Crime Fiction Rocks at 2012 Bouchercon Mystery Conference!

by Jordan Dane
@JordanDane

   

I’ll be attending one of my favorite conferences is coming up on Oct 4-7 in Cleveland, Ohio. Bouchercon is a world mystery convention that has been taking place annually since 1970. It’s open to anyone and is a place for fans, authors and publishing industry professionals to gather and celebrate their love of the mystery genre. It is named for a famed mystery critic Anthony Boucher. During the convention there are panels, discussions and interviews with authors and people from the mystery community covering all parts of the genre. There are signing events for people to meet their favorite authors face-to-face and get books signed. Bouchercon also has the Anthony Awards which are also named after Anthony Boucher. These are voted on by the attendees and given out during the convention. For more, click HERE. Guests of honor for 2012 include: Elizabeth George, Robin Cook, Mary Higgins Clark, Les Roberts, Librarian Doris Ann Norris, and toastmaster John Connolly.

Michelle Gagnon and I will be on a YA panel for the first time. I’m really looking forward to that. If you are attending, I’d love to meet you. 
 

12:15 - 1:05 PM Thurs, Oct 4, 2012
Grand Ballroom B
The Popularity of YA Books panel - How do authors appeal to young readers and keep them interested in reading? Book signing will be held in the dealer room following the panel. Joining Jordan will be Michelle Gagnon, Joelle Charboneau, Bev Irwin, and moderated by Keir Graff.


I’ll be on another fun panel featuring romantic suspense with Heather Graham, Lori Armstrong, C. J. Lyons, with Monette Michaels as moderator. We may have a mystery guest to round out our group. We’re still waiting to hear. Stay tuned.


3:50-4:40 PM, Friday, Oct 5, 2012
Location: TBA
"I used to love her, but I had to kill her” Guns & Roses Panel - Moderated by author Monette Michaels, stellar panelists Heather Graham, Lori Armstrong, C. J. Lyons, and Jordan Dane will discuss romance in thrillers. Hallmark doesn't make a card for "I'd take a bullet for you, honey" but our panel of bestselling authors share their titillating secrets on how they spice up their thrillers with Guns & Roses. (Door prizes and giveaways for those in attendance.)
 
Prior to the panel, Mike Bursaw will host a “Booze & Broads” signing event at Mystery Mike's booth in the dealer Book Room for the authors. Alcoholic libations will be served, a shot at a time.

 

HERE is the attendees list for 2012. Anyone else going to Bouchercon this year? Have you ever been? I’d love to hear from you.

Get Immortalized as a YA Character Winner!

Sarah Evans of Sarah’s Books & Life blog - Thanks so much for hosting my feature day for “Authors Are My Rock Stars” and my appreciation also goes to Rachel from Fiktshun and Patricia and Jaime from Two Chicks on Books for putting the whole fantastic tour together .


My publisher, HarlequinTeen, generously contributed two of my YA books (winner’s choice between IN THE ARMS OF STONE ANGELS and ON A DARK WING) and those winners are:

Marty S
Emily S

Sarah will handle those giveaways through my publisher. Congratulations!
 
But the pick for one winner getting named as a YA character in my next HUNTED series book – Crystal Storm – is (drum roll):

CAILA!

All entrants’ comments can be seen HERE. As you can see, there were many responses that made it tough for me to decide, but Caila’s comment about a power being both a strength and a weakness – a double-edged sword that came with responsibility – resonated with me.

Crystal Storm will be coming out in 2013. Be on the lookout for Caila. Congratulations, Caila! I look forward to working with you.