. While Wondercon offers many of the same things, it has the advantage of being smaller crowds (still big, but smaller compared to San Diego crowds), plus the fact that some people for various reasons won’t bother with the trek to San Diego due to the hassle but since Wondercon is much closer to where professional companies are, they may only come to Wondercon.

I love the opportunity to meet old friends and new ones, as well as find out about new projects coming up at panels, or learn more about some of my old favorites as reunion panels become more common. I’m still a fan at heart.