I am so excited to say that I am going to be at a writer’s convention this week in my home state, Tennessee.
Y’all, I'm going home.
Bouchercon is the world mystery convention, a writer’s conference for crime, mystery, suspense, thriller writers. This fall, they are holding it in Nashville, Tennessee and calling it “Murder and Mayhem in the Music City”.
I grew up in Western Tennessee outside of Memphis. We went to Nashville on vacations, to concerts, for field trips, and more. One glorious summer I got to live in Nashville. To say I loved it was an understatement. I loved all the boots, the billboards for country music museums, the staggering humidity, and the fact that even the baristas look like country music singers.
Bouchercon is full of breakout sessions and readings from mystery authors like Rachel Howzell Hall, Heather Graham, and Anthony Horowitz.
I tried to attend in 2021 in New Orleans, but it was switched to virtual at the last minute. I was so incredibly disappointed. I donated by ticket fee as opposed to asking for a refund, and they sent me a huge swag bag full of promotional materials and books. There is nothing I love more than free tote bags full of books; they won me over.
I had been toying with the idea of going back for a little while, and one afternoon after seeing yet another email that said, “Come to Nashville! Meet other mystery writers! It’ll be so much fun!”, I snatched up a ticket!
And then fortuitous things started to unfold. I saw an email that said indie writers, self published writers, and small presses would be allowed to set up in their Discovery Zone for new and upcoming writers. All I had to do was send an email to a guy saying I wanted in. Boom! Now I have a spot.
Then – and I had forgotten this – I got an email reminding me that when I signed up that I said I would be interested in moderating a panel and they had one for me. Boom! Now I have a captive audience and can ask other writers a bunch of thoughtful questions in front of a crowd of people? Yes, please!
So I am excited to say the least.
I have attended conferences before, and they’ve always made me feel a little exposed. And I think it was because I went to conferences that were academic or not specific to genres. I knew people there – I even got books signed by writers I admire, and also recognized that I'm too much of a goober around my favorite writers and decided to stop. I met nice people there. I learned about cool publications, presses, and other authors. But it was always a space where my imposter syndrome kicks in.
And perhaps my hopes are always too high. A friend of mine who is a romance writer would come home with tales of her adventures at romance writers conventions. Y’all, if you’re looking to party, hit up the romance writers conventions, because those writers throw down! She always made tons of new friends, contacts, and handed out little convention rescue packets at her booth which contained breath mints and aspirin for the hangovers.
And I hope my hopes are not too high heading into this conference. I hope I am not too thirsty for community that I scare people. I hope I don’t get hit with anxiety and hide in my hotel room – which has happened before. I hope I do a good job as a moderator. I hope I don’t consume food and drink out of nervousness and embarrass myself.
But probably more than anything, I think I hope I get another tote bag full of new books.
For those who like to live vicariously, I will also do my best to post images and comments about the event on my Instagram and Twitter accounts, so be sure to follow me for those updates!
Read Books. Wear Boots.
XOXO,
B.
Check out my mystery story "Local Monsters", available in the brandibradley.com shop!
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