RHYS BOWEN: This year I did not go to Bouchercon. In case you don't know, this is the world mystery convention, the biggest assembly of all things mystery. This year it felt too close to my trip to Europe in early September and already I'm regretting not going. I see the pictures of my friends having fun and I wish I could have been there.
I've been attending Bouchercons since 1998. That first time I knew two people. I was going to meet one of them for dinner when the other included me in a group that was chatting. They were going to dinner. "Are you coming?" one of the men asked. I told him I was meeting someone else. As I left my friend muttered, "I can't believe you turned down Jeffrey Deaver." I was clueless at the time!
Since then I've become part of the mystery world and enjoyed every moment of it. I love hanging out with friends at these conventions, especially meeting up with the other Reds. The last time we were all together was in Dallas in 2019.
All of our Jungle Red game shows have been a hoot. They are always the highlight of any convention.
Other fun memories are, of course, my event with Louise Penny and Debs, where we are billed as Conversation with Three Goddesses. That's pretty cool, isn't it? They put three chairs on the stage and we just sat and chatted, unscripted. It was amazing how easy it was and how everyone loved it. ( wish we could have coordinated our outfit choices!)
Other fond memories are the time I was part of an anthology called the THE MERRY BAND OF MURDERERS. We wrote or used a piece of music and the story to go with it. Fabulous cast of characters, and at Bouchercon we ended our panel with Val McDermid singing Long Black Veil, with me and two others as her back-up group. Let me say it brought the house down!
As well as meeting Reds and friends it is a time to meet up with fans. It's always exciting to see a big audience of excited people, and lovely to meet up with our Reds family as we did last year at the San Diego Bouchercon.
What wonderful memories! It sounds like Bouchercon is an amazing experience . . . .
ReplyDeleteThis year I didn’t go to Bouchercon for various reasons. Regretting my decision after seeing wonderful photos of the Bouchercon in Nashville. I went to San Diego last year and had a headache the entire time I was there! No Covid! Whew! Best thing was having sign language interpreters for the Jacqueline Winspear - Hank interview. And so wonderful to see old friends and meeting new friends. Wonderful to see Rhys, Jenn, Hank and Pat S. At Bouchercon! My first Bouchercon was in Canada 2017 and meeting Louise Penny.
ReplyDeleteCanada is a big country.
DeleteI went to Nashville Bouchercon. I have been going to Bouchercon even before Rhys. My first one was in 1992.
ReplyDeleteAs with others, there have been highs & lows. Holding this year's event in the ginormous Gaylord Opryland meant a lot of walking. I saw several friends for the first time since Dallas or St Pete's Bouchercon. And it was lovely to see/meet JRW regular commenters Pat S, Kim Hays and Lisa in Long Beach & other attendees who read this blog.
Big downsides was the lack of books by the attending authors in the book room. There was a last minute fiasco with an indie bookseller dropping out, and many authors were left in the lurch.
And I finally did see HANK and LUCY on Day 3 and 4.
DeleteI hadn't heard that about the bookseller, Grace. What a bummer.
Delete10,000 plus steps a day Grace! The books were definitely a low point, both for readers and authors!
DeleteYeah I did 12,000-16,000 steps since I was staying at the cheaper Inn at Opryland. Tough environment for those with mobility issues.
DeleteGRACE: Sad to miss Bouchercon this year. I registered for Bouchercon and had reserved my hotel room then had to cancel when I found out that I could not get my covid vaccine before going to Bouchercon in August. I really wanted to go though I did not want to risk getting covid. I knew too many people getting covid despite wearing masks.
DeleteImpressive about the 12,000 to 16,000 steps! I really need to walk more! I need to exercise more these days with the onset of menopause. Darn it! If I could have been there, then I would have gotten more exercise!
Bummer about the indie bookstore dropping out. I wonder if they lost their lease or business license? Wonder if the readers were able to order attending authors’ books on Apple Books or kindle? Or if other bookstores in the book room were selling the attending authors’ books?
Grace, I enjoyed seeing your photos. I bet those panels were fun!
DeleteI do hope that lessons were learned about having the books available. That is a huge opportunity for authors to get exposure in a place where readers are ready and eager to buy books. I am disappointed on their behalf.
The explanation (not excuse) that I heard was the bookseller was more of a second hand bookstore, staffed by mainly volunteers. They had no concept of a convention with 16,000 attendees and panicked. By “panicked” I mean they stopped responding to emails and ghosted the convention organizers. So they had to find another bookseller but by the time they did, it was too late to get the books there in time. And yes, Diana, the people in attendance could order the books off Amazon or wherever but they would not have them in hand to get the books autographed by the author while both the reader and author were together. — Pat S
DeleteThis was my first Bouchercon and while I knew no one going in, I met and chatted with many lovely folks, both authors and fans. The location was massive and yes, step count was high! I too stayed at the overflow hotel and found the shuttle schedule a bit of a hassle, but agree that the book situation was most unfortunate. I was told that the folks who eventually did it, stepped in at the last minute because whoever had originally agreed to do it backed out, leaving the organizers in a pinch and then the distributor who was shipping the books sent them to the wrong location. Either way, not many books to buy and none by so many authors. Still, I managed to come home with quite a stack of books!
DeleteIt was great hanging out with you at the Grand Ole Opry.
DeleteDIANA: Nashville had live closed captioning of panels on large screens in the panel rooms this year.
ReplyDeleteI also had regrets about deciding not to go this year, Rhys. But what's done is done. I don't go to Bouchercon every year, although I haven't missed a Malice since I began going about fifteen years ago. I think my first Bouchercon was in Albany, where we stayed in two hotels separate from the big barren convention center up the hill. The Jungle Reds game show was a hoot that year.
ReplyDeleteIt's always lovely to meet fans and see author pals again, like going back to summer camp. I don't think I've had any disastrous conf experiences, and one of the most fun was Bouchercon in New Orleans, including walking/dancing along in the Second Line parade with Sara Paretsky. Now I have to decide if I'm going next year.
Yup, the EGG at Albany was an odd location. Plus they had to bring in some food trucks to feed us since the food court closed on the weekend. But I did get to meet you and Barb Ross for the first time at the Kensington giveaway. And the 2016 NOLA Bouchercon is in my top 2 Bouchercons.
DeleteI could mention some of the downsides of this year's venue, but Rhys' Las Vegas experience with the needle receptacles in her hotel room trumps them all! I attended Bouchercon for the first time this year and met so many incredible authors and lovely attendees. I'm still pinching myself that I was a panelist on the Elementary/Arthur Conan Doyle panel with Laurie R. King, Naomi Hirahara, Les Klinger, Liese Sherwood-Fabre and Sarah Stewart Taylor.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great start to your Bouchercon career:)
DeleteRhys, I think the last time I saw you in person was at the New Orleans Bouchercon! That was fun, to see you, and your dear John.
ReplyDeleteWhich means I have gotten sick at the last three conventions I've been to: New Orleans, Minneapolis, and last year's NE Crimebake. Since I had to leave early for two of those, NOLA and Crimebake, I might have to stay home from now on. Driving home (12 hours) from Louisiana sick as a dog was no picnic.
Traveling while sick is horrible. I drove home from New Jersey with the flu about fifteen years ago, which was miserable, but it was only six hours, not twelve! I've flown while ill, too. No fun. I didn't realize you got sick in Minneapolis. We had a fun outdoor meal with Grace there, right?
DeleteWe did, and that was a lot of fun. I ended up with my third bout of COVID from that trip.
DeleteDriving sick is not a joke, but driving on the East Coast sick is a whole other level of miserable.
Karen in Ohio: So sorry to hear that you got sick at Bouchercon. Since the near end of perimenopause, I noticed that I get sick if I stay more than two nights at a hotel, though I never got sick at the hotel in Toronto, Canada. Just learned that one of the things about perimenopause and menopause is that it is possible to develop allergies and I think I had allergic reactions to whatever was in the hotels. Not fun to drive for 12 hours while sick!
DeleteHope that you are feeling better now.
I didn't make it to Bouchercon this year for a number of reasons. It looked amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to pick a favorite from all the cons I've been to. I can say I loved Long Beach, NOLA, St. Petersburg, and San Diego simply on the grounds of the tourist stuff. Yes, I played hookie quite a bit in those cities.
ANNETTE: I missed Bouchercon this year too. Hope to see you at the next mystery conference!
DeleteI'll be doing my post on the Nashville experience next week ONCE I (IF I) EVER FINISH THIS BOOK!
ReplyDeleteshe stepped out of the shower. It was all a dream. Bobby? is that you? the end
DeleteAnon, I love it! — Pat S
DeleteI’ve never been to any of these conventions. They look like a lot of fun! Bouchercon appears to be a favorite. Where and when is the next one?
ReplyDeleteNew Orleans next September, Brenda.
DeleteEasier for me to travel in September than near the end of August! IF they have live closed captioning again at Bouchercon in New Orleans like they did this year in Nashville, then it is more likely that I will go to the Bouchercon in New Orleans next year. So far only three people, including the lady who emailed me, mentioned the closed captioning at Bouchercon. I would like to know more about the closed captioning at Bouchercon. Did that include Debut Authors or only some panels?
DeleteDiana, I believe the Closed Captioning was at every panel, including Opening Ceremonies. I wasn't at the Anthony Awards or Closing Ceremonies, but there's no reason not to think it was there as well.
DeleteYes, but dome facilities cannot handle the technology required for closed csptioning. It is my understanding it is not clear it will be available next year in Ne
DeleteLIZ: That is great about the Closed Captioning at every panel despite the dome facilities not being able to handle the closed captioning.
DeleteANON: Fingers crossed that it will be available next year at Bouchercon New Orleans.
The close caption was at the Anthony award
DeleteOh, these are wonderful photos! And so fantastic to see so many of you… I feel like I know you, so completely, and when I see you, I realize I only see you on the blog or at Facebook events, but real life is much better! I had actually a wonderful time… Hanging out with Joe Finder and Dennis Lehane and Kate White— and I moderated a wonderful panel with JT Ellison and Charlene Harris, and Tracy Clark-/so cool ! They also roped me into being the auctioneer for the big Bouchercon auction, which was intimidating, but fabulous, and I got to meet Mick Herron of Slow Horses fame— and he was absolutely adorable. And to look out and see Grace in the audience of one of my panels was a highlight! I do miss our game shows, I have to admit, there is nothing like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteGRACE: I saw one photo of the live closed captioning! From another author who was there and she posted on her social media. Did you see them everywhere or for few panels. If I may ask?
ReplyDeleteI believe all of the panels had close caption
DeleteHANK: So wonderful to see you at Bouchercon last year in San Diego. And very grateful for the half day of Sign Language interpreters and I got to see your interview with Jacqueline Winspear. And getting the chance to ask you in person the day before the Interview if it was OK. Very happy that you said OK, I heard from three people about the closed captioning at Bouchercon this year.
ReplyDeleteLove love love your photos from Bouchercon this year! So bummed to miss Bouchercon this year. So far it looks like NO ONE got Covid at Bouchercon this time! I have been following social media posts about Bouchercon this year.
Wonder if there was a sponsor that paid for the Closed Captioning at Bouchercon this year?
ReplyDeleteBouchercon was a last-minute decision for me this year because of the Shamus nomination for THE TRUTH WE HIDE. I got to see Hank and Lucy, which was lovely - and even got a picture with them! Yes, there was a lot of walking. But I also got to meet The Hubby's cousin, who had loaned me her name for a character in THICKER THAN WATER.
ReplyDeleteThe big bummer was the bookstore fiasco. Just as the rescue bookseller was about to close the deal and get the books there, Ingram said, "Oh well, we sent our staff home early for the holiday weekend, so no books for you." Like they couldn't have said that before all the last-minute running around! So my books were not there. But a lot of authors did consignment. I helped man the bookstore table and I know many books were sold.
LIZ: Thank you for helping to manage the bookstore table and happy to hear that many books were sold!
DeleteThey were in every panel. Did they all work perfectly? That’s another question… — Pat S
ReplyDeleteI was in one panel where it worked and then stopped.
DeleteThey were at all panels Iwent to, DIANA.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I hadn’t heard that about Ingram. Grrr! (It was great meeting you.)
ReplyDeleteI went this year for my second Bouchercon in two years. I had a great time! Got to see and talk with Hank, Lucy, Laurie R. King, Leslie Karst, Tracy Clark, Valerie Burns and Dru Ann!! Had dinner with Grace and Kim Hays which was so nice to just sit and talk and then walk down Broadway to see/hear live music spilling out onto the sidewalks. I brought a friend for her first Bouchercon experience and she said she had a great time. The “terrarium” that was the hotel (so called by one of the authors) was an experience! The panels were so good. The authors-who-use-cooking-in-their-books panel that Lucy was on was so funny! (My friend was in the panel next door and she said they kept stopping to wonder what was going on in THAT panel!!) And I loved the panel Hank was on about badass female protagonists!
I think the thing I love the most about my two experiences at Bouchercon is how friendly, welcoming and nice everyone is: the authors and the attendees. I have made new friends both years. Love that! — Pat S
And I loved seeing you again, Pat.
DeleteHa, it sounds like you escaped that Vegas hotel in the nick of time! I'm just back from my first Bouchercon ever. My favorite part of the week was meeting so many friends I've made online in real life. It's also the first fan conference I've attended, and it was cool seeing the mix of authors and readers. As a new writer, I think I got to experience the best of both worlds. I was awestruck by all the stars but also got to feel like a 'real author' when Andrew Child read my name at the debut breakfast. And now, after nearly a week of trying to be an extrovert, I'm happily back to my writing cave.
ReplyDeleteThere was no way I could make Bouchercon this year. Too far away and can't miss deadlines at work made it impossible. I've only gone to a few conventions - stupid day job - but I've enjoyed the ones I did go to.
ReplyDeleteI had such fun reading this, Rhys! Like you, this year I had to skip Bouchercon but love your photos. So many great memories -- vivid reminders of how lucky we are to be in this community of writers and readers.
ReplyDeleteDiana, in my experience most of them worked. It did not work during the first two panels I attended one of the conference rooms, otherwise it worked well.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever been to Bouchercon once. The year it was practically in my backyard, 2019 in Dallas. I loved the Jungle Reds show! The free books events were wonderful! I met some authors in passing, in elevators, etc. I'm afraid the hugeness of the convention got to me though. It was uncomfortably overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteMy second Bouchercon this time, and I enjoyed the panels and the interviews very much. I'm a huge Slough House fan, so meeting Mick Herron was a highlight for me, not to mention hearing him talk about his career. I also loved quite a few of you Reds and Readers!
ReplyDeleteWhoops. Loved SEEING!
DeleteSo bummed to have missed Bouchercon this year! Hopefully, I'll make it to NOLA next year. It's just so hard to plan anything these days when I never know what genre I'm writing in when - LOL!
ReplyDeleteThird time a charm. Typing on word and copying and pasting this time. I don’t know why my computer is doing what it’s doing, but being half asleep doesn’t help. This is my third and last try. I did actually go to Bouchercon this year, but only for Tuesday and Wednesday. We (husband went with me, not for Bouchercon though) drove down Monday afternoon, only two hours and 3 minutes from home. Had dinner with two great friends (whom I met through the Friends of Laurie King group eleven years ago). Tuesday I spent all day at the 30th anniversary event for The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie, the first book in her Russell and Holmes series. I’ve made so many wonderful friends by reading that book and series. Wednesday, I spent time in the Bouchercon registration area, getting my bag and free books. I ran into lots of friends there with whom I got to talk and get hugs and sit with. I also had to drop off my donation for the auction. It was the basket that included all the Clue game characters in Funko Pop form, two games based on Clue, Agatha Christie playing cards, another card mystery game, two copies of Hop Scot by Catriona McPherson (she dedicated this book to my son Kevin and our family), some reading-themed pins to wear, a murder of crows (small plastic ones), and a Clue Christmas ornament. The last knew of the basket had a bid of $250. Now, I’m wondering if that was the final bid and who bought it. As our last meal at the event, we had lunch with my favorite Canadian scientist (now retired), who worked on Covid. Jen Danna is a wonderful friend, and I love her books, the K-9 FBI series, NYPD Negotiators series, stand-alones, and the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries. All but the Abbott and Lowell are written under the pseudonym Sara Driscoll.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry I missed Hank and Lucy, whom I really wanted to at least give a hug. But, short as it was, I was glad to see so many friends after so many years. My socialization and crowd endurance is still not what it was and may never be, but I was glad I dipped my toe in and now know it’s at least possible for me to do some book socialization that I always loved so much.
Oh, and it’s hard to pick a favorite time at the Bouchercons, but I know one of my favorite is when I met all the Reds (except Jenn at that time) before their panel and game at the Albany Bouchercon. Also a favorite because I got to see your sweet Ross and Youngest in action, Julia.
What lovely memories. Thanks for sharing such great pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable blog to read! It would be great fun to attend. (Heather S)
ReplyDeleteI attended Bouchercon. It was my first trip after my knee replacement. It was great meeting some of you in real life (Pat S, Kim Hayes, and etc.).It was a thrill to see Kathy Boone Reel and I got two hugs from her. I saw Lucy and Hank. The walking, I never walked that many steps in my life during the five days there. Of course I'm paying for it now. There was so lows (lack of books, too much walking from place to place) and some highs, especially winning the Anthony Award for Best Short Story, a story I co-wrote with Kristopher Zgorski.
ReplyDelete