Once again, I am offering what The Hungry Detective sees as the Best of Bouchercon 2009. It is a fair bet that you will find me in these panel, but as usually there are more than a few that will be a game time decision.
As this begins The Hungry Detective's coverage of the Indy B'Con, I am already nostalgic. The Shake Town B'Con is a year out and the decision has already been made to not attend. Do not cry too much for THD as I will be able to attend the 2010 NoirCon in Philadelphia.
Today's focus will cover the first two days of the Indy B'Con, and Monday we will dispense with Saturday and the abbreviated Sunday activities.
Right off the bat I'll mention perhaps one of the most intriguing 'panels' is the Continuing Conversation Panel that runs non stop 9a-6p Thursday and Friday, and until 3p on Saturday. Virtually every author will appear there during some portion of the weekend.
Thursday 9am - 9:55 am
THE MEAN STREETS OF INDIANAPOLIS
Bucolic? Large enough for all manner of crime? A stand-in for all Americ? What makes Indianapolis an ideal setting for Murder?
Tony Perona (M), Brandt Dodson, Michael Z. Lewin, Brenda Stewart, Ron Tierney
My second choice would be The Fanzine panel, but I'd like to learn a little bit about the city I'll be staying in for the next 5 days.
Thursday 10:30 am - 11:25 am
HEROES FOR OUR TIMES
In troubled times who can we turn to?
Phil Dunlap (M), Meg Gardiner, Craig Johnson, Robert Ward, Sally Wright
Here is the first tough set of panels. The Lost in Translation panel holds a lot of interest and so does the Inside Booklist panel. I'll be here primarily because of Craig Johnson and Ms. Gardiner.
Thursday 1:30 am - 2:25 am
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PRIVATE EYES
Practitioners of the private eye novel discuss its current trends and its future.
Austin Camacho (M), Jack Fredrickson, Greg Herren, Adrian Magson, Michael Wiley
Probably the safest of the panels being offered right after lunch. I'll sit in the back. I might split my time with the Southern Voices panel.
Thursday 3pm - 3:55pm
THE MYSTERY OF A LIFETIME
The challenges of writing about mystery writers.
Jeffery Marks (M), Julia Jones, Leslie S. Klinger, Craig MacDonald, Elena Santangelo
I never have time for the non-fiction end of crime, so this will make a nice substitute. The panel on YA Mystery writers might be intriguing, and the authors on the obligatory 'alcohol' panel is pretty killer.
Thursday 4:30pm - 5:25pm
THE FIXERS
They're not private eyes, not cops, not federal agents. They just solve problems
George Easter (M), Brett Battles, Lee Child, Andrew Grant, Mike Lawson
Whoa! The Changing Gears panel and the Adaptation panel make this the weekend's toughest decision. Some of the biggest authors attending the Indy B' Con will be available during this last session of the first day. There is only misery in knowing you are probably missing out on something great just across the hall. I'll Monday Morning Quarterback the decision to put this many big panels together.
Friday 9am - 9:55 am
SHORT DARK, AND GOOD READING
Five of the 2009 Anthony nominees for short story and previous winner discuss their work.
Simon Wood (M), Dana Cameron, Sean Chercover, Jane K. Cleland, Toni L.P. Kelner, Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
I don't read enough short crime fiction, so this will remedy that right? Right!? Where you might find me though is the First Novelist Speed Dating thing that is going on from 9:45am - 11:15am. THD craves young fresh talent. Keeps the skin fresh.
Friday 10:30am - 11:25am
CHARACTER IS DESTINY
Why plotting from character makes fiction more plausible and compelling.
Kit Ehrman (M), R.J. Ellory, Jess Lourey, Marcus Sakey, Larry D. Sweazy
Ugh! Another tough one. This means missing Megan Abbott, Max Allan Collins, Michael Koryta, John Lutz. I picked this one because of R.J. Ellory. He was on one of the best panels from the Baltimore B'Con.
Friday 1:30pm - 2:25pm
Guest of Honor Interview
Michael Connolly, interviewed by Michael Koryta
No competition for this panel. I'll be one with a dump truck of books for Mr. Connelly to sign.
Friday 3:00pm - 3:55 pm
THE PAST IS ALWAYS PRESENT
How past events motive present crimes.
Luisa Buehler (M), Marion Moore Hill, Charlotte Hinger, Gail Lukasik, Lise McClendon
Sometimes the past is the most interesting character in the book. The great books of Crime Fiction all have one thing in common; the past is never dead.
Friday 4:30pm - 5:25pm
THE FABLED ONE-SITTING READ
Books you just can't put down
Michelle Gagnon (M), Linwood Barclay, Andrew Gross, Michael Robotham, Erica Spindler
Either here or Murder at the Edge of the Map. I saw Mr. Robotham at the Madison B'Con and struck me as a pretty smart guy. Ms. Gagnon is an author I am curious about.
Definitely a packed couple of days and this does not even mention the evening entertainment. The Hungry Detective's picks for Saturday and Sunday's abbreviated slate of offerings will be up in a couple days. Check it out!
As this begins The Hungry Detective's coverage of the Indy B'Con, I am already nostalgic. The Shake Town B'Con is a year out and the decision has already been made to not attend. Do not cry too much for THD as I will be able to attend the 2010 NoirCon in Philadelphia.
Today's focus will cover the first two days of the Indy B'Con, and Monday we will dispense with Saturday and the abbreviated Sunday activities.
Right off the bat I'll mention perhaps one of the most intriguing 'panels' is the Continuing Conversation Panel that runs non stop 9a-6p Thursday and Friday, and until 3p on Saturday. Virtually every author will appear there during some portion of the weekend.
Thursday 9am - 9:55 am
THE MEAN STREETS OF INDIANAPOLIS
Bucolic? Large enough for all manner of crime? A stand-in for all Americ? What makes Indianapolis an ideal setting for Murder?
Tony Perona (M), Brandt Dodson, Michael Z. Lewin, Brenda Stewart, Ron Tierney
My second choice would be The Fanzine panel, but I'd like to learn a little bit about the city I'll be staying in for the next 5 days.
Thursday 10:30 am - 11:25 am
HEROES FOR OUR TIMES
In troubled times who can we turn to?
Phil Dunlap (M), Meg Gardiner, Craig Johnson, Robert Ward, Sally Wright
Here is the first tough set of panels. The Lost in Translation panel holds a lot of interest and so does the Inside Booklist panel. I'll be here primarily because of Craig Johnson and Ms. Gardiner.
Thursday 1:30 am - 2:25 am
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PRIVATE EYES
Practitioners of the private eye novel discuss its current trends and its future.
Austin Camacho (M), Jack Fredrickson, Greg Herren, Adrian Magson, Michael Wiley
Probably the safest of the panels being offered right after lunch. I'll sit in the back. I might split my time with the Southern Voices panel.
Thursday 3pm - 3:55pm
THE MYSTERY OF A LIFETIME
The challenges of writing about mystery writers.
Jeffery Marks (M), Julia Jones, Leslie S. Klinger, Craig MacDonald, Elena Santangelo
I never have time for the non-fiction end of crime, so this will make a nice substitute. The panel on YA Mystery writers might be intriguing, and the authors on the obligatory 'alcohol' panel is pretty killer.
Thursday 4:30pm - 5:25pm
THE FIXERS
They're not private eyes, not cops, not federal agents. They just solve problems
George Easter (M), Brett Battles, Lee Child, Andrew Grant, Mike Lawson
Whoa! The Changing Gears panel and the Adaptation panel make this the weekend's toughest decision. Some of the biggest authors attending the Indy B' Con will be available during this last session of the first day. There is only misery in knowing you are probably missing out on something great just across the hall. I'll Monday Morning Quarterback the decision to put this many big panels together.
Friday 9am - 9:55 am
SHORT DARK, AND GOOD READING
Five of the 2009 Anthony nominees for short story and previous winner discuss their work.
Simon Wood (M), Dana Cameron, Sean Chercover, Jane K. Cleland, Toni L.P. Kelner, Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
I don't read enough short crime fiction, so this will remedy that right? Right!? Where you might find me though is the First Novelist Speed Dating thing that is going on from 9:45am - 11:15am. THD craves young fresh talent. Keeps the skin fresh.
Friday 10:30am - 11:25am
CHARACTER IS DESTINY
Why plotting from character makes fiction more plausible and compelling.
Kit Ehrman (M), R.J. Ellory, Jess Lourey, Marcus Sakey, Larry D. Sweazy
Ugh! Another tough one. This means missing Megan Abbott, Max Allan Collins, Michael Koryta, John Lutz. I picked this one because of R.J. Ellory. He was on one of the best panels from the Baltimore B'Con.
Friday 1:30pm - 2:25pm
Guest of Honor Interview
Michael Connolly, interviewed by Michael Koryta
No competition for this panel. I'll be one with a dump truck of books for Mr. Connelly to sign.
Friday 3:00pm - 3:55 pm
THE PAST IS ALWAYS PRESENT
How past events motive present crimes.
Luisa Buehler (M), Marion Moore Hill, Charlotte Hinger, Gail Lukasik, Lise McClendon
Sometimes the past is the most interesting character in the book. The great books of Crime Fiction all have one thing in common; the past is never dead.
Friday 4:30pm - 5:25pm
THE FABLED ONE-SITTING READ
Books you just can't put down
Michelle Gagnon (M), Linwood Barclay, Andrew Gross, Michael Robotham, Erica Spindler
Either here or Murder at the Edge of the Map. I saw Mr. Robotham at the Madison B'Con and struck me as a pretty smart guy. Ms. Gagnon is an author I am curious about.
Definitely a packed couple of days and this does not even mention the evening entertainment. The Hungry Detective's picks for Saturday and Sunday's abbreviated slate of offerings will be up in a couple days. Check it out!
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