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| Toronto! |
By Claire Booth
I’m spending today getting ready
for Bouchercon*, the world mystery convention. It’s a convention for fans of
crime fiction. Of which there are a great many. And despite loving murder,
mayhem, suspense, and the occasional well-crafted arson or bank robbery, these
people are the nicest you’ll ever meet.
They love books, they love
authors, they love each other. I went to my first when it was in Long Beach in
2014. I didn’t have a book contract then, so I was strictly a fan. Which was
fantastic. I went to all sorts of panels and met all sorts of people, many of
whom are now close friends. And I had a few spectacular fan girl moments.
I’ve gone in 2015 (Raleigh, North
Carolina) and 2016 (New Orleans). They’re great opportunities to meet with
readers in a more meaningful setting than just a few minutes at a book signing.
And getting to connect with other writers is beyond great – for camaraderie, inspiration, and sometimes commiseration.
Every year seems better than the
last. This year it’s Toronto. It starts Thursday. I can’t wait.
The coming years will take place
in:
St. Petersburg, Florida: Sept.
6-9, 2018
Dallas, Texas: Oct. 31-Nov. 3,
2019
Sacramento, California: Oct.
15-19, 2020
So if you’re anywhere near one in
the coming years, or even if you’re not, consider traveling to attend. I promise you a
good time.
* Named in honor
of Anthony Boucher, a long-time book critic and author who championed the crime
fiction genre.
