writermag.com • The Writer | 41unpredictable and surprising plots in a
mystery novel. Convention partici-
pants learned about the pros and cons
of self-publishing versus traditional
publishing, as well as how to research a
piece of fiction, how to write powerful
dialogue... even how to incorporate
dogs and cats into a mystery story.
In a panel titled “All the Single
Ladies,” six authors discussed whether
a cozy mystery series can succeed
without a love interest and how to steer
away from clichéd characters and
tropes toward a more original narra-
tive. “The Mystery of History” panel
included insights from bestselling his-
torical mystery authors who discussed
their research process and which
details to include in, as well as which to
leave out of, a manuscript.
Writers also learned how to market
their books, how to make the transition
from print to audiobook and print to
screen, and how to find and work with
a critique group for maximum success.
In between panel presentations, attend-
ees watched interviews with guests of
honor including Peter Lovesey, Debo-
rah Crombie, and James Patterson.
Featured presenters
In 2020, guests of honor at Boucher-
con include bestselling fiction author
and lawyer Scott Turow, bestselling
historical novelist Anne Perry, English
novelist and screenwriter Anthony
Horowitz, and Cara Black – author of
the Aimée Leduc mystery novels,
which feature a female Paris-based
private investigator.
Walter Mosley – author of almost
50 books of fiction and nonfiction,
including the Easy Rawlins mystery
series – will receive a lifetime achieve-
ment award. Mystery Readers Journal
editor Janet A. Rudolph will attend as
a “Fan Guest of Honor” while Scottish
American author Catriona McPher-
son of the Dandy Gilver historical
mystery series will serve as Toastmas-
ter at the convention.
Other attending authors include
Michael Nava – author of a crime fic-
tion series featuring a gay Latino crim-
inal defense lawyer – and Canadian
crime and speculative fiction writer SG
Wong. Authors Rachel Howzell Hall
and Gary Phillips will attend, as will
Ghana-born physician and crime fic-
tion novelist Kwei Quartey. “We have a
really nice lineup representing a broad
expanse of different genres,” Drier says.Advice for first-time attendees
She advises those new to Bouchercon
to study the schedule well ahead of the
event, the better to plan particular
panels to attend and authors to meet.
Writers can visit the website to sign up
for email updates and meet other
attendees on the organization’s Face-
book page. “At the convention, don’t be
shy,” Drier says. “Walk up and intro-
duce yourself to people.”
She urges people to contact conven-
tion staff about volunteer positions.
Panel monitors, and those working the
registration desk, enjoy multiple
opportunities to interact with speakers.
“Volunteer for anything that gets youinvolved with how the conference gets
put together,” she says.
Along with the more traditional
panels, book signings, and banquets,
Bouchercon attendees gravitate toward
like-minded participants who celebrate
everything from their love of cozy
mystery novels or gritty thrillers to
pick-up basketball or card games.
“There’s a group that gets together one
night to play poker,” Drier explains.
“They’re fans who have known each
other for years.”
This year, Bouchercon 2020 staff
will publish an anthology guided by
the theme “California Schemin.’” Writ-
ers are invited to submit short fiction
to be blind-judged by award-winning
short story writer and book critic Art
Taylor. “Contributors will appear in the
anthology with pieces from authors
like Walter Mosley and Anne Perry,”
Drier says. “It’s a great opportunity.”Contributing editor Melissa Hart is the
author of Better with Books: 500 Diverse Books
to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Accep-
tance in Tweens and Teens (Sasquatch, 2019).
Twit ter/Instagram: @WildMelissaHar t