BoucherCon 2012 Rocked Y’all!
Hi Guys! I am about a week late writing this up but I came back from Cleveland with the Plague! It was more like a sinus infection but doesn’t plague of the replicating mucus sound more appropriate for October? I am all better now and ready to spill on what has to be my favorite convention I have attended this year so far!

I arrived in Cleveland on October 3rd! Having never been to Cleveland before I admit I was a bit nervous. What was there to see? What was there to do? Luckily I met another attendee on the plane so we quickly made plans to go to Michael Symon’s Lola Bistro for dinner after getting checked into our respective hotels. I did not stay at the main hotel but mine was pretty darn close. The food at Lola was delish and it was a great way to start off the weekend. Believe it or not, I did not take a picture of my food there–very strange for me. I had scallops that were to die for!
I am going to admit upfront that I was pretty much in bed every night by 10pm! The days were so packed with things to do that I pretty much wore myself out every day. To me, that is a sign of a great convention! Don’t worry there was plenty of wine drank, people met, and food eaten. I am also going to admit that I suck at taking pictures–I forgot my camera so only had my phone! To be honest, it wouldn’t have been that different with an actual camera–photography is not my strong suit!

Thursday October 4th: If you ever go to BoucherCon get there the day before because the panels start on Thursday morning. This wasn’t really clear on the website (which was one of the few things I don’t think was done very well) and there were a few other first timers that missed the first day because of it. The opening ceremonies are after the first full day of the conference. *NOTE: There were very few things that I was disappointed with at this conference but lack of being able to plan ahead was one of them! Next year (which I have already bought my ticket for) I am prepped for that though. I missed quite a few panels on Thursday because I was figuring out the rhythm of the conference. I am actually glad I took some time to look around and get the feel because it made the rest of the weekend a blast.
I want to give a special shout out to Sparkle Abbey, Sandra Brannan, and Sheila Connolly! They saw me sitting alone and invited me to sit with them on Wednesday night. They were fantastically fun and yes they each sold a book while I was sitting at the table (yeah for kindles)! They were great to me all weekend long.
First Panel: Mystery Southern Style
- Panelist: Cathy Pickens, Kathryn Wall, Donna Andrews, Jaden Terrell, Tina Whittle, and Traci Hohenstein
- Overall: Fun! I loved all the panelist 🙂
- Embarrassing Moment: I asked about their covers whether they loved them? I will now never ask that question again! I love Cozy Mystery cover art but sometimes it doesn’t fit the book. Needless to say the ones they didn’t like were the ones I brought to get signed so they never saw them.
- Discussion I liked the most: Why do people read about the South?
- Answers: (I agree with their statements): There is a romance to it! That whole Gone with the Wind thing. It is family orientated. There is a connection to others. Ties to events and things. Southerners just don’t forget. It seems like an exotic culture. Connection to the past and present, land, friends, families, and communities. The heat is also a factor. There are multiple south’s. The people are important and the south is known for violence.
- NOTE: They all knew at least one real-life murderer and their stories were pretty interesting! They all agree that there is different “south’s” and that each one is very different from the other.

Opening Ceremonies: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame!
- Great Location!
- Tons of fun!
- Great Food!
- Good Times!
- Could not hear the opening speech as too many people were on the top area so they quit letting us up. I heard from friends that was fantastic though!

[SlideDeck id=’6097′ width=’100%’ height=’300px’]
Friday October 5th: Busiest Day of the Conference for me! Also known as the day that I embarrassed myself in front of Charlaine Harris and began to wonder if I was ever going to see Karin Slaughter (that was Saturday)!
First Panel: Those Crafty Sleuths
- Panelist: Lois Winston, Kylie Logan, Penny Warner, Janet Campbell Slan, Mollie Cox Bryan
- Overall: A Total BLAST! Cozy mystery authors are a hoot!
- Embarrassing Moment: I won a book y’all so it was worth it! A question was asked about who was born in Japan–I got it right but I started with because you looked like you were born there (which got weird looks). I meant she looked like she came from a Military Family. Also, it was How to Dine on Killer Wine which you know is just a perfect fit for me!
- Discussion question I liked the most: Craft or Murder First?
- Answers: You have to have the story first then the craft has to work with that! You can’t just slap a craft in there, it has to meld with the story.

Second Panel: Witches, Ghosts, & Vampires Oh My!
- Panelist: Sarah Zettel, Judy Clemens, F. Paul Wilson, Juliet Blackwell, Victoria Laurie
- Overall: This was my 2nd favorite panel in the whole conference (my favorite was on Saturday)! This group was fun and very much loved their subject matter.
- Embarrassing Moment: None! Score one for me! I also kept my mouth shut so that probably helped LOL
- Discussion question I liked the most: Why Paranormal?
- Answers: She (V. Laurie) was a physic intuitive and she wanted to write it right. We (F. Paul Wilson) all love a little fantasy in our reality. Paranormal allows a little mystery back in that defies the CSI effect. She (J. Blackwell) doesn’t think it is a new phenomenon. It is what she likes and adores. She (J. Clemens) didn’t set out to write a paranormal series but it made its way in. Death was just part of her character. She (S. Zettel) was influenced by the Twilight Zone. Anything was possible!

Next (not a Panel): Visited the Harper Collins Hosts Author Signing and Giveaways in the Hospitality Room! Crazy busy didn’t get near an author but did buy some raffle tickets
Next (not a Panel): Volunteered at the Registration desk for a few hours! Great way to see that I wasn’t the only person a little lost. Many of the questions were ones that I was asking and that made me feel a whole lot more comfortable.
Third Panel: Romantic Suspense: Murder, Mayhem, & The Mattress Mambo
- Panelist: Monette Michaels, Heather Graham, CJ Lyons, Jordan Dane, and Lori Armstrong
- Overall: A lot of fun! This was the panel that I felt the most comfortable with. I love Romantic Suspense!
- Embarrassing Moment: Forgot my notebook so I didn’t get to take notes!
- Discussion question I liked the most: Behind the door or out in the open sex?
- Answers: Forgot my notebook but there was a little bit of both going on with these authors. The storyline dictates the kind of sex that goes into the story!

- OMG y’all! I totally met Heather Graham! She was one of my four unicorns and I was so excited!
Next: Criminal Element Social Hour: This was a total blast and you can see from the top I got my mug shot!
During the Day: Ate at 4th Street Pub! It was amazing!

Saturday October 6th: The day I freaked out when meeting Karin Slaughter (oddly enough she didn’t think it was much of a freak out) and the day I explored Cleveland!
First Panel: Heroes & Villains
- Panelist: Karin Slaughter, Mark Billingham, John Connolly, Maryn Waites, Alafair Burke
- Overall: Best panel of the conference! These guys are passionate with their opinions!
- Embarrassing Moment: Didn’t carry my notebook because I was doing a lot of walking that day so no notes taken!
- Best Question: The authors talked about their real-life Heroes & Villains
- Best Answers: They were all super passionate about doing what you love, being honest while doing so (buying reviews, star ratings, creating dummy accounts to speak badly about others all came up), and noticing the everyday heroes. This was just a great session all around!

Next: I met Freaking Karin Slaughter! I didn’t get a picture but I did get an autograph!


Next: Cleveland Public Library for the Readers and Writers Panel!
- This technically was not part of BoucherCon but since the library was on my “to see” list, it was a perfect reason to go!
- Panelist: Linda Fairstein, Karin Slaughter, Mark Billingham
- Highlight: I loved the moderator for this series. She was knowledgeable and asked fantastic questions! They covered everything from real life forensics to research. She touched on taking your work to TV/Movies and how to stay focused. Overall it was a fantastic panel and the library was beautiful!

[SlideDeck id=’6125′ width=’100%’ height=’300px’]
Next: Silent Auction in which I actually won the Linda Fairstein basket! Also got embarrassed by them calling me out for losing my badge on the first day–someone found it in the cab. Note to self: they evidently don’t clean cabs very often because that was 3 days later.
Next: Dinner at Chocolate Bar and then went back to the hotel bar where I got to talk to Mary Higgins Clark and her hubby! They were so sweet! Also finally hooked up with Amanda Kyle Williams! I adore her and next year (if she goes) we will hang out more!


Pros: Fantastic setup for meeting authors! I loved how they moved the authors to tables to sign books instead of just inside the panels. It gave me a chance to meet more authors and not feel like I had to pick and choose panels based on the authors. I loved the variety of panels and it seemed like everyone was having a blast!
Cons: The poor cozy mystery authors did not have any (or very many) books at the book sellers. Also some of the authors didn’t stick around for their signing times if no one was in line at their spot. I missed a few because I was a few minutes late getting from the panels to the signing area.
Note for myself for next year (Albany and yes I already have my ticket): I will be taking books again! I am glad I did this year as many of the cozy mystery authors I wanted signed didn’t have books there for sale. Also, now that I have the system down I feel more comfortable going to panels and not feeling like I am going to miss meeting someone. Talk to more people–I will admit that I was a little shy if I saw an author in the bar and didn’t approach them. I missed getting some of my books signed because I wasn’t approaching them!
I am going to spare you the slideshow of all my books and signatures! Let’s just say my rock star bookshelves are over-flowing!
Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
If you want to follow her DIY, Health, and Life adventures check out Mess to Best
My Google Profile
Latest posts by Felicia S (see all)
- #FitReaders: Join us for December 2019 - December 1, 2019
- #Promo #RomanceforRaices: A Soldier’s Christmas Wish by Vivien Arend /Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov - November 11, 2019
- #30DaysofThanks Day 10: #SultryListeners Winner Aaron Shedlock - November 11, 2019
One of my favorite pictures is the first one, lol
I loved reading your recap of Buchercon… it sounds like you had a blast… and you must have to have already bought tix for next year :). I’m sorry you got sick, though 🙁
So glad you enjoyed our fair city 🙂 It was my first Bourchercon and completely agree with you about the best panel. You were sitting closer than me, but I was sitting behind Lee Child so I consider it a win 🙂
I loved Cleveland! Such great people and great atmosphere. Yes you win getting to sit behind Lee Child 🙂
I’m so happy for you to get away & for the good time. I love how you are so interactive with the authors. You ask great questions. I’d love to tag along in your wake.
Maybe I should start selling my blood, so I can come next year.
LOL — it would be so worth it! The conference was a total blast and yep it was nice to get out of town and have fun 🙂
O Felicia, this sure sounds like an awesome event! And I do want to see everything you got! Have you uploaded it to a site with extern access so I can take a peek?
I am going to load them up to flickr for you this week and then I will send you a link 🙂
It sounds like a blast! Those panels seemed really interesting–I think I’d want to hang out with the Criminal Elements. Probably where I fit in best (or not!). Love the mug shot.
The Criminal Elements were awesome! They totally made it easy to hang out and feel included 🙂
This was too funny.. and i loved your Japan comment..{{hugs}} crap I now want a pumpkin latte in the worst way !
mmmmmmm Pumpkin! I actually bought the Starbucks Via packs so I can have a “mock” one anytime 🙂
This sounds like so much fun. I’m with you… I love romantic suspense. That panel would have been such a hoot! So glad you shared this with us. WHY didn’t you swing by to pick me up. It’s not like I was totally out of the way or anything… LOL 🙂
The Romantic Suspense panel was awesome 🙂
I meant to swing by but the pilot wasn’t taking course change requests. How dare he 🙂
OMG what fun! I must go some year.
And wahooooooooooooooooo! You met Heather! I know how much you love her.
I pretty much was a rambling idiot when I met her but it was a total blast 🙂
I am totally jealous! It looks like so much fun…all those drinks and the food! The books…Ahh! Well it sucks you came home with the mucas plague glad you are feeling better. What was the deal with the cozy covers?
They didn’t so much love their covers but I adore them. I think cozy mystery covers are some of the best on the market 🙂
How exciting and fun. I need to go to one of these! I appreciated the pictures.
It was a total blast and I highly recommend this one 🙂
Wow fun fun fun! Is all I am saying
It was a total blast and I can’t wait for next year!
I’m still insanely jealous you got to meet KARIN SLAUGHTER! *skips around* I get excited just thinking about it! 🙂
Karin Slaughter–I think I am still trying to wrap my head around it!
How fun! That food looks sooo good 🙂
The food was delish! I am a total foodie so I often judge a city by it’s restaurants!
Whoa! Those drinks!!! Yummers x 1000! And Mary Higgins Clark! Amazing! I’m so happy you had a good time.
It was the just awesome! The drinks were amazingly delicious even though I am not a big vodka person LOL
Wow, wow! Thanks for sharing this, Felicia! It sounds like you had a blast. Very interesting about the cozy mystery cover art. It’s rare that there’s a cover I don’t like! 🙂
They didn’t like their covers so I felt bad for asking. I , on the other hand, love it but then again I don’t know their stories as well as they do 🙂