I attended some very interesting panels, and was impressed with the quality of the speakers on all of them. I think the organizers did a great job of choosing the panelists--every one of them was articulate, humorous and entertaining, as well as knowledgable.

The first one I went to was "Famous Fans" with Peter Lovesey, Sue Grafton, Edward D. Hoch, Michael Connelly, and moderator Anthony Mason. What a group! The authors talked about the beginnings of their careers, and what books influenced them to write mysteries.

Edward Hoch said none of his first attempts at stories were accepted, and he couldn't figure out why. One day he noticed that most of the writers he liked used a middle initial. So, the next story he submitted as "Edward *D* Hoch--and that was his first sale.

They discussed current trends in mysteries, what subgenres were getting "tired" and what they like to read now. If I'm remembering this correctly, only Hoch and Grafton are big mystery readers. The others read non-fiction.

It always surprises me when an author doesn't read the type of books he writes. It shouldn't surprise me, because I've heard it a lot--and I even understand it. (I don't read children's books any more, but I did when I started writing.) The moderator asked good questions, and was skilled at dividing up the time among the authors.

The next presentation I went to was "Forensics 101." Ken Goddard, a crime scene investigator, forensic scientist, and novelist, was also a terrific speaker. It really was "101" so there were some things I already knew, but a whole lot I didn't, including the difference between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. (I wish I had known this during the OJ trial!)

He explained fingerprint tracing and identification, fiber analysis, ballistic testing--in other words, a general overview of what forensic specialists do and how they do it. In the Q and A, he answered several questions from people who were obviously aspiring authors needing technical information about bullets and guns. (These were all men.)

On Friday, I went to "Tart is the New Noir," with panelists Lauren Henderson, Vicki Hendricks, Laura Lippman, Chris Niles, and our own Sssnakebellybutton, Karen T. Slaughter. (I don't know where the "T" came from. I didn't see her at the Hoch panel)

There was, unhappily, another panel I wanted to attend scheduled at the same time, but of course, RAM loyalty overrides all. That and the threat to break both my legs if I didn't show up. It was a very lively hour, with very tart panelists, and a description by--I think--Vicky Hendricks of her new book involving a woman who falls in love with a dolphin. You know, your typical girl meets fish story.

Karin was eloquent, as she can be when sober, and looked very thin.

Laura Lippman is gorgeous.

Saturday I went to "Forensics 2." Only two of the four scheduled panelists appeared, Hallie Ephron and Benjamin M. Schutz. Schutz is a forensic psychologist and a winner of the Shamus and Edgar awards for his stories and novels about PI Leo Haggerty. Ephron co-authors the Peter Zak novels.

I was very glad that these two were there, because they spoke mostly about things that fascinate me: recovered memory, techniques of interviewing children in child abuse and molestation cases, repressed memory, "implanted" memories, and how early theories about children's testimony, and interviewing abuses by therapists have been challenged during the last ten years. Great stuff.

As Ephron was describing the plot of her first book, "Amnesia," it sounded very familiar. When I looked through the detailed B'con program, I realized that I'd read it, but forgotten the title. Recovered memory!

I think the Sue Grafton interview (fantastic! I bought a tape of it) and the "Weakest Link" were already described, but I'll just add that "Weakest Link" was wall to wall, nonstop laughter. I bought the tape of that too.

Just before that was "Keeping a Series Fresh," which I thought would be helpful to me, since I've been writing a series myself. Valerie Wolzien, Nancy Atherton, Lauren Berenson, Leslie Glass, Katherine Hall Page, and Candace C.Robb were the panelists. It started out on topic, but drifted back and forth (very RAM) between the topic and individual characteristics of each author's protagonist.

There were easily eight more panels I would have loved to attend, with scores of top level author-panelists. This was truly an all-star weekend.

Ellen