I mentioned on Friday that I was out of town at
Bouchercon. Those in the mystery community will definitely know what
I’m talking about, but for those who don’t, it’s the biggest mystery convention
in the country. People come from all over to attend – authors and
readers. It’s named after Anthony Boucher, who was a critic during
the twentieth century. (And they give out the Anthony’s during the
conference.) I’ve thought about going for several years, but usually
it’s too expensive by the time you add in plane tickets and hotel. But
this year, it was in Long Beach, which is just an hour south of me with no
traffic (took me almost two hours on Thursday but I made it home in just over
an hour). How could I pass that up?
There were some preliminary things (tours, etc.) early in
the week and then the conference actually started on Thursday. I had
a can’t miss deadline at work, so I couldn’t go down until after it was over on
Thursday, but I was there for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (which is only a
half day).
There are panels. Lots and lots of panels. That’s
essentially what happens during the day every day. Several authors
are on each panel and they are prepared to talk on a certain theme. Hopefully,
the authors also fit that category – that certainly seemed to be the case this
year. There were some panels for cozy authors, some for noir, some
for police and PI’s, and some for everything in between.
Friday, I only wound up making it to three panels. The
first was one on super fans. Suddenly, I felt like a slow reader and
minor collector when I heard how many books some of the panelists had and how
many they read a year. Essentially, some of them are book a day
people. There’s no way I could do that. Heck, I didn’t
even do that when I was unemployed this spring. Then I went to a fun
panel on humor in mysteries. However, the funniest panel I went to
that day was “Been There, Wrote That.” Essentially, it was four
authors who were quizzed on their books by Gar Anthony Haywood. It
was hysterical! I’ve fans of two of the authors on the panel, and I
couldn’t get those questions right at all. It was very hard,
specific stuff. But it was a lot of fun.
Saturday was more panels – one on culinary cozies (which was
another very funny one) and a howler from four of the authors on the Jungle Red
blog. They essentially played Balderdash, asking us to correctly
identify obscure people or words. We, the audience, got most of them
right, but there were lots of laughs all around as we played.
Sunday was only a half day, but I still got two panels
in. The one on duos who co-author books was very interesting and
fun. I also enjoyed one on mysteries for Middle Graders. After
all, I do still read some of them.
After every panel time, all the authors who were on panels
signed books. I spent a lot of time in the signing hall. In
fact, I packed a big suitcase full of books I wanted to get signed. I
was very thankful I drove – no added baggage fees. I was constantly
going out to my car swapping books around.
And the rest of the time? I was hanging around
visiting with authors and readers and just generally having a good time. I
automatically had something in common with every person there since we all love
mysteries. I spent a lot of time with my friends Sue Ann Jaffarian
(who also happens to be an author), and Heidi Van Der Akker. Saturday,
I arranged to meet up with Karen MacInerny, who had a panel I missed on
Thursday. She graciously signed all the books of hers I had brought
and we chatted for quite a while. At one point Donna Andrews joined
us, and I enjoyed listening to the two of them talk shop. I find all
the changes in the world of publishing fascinating, and it’s fun to learn
exactly how everything is shaking out. I made some new friends
Saturday night when I joined Sue Ann and Heidi with their friends Paul, Amy,
and Michael for dinner. Friday night,
several of us from the DorthyL listserve were going to get together for dinner,
but it only turned out to be myself and Ruth Donald, but we have fun at dinner
together just the two of us. I also got
to chat with author Catherine Dilts and a friend of hers that night, during the
auction.
And I know I shouldn’t have started naming people because
there is no way I can name them all. It
was lots of fun and many great conversations were had during those few days.
Honestly, I was sad when it was over on Sunday. I
was ready for another couple of days. Due to my work schedule, I
don’t know if I will be able to make another one in the future, but I’d love to
think so. They are definitely a lot of fun and well worth it.
I’ve been joking all day that I was at work recovering, but
that’s actually pretty accurate. It was certainly an adjustment to
get back in work mode when I got up today.
It sounds like a lot of fun, Mark. I've not made it to a Bouchercon yet, but perhaps next year, when it will be driveable for me. Maine to Raleigh is a much longer drive than your hour or two, but my first book will be out in April, so I think I must join the fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your report!
Brenda
You really should try to go because it is a ton of fun.
DeleteAnd congrats on your first book!
oo...I'm so jealous :-) I've always wanted to go to Bouchercon but life has conspired against me. Thanks for the blow by blow, really enjoyed your report.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I'd have a chance to go, so I understand the frustration. And next year, I'll be jealous of those who are there when I'm not. Hope you get to go at some point.
DeleteWhat a great time you had! I really want to go to another book conference. The ones I've attended were tons of fun. Is Bucheron in Raleigh next year? If so, I'm there!
ReplyDeleteYes, Bouchercon is in Raleigh next year. Have fun! I'm sorry I won't be able to make it - timing doesn't work with my job.
DeleteCool! Well Bouchercon is coming near me too then next year. Goodness, between Bouchercon, the SIBA show and Wizard Con next year, Raleigh is the place to be! I am going to have a busy year. This sounds like a fun conference though I don't read nearly as many mystery books as I used to.
ReplyDeleteWow. I wonder if I can move to Raleigh for the year. Sounds like it is the place to be.
DeleteMark, it was such a treat getting to meet you at Bouchercon. I'm glad to hear you had fun. I hope you make it to another one soon. I am debating Raleigh. We'll see....
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to another one. We'll just have to see if it's really in the cards for me or not.
DeleteAnd it was wonderful to get to meet you, too.