Bloody Words 2012

This coming weekend is the 12th annual Bloody Words Mystery Convention.  It will be held at the Toronto Downtown Hilton.

I'm really looking forward to going (I missed it last year!)  It's a great chance to connect with readers and catch up with (or finally meet!) fellow mystery writers.

I'll be part of the following panel discussion on Friday night:  Gumshoes & Cops
Why do authors choose a PI or a cop as their protagonist? Is one better than the other? And how does current technology make these characters’ lives easier or harder?

Alison Bruce, Liz Bugg, Jill Edmondson, Garry Ryan, Jim Napier (moderator)

Then on Saturday, I'll be at the Sisters in Crime signing table from 11:30 to 12 noon.  Following that, I'll be taking part in "Author Speed Dating!" at 4:30 pm.

Check out the Bloody Words site for more event info:  http://www.bloodywords2012.com/

Bloody Words 2011

It looks like plans are coming along smoothly for this year’s Bloody Words conference. The Bloody Gang has switched things up a bit this year: the conference will be held in Victoria, BC instead of Toronto. That should make things interesting and will perhaps bring some new attendees, whether authors, industry personnel, or fans. 


The Bloody weekend kicks off with the Arthur Ellis awards dinner on Thursday night. These awards are given to excellence in Canadian Crime Writing. The name of the award comes from the pseudonym of Canada’s last official hangman. 


Following the awesome awards party kick-off, there are many great events scheduled for the weekend. Michael Slade will be making people shiver with a blood curdling 1940s radio play and Ghost Walk (there are many angry and unsettled spirits and phantoms in Victoria... it is God’s waiting room, after all).  


The conference has some awesome guests on deck. This year’s International Guest of Honour is Tess Gerritson, author of some kick-ass medical thrillers. The Special Guest of Honour is BC’s own William Deverell, a proud Arthur Ellis winner, who will be receiving a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Canadian crime writing. 


Bloody Words also runs the Bony Pete short story contest. This year’s winner will be published online in Monday Magazine (an alternative Victoria, BC newspaper).  


The murderous hoe-down has many other good things on deck as well: They’ll have a discussion on The Future of Publishing, a Canadian Mystery Trivia Game, a CSI Victoria workshop, a Social Media workshop, chances to meet with agents, manuscript evaluations and more.  
It’s very, very cool that we have Bloody Words. It is the only Canadian Mystery Conference and I’m glad we have it. It really does give authors and fans a chance to connect, it gives a boost to new and aspiring writers, and it gets people talking about Malice and Maple Syrup.  


Knock ’em dead!

Conferences and Conventions

I'm starting to think about writers' conferences and convenions (and similar events)...  I have never before gone to one.  I have always wanted to go to "Bloody Words" - the one and only mystery fiction convention in Canada (usually held in Toronto).  For years, I just couldn't make it, but this time I'm in!  I've already registered and paid, and I am really looking forward to it.


But what about other conventions and conferences?  I know there are several that pertain to crime fiction, held in various milieux around the USA (Bouchercon, Killer Nashville, Sleuthfest, Left Coast Crime, and so on). 


I recognize  that conventions can be a lot of fun and a great way to network or to meet fans.  However, some of them get rather expensive, especially if you plan to attend more than just one or two.  Besides the enrty fees, there are also travle and lodging expenses, plus plus plus.


On the other hand, perhaps the connections made, or the sales generated, or the word of mouth created make it all worthwhile.


What are your own experiences with conferences and conventions?