My Dilemma with Val McDermid, Michael Robotham and Garry Disher!

What do I have in common with three great authors of Crime Fiction/Thrillers? Apart from writing the same genre, we’re coming together for a panel session at this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival.

But, there’s a dilemma!

With three very talented, and well known, authors on the stage beside me; how do I get some ‘air time’? First thoughts are to leave some ‘paperbacks’ in a brown paper bag under the chair of session host Graeme Blundell. After he looks into the bag and discovers the bribe thoughtful gift, he’s bound to look around and notice me madly winking away. But, what if Val, Michael or Garry have already dropped of their own bags for consideration at Graeme’s dressing room? And, how much does a ‘thoughtful gift’ cost?

Too hard!

What about an outrageous shirt. Something that stands out and catches Graeme’s eye. Maybe a bold Hawaiian number! But, what if the ‘punters’ who have paid to come listen are put off by the shirt. Stand-out yes. But, if I say something wrong I’ll be forever known as the ‘unstylish-thriller-writer-who-wears-load-shirts-and-says-inappropriate-things’.

Best to stay the ‘grey-man’.

How about putting on a cool accent to stand out? It worked this year at ThrillerFest in New York!  Then again Val McDermid has that cool (genuine) Scottish accent going for her.

Far too difficult to match.

I could always ‘stack’ the audience full of family and friends and have them direct all questions to me starting with ‘JJ, firstly, I absolutely loved both of your thrillers . . . ‘ or ‘JJ, I just wanted to start by saying your books are brilliant  . . .’

That could work – I’m leaning heavily toward this option!

Or maybe, I could sit back and soak up the atmosphere on stage with three very talented authors and just wait patiently for my turn.