Bouchercon may be over for one more year but we are still thinking about it. Here’s
the final wrap-up.
Jessie: I hope our readers all have some place in their lives that make them feel as supported and as much like they belong as a mystery conference does for me. It is so nourishing to be in the midst of so many people who love books, love puzzles and love writing. Being completely surrounded by people who have lost themselves in many of the same books and wish they could visit the same fictional places is a delight. The opportunity to attend panels showcasing some of the most respected names in mystery was such a joy. Time spent over dinner and at the bar with friends, both old and new was really special. Writers spend so much time in isolation. It does the soul good to get out and mingle.
Liz: When I’m with other writers, I’m know I’m with my tribe. That’s what this weekend 
felt like. Spending three and a half days with other writers, people I admire and aspire to emulate, and friends old and new was just what I needed to jumpstart my creativity. So blessed to have gone and spent time with such amazing people, including my Wicked Cozy sisters! And such a thrill to sign books for readers!
Edith: Oh, my, what a wonderful
experience. Bouchercon is truly a readers’ convention, and the spirit these avid mystery fans brought to the panels and signings was so very gratifying. And then to
hang out with the readers as well as authors from well-known to just-getting-started was such a treat. Plus, we introduced Sherry-on-a-Stick to so many famous writers!
Julie: What a great weekend. Exhausting, but great. I arrived a little earlier than the other Wickeds so I could attend a Sisters in Crime board meeting. I am very honored to have been voted on the national board, and look forward to working with the amazing group I met on Thursday. Jessie Crockett and I shared a room in Albany (a lovely city), and I was THRILLED to see her book on the desk. Can’t wait to buy a copy next week!
Barb: I’m exhausted after my very first Bouchercon! Thanks so much to Kensington for giving away a box of Clammed Up, and to the organizers for having me on a panel. Thanks to Clare Toohey, the fabulous moderator of the panel Edith and I were on, too. She was amazing! And of course to my Wicked Sisters who always seem to be there to support me when new ground is broken.
Others have said it, but it bears repeating. Being with other writers is a tonic. And meeting readers is a gift. What a great weekend!
Readers: What’s your favorite convention or conference for readers or writers? Do you thrive on hanging out with hundreds of your peers, or is it all too much? If you went to Bouchercon, what was your favorite part?
That sounds like a fantastic way to spend a weekend! I still can not wrap my head around how you all can write books! How you can come up with a storyline and then get it all put together into such good stories! You all are great!
Thanks so much, Elaine! It’s hard work but it makes us happy.
Makes me happy, too!
I love attending author/reader conventions. The best part is hanging in the bar listening to how excited everyone is to be around each other.
It was great to see you there, Dru Ann!
It was great to meet you! And I agree–the excitement is the best.
I’m biased (being the program chair), but my favorite convention is Malice Domestic. With around 600 attendees, its atmosphere is more cozy than that at the bigger cons. And since we’re in the same city and hotel every year, and our board is pretty static, things tend to run pretty smoothly.
That all said, I love going to Bouchercon, seeing old friends and making new ones. I love attending panels. And this past weekend, I loved winning the Macavity Award for best mystery short story of 2012. I’m still flying high on that. So, Wicked ladies, who’s going to Bouchercon in Long Beach next year?
You do an awesome job at Malice, Barb, and I also love going. And congratulations on your award! It’s a wicked awesome story. I don’t think I’ll be going to Long Beach, but will aim for Raleigh, instead.
Thanks about Malice and the Macavity, Edith. Much appreciated. 🙂
Barb,
Congratulations on the Macavity! What a thrill–I kicked myself for not getting a picture of you with it that night. I think all of the Wickeds are going to be at Malice this year. And I will be at Long Beach, since I just joined the national board of SinC, and we have a meeting.
I have gone to Malice several times, and love it. I also love our New England Crime Bake, which is very small (250) and writer focused. But I am biased–it is our hometown conference, and I am on the committee.
So glad you’ll be coming to Malice. (And I understand the bias thing all too well.) Thanks about the Macavity, too. It’s still kind of hard to believe. 😀
Barb–Congrats on the Macavity! I am thrilled.
All the Wickeds are planning on Malice this year. And, there may be a bit of a Seascape class of ’09 renunion, too, since I know of at least 3 other Seascapers from that class in addition to Liz, Sherry, Edith and I who are planning to go.
Thank you, Barbara! See you in the spring.
I hope to go to Long Beach — it is right across the harbor from where we lived in San Pedro, California. And of course I’ll be at Malice! I will forever be grateful to Malice because I met you there, Barb and Julie! And my biggest disappointment of not going to Bouchercon this year was missing you getting the Macavity!!! But we need to lure you up to Crime Bake sometime.
I’m grateful you live nearby, Sherry, so we can have a celebration lunch soon.
Me too, Barb!!! I’ll send you an email!
It was great meeting you, Edith and Barbara, at the food mystery panel–entertaining authors make moderating a cake walk (see what I did there). I’ll definitely attend Long Beach. I’ve heard a little of what the organizer has planned, and I think it’ll be a boffo year!
Thanks, Clare!