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Bouchercon Bound

Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

IMG_2607I’m (mostly) packed and Bouchercon bound, baby.

By this time tomorrow, I’ll be sitting in a class with James Scott Bell, hopefully learning more about his plotting from the middle approach (which I’ve used a couple of times on my own, but I’ve wanted to take a class from Bell forever, so this is a great opportunity).

After that, well, look out Raleigh. The mystery writers are coming.

If you’re not familiar with Bouchercon, it is touted as “the world mystery convention,” named for Anthony Boucher (read about it here). It’s a gathering of some of the best in the crime fiction genre – and me. And a lot of fans. There is no pitching at Bouchercon, although who knows who you’ll find in the bar, where all serious writers gather after hours.

Speaking of the bar, it’s where I’ll be Wednesday night, if only because it’s likely I’ll be able to get updates on the Pirates-Cubs game there.

I last went to Bouchercon in 2012. I had a fabulous time and hung out with some cool people, but I definitely felt a little like the outsider that time. This time, I’m a little more comfortable with that “author” moniker. I’ll be flying down with some local pals from Sisters in Crime (look out American Airlines). I volunteered for some things this year.

Oh, and I’m on a panel (yes, little old me). Danger and Death in Suburbia. I think Fayette County, PA takes the definition of “suburbia” to the extreme, but I should be able to talk about that (I hope).

And of course, I’ll get to see some of my favorite authors and I’m sure I’ll have a few fangirl moments. Hey, last time I met Mary Higgins Clark. Who knows who I’ll meet this time, right?

So my bags are (mostly) packed and ready to go. It’ll be an early morning tomorrow, but I’m ready. Or as ready as I’ll ever be.

See you in Raleigh!