A Weekend in the Hamptons

Rumination on Hamptons Whodunit 2024 and traveling alone.

I recounted a bit of my very glamorous weekend in the Hamptons in a Sunday Missive a few weeks ago, but since I was there for decidedly bookish reasons, I decided to dedicate an entire write-up to the weekend as a whole. Did I also just want a place to brag about all the excellent books I purchased and all the wonderful authors I got to see speak? Yes. Yes, I did.

I spent most of the weekend wandering East Hampton in my raincoat like a modern Columbo. It rained quite a bit and due to an unfortunate ripped-jeans incident, I had only leggings to wear, but we made it work. I certainly wasn’t the most fashionable person at Hamptons Whodunit, but I had a wonderful time.

Most of the panels I attended happened at the Episcopal church in town or at East Hampton’s library, though my final panel——in which I fell a little in love with Dan Mallory/A. J. Finn; I’m not proud——was at BookHampton. Ah, BookHampton. You now have so much of my money.

Anyhow, highlights included conversations with S. A. Cosby, Ruth Ware, and Brad Thor; seeing people like Chris Pavone on assorted panels; my first panel, in particular (which was a 9am discussion about Agatha Christie); a fun interaction in which an event volunteer stopped Ruth Ware from entering a room and asked if she was there for the Ruth Ware event, and she replied, “I am Ruth Ware”; and just spending a quiet weekend on the East End. Most shops in East Hampton were closed by 5pm and the restaurants within walking distance only stayed open a few hours later, so after eating well——especially at Sam’s, where I would have gladly sat in my booth forever——I would usually retire to my room at the inn in the evenings with a complimentary cup of tea, settle into the world’s most comfortable chair, and read. (Shout-out to Dawn at the Mill House Inn for the most welcoming and wonderful stay. I don’t know if you’ll happen upon this, Dawn, but truly——thank you.)

I also sincerely appreciated how inspired and motivated I was after leaving the festival. Hearing about all the many twisted, tangled paths folks took on their journeys to becoming published authors, hearing about how they all loved mysteries and thrillers and how they’ve immersed themselves in those worlds, just made me feel like it was possible for me to get there, too. I’ve always been drawn to crime fiction, since my mom introduced me to Nancy Drew, since I picked up my first PD James novel, since I started editing books professionally, and it’s a world I hope to delve into, as a writer and as an editor again, too.

**

I’ve traveled alone quite a bit in my life. The first trip I did on my own was heading to New Orleans in 2014 for Mardi Gras, so it felt like a full-circle moment to return this year again, after a few long COVID years away, and I knew I wanted to do some more exploring on my own again. I love making the plans and calling the shots, and in recent years, I’ve become more confident in traveling alone and doing what I want to do, even if I need to do it on my own. Though I would love to have a friend or two join me for Hamptons Whodunit next year, I didn’t mind going alone this year. It was something I knew I wanted——needed——to do, so I went.

Of course, it isn’t all courage and good times. There are always anxious moments, and there were on this trip. Sometimes you get tired of being the one making all the decisions. And for me, it’s tough to continually be the only one pushing me to get out the door. I want to make the most of my time, no matter where I am, and though I know I should do what makes me happy (even if that means ordering pizza and reading in the hotel all night), a part of me would never forgive myself if I didn’t go out to explore. When you travel alone, you’re the one who has to make reservations, create agendas, and make sure you show up; no one else is there to hold your hand or debate next steps. It’s both freeing and anxiety-inducing. 

I usually hit a point at the end of the trip when I am absolutely ready to go home, because I simply cannot be the only one breaking boundaries and going out of my comfort zone. On Whodunit Hamptons Sunday, for example, there was a meet-and-greet event in the morning at BookHampton, which I had planned on hitting up since a bookseller told me about it when I got into town on Thursday. I had also meant to wander East Hampton a bit more, then perhaps grab lunch out in Montauk before I drove home.

Reader, I did none of that. I ate breakfast at the hotel, as planned, said goodbye to some fellow travelers and the proprietor, drove out to see the Montauk Lighthouse and the terrifying alien satellite at Camp Hero, stopped in town for approximately ten minutes, then got my ass back on the road. An important part of traveling alone is learning to listen to yourself, is what I’m saying. If you’re done, retreat. If you need a break, take it. If you don’t actually want to be an adventurer anymore, that’s absolutely understandable and totally fine. It’s great if you’re up for finding a lunch spot or checking out a bar after dinner, but it’s also fine to seek a quiet place or to yearn for familiar surroundings again.

**

Beyond the panels and events and any anxiety that cropped up, and after just a truly lovely weekend out east, I left Hamptons Whodunit feeling so inspired. Though I didn’t write a word this weekend, I was lucky to hear so many folks talk about the craft of writing and their individual approaches to starting projects and building characters and stories——and, yes, I read a ton, compared to my usual intake. I had a lot of time to rest and ruminate, which I feel like I haven’t had very much of for the last few months. I came up with a potential short story idea that I hope to write. And, more importantly, this weekend helped me set some goals and sort out some tangled thoughts.

I know I want to return to Hamptons Whodunit next year, likely as a guest. But I want to be more involved, too. I want to be back in the crime fiction world, a world I felt very lucky to be a part of at a previous job. I want to return as an author someday, to speak on panels and meet like-minded folks, because truly, crime fiction authors and editors are the best people you’ll meet. 

I want that community and support. I’m glad to have found a way to push myself toward it again.