Bouchercon isn’t just a
mystery fan conference. It’s an experience like no other. It absorbs two large
hotels. Programming fills four days. And with 1500 attendees it can give you
Disney World flashbacks when you’re lined up for a popular panel or to get a
book signed.
Many writers’ Cons are
designed for writers to learn and network. At Bouchercon fans outnumber writers
4 to 1. Of course, most of us writers are fans too. I still can’t get used to
having Heather Graham, John Gilstrap and Alifair Burke call me by name. I still get a little tongue-tied when I get to
chat with Karen Slaughter, Kathy Reichs and Alexandra Sokoloff. Those are the
best moments of the event.
The hour-long panels can
overwhelm you, not so much because of the content but because there are so many
choices. Seven different panels at any one time and all sound so
interesting. How do you choose between “Just
the facts: T
Police Procedural,” “The
Private Sector: Professional Investigations” and “Crime Mystery and the Far
East?” (Actually I bypassed them all to
see a panel called “Beyond Hammett, Chandler, MacDonald & Spillane” which
featured my pal Peter Rozovsky, plus Kevin Burton Smith and Laura Lippman.)
And then there were the
awards. The Anthony Award is voted on by the Bouchercon attendees and most of
the nominees attend. It’s fun to see who’s book is the most popular in 5
different categories. This year was a special kick as my friend Art Taylor won
for best short story.
Of course, some of the
best moments of the Con take place in the bar after the panels and ceremonies
are over. The hotel bar was way too noisy but they did have some interesting
specials. I had something called The Red Death and I have no idea what was in
it but it sure did the trick. Blood Spatter was less sweet but I swear it had
even more alcohol.
Meanwhile I, and the
other 2 principals of Intrigue Publishing, were hunting keynote speakers and
guests for next year’s Creatures, Crimes and Creativity Con. Networking galore
took place, and I’ll let you know how successful we were in a later blog.
So? What were YOUR most
memorable moments at Bouchercon?
