I hope you all recognize the James Carville quote from 1992–I’m not calling anyone stupid!
Bouchercon 2024 was about the books in so many ways:
- Kelli Stanley’s event featured ten writers in costume who read from famous banned books and collected books for young people that were donated to the Nashville Library. The writers read from works by James Baldwin, Judy Blume, and everyone in between. Honestly, it shocks me every time I hear that someone has banned a Judy Blume book! John Copenhaver read a passage from Giovanni’s Room that brilliantly captured that moment when a relationship changes forever. Rachel Howzell Hall’s selection from Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret was brilliant, as were all the readers at this event.
- Most books never made it to Bcon, making life hard for readers who wanted to get an autograph in their favorite writer’s newest book. Level Best Books was there, which helped.
- I overheard conversations about which subgenres felt welcome and which did not. I hope that in future Bcons, everyone feels welcome. Crime fiction should remain a big tent.
Despite the issues, it was grand to see everyone! The organizers worked very hard in some very challenging circumstances and I’m grateful for their efforts.
To follow up on a previous post, to offset the taxes my visit generated, we’re donating about $800 to Planned Parenthood Nashville and Nashville Cares. Nashville is a city that endures a state abortion ban and visits from Nazis, yet also elected the first openly trans city council member.
See y’all in Denver for LCC or New Orleans for Bcon next year!!!!!
Here are some photos from inside the Opryland Hotel, and one movie where I show how using the handicapped ramps was a bit more like a Disneyland ride than a way to change floors. To the half dozen people I saw on the point of tears because they couldn’t find their rooms, my deepest empathy. I’m sure future Bcons will vet for ease of use for folks who may not be in wheelchairs but struggle with mobility. We decided that the hotel’s most likely source of employees was guests who had never found their rooms. Maybe for future cons, the people contracting with hotels could bring a disabled or mobility challenged person with them?
One last thing–if you go to Nashville, we highly recommend Skull’s Rainbow Room in Printer’s Alley. They have a great piano player, lovely light jazz, delicious food, and the best staff ANYWHERE. It was like visiting The Bear when no one was fighting!
