This past weekend, I attended the 2025 edition of the Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity Conference. It’s an author/writer/reader/fan conference, and according to my records, I’ve been going for about 10 years now––apart from The Dark Times (2020).

This year’s guest authors were Jody Lynn Nye and Tom Straw.

I’ve been reading Jody Lynn Nye’s nye.com works since college when I came across the Myth series she co-authored with Robert Lynn Aspirin. I soon discovered that she, too, is a cat-person. Her keynote was fun and inspiring, with stories of writing as a child. Ms. Nye was on the short fiction panel with me.. Growing up, I would never have dreamed of such a thing. It was an honor and pleasure to meet and chat with her.

To be honest, I knew little about Tom Straw, https://www.tomstraw.com apart from his latest book, “The Accidental Joe”. I was surprised to learn that he worked on a few of my favorite TV series, notably the original “Night Court”. We quickly bonded over our mutual love of fountain pens when I produced one for him to sign his book. He’s friendly and outgoing, with a sense of humor I enjoy. His keynote was full of motivation and inspiration and rated a standing ovation from those attending. I feel I’ve made a new friend, even if I never see him again.

The conference’s sessions and panels were better, for me, this year. I didn’t moderate this year, since there were more authors in attendance. That’s fine. I’d rather answer awkwardly than ask awkward questions.

There were the usual book signings the first two days. Those are always fun, but mostly it’s authors signing their books for other authors. The hotel is a bit off the beaten path, so few outsiders show up. I sold a few books, but I don’t go to C3 to sell. I go to catch up with some friends I’ve made over the years, and make new ones.

I held another auction this year, which comprised a book from Jody Lynn Nye and Tom Straw, and one of my own, which every author signed. Along with the books, I included a bottle of Writer’s Tears whiskey and one of my espresso coffee mead, and a Boox Go 10.3 eInk tablet. This year, the auction raised $450.00 that will go to next year’s event.

Each evening, everyone retired to the hotel bar where everyone relaxed and chatted. That’s part of the conference I enjoy, even if, being an introvert, I’m about to fall over from spent energy.

Austin Camacho https://ascamacho.com his wife, Denice, and the rest of the C3 crew did a bang-up job as always. They put a lot of effort and work into making the entire thing work and everyone who attends feel welcome. I’ve run a conference way back when. I know it’s difficult. I appreciate them and their efforts.

I’ll definitely be back, the universe willing, next year. I enjoy catching up with friends, chatting with people who I enjoy being around and who can tolerate my weird (sense of humor).

I think this was the first year where I didn’t feel I had imposter syndrome, but belonged to a family of like-minded people.

Oh, and my Damon Runyonesque short story, “Hank the Hypochondriac” made it into the anthology.

Now, it’s time to get back to writing.

Word up!

#writing/c3