I've been to several Bouchercons now - Chicago, San Francisco, Baltimore, Cleveland, and presently - Raleigh, so I can compare experiences a bit. Firstly, some of the same people are here each year. I find that comforting, especially as a writer who hopes one day to be on the other side of the signing tables. Generally, they are very gracious people who are excited that others are reading and enjoying their books.
I always jot down a few new names to check out - not because of the plethora of promotional bookmarks or postcards, but because they were clever or funny or wise or otherwise compellingly interesting on a panel. I'll go find their work.
There are always a few who are completely about themselves and promoting their book(s) at the expense of the others on their panel or sometimes, even decent manners. I will not be seeking out those books, no matter how hard you sell it. (In the interest of full disclosure, it didn't help that one said author who went on and on about her book/success had a debut novel freakishly similar to my first book, except of course that hers - same main character name, same general setting - was published and launched her career while mine will never see the light of day. Make of that what you will.)
I recently attended Comicon with my boyfriend and his daughter. It was a completely different experience, but I learned a few things and I think Bouchercon could too. Firstly, this is a mystery convention and yet, there IS NO MYSTERY MERCHANDISE. None. Seriously, nothing. You can buy books here and have them signed and that's awesome, but I can do that anywhere. At the Bouchercon in Cleveland, I noticed a lady wearing a yellow crime scene scarf and I knew I needed to have one myself. No chance of getting one at the convention, so I threw it on my Amazon wish list. I get that people travel here, but there are so many opportunities lost. I mean, they are going to ship books home to themselves or take advantage of Southwest's second free suitcase anyway, GET SOME SWAG! At Comicon, I bought a tee shirt that just has Sherlock's wallpaper pattern and a spray-painted smiley face. (Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock - google it, so much awesome) In fact, Comicon had plenty of mystery themed merchandise tucked alongside the superheroes and television and movie stuff. And the comics, of course.
Long ago, I wanted to have my own mystery merchandise online business and every time I come to Bouchercon, I feel that urge again. Sadly, although I have tons of brilliant ideas, I have neither the capital nor the business background necessary to make that a go. I wish someone would take it up, though, so I could buy from them like the crazed fan that I am. There's a market opportunity.
Anyway, what Bouchercon does have is books. Lots of them. In addition to the sampling provided in the annual book bag ( a little light this year, compared to my previous 'cons, but I did score one already on my "to read" list!), there are often publisher events with free books that the authors will sign for attendees (got six last night in an absolute madhouse signing room including titles from both Laura Lippman and Alafair Burke), and the opportunistic "swap" or "free" tables. I will happily take the duplicate titles or unwanted copies others don't wish to haul back home. I always come home with plenty to read and that's before I start buying books on purpose.
This is a busy convention and if you don't hustle buns, as my Mom used to say, you might find yourself disappointed that there's no room to squeeze in a panel you wanted. It just happened to me - no sage advice regarding red herrings because I was too slow in trudging over to the Sheraton, but that did open a window for the local ice cream shop Treat. I recommend the Carolina Crunch - vanilla ice cream with bits of butterfinger and heath bar spread throughout. Yes please. Plus, on the way back from my dairy diversion, I came across another free book signing. As of this moment, I have fourteen free books, 7 of them signed. This is why I drove.
Raleigh is lovely. The weather is perfect, the sidewalks are clean, and the downtown area is walkable. I had breakfast this morning at Big Ed's instead of the hotel. It's been years since I'd had red eye gravy. The biscuits alone are worth the short walk. In the park, there is a large acorn sculpture.
This Bouchercon is called "Murder Under the Oaks" however, so there's a clue.
So, back to the panels this afternoon. I'll post an update tomorrow. For those of you who love to read and/or writer mystery or crime fiction, definitely consider a future Bouchercon. Next year it will be in New Orleans, so that's a must. In three years, it will be in St. Petersburg, FL. Yup.
http://www.bouchercon2016.com/
http://bouchercon2017.com/
http://bouchercon2018.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment