The Femmes Fatales rock Cleveland!

by Dana

Several of the Femmes Fatales attended Bouchercon in Cleveland, and here's what they had to say:

Toni:
I came home from Bouchercon with a suitcase of mysteries. No, not just the books--though there are plenty of those. More mysteries like:

How do the big name authors like Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, and our own Charlaine Harris (l, with BFF Paula) manage to be gracious to one and all for such a long weekend? How so so many writers produce such wonderful books and stories, year after year? How did I get so lucky as to have such a great agent and such a fab editor, both of whom took me out to eat and provided much food for thought. (And my agent gave me chocolates!) How did I manage to find myself in this awesome community of writers, readers, editors, agents, and booksellers? And most of all, how until Bouchercon comes 'round again?

Donna:

I enjoyed my panel--Murder, Southern Style, with Cathy Pickens, Tina Whittle, Jaden Terrell, and Kathy Wall.  But the special highlight of my weekend was getting to interview Fan Guest of Honor Doris Ann Norris, the "2000-year-old librarian." And at Doris Ann's request (shown r, by Toni), the entire audience joined us in lifting a glass of shiraz to the memory of our good friend, Sally Fellows.

Marcia:

On Sunday, while others were revisiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I drove to A Christmas Story House, restored to its movie splendour and fully furnished in early 1940s style. The museum across the street features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the classic film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Among the props and costumes are the toys from Higbee’s window, Randy’s snowsuit, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom, the uniforms of the waiters in the Bo Ling Restaurant -- fa ra ra ra ra -- as well as Ralphie's beloved Red Ryder BB gun. Here I am with the Old Man's Major Award Leg  Lamp! And nobody shot my eye out.

Hank: 

I had an amazing Bouchercon.  (And like all others who attended, my brain is now completely fried. Today I asked someone what day it was.)  Anyway! I knew it was Friday morning when I was invested as president of National Sisters in Crime..and was presented with the seal of office. The seal--is a seal. A darling white stuffed seal. Who will now be in safe custody in my study.  Very honored and very thrilled.  It was all I could do not to cry. An exciting year ahead, that's for sure. 
 
The other photo? Is me being a game show host. Yes, a group of us did Family Feud  instead of a regular panel. It was potentially a career-ending disaster--one of those things that seemed like such a good idea when we thought of it, but turned out to be VERY complicated. But we persevered--and it was hilarious and terrific.
 
And there was a line for THE OTHER WOMAN signing. Sigh. Thank you.
 
And HURRAY for Femmes Dana and Charlaine! SO exciting, and so well-deserved!

Charlaine and Dana:

Charlaine was splendid on two panels:  "Mysteries & the Movies" (with Robin Cook, Jeremy Lynch (m), Joseph Finder, and Chelsea Cain) and "What a Character" (with Elizabeth George, Brad Parks, Daniel Palmer, Alison Gaylin, and Don Bruns (m)).  I had a blast on the "Inspirations" panel (with Toni, Laurie King (m), S.J. Rozan, Ed Lin, and Zoe Sharp, who was sitting in for Sean Chercover).

It was a very happy weekend for us:  we each won both a Macavity Award AND an Anthony Award (me for "Disarming" as Best Short Story and Charlaine for The Sookie Stackhouse Companion in Best Non-Fiction).  (Charlaine is showing us what the awards look like on the right.)  So wonderful to share this with friends and Fatales!

What is your favorite Bouchercon memory?

Comments

[Charlaine Harris]

Dana, thanks for including me in your post. I had a wonderful time -- who could not? -- and though there were a few organizational glitches, what conference does not have ANY? It was great to see so many Femmes and other friends, and to listen to so much talk about books, my favorite subject.

[Dana]

My pleasure, Charlaine--and I'm so glad we got to celebrate together!