Bouchercon Rocked!

Bouchercon was a lot of fun this year, but hectic. I had the chance to chat with my favorite author, Elizabeth George, whose books I lugged in 2 suitcases to get signed. It was awesome to hear her speak as well. I've had the pleasure before, but now that I've written a book of my own her words meant that much more.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter Carol Higgins Clark. They were both delightful ladies and I enjoy their books as well. They sat side by side at the book signing, cheerfully signing hundreds of books, if not more.

The book room was the heart and soul of the conference (although some might argue that it was the bar) where authors signed, people caught up, and books were in abundance!

My favorite panel was a discussion of characters by Charlaine Harris, Daniel Palmer, Brad Parks, Alison Gaylin, Elizabeth George, and Don Bruns.
 

There were tables full of author promos and free books. It was hard to choose what to take home for further perusing!

 

 

 

 

Opening ceremonies were at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More on that later, in the meantime here is a picture of what we saw when we first walked up.

Bouchercon and Cleveland had a lot to offer this year. Coming up, posts on the House of Blues, where Heather Graham hosted an awesome party, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Melt, Paranormal Hotel Cleveland, and Tower City. 

Until next time ...

Lots of Pretty Things

Bouchercon 2012 is about six weeks away but I've already started packing.

One of the things I enjoy about Bouchercon (and ThrillerFest!) is meeting the authors who write the books I enjoy. And of course getting them autographed (my husband refers to this as a mission). (Much to my husband's dismay) I am bringing along a couple of suitcases full of books this trip, and (my argument is that) since we are driving this year I don't have to worry about excess baggage fess.

Some are from my bookshelves, but most are being acquired for this trip. Some have been lugged to previous conferences but my mission was not successful for various reasons. I am sure this trip will be no different, but whatever happens, I couldn't accomplish it without my husband's help.

First, I make a list of all the authors I want to see. Then I look at the schedule to see when each author is signing and make a note of it. Lastly, for each author I list the day and time, even if there are multiple times for one particular author. That way, if we miss one or the line is too long, we can try again another time. And if an author is only signing once we do that person first. Unless I need his help. my husband will wait for me at a convenient location, books ready for the hand-off. The hand-off occurs when when I return from a successful signing mission and get handed a new set of books for signing. 

Which mostly explains my husband's dismay, although this year one of his favorites will be there signing the last of the books we don't have. He is a Charlaine Harris fan (the Sookie books), and for a wedding present I got him all of her hardcovers and had them autographed for him (and to him). That particular mission was hard to do without him catching on but I managed. 

The picture shows just a few of the authors who will be "targeted" during my mission. I am very excited to have all of Elizabeth George's hardcovers making the trip with me. It will mean multiple trips through the line (she has 17 out right now) but it will be worth it. One author, now a friend, I met when she was a debut author at ThrillerFest. I've collected all of Julie Kramer's books since then. Robin Cook is a delightful man I've heard speak who writes gripping medical thrillers. Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter Carol Higgins Clark are two authors my mom and I both enjoyed. I am looking forward to meeting both of them.  Linda Fairstein's legal thrillers keep me turning the pages to see whodunnit. Peter Farris is a new (to me) author whose book, Last Call for the Living, I have not yet read but anyone who puts 'sentence making' under his interests is a writer I'm sure I will enjoy. Chelsea Cain does serial killer well, a real-life evil that fascinates me.

There are many others I am looking forward to meeting, but this is just one aspect of the Bouchercon experience, one I am looking forward to in addition to the panels and get-togethers! Visiting a new city will also be a great part of the experience, especially since I've heard that Cleveland has a few ghosts lurking around and even a lighthouse or two or three ...