The idea that some people actually think I know what I'm talking about always amuses me. The idea that other people who think I don't know what I'm talking about sneeringly refer to me as a "self-appointed expert" amuses me even more.

I don't consider myself -- and have never proclaimed myself -- the be-all and end-all of knowledge, but when pushed I guess I can fake it pretty well.

As a result, over the years I've been invited to voice my opinions in various media and have appeared on numerous panels at various crime fiction conventions.

Here are some of the places where I've risen up on my hind legs to speak...

In chronological order. More listings and details to come...

• CBC Radio Interview
  March 2, 2001
  Radio interview on a Montréal arts program about The Thrilling Detective Web Site.
  
  
• Bloody Words | Panelist
  Toronto, Canada
  June 2001
  Panelist, alongside Kerry Schooley and others.
  
  
• "Book Beat"
  WPON, 1460 AM "Book Beat" Radio Interview
  2001
  Radio interview on a Detroit literary program, hosted by P.I. writer Lee Meadows.
  
  
• Bouchercon 2001 | Panel Moderator
  Washington, D.C.
  November 2001
  "Click Me Deadly"
  Moderated a panel on internet crime fiction. Co-panelists included Victoria Shea-Esposito, D.L. Browne and Jane Kelly.
  
  
• Bloody Words | Panel Moderator
  Toronto, Canada
  June 2002
  Moderated a panel which included Guest-of-Honour Walter Mosley and Peter Robinson. There were no survivors.
  
  
• Left Coast Crime 2003 | Panelist
  February 28-March 2, 2003
  Pasadena, California
  Panelist, alongside Jack Bludis, Eddie Muller, Woody Haut and William F. Nolan.
  
  
• Bouchercon 34
  October 16-19, 2003
  Las Vegas, Nevada
  
  
• Bouchercon 2004 | Panelist
  Toronto, Canada
  October 2004
  Panelist.
  
  
• Bouchercon 2006 | Panel Moderator
  September 28-October 1, 2006
  Madison, Wisconsin
  "I Could Kick Your..."
  Moderated and participated in a panel on "manliness" with authors Brett Battles, Michael A. Black, J.D. Rhoades and John McFettridge. Then we all went out to have pedicures....
  
  
• "America's Top 25 Sleuths" | Commentary
  The Sleuth Network
  Autumn 2006
  My television debut. I was interviewed on on several television and film detectives for a 90-minute documentary which aired frequently (and may still be in rotation) on the satellite/cable network that specializes in crime fiction.
  
  
• The Los Angeles Times | Calendar Section
  February 21, 2007
  "Latest Twist from L.A.'s Crais"
  Interviewed by journalist Scott Timberg extensively, and quoted in his profile of Robert Crais.
  
  
• Noircast Special #2: Alternative Noir Publications | Interview Subject
  May 18, 2007
  This "Noircast Special," by Shannon Clute and Richard Edwards, hosts of the popular podcast features "Out of the Past" and "Behind the Black Mask," featured interviews with the creators of three alternative noir publications: Tee Morris, founder of podiobooks (www.podiobooks.com) and author of the fantasy-hardboiled podiobook "Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword;" Seth Harwood, author of the podiobook "Jack Wakes Up" starring movie-star one-hit-wonder and ex-drug-addict Jack Palms, and me. They introduced me as the "creator of the superlative "Thrilling Detective" website and ezine" but I still think I was there mostly to cleanse the palate. I dunno... I don't think it's my finest moment (does anyone really like listening to themselves talk?) but it was fun chatting with Shannon and Richard.
  
  
• "America's Top Sleuths" | Commentary
  Back-up features on DVD releases of The Rockford Files, Season Four, Murder, She Wrote, Season Six and Columbo: The Mystery Movie Collection
  Spring 2006
  My "television debut" from the Sleuth Network, featuring me and several other talking heads, repackaged and boiled down to the top ten sleuths, tacked on as a back-up feature on assorted DVD sets, including The Rockford Files, Season Four, Murder, She Wrote, Season Six and probably a few others. But it's being included on the Rockford package that I'm most proud of. I'm a stone-cold fan.
  
  I mean, come on. Jimbo, Angel, Rocky, Beth, Dennis and me? How cool is that? I wish my mom was still alive -- she'd get a real kick out of THAT one.
  
  
• The Los Angeles Times | Calendar Section
  June 22, 2007
  "Mystery writer prowls the city's unseen streets" by Josh Getlin
  Interviewed by journalist Getlin extensively, and quoted in his profile of John Shannon.
  
  

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The truth is, I love doing things like this. If you'd like to add me to your dog-and-pony show, I can be reached at:

Kevin Burton Smith
The Thrilling Detective Web Site
3053 Rancho Vista Blvd., Apt. 116,
Palmdale, California
93551

Or you can contact me via e-mail.