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Welcome! Like the book of the same name, this blog is an eclectic collection of Sherlockian scribblings based on more than a half-century of reading Sherlock Holmes. Please add your own thoughts. You can also follow me on Twitter @DanAndriacco and on my Facebook fan page at Dan Andriacco Mysteries. You might also be interested in my Amazon Author Page. My books are also available at Barnes & Noble and in all main electronic formats including Kindle, Nook, Kobo and iBooks for the iPad.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Don't Be Shy!

Dr. Dan, Ann Lewis, and Bonnie MacBird at A Scintillation of Scions 

Yes, don't be shy.


If you are a Sherlockian (or any other kind of mystery fan), don't just stand on the sidelines. Get involved in the wonderful world of real life participation - not just online.


A couple of weeks ago we attended A Scintillation of Scions in Maryland, which is rapidly becoming (or already is) the premier annual Sherlock Holmes conference. I was struck by conversations with several people who said they held back for many years attending such events out of shyness.


One such person - remarkably - was Bonnie MacBird. Best known for her screenplay of the original Tron film, she has worked in Hollywood for decades. And yet she was why about attending a Sherlock Holmes conference!


Here's why you should take advantage of any such opportunities that you can:
  • The talks probably will be excellent.
  • There's no better fun than sharing your passion with like-minded zealots.
  • Meeting people in person is a thrill, even - and maybe especially - if you've already met them online. 
  • The people you will meet are nice.
  • Newcomers to the fold are warmly welcomed in any hobby, so there's no reason to feel disadvantaged if you don't have a big collection or an encyclopedic memory for the stories.
  • And if you don't have a big collection, vendors at a conference can help you with that!
From Gillette to Brett IV in Bloomington, IN, is coming up Sept. 12-14 and won't be back until 2017. Registration is underway now.


If convenient, attend a Sherlock Holmes conference. If inconvenient, attend anyway!

2 comments:

  1. Dan,
    I could not agree more.
    I was a member of The Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis for 8 years before I decided to get a bit more involved. Any idea I had for a paper or presentation was welcomed, my thoughts were always wanted in conversation, and I quickly realized that this hobby is big enough to accommodate any interest level or involvement.
    Do not let the fear of being shunned or ridiculed keep you from expressing yourself. Go for it. If you have an idea put it on paper. Show the people. New members and younger attendees are what's going to carry The Game forward.
    Go to a meeting or two, maybe a convention. Meet people. Rub elbows. You'll find yourself accepted by anyone from social Sherlockians to stars of the big screen.
    It's meant to be fun. Dive in. You'll find it is.

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