A Gathering in Charleston, South Carolina
by Paula Gail Benson
82 Queen
This year, I had been regretting my inability to attend any writing conferences. Being among writers and readers always helps to inspire and bring new ideas into focus. Not to mention, adding to my “to be read” list.
A few months ago, I heard from a dear friend to so many of us, Dru Ann Love, that she would be coming to Charleston, South Carolina, to tour the city with friends. Could some of us who lived nearby join them for lunch one day?
My work schedule kept changing, so I wasn’t certain until the last minute that I could join the group. I asked my friend Sue Husman, a retired librarian and voracious reader, if she would ride with me from Columbia to Charleston.
For lunch, we had a reservation at 82 Queen, described on its website as “a uniquely ‘Charleston’ dining experience” in “three buildings and a garden courtyard nestled in the Historic French Quarter.” I had not been there in decades, but I knew it would be delightful and memorable.
As we left the Municipal Garage, we ran into Jackie Layton, who writes “cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths,” including the Low Country Dog Walker and the new Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mysteries, which will debut in July. I was impressed to learn that Jackie combines writing with being a part-time pharmacist. She lives in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and her website is http://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com. Sue, Jackie, and I took a few minutes to peruse Buxton Books on King Street before heading to 82 Queen.
We dined upstairs in a room wallpapered with images of green parrots. Dru Ann was our most gracious host, introducing us to her friends, Yifat Cestare from New York and Marla Husovsky from California. Since meeting, they had traveled to join each other at several destinations for exploration, food, and fun. Yifat explained the number one requirement was laughing a lot. We were glad to comply.
My lunch: tomato pie and salad. YUM.
Dru Ann made sure we knew about each of the authors. Tina Whittle and Nora McFarland had traveled from Savannah, Georgia.
In addition to short fiction, Tina Whittle writes the Tai Randolph/Trey Seaver mysteries that feature gunshop owner Tai and corporate security agent Trey. She reads tarot and enjoys boxing, sushi, and mini pilgrimages. Her website is http://www.tinawhittle.com.
Nora McFarland has an MFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and has worked in national (CNN) and local news. Her protagonist is Lily Hawkins, a TV News photographer who lives and sleuths in Bakersfield, California. Nora’s website is http://www.noramcfarland.com.
Pralines and Cream Ice Cream for Dessert!
Dorothy McFalls and I always joke that we only meet when traveling to writing conventions. We have both been members of the Lowcountry Romance Writers (chapter of RWA), based in Charleston. Dorothy’s a Charleston resident who writes romance and mysteries. She has two websites: http://dorothymcfalls.com and http://dorothystjames.com. Her mysteries include the White House Gardener, the Southern Chocolate Shop, and the Beloved Bookroom series.
Everyone was very supportive of my short stories, including “Crossfire in the Crosshairs” available in eBook A Death in the Night to be released in August by Dragon Soul Press. You can pre-order here.
Dru Ann had her own happy news that was announced at Malice Domestic. She and Kristopher Zgorski have collaborated to write a short story for a Beatles related anthology that will be edited by Josh Pachter. We are all very excited to read their work. Meanwhile, we’ll be following Dru Ann’s reading adventures at https://drusbookmusing.com/.
The group with something above!
We had a fabulous time, enjoying great food and conversation. One of the topics was about staying in haunted places. I noticed in the photo our server took that a shiny figure seems to float above us. Some might call it a reflection from the light fixture, but I wonder!
Many thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful day. Dru Ann, Yifat, and Marla, don’t you think you could make Charleston an annual destination?
Thanks Paula for joining me and my friends for lunch. We had a great time.
Dru Ann, thank you so much for inviting me. I had the nicest time and I am looking forward to reading the story you and Kristopher have written!
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dru for years, first meeting in in 2011 at Malice Domestic. Over the years, we often bumped into each other at NYC library events. I also had the pleasure of spending a long lunch with her, her friends, and several other authors last year when they vacationed in TN. She is a truly exceptional person and one I’m grateful to call a friend.
So jealous! But glad y’all had a great time. It is renewing to be around other writers. We are community!
Sounds like a delightful day. Wish I could have been there.
What an outstanding experience! I love the “laugh a lot” rule. I’m stealing that! (Oh, and I’m sure that’s a ghost hovering!)
Looks like so much fun, Paula! Suddenly Im hungry. Dru, can’t wait to hear about this anthology. I’ve n Ed bed been to Charleston. As life intervenes m, I’m hoping to add conferences to my itinerary next year????
Sounds like such a fun time. There’s nothing quite like being with like minded people!
Paula,
It was a delight to meet you and the others. Dru has always been kind to me, and she’s a great supporter of cozy mystery authors. Mostly, she’s just a nice person, and it’s always fun to hang out with her.
Sounds like a fun group – knowing almost everyone at the table save the Californians, I know the laughs didn’t stop.
Thank you so much to everyone for stopping by. Such a wonderful time. I look forward to repeating it!
Sounds like a great time!!