Note to MWA-NY members: Once you sign in, a new menu will appear under the current menu at the top of this page. One of the choices there is Festivals and Conferences. As chair of the relevant committee for our chapter, I asked a few of our members to weigh in with their opinions and advice about attending conferences in general and Bouchercon in particular. Here is what they have to say.
What Mystery Writing Conferences Are All About
“Many publications for writers, as well as books on writing, including Writer’s Digest, offer excellent guides to the variety of conferences and festivals. All conferences, whether on American soil or abroad, broaden a writer’s talents — in untold depths. Attendance and participation help an individual writer avoid being insular.
“These conferences combine for adults the excitement and bonding of sleepaway summer camps, going away to college or university, and ocean cruises! The exhilaration and stimulation not only strengthen the gifts of writing but forge lifelong friendships. Mingling with great talents, meeting familiar and new people — are gifts no other experience can equal for a writer.
“The energies absorbed from a room filled with talent and new thoughts gives one a charge of life-giving, inspiration creativity that is hard to find anywhere else.
“The stimulation of bonding with like-minded men and women is worth the investment of registration fees or travel costs!” — Thelma Straw
Regarding Bouchercon, in Particular
“Bouchercon World Mystery Convention is an all-volunteer effort that each year between September and November draws approximately 1,500 fans, authors, librarians, booksellers, agents, publishers, and media representatives to a different city with four days of robust crime fiction loving camaraderie amid uninhibited panels, unique programming, author signings, and awards ceremonies. It is home to the Anthony Awards and a premier fan-driven operation dedicated to mingling and creating friendships.
“Named after Anthony Boucher, the distinguished writer, editor, and critic regarded as the cornerstone of modern mystery analysis, Bouchercon recently celebrated its 45th year as the world’s largest moveable feast for the crime fiction genre. Here’s a list of dates and locations for upcoming Bouchercons: Bouchercon 2015 (October 8-11) Raleigh, North Carolina; Bouchercon 2016 (September 15-18) New Orleans, Louisiana; Bouchercon 2017 (October 12-15) Toronto, Canada; and Bouchercon 2018 (September 13-16) St. Petersburg, Florida.”— Jeffrey Siger, Chair of the Board of Bouchercon
Attendees’ Impressions
“Bouchercon is the biggest and most diverse gathering of mystery fans and writers. New ideas, new books, new friends and old ones. What’s not to like?” — Triss Stein
“Networking, making friends, meeting other authors, getting inspiration, and more networking. Oh, and occasionally feeling overwhelmed.” — Julia Pomeroy
“Bouchercon is primarily a fan conference. Yes, there are some craft and marketing sessions, but really it’s for fans. It’s a good conference for published authors because it’s always well-attended, and you can meet some great readers there, but I wouldn’t really recommend it for those who don’t have something to sell. (I mean, I would totally recommend it for them, but as a social and networking experience, not as an event that would help them get ahead.)” — Laura K. Curtis
“I go to Bouchercon because it is the premier gathering of mystery writers and readers in the US. Even at your first conference, you are immediately among friends—new friends who welcome you and become your old friends very quickly. As a new or aspiring writer, you will become known and recognized. As an established writer, you will be remembered. The networking opportunities are invaluable. Go!” — Ken Isaacson
“Bouchercon attracts hundreds of mystery fans, so if you get a panel, you can intro yourself to at least a hundred of them all at once. And you come in contact with lots of other writers.
“BCon’s size can be overwhelming. I’d advise a newbie to take a buddy. Make a rational list of plans: introduce yourself to the booksellers (give them an ARC if they’ve never heard of you); find a few opportunities to chat with fans. Don’t have unrealistic expectations about what any conference can do for your sales and your chances to bond with writers more famous than you are.” — Sheila York
— Patricia King
Under the pen name Annamaria Alfieri, Patricia King is the author of Invisible Country, her second historical mystery. Her novel City of Silver won critical acclaim. Deadly Pleasures Magazine called it one of the best first novels of the year, and the Washington Post said, “As both history and mystery, City of Silver glitters.” Writing as Patricia King, she is also the author of the short story “Baggage Claim,” in the anthology Queens Noir. Her latest book Blood Tango imagines the murder of an Evita lookalike against a background of tumultuous days in Buenos Aires 1945.
I agree with Sheila – to have a buddy or a good friend at the Big B! My first trip to the Big B was to Toronto – I was dazzled by the huge crowd – but a dear personal friend, Liz Squire – of Weaverville, NC, was there – and took me under her wing which made all the difference! Thelma