I wasn’t able to go to Bouchercon in 2011, and I swear all I heard for months afterward was how awesome Bouchercon was. So there was NO WAY I was missing the event this year. After all, it’s geared towards mystery, suspense, and thriller writers. Just like with ThrillerFest, THESE ARE MY PEOPLE!
I will say this: Bouchercon, for me, was all about the social aspect. I very nearly didn’t go (because of a strained SI joint which resulted in the worst back pain I’ve ever had), but I wanted to hang out with my writer friends. And squeal over the authors I’ve long admired. And okay, maybe drink a little (but just a little). Don’t get me wrong, the panels were great, but really, it was about the friendships.
Here’s a roundup of my time in Cleveland, Ohio, in pictures!
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| At the bar the first night with good friend and debut author Nancy Thompson. Her book, THE MISTAKEN, comes out on October 18th! Can you tell my back was killing me? |
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| With Nancy at our first panel of the conference. |
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| Finally got to meet my writing friend, Alice Loweecey! Alice and I were in a writing group years ago, long before either of us got published. She now writes a mystery series about an ex-nun turned private investigator (and her books are awesome). |
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| With author and friend Sandra Brannan, author of the LIV BERGEN MYSTERY series. I was lucky to see Sandra twice this year, first at ThrillerFest and again at Bouchercon. |
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| With Nancy and Sandra, after Sandra’s panel “Have Gun Will Travel” (which was about novels set in the wild west – so much fun!) |
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| With new buddy Jeff Miller. We have the same agent, and his book, THE BUBBLEGUM THIEF, will be out this December. |
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| Together at last! Best friends Nancy and Lisa Regan (whose book, FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER, comes out this December) finally met for the very first time! I snapped this pic right when Lisa got off the train. |
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| The Three Musketeers waiting for the doors to open. |
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| Inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – over 1,000 people attended the opening party! |
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| With my buddy Dan Friedman, author of DON’T EVER GET OLD. Dan and I met a couple of years ago. We also have the same agent. |
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| Finally got to meet fellow Canadian author, Robin Spano! She writes the CLARE VENGEL UNDERCOVER novels. |
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| Always so great to see amazing author and friend Hilary Davidson, whose latest book, EVIL IN ALL ITS DISGUISES, comes out this March. |
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| Hanging with author Mark Pryor. His debut novel, THE BOOKSELLER, is out now! I highly recommend it. |
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| With Will Lavender, author of the puzzle thrillers OBEDIENCE and DOMINANCE. I’m a huge fan of his books! |
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| With my awesome friend Lisa Brackmann. I can’t wait to read the sequel to ROCK PAPER TIGER! |
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| With Chelsea Cain. CHELSEA CAIN! I had stars in my eyes! Of course when we met, I couldn’t help but blurt, “I’m your biggest fan!” in a very Kathy Bates/Misery kind of way. Luckily she was cool with it. |
All in all, Bouchercon was such a great experience, and I would definitely go again next year. And if you write in the mystery/thriller/suspense genre, you should come, too! But for now, I have no more trips planned, and it’s finally time to get back to the business of writing books. Which I’m itching to do.
And! I may have some good news to share in the next few days, so stay tuned . . .
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You can't take a lousy picture. It looks like you had a lot of fun. Cool.
I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame years ago. By chance, the Blue Angels were flying overhead! We all went to the roof (I think on the Science building) to get a better view.
It was the best time ever! I just wish you hadn't been in so much pain the entire time. But I loved hanging out with you & Lisa & learning all those cool things & meeting all those cool authors. Thanks for convincing me to go. I'll never ever forget it! Love & hugs!
Friendships are what it's all about! Photos are awesome – I know a couple of those authors. And appreciate it that you and Nancy sent me the first photo. Posted it on my blog. (Much to Nancy's dismay…)
Looks like you had a great time! Congrats!
Great pics, Jen! And my, you seem to have held your cool remarkably well in such awesome company. Glad to hear you had such a great time! I need to attend one of these someday.
Jenny, I had so much fun meeting you. For any blog readers who've not had the pleasure, she's as smart, funny, beautiful, and entertaining in real life as she is here. And I'm told a fairly decent novelist… 😉 Until next year, my dear!
Wow, it looks like you had such a good time! So glad you got to go, even if your back was killing you.
Hey it was so great to finally meet you. Looking forward to some fun and mischief at many conferences to come. Hope you're feeling better soon.
I agree with Charlie, you can't take a bad pic! LOVE that you take so many pictures and then share. I would be blurting 'I'm your biggest fan' to a lot of peeps I think.lol If I make it next year then you HAVE to be there!!!
What fun! I saw a few of the pics on Twitter and had to rein in my jealousy. I didn't get to go to any conferences this year. And certainly didn't get to hang out with fabulous people while on pain meds and alcohol!
Great pics. What a scary crowd, though, with all you murder, suspense, thriller people in one room. 😛
You're biased because you're my friend! But I'll take it. 🙂
We didn't get as much of a chance to see all the exhibits at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, because by then we'd been standing around forever and were tired. But Cleveland overall was a lot of fun, and I'd go back!
I'm so glad you went! Would NOT have been the same without you, and I do miss you already. 🙁 Love you too!
Haha, I like that pic! One day soon, Alex, we all have to get together…
Thanks, Jen! It's in Albany next year – hope it's doable for you because I'd love to hang out with you!
Thanks, my friend. I'm like a duck, trying to play it cool on the surface, but paddling like crazy underneath! Everybody is so, so nice, though. The big name authors know they're going to be mobbed by the newbies, so they're very receptive and gracious. 🙂 Hope you can come to one of these events some day so we can hang out.
God, you are so frigging CHARMING. How does any woman survive you? Haha. Great meeting you too, Mark. I'd say you're a little more than a "decent" novelist. 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you again when book two is out!
It was worth all the pain meds I had to pop to get through it! I had so much fun. Thanks Meredith.
I'd better brush up on my poker playing skills so I can hang with you next time! Was so great to meet you and I know we'll see each other again soon.
If you go next year, I AM SO GOING. If not Bouchercon, then maybe we can do some other conference? Would be so much fun!
One day you, me, and Marsha have to meet up at a writer's conference! It would be epic.
And yes, it is a bit freaky having all the murder/suspense/thriller folks in one place. There's a lot of discussion about ways to kill people, and nobody's even laughing. *gulp*
Man, I am in conference withdrawal. It's been a year since I went to World Fantasy Con, and I miss that face to face time with other writers and blog friends so much! Isn't Charlaine Harris so cute and funny? She was making everybody laugh at WFC.
Looks like you guys had so much fun!! Squee for you! And excited to hear good news!
Aha! That's where the other half of Thanksgiving went, eh? All in a good cause 🙂
And…good news? Good news??? Jennifer – you tease!
Very cool! I loved your pictures!
Great post. I just wanted to tell you it was a pleasure meeting you and the rest of the folks on the panel. It was more than fun. I'm looking forward to seeing future works and your surprise!
Rick Murcer
Poker?
Wow, that looks like such an amazing con. Looks like you had a blast. Yay.
Wow, those are all such amazingly cool pictures and SO SO wonderful you had this experience!!!
Even MORE good news? Aren't you afraid our heads will explode? =] I've enjoyed watching your recent journeys + meet & greets in my Facebook stream — you're a star, Jennifer!
That's so cool. I too always love to meet and chat to other writes. Who else gets it? :o)
Oh, you got to meet Alice!! YAY!! But, um, I'm missing in that pic! lol.
Well, someday! Haha!
Anyway, cool pics!! Awesome authors. You included, of course!! 😉
And I CAN'T WAIT till Friday!! I wanna know what's that about!! <333
I did! And thank you so much for your review of FREAK. Much appreciated! 🙂
Charlaine Harris is AMAZING! So warm and genuine and funny. And I know what you mean, that face time with other writers really makes all the difference. One day, I want to see YOUR face, girl! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Rick! It was so great to meet you, and you did a terrific job moderating our panel. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon!
Thanks so much, Lindsay! It was definitely a super cool experience!
I made it back just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. 🙂
Thanks girl!
Thanks, Milo! And you're a star too, my friend! 🙂
Thanks DUO! Totally agree, when I'm around other writers I can almost convince myself I'm NORMAL. Ha!
I should have photoshopped you into the picture! Would have made it perfect. 😀