Bouchercon, Baltimore
The panel schedule for Bouchercon is out and already it looks as if this is going to be an event to remember. For the uninitiated, Bouchercon is one of the oldest, most fun and most prestigious crime and thriller events in the world, a moving feast of authors and fans that this year will wind up in Baltimore. Take a look at the list of attending authors from around the world here and you’ll understand why this is such a high profile event on the world writing calendar.
This year rightly sees Robert Rosenwald and Barbara Peters, the legendary luminaries behind Poisoned Pen, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Two Brits, John Harvey and Mark Billingham, are on the guest of honour list, which is typical of the generosity of the Bouchercon community. I will be in Baltimore from the evening of October 8 until the following Sunday. The panel schedule will, I’m happy to say, be reuniting me with several old friends, and, as always, introducing me to lots of new ones.
At 3pm on Thursday I will be on the panel Concrete Jungle, moderated by my old mate Reed Farrel Coleman, with Thomas H. Cook - last met at Harrogate and on a panel at Bouchercon Madison two years ago - Steve Hamilton and Laura Lippman. The following day I will be on two near back-to-back panels (this is work, you know?) The first is Time is Tight, Friday 3pm, moderated by Nancy-Stephanie Stone with Robert Ellis, Joseph Finder (again last seen at Harrogate, just after Thrillerfest), P.D. Martin and Rick Mofina (I think it was Ottawa, wasn’t it, Rick?) At 4.30pm the same day I will be on The Song Remains The Same, moderated by Barry Eisler (Thrillerfest?), with Tasha Alexander, Ellen Crosby and Nadia Gordon.
As you may have gathered the panel titles this year reflect rock songs. Sounds good to me. I will be around generally for the duration, of course, and I believe there will be a ‘Meet the Brits’ cocktail event on the Friday too. So if you’re going to Bouchercon do say hello - and many thanks to the Bcon volunteers who work so incredibly hard to get this event off the ground.
