Ellen Byron

Greetings from Bouchercon! (Although I’ll be home when you read this)

Hi, Ellen here, writing from my hotel room. I know Lisa gave you a taste of Bouchercon Nashville. I’m here to give you the whole meal today. I thought I’d do this day by day but honestly, it’s hard to keep the days straight at a con, so there will be some guesswork involved. Here goes nuthin’!

WEDNESDAY: I kicked off the day by meeting pals Dru Ann Love, Nikki Bonanni, and Risa Rispoli for breakfast. I also took my first stab at making sense of the hotel, which was massive. I also tried to put out a few fires, like my silent auction donations never making it to Nashville. 😦

I spent the rest of the day being a bundle of nervous about my second stab at Cozies & Cocktails, which I debuted at last year’s Bouchercon in San Diego thanks to chair Kim Keeline. Luckily, my cohost Raquel V. Reyes brought her directorial skills to the party and it was a hit! We had about 350 attendees. Phew and whoo hoo! (That’s half of Raquel’s eye in the photo. WordPress Gallery is a mean mistress.)

THURSDAY: Roomie Leslie and I kicked off the day by Speed Dating. I had a lovely lunch with my Severn House editors, and there were opening ceremonies, and…

I give up on this day-by-day thing!! I cannot remember when ANYTHING happened! You know what? I’m going to share the highlights. Like catching up with reader friend and Chicks follower Jo Ben Wittenberg…

And falling in love with a velvety, sequiny, beady wrap I absolutely don’t need. And buying it anyway.

And going on a silent disco boat ride around the cavernous Disneyland-y resort with dear pal Libby Klein.

And when I say cavernous, I mean CAVERNOUS. (Photo credit, Leslie.)

And doing a signing with a bear headband. I will be in full bear costume one year, I swear! #committothebit. (Also, boy, am I a typical lefty. Look at how I hold my hand.)

And prepping for the 70s-themed dance afterparty. (Can you tell what band is my all-time fave?)

But the highlight at Bouchercon 2024 was the same highlight I get to revel in at every con… the chance to hang out with at least some of my beloved Chick-a-dees in person.

Readers, any chance we’ll see you at one of next year’s mystery conventions?

24 thoughts on “Greetings from Bouchercon! (Although I’ll be home when you read this)”

    1. Me too, Jen! And silent disco is where everyone wears headphones. In this case, we were on this little boat, so no dancing. We could just choose from 3 different playlists. And bop along without disturbing anyone.

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  2. It looks like a wonderful time!!!! Yes, I hope to get to the one in MD one of these years with a friend of mine. We planned the trip a couple of times, but serious family health issues have stopped us from getting there. We have not given up.

    Carol

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  3. Thanks for sharing the con with us! I’m so happy that you had a fantastic time. I hope to be at West Coast Crime next year depending on how well Panic in the Panhandle is received by readers. Denver’s easy to get to from Indy, so fingers crossed!

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    1. You have to come, J.C.! Readers need to know about this book. Someone asked me if I’d read anything I really liked recently and I said, “Panic at the Panhandle!”

      BTW, Indianapolis bid on the 2028 or 9 Bouchercon, and it was accepted!

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      1. El, I’ve been to Opryland Hotel several times, usually when it’s decorated for the holidays. But, I wish I could’ve been there with you and Leslie and Lisa. Looks like a great time!🐣❤️

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  7. Looks like such fun!

    I’ve got to confirm with my director (since my immediate boss just left), but I’m planning to go to Malice in April next year. Unfortunately, it means I’ll miss the LA Times Festival of Books, something I haven’t done in over 20 years.

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  8. Great photos! Not sure when I’ll get to a con again, but thinking about LCC 2026 – haven’t been to CA in some time (except for a wedding 5 years ago) & would love to visit family and friends in the Bay area.

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