Bouchercon reflections

I am pretty sure that every one of the 1,400 or 1,500 people who attended Bouchercon last week in St. Louis has already shared highlights, analysis, and anecdotes from the event. So I’m late to the party, but I’ll add a couple of observations anyway.

Bouchercon 2011, Spirits of St. Louis, was my first Bouchercon, and wow! So many great authors, so many great fans, so many great panels and opportunities to meet like-minded people. So. Many. Books.

I returned home both exhausted and exhilarated.

Tip for first-timers

If you’re worried that it will be hard to meet people even in such a crowd, volunteer to help. I volunteered at the registration desk for a couple of hours on Friday. Not only did I feel like I was contributing something to the conference, but I also met the delightful Ann from Australia and even answered questions from some of my favorite authors.

Some favorite quotes:

• “I see history as being with us today, right over your shoulder.” Kelli Stanley, talking about history and setting as character
• “The best writing is when you dig deep into your own bone.” Sara Paretsky

Most favorite favorite thing:

Meeting so many wonderful people, especially fellow Sisters in Crime members Hank Phillippi Ryan, Sandra Parshall, Sheila Connolly, Sasscer Hill, Jeri Westerson, and Sparkle Abbey (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter), among others.

Bonus:
My girls Violet and Matilda are now devoted Sparkle Abbey fans. They were thrilled to be among the recipients of special dog treats promoting the launch of the first book in Sparkle Abbey’s Pampered Pets Mystery Series, Desperate Housedogs, due out in November.