iScream for Mysteries 2026

Back Row (Left to Right): Bill Peschel, Tj O’Connor, Carla Conti, Amy M. Reade, Andrea J. Johnson, John Havas, Robert Swartwood

Middle Row (Left to Right): C. Bradly, Ellen Crosby, Barbara Early, Nancy A. Hughes

Front Row (Left to Right): Laura Bradford, Sheryl C.D. Ickes, Sarah Ickes, GG Calpo

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The day may have started at eleven o’clock for our readers, but our shop’s staff and volunteers were at the off-site location earlier in the morning to ensure everything was ready before opening to the public. Without them, this event would not have gotten off the ground and we would like to give a shout-out to all of them. 🥳

Now…onto the event!

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(The mobile bookshop was arranged in order by author and series.)

While we already had the main set-up completed the night before, such as the tables decked out in black, frosty-white, or red tablecloths, the bookshop itself had to be organized the morning of the event. We typically arrange the books alphabetical, by the author’s last name and in series order, and this time was no different.

As our staff and volunteers worked on the books, our attending authors began putting their displays together at the author tables. They were allowed to decorate their spaces however they saw fit (primarily), and all were ready to go for the doors to open at eleven.

We had signs posted at the different areas, such as the photo corner, snack tables, where to pay, and the “Blind Date with a Book” table. Each attendee was given a complimentary FREE book with their purchased ticket, and the mystery clues seemed to be a big hit!

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(The tables were completed the night before.)

(Deb Beamer, owner of the bookshop, talks with the authors to tell them how the day will run.)

(Another view of the over 100+ titles we had to offer at our event.)

(The “Blind Date with a Book” options were available later in the day – faces blurred for privacy.)

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(Bill Peschel getting the Author Round-About started after Deb opened the event.)

Once Deb Beamer, owner of the bookshop, opened the day with some general announcements, our Master of Ceremonies, Bill Peschel, had the authors take their starting positions at one of the numbered tables. At the sound of the “buzzer”, the authors were off to races chatting with our readers for six minutes before it was time to move.

Side Note: We would like to mention that while we call this format “Author Round-About”, other mystery conventions call it “Author Speed-Dating”. They also give the authors usually around two to three minutes to talk, as opposed to our five to six minutes.

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(Author Barbara Early is talking about her new “Murder, She Wrote” book.)

(Author Sheryl C.D. Ickes chatting up The Pathway to Agua Shire and Tough Fluff.)

(Author Robert Swartwood, aka Avery Bishop, talking with our readers at a table.)

(Author GG Calpo used visual aids as she discussed her debut novel.)

(Winning Benjamin Finding Annie was John Havas’s debut novel.)

(Author C. Bradly is chatting about his first book with our readers.)

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Now, our iScream for Mysteries event is scheduled with breaks in-between two or three Author Round-About sessions. Not only does that allow time for snacks (including ice cream!), bathroom stops, and buying books, but it also gives our authors the chance to rest their throats so they still have a voice by the end of the day.

We even had a few special deals going on such as 25% off on hardcovers and our shop’s new passport card! Each of the authors were given a stamp that was used to fill out one of six empty boxes on the readers’ cards. After completing the card, with a different stamp in each box, there was a reward listed on the card that would be granted at our home location.

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(Author Sarah Ickes introducing readers to her latest release, Missing in Yuletown.)

(Author Amy M. Reade talking with a table of readers on her many series.)

(Author Nancy A. Hughes speaking with readers about her mysteries.)

(Author Andrea J. Johnson with readers at one of our tables, talking about her series.)

(Tj O’Connor speaking about his latest, Dying with a Secret.)

(Author Ellen Crosby talking about Deeds Left Undone with one of our readers.)

(Author Carla Conti took her book, Chained Birds, with her on the rounds.)

(Author Laura Bradford was handing out bookmarks with her many series listed on them.)

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Overall, between the fun trivia and book signings, we saw many smiles on both our readers’ and authors’ faces, which is why we do what we do. It is our shop’s goal to continue providing fun events that builds and strengthens meaningful connections between readers and authors. We had many books go through our registers, and titles that sold out, which kind of makes us wonder if we are like travel agents – helping our readers launch themselves into a new adventure!

Until next time…enjoy your current read!

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Special credit goes to Barb F. and Sarah I. for the photos being displayed in this blog post.

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