CRIMEFEST SURVEY COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS

The following are responses to some of the most frequently made comments and suggestions in the online CRIMEFEST survey.

AUTHORS
- Author appearances and participation
Every author has their own style, and some are more practised than others. In addition to requesting that all moderators follow the Moderator’s Manifesto, we suggest that authors also be guided by the manifesto in order that they make the best possible impression.

- Author wishlist
Just like most delegates, there are certain authors we would love to see at CRIMEFEST. Unfortunately some don’t travel, others will only attend if they are invited as Featured Guest Authors, and then there is always the (not unreasonable) matter of finances. As CRIMEFEST is an American style convention all delegates—with the exception of the Featured Guest Authors—pay the same registration fee to attend. We are very grateful to those publishers who, in some cases, help to pay for authors to attend but, understandably, they only tend to do so if a new book coincides with CRIMEFEST. This essentially means that the programme is determined by the authors who register.

GALA DINNER SEATING
We realise we are probably damned if we do, and damned if we don’t, but for next year’s Gala Dinner we are considering implementing assigned seating. Delegates attending the Gala Dinner will be able to request one other person to sit with. Though we will do our best, we can’t guarantee that the preferences will always be met.

GENERAL COMMENTS
- Book launches, parties, etc.
We can provide space for book launches, parties, etc, at very competitive rates. (The room hire fee will be waived if the event is open to all delegates.)

- Message board for delegates
This is an excellent suggestion, and we hope to implement this so that delegates can swap messages at next year’s CRIMEFEST.

- Timetables
We’ve had requests for a small timetable. This information was included in the delegate bag insert with an alphabetical list of which panellists appeared when and where. Next year we hope to have the poster sized timetables outside the individual panel rooms as well as at the registration desk also.

HOTEL
- Earlier check-in
This is offered at the discretion of the hotel. Please request this when you make your booking.

- Bar opening times
The bar is supposed to stay open for guests of the convention hotels until 5 or less remain. Should this not be the case during your visit in 2009, then please let us know (the morning after!).

FOOD AND DRINK
- The price of food and beverages
Prices for food and beverages are at the discretion of the hotel. Some of you suggested that a sponsor might be found for the tea and coffee or wine, and we are looking into this. However, our priority is to find sponsors for opportunities that benefit all the delegates. Do keep in mind that you always have the option of buying sandwiches from one of the shops close to the hotel.

- Lunch
In order to optimise the number of panels (and thereby the available author slots) we don’t schedule an official lunch break. Delegates can choose when they would prefer to break for lunch and they are able to bring sandwiches to the panels.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Some of you queried why there was not more media coverage. Currently our budget does not allow for ads (which are very expensive). Instead we rely on (free) editorial reporting. (Any recommendations on how to increase media coverage and raise our profile is welcome. Please contact us at info@crimefest.com)

NAME WALLETS
Whether you like them or loathe them, it is necessary to have some form of identity to ensure rightful entry to the panels. Most people do not like pins, and a lot of you liked the pockets and pen holders that the wallet provided. However, for next year we are investigating alternative options that include a lanyard or a smaller wallet with a more comfortable material for the neck.

PANELS
- Too many panels
Some of you complained about there being too many panels. We have gone for the American style, multi-strand convention because we believe choice is a good thing. If you have a hard time choosing which panel to go then the programme must be a strong one! We go out of our way not to put on two similar panels on at the same time, and we do our best to give authors two panels, ideally on different days, so that delegates have more than one chance to see them.

- Starting time of panels
We are glad to announce that, on Sunday, panels will start half an hour later. However, experience has taught us that many delegates start getting ready for an evening out after 5pm, and this affects audience attendance.

- King’s Room
The King’s Room proved to be too big for certain panels. Therefore, (depending on delegate numbers) on Saturday the King’s Room will be the only room we use, hosting a number of panels and all the interviews with the Featured Guest Authors.

- Panels on how to write and sell crime fiction
Since this is of interest to a small and specific group of delegates we have organised a highly popular crime writing workshop. Visit CRIME WRITING WORKSHOP for more information.

PUB QUIZ
There is always a fine balance between making the quiz questions too easy or difficult. Since the SHOTS team—the usual victors—failed to win at a recent quiz with easier questions we most likely will make next year’s questions less obscure.

READING GROUPS
We are delighted to announce that the CRIMEFEST reading groups will be back at next year’s convention. (And look out for information about our online book groups in future newsletters.) The books are provided by publishers who give them to us in order to promote certain titles. We try to ensure an appropriate mix of categories in our selection.