Where are the best mystery writing conferences? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T12:21:14Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:62071?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A62255&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think folks working on the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-12:537324:Comment:625662007-08-12T05:08:55.709ZKaren J. Laubensteinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Alaskaauthor
I think folks working on the "fan conventions" will feel like I did reading this. And how is that? We have more authors than fans registered for Bouchercon2007. Maybe this one will be more of a writer's conference than fan convention? Many on the Bcon07 steering committee also coordinated Left Coast Crime in 2001 in Anchorage and that one has made some best-selling crime/mystery writers who wouldn't be today if they hadn't attended that conference. Author Mike Doogan comes to mind. That's also…
I think folks working on the "fan conventions" will feel like I did reading this. And how is that? We have more authors than fans registered for Bouchercon2007. Maybe this one will be more of a writer's conference than fan convention? Many on the Bcon07 steering committee also coordinated Left Coast Crime in 2001 in Anchorage and that one has made some best-selling crime/mystery writers who wouldn't be today if they hadn't attended that conference. Author Mike Doogan comes to mind. That's also where Alaska Sisters in Crime first sent authors to rural Alaska and it was such a success for the authors and communities, that it is happening with this year's Bouchercon. Both Authors to the Bush/Authors to the Schools. Most of the panels are writers talking about the craft. We have the marketing track, including a panel of agents and one of publishers. We have the technical track with a full day of CSI put on by the Alaska State Police museum (it's an award-winning program and very comprehensive over a full day), the search and rescues, the detective, investigators, coroners, etc. There are panels on how writers can better use the internet. Also, since we live here, I guess we're not seeing it as exotic, just a wonderful place that everyone should experience at least once in their life time. When reading the history of the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, this was intended to be a writer's convention more than a fanfest.. but we wouldn't be writers without the fans, and so are working hard to balance the two. I've not been to a great number of these conventions, so this is mostly responding from what I know about the upcoming program at Bouchercon. I think sometimes these things get labeled, despite having different people organizing each of the conferences and doing the program. I hope you'll keep an open mind and look at the programs and participants, the big picture. I have not been to any other B'cons, but just know this one is going to be the experience of a lifetime for all of us... especially those of us who live here. Thanks for all the input. Eve…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:624592007-08-11T20:07:01.996ZLinda Laddhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LindaLadd
Thanks for all the input. Every one of these conferences sounds great. I hope I'll get to become a regular and meet all of you!
Thanks for all the input. Every one of these conferences sounds great. I hope I'll get to become a regular and meet all of you! There is a distinction betwee…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:624412007-08-11T19:45:09.269ZNeil Plakcyhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/neilplakcy
There is a distinction between fan conventions and writer's conferences.<br />
<br />
Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and Malice Domestic are great examples of fan conventions. They're big and fun and feature lots of your favorite authors talking about their books.<br />
<br />
Sleuthfest is a good example of a writer's conference. Though writers are on the panels, they are more likely to be talking about craft. At Sleuthfest, there are three tracks: one for beginning writers, focused on things like writing dialogue and…
There is a distinction between fan conventions and writer's conferences.<br />
<br />
Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and Malice Domestic are great examples of fan conventions. They're big and fun and feature lots of your favorite authors talking about their books.<br />
<br />
Sleuthfest is a good example of a writer's conference. Though writers are on the panels, they are more likely to be talking about craft. At Sleuthfest, there are three tracks: one for beginning writers, focused on things like writing dialogue and creating tension. The second is a marketing track - how to get an agent, how to promote your books. The third is a technical track - speakers such as coroners, arson investigators, police detectives, private eyes.<br />
<br />
At a fan convention, a panel on "exotic locations" would be "How I use exotic locations in my work, including some interesting anecdotes." At a writer's conference, the same panel would focus more on "How you can research and use exotic locations in your own work."<br />
<br />
Both kinds of events are great to go to. Just consider what it is you want. Hi Linda,
I'm in Alaska, too…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:623752007-08-11T17:01:56.654ZKaren J. Laubensteinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Alaskaauthor
Hi Linda,<br />
<br />
I'm in Alaska, too. I posted lots of photos of the Bouchercon 2007 venue here on Crimespace. You can see the convention hotel, city, convention center with Anchorage's Town Center right in front of it and the Log Cabin Visitor's Bureau behind it. One thing I've learned since moving to Alaska 13 years ago, is that you can take photos anywhere and they'll look awesome. I hope to go to Baltimore. When that author from North Carolina is bemoaning being able to get here due to funds,…
Hi Linda,<br />
<br />
I'm in Alaska, too. I posted lots of photos of the Bouchercon 2007 venue here on Crimespace. You can see the convention hotel, city, convention center with Anchorage's Town Center right in front of it and the Log Cabin Visitor's Bureau behind it. One thing I've learned since moving to Alaska 13 years ago, is that you can take photos anywhere and they'll look awesome. I hope to go to Baltimore. When that author from North Carolina is bemoaning being able to get here due to funds, flight time, etc., it's kinda funny because most of us seem to be from Outside. I grew up in Maine. Have learned ways to get here and travel around the Lower 48 without breaking the bank. If you sign up for Alaska Airlines' frequent flier program, you instantly get miles by subscribing to their e-news, and many other ways, and can purchase them cheaper than buying the ticket. We recently went to Seattle for about $239 roundtrip because we used 7500 of our ff miles to purchase tickets at half-price. We took Amtrak once we got to Seattle to go to Portland, OR, etc., so it can be done. Anyway, I'm sorry some folks will miss out because we seem remote, but it makes us great book readers. Barnes and Noble and Borders both have sales in Anchorage among the top 5 in the U.S.!!! Hope we'll see you next month. If you go and are there the 2…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:623102007-08-11T06:39:36.523ZLouisa Christyhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CopperTale
If you go and are there the 26th of September, some of us are getting together at Rumrunners after 6p.m.Hope to see you there.
If you go and are there the 26th of September, some of us are getting together at Rumrunners after 6p.m.Hope to see you there. Man alive, does this one soun…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:623062007-08-11T06:36:32.796ZLinda Laddhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LindaLadd
Man alive, does this one sound like fun! And I HAVE always wanted to see Alaska. You might've just talked me into it. ; ) Thanks, Louisa. I'm going to check out that website.
Man alive, does this one sound like fun! And I HAVE always wanted to see Alaska. You might've just talked me into it. ; ) Thanks, Louisa. I'm going to check out that website. There are tons of conferences…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:622802007-08-11T04:54:44.253ZLouisa Christyhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CopperTale
There are tons of conferences, but the big one coming up is Bouchercon 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska. I am kind of biased because I am working with the steering committe to put it on. Anchorage tends to be a more intimate place than any other. I have attended lots of conferences in both a professional and private manner. Alaska Sisters in Crime hosted Left Coast Crime in 2001 and it was a wonderful experience. There were so many opportunities to get to know one another and hit loads of panels. I…
There are tons of conferences, but the big one coming up is Bouchercon 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska. I am kind of biased because I am working with the steering committe to put it on. Anchorage tends to be a more intimate place than any other. I have attended lots of conferences in both a professional and private manner. Alaska Sisters in Crime hosted Left Coast Crime in 2001 and it was a wonderful experience. There were so many opportunities to get to know one another and hit loads of panels. I think the same will be true with the one in September. Baltimore should be great too. I have nothing but good things about Thrillerfest. The Left Coast Crime confernces are wonderful too.<br />
As far as this year's Bouchercon, the plans are awesome. We will have Kirsten Dixon cook for us and she is sponsoring a wonderful writing contest: Who is Baby Harry? and it has such a great prize. We will be well entertained throughout the conference and Mr. Whitekeys will help us party through the night after the Anthony Awards on Saturday night.<br />
Publishers are hosting wonderful receptions. The restaurants have come up with new recipes that are so mouthwatering. The sights are incredible.Check the website for updates at <a href="http://www.bouchercon2007.com">www.bouchercon2007.com</a>.<br />
So, does this sound like advertising? I just know it's going to be fun. Wow, this sounds like fun. I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:622592007-08-11T03:06:15.092ZLinda Laddhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LindaLadd
Wow, this sounds like fun. I doubt if Alaska is in my future, either. Baltimore, though, sounds good. Thanks, JD, and to think I hadn't ever heard of the mother of all mystery conferences!
Wow, this sounds like fun. I doubt if Alaska is in my future, either. Baltimore, though, sounds good. Thanks, JD, and to think I hadn't ever heard of the mother of all mystery conferences! Bouchercon is the Big Kahuna,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:622552007-08-11T02:17:40.426ZJ.D. Rhoadeshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JDRhoades
Bouchercon is the Big Kahuna, the Numero Uno, of mystery conferences. It's the one everyone asks if you're going to.<br />
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It's enormous, and while I've loved the ones I've been to, it can be a bit daunting. I compare it to trying to drink from a firehose.<br />
<br />
This year it's being held in Anchorage. I'd love to go, but no way can I afford the time and money required to get there from North Carolina.<br />
<br />
Bouchercon 2008, however, is in Baltimore, put on by Jon and Ruth Jordan. The Jordans are, as far as…
Bouchercon is the Big Kahuna, the Numero Uno, of mystery conferences. It's the one everyone asks if you're going to.<br />
<br />
It's enormous, and while I've loved the ones I've been to, it can be a bit daunting. I compare it to trying to drink from a firehose.<br />
<br />
This year it's being held in Anchorage. I'd love to go, but no way can I afford the time and money required to get there from North Carolina.<br />
<br />
Bouchercon 2008, however, is in Baltimore, put on by Jon and Ruth Jordan. The Jordans are, as far as I'm concerned, the Gold Standard of mystery fandom. More <a href="http://murderati.typepad.com/murderati/2007/08/let-us-now-prai.html">here.</a>.<br />
<br />
Laura Lippmann is the Guest of Honor.<br />
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Baltimore is going to ROCK. Thanks, JD~ What is Boucherco…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-11:537324:Comment:622442007-08-11T01:07:56.617ZLinda Laddhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LindaLadd
Thanks, JD~ What is Bouchercon?
Thanks, JD~ What is Bouchercon?