This was my first year attending Bouchercon and I now understand why it is such an important conference. I have had the best time ever. What really stood out for me was the proliferation of odd books, books that do not fit neatly into any category. Many were >gasp< literary or at least admitted to literary elements.
Someone I am desperate to read is Daniel Woodrell author of Winter’s Bone – also a movie – about the Ozarks, a backward part of Missouri that’s truly off the grid, complete with meth labs and desperadoes.
But I admit that I am really dying to read his short story collection.
I was about to snap this picture of Vicki Hendricks, author of the outrageous novel, Miami Purity and several other equally brilliant and risky novels, but this guy snuck into the picture.
Omigod, it’s Key West’s own Mike Dennis. And just in case anyone was unsure, he trashed the small font name card and did it right.
The hotel was large and complex but what really bugged me was the absence of coffee. I have never been to a conference that started a half hour BEFORE coffee was available. Oh yes, there was a Starbucks, but if you waited in line you would miss the entire morning. Besides, it wasn’t safe, I was not about to risk standing in line next to caffeine deprived murder writers.
When the coffee did arrive in the “Hospitality Room” it was almost impossible to reach and soon emptied out, not to be replaced. So, being crafty, I engineered an extra three or four horrid little coffee packets to brew in my room and in the middle of brewing a cup I heard a eerie fizzle and smeled the telltale acrid odor of motor burnout. Talk about bad juju – the direct opposite of good coffee mojo.
Speaking of which, this is another writer I am getting to know. His book of short stories reminds me of Robert Stone’s “Dog Soldiers” – matter-of-fact brutality and written with a sleight of hand that makes the most outlandish events somehow believable. I’ve read “Waiting for Goa” from the collection and I’m game for the rest.
And here he is, soon to be one of our own when he moves to Key West – Jonathan Woods – perfect in his almost-pristine white linens. Hey, look who’s with him – there’s that guy again!
Long hallways.
Guest of honor Val McDermid.
Lots of events.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Allan E Ansorge over breakfast. I bought two of his books and the first twenty pages left me wanting more. I already love the characters, particularly Maggie.
Some images of the conference.
Megan Abbott – one of the most articulate panelists and part of the new generation of genre benders. She writes female noir, moody, literary, creepy.
I also so enjoyed listening to David Corbett on a panel that I bought one of his books. He was hilarious and participated on a panel that discussed favorite movies. Who ever heard of ” Il Bidone” or “Bellman & True”?
Happy conferencers.
Thomas Cook – another particularly well and softspoken panelist. Whatever the subject, he had an interesting observation, a quote or line to share. He was a pleasure to listen to.
Game changer, Sara Paretsky, signing her books.
An Amish crime expert.
t-shirts . . .
Gift baskets auction.
Great speakers . . .
I had to remove five pounds at the airport or incur a $100 fee for my overweight bag and this was after I let these books go. So here they are – the ones that got away . . . sadly. So many books so little time.
It was indeed a great conference. Not being a caffeinero, I can’t relate to the Great Coffee Shortage fiasco, but the panels were topical, with articulate speakers who (for the most part) spoke directly into the microphones so they could be heard.
Next year, it’s off to Cleveland and then in 2013, Albany! I can hardly wait.
There’s nothing like sharing a space with your tribe. So happy to read you were happy at the con! I would have gone nuts over the coffee situation too–hopefully if you were writing on those edgy coffee-less mornings, you got your irritation out of your pores and into your prose.