40 | The Writer • April 2020
CONFERENCE INSIDER
BY MELISSA HART
A
nthony Boucher (1911-
1968) demonstrated such
an allegiance to mystery
fiction writers as an author,
editor, and critic that after his death,
colleagues founded an annual interna-
tional mystery convention and named
it “Bouchercon” in his honor.
Now in its 51st year, the four-day
event – held in a different city each
year – attracts authors and editors,
publishers and agents, booksellers and
fans of crime fiction. The 2020 confer-
ence takes place in California’s capital
city of Sacramento in October. Mystery
authors Rae James and Michele Drier
are co-chairing the convention, subti-
tled “Where murder is a capitol crime.”
Registered attendees receive cou-
pons for free books, redeemable at the
event’s Book Bazaar, which includes
author swag and other mystery-
related information. This feature is
quite popular: A note on the conven-
tion website reads “CHECK-IN
EARLY TO GET FIRST PICK AT
THE BOOK BAZAAR.” In addition,
publishers offer free booksthroughout Bouchercon so that par-
ticipants can get autographs from
their favorite novelists.
Drier’s favorite part of the event as a
veteran attendee is seeing friends and
meeting new people. The convention
attracts 1,700 people each year who
travel across the country to meet and
interact with their favorite authors.
“How cool is that!” she says. “I love
finding new authors to read,” she adds.
“I’m a writer, but I’m also a reader.”What you’ll learn
Last year’s panels included “Ripped
from the Headlines,” which explored
how writers can use news about real-
life crime cases as inspiration for fic-
tion, and “Red Herrings: The Art of
Misdirection,” about how to createBouchercon World Mystery
Convention
Authors, fans, and industry professionals flock to this four-day
celebration of crime fiction.Conference: Bouchercon
Dates: Oct. 15-18, 2020
Cost: $225
Location: Sacramento, California
Contact: Co-Chairs Michele Drier
and Rae James at
[email protected]
bouchercon2020.orgCassiohabib/Shutterstock