Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Plan ahead

I know it's barely February. But in only eight months or so, October 14-17, BOUCHERCON, the world-renowned mystery convention, will be livening up the city of San Francisco.

At Bouchercon, mystery readers and writers, as well as agents, editors, and other publishing professionals participate in panel discussions and other fun activities. One of my recent favorites was figuring out a crime scene in the hotel lobby! At any time during the weekend, you can choose among events that are humorous or serious, educational or entertaining, and most often are a little bit of everything.
There are many author signing sessions, a bookseller room (what's not to like?), a banquet or two, award ceremonies, movie nights, and parties. Just being around people with the same interests for the whole weekend is a high.

The local chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America will be around to help with logistics and directions, and will staff a grand hospitality suite.

One of the great programs at last year's convention in Indianapolis was the special crafts room where mystery authors who also do and write about crafts took turns presiding over a DIY crafts hour. Everyone who participated went home with a make-and-take as well as tales of a fun time. Here's a photo of what went on during my crafts hour, where attendees made tiny vases of flowers.



Who doesn't love the togetherness of crafting? Or the joy of contributing a small piece to a handcrafted item headed for a worthy cause?

Thanks to our own Joanna Campbell Slan for spearheading that program.

We're planning to continue with that idea and have a crafts room at the beautiful Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, the site of Bouchercon 2010. Since I'm local to the grand hotel, I'll be scheduling the room and generally trying to make sure everyone has scissors.



No, no, not for a murder weapon this time.

I'm happy to start taking your ideas immediately! Did you participate last year? What did you like? Was there something you'd have liked done differently? Let me know at camille@minichino.com
Meanwhile, look for updates on the whole Bouchercon program,

or go directly to the great blog page http://www.bcon2010.com/blog.html

Look for more Bouchercon updates here as the time gets closer.

7 comments:

Betty Hechtman said...

The craft rooms were great. I enjoyed hosting the crochet project and going to the knitting one put on by Sally Goldenbaum.

Camille, you got me excited about Bouchercon. What a great combo - mystery writers, fans and San Franscisco.

Camille Minichino said...

And Left Coast is in YOUR neighborhood, so it's a great year for CA!

Rae Helmsworth said...

Thanks, Camille for taking this on. I'm probably the least talented person, craft-wise, that you ever met. But I might just try to make something this year at Bcon ;-)

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

I can't wait. I have a good friend in SF who's been bugging me to come visit.

Monica Ferris said...

Camille, now I'm excited about Bouchercon, too. I've often promised myself I'd go back to San Francisco -- I was stationed at the naval air station in Alameda in the early sixties and fell in love with the grand old city -- as who wouldn't? So somewhat nervously, as I am already planning a big train trip in June, put me down to join you in San Francisco in October!

Camille Minichino said...

Great, Monica. Shall I put you down for the crafts room also?

Joanna, it will be good to see you on home soil. In fact I'd love to be able to treat all my blog sisters at least a San Francisco Peets coffee and pastry! There are 2 Peets very close to the hotel, so we should slip out either together or in fractions!

Camille Minichino said...

I'm always amazed at what people who think they're not crafty come up with.

For one thing, they don't follow my directions well, and therefore go off on a truly creative tangent!