Bouchercon 2015 may have ended on this past Sunday, but a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. When you attend this extraordinary gathering of authors, fans, and book industry people, you realize that Bouchercon is not a place, not a thing, not an event to come and go. Bouchercon is truly a state of mind that draws you into a love reaching beyond even the books you can't wait to get signed or the authors who, yes, John Bychowski, produce a distinct scream of recognition. You become a part of a community that stays in your heart and mind, sharing in your enthusiasm and supporting you in your whatever your "book thing" is. As a blogger, I gain encouragement and guidance. As a reader and fan, I get to live out every fantasy about meeting one's favorite author. As a just plain person, I get to witness and experience a generosity and genuineness wherever I turn. If I were to advise a first time Bouchercon attendee, I would say simple, go for the books, return for the love.
I plan on doing several posts on this gathering, but to begin my recap of my four and a half days in Raleigh, I am letting a few of my favorite photos do the talking. The joy shown on the faces speaks volumes.
Ali Karim
Kaye Barley
Annamaria Alfieri and Laurie King
Catriona McPherson
Rhys Bowen
Matthew Clemens and Kristopher Zgorski
Kristi Belcamino
Anne Cleeland
Hank Phillippi Ryan
Hank Phillippi Ryan
Meredith Taylor, Anne Cleeland, and Elly Griffiths
Terry Shames, Rhys Bowen, and Guest
Guest, Susan Matchett, and Connie Smith
Caroline Todd and Debs Crombie
A Panel in Session
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| GM Maliett |
Political Espionage Panel
Kristopher Zgorski and Susan Elia MacNeal
Karin Salvalaggio
Les Klinger and Laurie King
Stiff Upper Lip Panel for British Mysteries
Sherlock and Watson (?)
Susan Matchett and Teresa Smith Wilson
Lunch with the Usual Suspects
Michael Robertson
Julia Dahl
Deborah Crombie
Carla Buckley
Margaret Maron
Lori Rader-Day
Traditional Mysteries as Comfort Reads Panel
Les Klinger and Laurie King
Terri Bischoff
Lori Rader-Day
Rhys Bowen
Art Taylor
Hank Phillippi Ryan
Managing Red Herrings Panel
Cemetery Tour
'Literary' vs. 'Pulp' Traditions Panel
With Travel Buddy Susan Matchett
Margaret Maron
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Wonderful pictures and memories. Besides the one of me and you together, I especially adore the one of you with Sherlock!
ReplyDeleteSo great to meet you in person.
xx
Kristi, I am so happy that I got to meet you. I can't wait to read your books and be able to count you as a favorite author, as well as a favorite person! Sherlock was dreamy, wasn't he!
DeleteLove it Love it Love it!!! Great pictures and I can't wait for your next installments. (I'm especially fond of the picture of us ;-) )
ReplyDeleteKaye, you are so sweet and supportive. Next year, we must definitely have a drink (or two) together in New Orleans!
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