From the Booking Desk:
My respect for Verena Rose knows no bounds. Even before joining the Malice Domestic Board, I was always impressed with how professionally that convention runs – and so much of that is due to Verena’s work as the Convention Chair. As if devoting years to Malice Domestic, her “taxing” day job, and her own writing career were not enough, Verena also decided it was time to help launch Level Best Books with her colleagues Harriette Sackler and Shawn Reilly Simmons. Together this team has raised the profile of this smaller publishing entity to greater heights by selecting and working with award-winning authors at various stages of their careers. Collaborating with Verena on Malice Domestic is a true joy and I am honored to feature her here as part of this popular profile series. Enjoy!
Name: Verena Rose
Location: Olney, MD
This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:
Arleen Trundy employed me to work for her accounting firm over 30 years ago. She and I still work together preparing taxes only now she works from her home in Virginia and I work from my home in Maryland. In addition to her role as my employer she is also one of my best and dearest friends. She is the person who persuaded shy me, all those years ago, to register and go to my first Malice Domestic convention in 1996 (Malice VIII) and encouraged me to become a part of the Board of Directors where I currently serve as its Chair. Oh, the places I’ve gone and the people I’ve met all because of that little push from Arleen.
And if that were not enough, she’s also a very trusted advisor to me and my partners in Level Best Books. We started in 2015 publishing one anthology and now in 2020 we already have plans to publish at least 35 novels and anthologies.
One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:
There ae so many, but if I have to pick one, then it’s Martin Edwards. I don’t know how he does all that he does. Even when he has deadlines, and he must have many because he always has something in the works, he’s never failed to help me find the correct person to contact or to write an article for the Malice Program Book. And one year I even prevailed upon him to read the submissions for the Malice Domestic Anthology. He’s an avid supporter of the mystery community and very generous with his time.
STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:
Any male hero in a Jane Austen novel as played by any number of British actors. Need I say more?
People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):
I guess because of my age I’d have to say Prince. The purple one. Anyone who knows me knows that I only write with purple ink.
My personal catch phrase is (or should be):
Whether it be the big worries or small, I think “this too shall pass” says it all.
Find out more about Verena: Facebook, Twitter
(Photo Credit: Iden Ford)
“This too shall pass” does say it all … but it speaks mounds for an individual who gets things done without dwelling only on the negative of a moment. As a Malice attendee and an admirer of the Level Best book line (I give credit to Shawn and Harriette and the ones who came before them), my hat is off to Verena. Good profile choice, Kris.
Lovely! Kristopher, thank you for featuring one of my dearest friends, and, of course, my Level Best Books partner. By the way, Verena was the one who convinced me to join the Malice Board oh so many years ago.
A fellow accountant mystery fan! Although I don’t do taxes. I do accounting for a company. Still, a fun connection.
I am in awe of organized people, and Verena is definitely organized–and kind. I remember how warmly she welcomed me at my very first Malice (I’m sure she doesn’t remember since she does this all the time).
Verena—so fabulous! I don’t know how she does it—but I am so glad she does ! What a force of nature! Xxxx
“This too shall pass.” Yes, I have to adopt that as a mantra. Thank you for this.