When Mystery Writers Party

I read a lot of fiction: both straightforward novels and genre fiction, including fantasy, romance, science fiction, and, of course, mysteries—more mysteries than anything else. Mysteries are divided into sub-genres; the type I read most is what I write, police procedurals.

For five days just before Labor Day, I attended an annual conference called Bouchercon* that brings together at least 1,500 people, approximately half mystery writers and half mystery fans—although I assume most mystery writers are also fans, as I am. This year, the conference took place at the most enormous hotel I’ve ever seen, the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. The public areas of the hotel are under a glass dome that covers an artificial river, waterfalls, masses of shrubs, full-grown trees, and an island full of shops and food stands.

From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., writers on moderated panels talked to us about topics like “Why are lawyers so good at crafting mysteries and thrillers?” “How do you create a great supporting cast for the star of your story?” “Dialogue that brings your characters alive,” and “The pros and cons of turning your books into a movie or TV series.” It was an embarrassment of riches: there were six panels running simultaneously for us to choose from with five or six writers per panel. Interspersed between panels were interviews with authors Harlan Coben, J. T. Ellison, Heather Graham, Rachel Howzell Hall, Dennis Lehane, Kelli Stanley, and Brad Thor.

I found the panels and interviews entertaining and informative, and I enjoyed fitting faces to the names of authors I’d heard of. Still, the purpose of the conference for most of us writers wasn’t improving our craft but trying to familiarize the other 1,499 attendees with our names and books. All but the most famous authors at the event were looking for more readers, more attention from reviewers and industry professionals, and more reassurance that their writing careers were going strong. I’m not criticizing this aim—I was seeking exactly the same things! Despite all this breathless self-promotion, the atmosphere at Bouchercon was surprisingly warm and collegial. The main intention seemed to be catching up with old friends and making new ones, not scoring points at fellow writers’ expense.

To return to my opening paragraph about my reading habits: what took me aback about the conference was that, in spite of how many mysteries I’ve read, I had never heard of the vast majority of the writers participating, and they had certainly never heard of me. True, this was only my second Bouchercon—many writers and fans have attended this conference annually for years if not decades. Still, my obscurity was a healthy reminder that despite having three books published and a fourth due out in seven months, I am a rookie, a name on a name tag rather than a fan’s familiar teller of beloved tales.

It took me about twenty-four hours to come to terms with my almost complete anonymity, and then I relaxed! Yes, it was unlikely that anyone at the conference would remember me and my mysteries, but they weren’t likely to remember the other unknown writers they met, either. There was nothing personal about it—the book buffet was simply too enormous for most people to sample more than a bit.

The most fun part of the conference was hanging out with Patricia Sellers, a retired librarian from San Diego whom I met at last year’s Bouchercon. Pat is a mystery fan, not a author, and she comes to these conferences to meet the writers of books she’s enjoyed and listen to them speak about their work. This year, she was joined by her librarian friend Laura Kopperud, and the three of us had two great meals together, discussing the different panels we’d attended and exchanging stories. Thanks mainly to Pat and Laura, the conference ended for me on a note of friendship rather than frustrated ambition.

*Bouchercon is named after Anthony Boucher (1911-1968), who wrote classic mystery novels, short stories, science fiction, and radio dramas and reviewed mysteries for the San Francisco Chronicle.