Virtual Activities by Dru Ann Love

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The year is almost three-quarters done and activities that we would have attended in-person are now virtual.

I’ve never gone to a noir before because 1) they are in bars, dark bars 2) they are at night 3) they are never in my neighborhood 4) I prefer not to take trains at night and 5) it is mostly authors I don’t read. Virtual noirs changed that, and I’ve discovered so many authors I would not have blinked twice at if I saw their name. So, hooray for virtual noir. A shout-out to A shout-out to Ed Aymar and Alex Segura.

Then there is zoom. Oh, how I remember the original TV show (%Come on and Zoom, Zoom, zooma-Zoom%). But we are not talking about that. I’ve participated in a zoom talk with Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia chapter, attended a zoom memorial for a favorite author, attended several zoom book launches, and attended many a zoom talks with authors and friends. With one set of friends, we played this game, Spicy Farkel. I like zoom the best because you can interact with people.

Then there are the indie bookstores that are holding book launches as well. I’ve attended several of those and enjoy listening to the Q&As from the book seller. I don’t buy print books, but I will donate to their virtual tip jar – what a great concept.

Then there is Facebook. I’ve attended a few Facebook Live video author events and you are listening to the author and to interact with them, you leave a question in the chat area and the host will ask it for you. Some have book launches in their feed, whether it’s on their page or in a group page, where you have to “refresh” the page. I’m not a fan of constantly having to refresh, but it is a way to interact with the authors one-on-one during the book launch.

Now, here is the BSP – my fellow blogger, Kristopher Zgorski and I have a joint YouTube venture called BOLO*Musings where we talk about books. Another example of being with our friends and talking books. You can see our YouTube videos HERE.

Have you organized or participated in virtual activities? Do you have a preference?

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15 replies
  1. ML
    ML says:

    Love your BOLO Musings with Kristopher on YouTube! I agree with your comments on virtual events. I've had the opportunity to attend so many things that I wouldn't have been able to do in real life.

  2. Shari Randall
    Shari Randall says:

    I loved your BOLO Musings! One of the good things to come out of the pandemic has been all of these new virtual events. I've been to many conferences I never could have attended before, like Murder in the Midlands and Murder and Mayhem in Chicago. My SINC New England group is pretty far flung, and we've done some Zoom meetings. This weekend it's an online ice cream social!

  3. Saralyn
    Saralyn says:

    Great Topic. While nothing beats in-person interaction, Zoom comes close. I've been to Zoom meetings with people from all over the world, something we could never accomplish in person. Travel and wardrobe costs are way down, too!

  5. Paula Gail Benson
    Paula Gail Benson says:

    I agree with you completely, Dru. So many great virtual events have helped to ease the pain of not having in-person gatherings. Many thanks for your YouTube videos!

  7. Liz Milliron
    Liz Milliron says:

    I've enjoyed your BOLO*Musings videos. I did my book launch via Zoom; I think that's the best for interacting. I've done events via Crowdcast, too. Those are good for panel-type events.

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