Bouchercon 2020, 15-18 October, in “virtual” Sacramento. CA
(Excerpt from the short story, Mr. Lepescu by Anthony Boucher)
I am honored to be the Co-Chair of “Virtual” Bouchercon 2020, originally set to take place in the city where I live: Sacramento! As most of you know by now, due to an abundance of caution over COVID-19, the Conference will be held virtually. Above you will find the link to Registration and Bourchercon2020 site!
In 2007, I was managing a large social justice legal services organization in the San Francisco Bay Area and working on my first book, a mystery.
Several of the attorneys, both staff and volunteer, were mystery buffs and when two of them found out I was a wanna-be mystery author they took me to lunch to meet a friend who worked for a publisher. That lunch was the first time I heard the word “Bouchercon,” then being held in Anchorage, Alaska.
Fast forward to 2012. I retired from my day job, had written and published three books— one mystery and two paranormal romances—and Left Coast Crime blew into town, Sacramento. Of course, I had to go, not only was it a mystery convention, but two of my friends, Cindy Sample and Robin Burcell, were putting it on.
By 2014, I was the president of the sisters in Crime online chapter, the Guppies, and in order to actually meet my Steering Committee members, had to go to Malice Domestic. But first, Left Coast Crime was in Monterey, and I never miss a chance to go there!
And to top it off Bouchercon was in Long Beach. Five of us piled in two cars and did a road trip to what would be our first Bouchercon.
On the way home, I drove while Rae James rode with a yellow legal tablet on her lap and by the time we got to Sacramento, we had outlined a complete Bouchercon. Well, a few details needed to be worked out, like when we’d hold it and exactly where, but over the next few months we met with the Visitor and Convention Bureau, the city of Sacramento, the two major downtown hotels; researched who had been Guests of Honor and who hadn’t, invited about 30 friends and fellow mystery buffs to a planning meeting, whittled that group down to a group of 15 or so who would do the actual work, and put together a bid. The bid was presented to the Bouchercon National Board in Raleigh, NC in 2015, and we were in the conference business!
Over the past five years I’ve been to Bouchercons in New Orleans, Toronto, St. Petersberg and Dallas and to Left Coast Crimes in Reno, Vancouver, and San Diego (missed Honolulu).
I’ve volunteered, taken notes, watched what worked and what didn’t work so well, interviewed attendees in elevators, panel rooms and bars, about their best and worst experiences and asked for suggestions.
As the co-chair for Bouchercon 2020 in October in “virtual” Sacramento, our team is putting together what we’re planning to be the gold standard of Bouchercons. We want to give the 1,600 or so attendees one of the best, most memorable conventions.
Although it’s been a lot of work and a ton of details, at the closing ceremonies in Dallas in November 2019, I looked around the room and realized there were almost 1,700 people who’d put their lives on hold and spent time and money to come together for four days to celebrate their love of mysteries.
Wonderful!
Ciao Michele—
I will be attending LCC26 as an author and publisher.
Question, how could I get on a panel for
Thrillers, such as What Makes a Thriller Thrilling, or
Globetrotting Mysteries?
I write the Milan Thriller Series, travel to Italia
Every summer, have American and Italian friends
In Milan, and researchers who help me with specific
Details such as location, procedures. My first researcher
Got us an appointment at Milan’s Questura (Police HQ)
When I was researching Thirteen Days in Milan in 2012.
We met the capo of the anti-terrorism police, DIGOS, and
His chief deputy. They provided valuable information on
Procedures, surveillance, for all of my Milan Thrillers. We met
The capo and his chief deputy every year since 2012.
In 2024, the capo was named the Questore (Police
Chief) of Milan and he invited me and my researcher
For coffee in 2024 & 2025 at the Questura.
Imagine that, having coffee with the chief of
Police of Milan at his office! We’re on a first name basis
With him and he shares personal information,
Not just police procedures.
I think my story would be very interesting for
Those attending panels at LCC2026.
You can see all my books, including the
Milan Thriller Series at
https://www.redbrickpress.net/milan-thriller-series
I also have a travel blog with more than 130 posts
From 13 countries.
https://ericksongypsycaravan.wordpress.com/2023/06/14/a-year-and-a-day/
Thanks for your support, Michele!
Jack
Hi Jack,
Thanks for registering for Left Coast Crime 2026 in San Francisco.
Unfortunately, the cutoff date for panel consideration was Nov. 30 and panels were announced in January.
This year we’ve added a new event, Close Encounters, a time slot in a smaller room equipped with a couple of mics, a moveable table, and an audience. There are also a limited number of 45-minute slots. The cutoff date for this was January 29, but there may be slots available. Contact Victoria Kazarian & Diane Schaffer with your name(s) and emails(s) along with the title and short description of your proposed Close Encounter. Proposals for Close encounters are due Thursday, January 29th. Note: priority will be given to authors who did not receive a panel placement this year, so please mention that in your proposal.
Our January 29 newsletter (on the LCC 2026 site) has links for both Victoria and Diane.
I’d suggest something from your craft beer book, I’d think you’d get a crowd.
Your background is very interesting and I think you’d be an addition to panels. I’d like to suggest Bouchercon, the world’s oldest and largest mystery fan convention. This year’s is in Calgary Canada, October 21-25, and registration is open. I’m not sure what the cutoff date for getting a panel assignment is; check their website.
And for next year, LCC will be in Santa Fe.
Good luck, if you want to email me direct it’s micheledrier@att.net.
See you in San Francisco!
Michele