For those of you who aren’t familiar with the process (and until this year, I wasn’t ;-) it works thusly:
Nominations open on February 28 and close April 30. Anyone who attended the most recent Bouchercon – Indianapolis - and/or is registered to attend San Francisco, is eligible to make up to five nominations in each of five categories, from books published the previous year: Best Novel; Best First Novel; Best Paperback Original; Best Short Story; Best Critical Nonfiction Work.
The by-laws were changed last year, and the Special Service Award is no longer a competitive award. It’s decided by each year’s organizing committee whether to give the award, and to whom. We'll have more on that topic a bit closer to Bouchercon.
As for this year’s nominations, we’re changing the process a bit. We’re going to do as much of this by email as possible, to make it easier for you and to increase participation. Here’s what’s going to happen:
If you attended Indy and/or are registered for San Francisco, we’ll send an email to the address we have on file sometime during the next couple of weeks, letting you know about the nominating process. (NOTE: If we don't have an email address for you, you will of course receive a paper ballot.) One of three things will happen:
The email will go through, in which case we’ll follow up around February 28 with an email ballot.
The email will bounce, in which case you’ll receive a paper ballot sometime between February 28 and about March 10 or so.
You'd prefer the pleasure of receiving snail mail from us, so you’ll respond to the email by telling us that, and we’ll be happy to send you a paper ballot.
The finalists in each category will be announced at least 60 days prior to Bouchercon. Voting will take place in San Francisco, and the Anthonys (they’re really gonna be cool) will be awarded on Sunday, October 17 at our Awards Brunch.
So, there you have it – I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.
People who attended Bouchercon Indianapolis had the opportunity to send in a special registration form prior to December 31, to be eligible to win one free night at the Hyatt Regency.
The official drawing was held a couple of days ago, by me and our Fearless Treasurer Janine, with help from Chief of Staff Sam, who acted as Official Observer and Enforcer ;-)
So, without further ado, our winners are - drum roll, please.......
One of the best parts of chairing Bouchercon is getting to know people I might not otherwise meet. The other day I had the pleasure of having lunch with the wonderful Camille Minichino.
We talked about how much fun the craft room was in Indianapolis - so much fun, that we're going to continue the tradition in San Francisco.
There are those who, when they think of crafts, think of Miss Marple-type lades sitting in a rocking chair with their knitting needles.....that's not quite accurate. Click below to see what I mean (from a great George Romero movie):
I don't know about you, but when I'm reading Michael Connelly, I want to listen to some great jazz. Whenever I read a Spenser novel, I want to a) go to Boston and b) cook something yummy. Which says something about the power of Robert B. Parker's writing, because I hate cooking and have big plans to turn my kitchen into a walk-in closet.
So I think it'll be a blast for people to be able to actually make the things that their favorite characters make, with the authors who've written the books.
Camille is running the show, and talks about it today on her blog, Killer Hobbies.
If I get brave, I might actually try to make something my very own self ;-)
I've looked at the Bouchercon history page often enough, you'd think it would have sunk in that this year is the third, not the second Bouchercon to be held in San Francisco. I've been focused on 1985, and the fact that 2010 marks 25 years since the World Mystery Convention visited the City by the Bay.
But Bouchercon was also held in San Francisco in 1982, a fact I hadn't paid much attention to until today, when I read Janet Rudolph's blog, Mystery Fanfare, and realized that Robert B. Parker was the Guest of Honor that year. In 1982, Parker was about 10 years into his career, and had published only 9 of his 58 novels. We've been hearing all day about his achievements and the mark he made on American literature; I like to think of him enjoying himself with Janet and Don Herron and the other Bouchercon attendees that year.
I'm going to miss reading his stories as they were published - every new book was the cause for "Parker night", which always involved something yummy to drink and a naughty snack - you simply cannot read those books on an empty stomach, the food descriptions are just too fabulous. I'm grateful, though, that the books and his wonderful, spare, complicated writing are there for us to read again, whenever we want.
Here's a link to Parker's press room, where there's an audio clip of Robert and his son Dan singing Moon River.
Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, whether it’s Hanukkah
Christmas
Kwanzaa, the Solstice, or Seasonal Shopping (my personal favorite)
– I hope you’re having a fabulous time.
Here at Bcon Central – well, actually I’m not at Bcon Central, I’m on vacation. But I do want to remind you that, as of January 1 our registration fee will change from $175 to $195.
And, if you picked up one of our super special registration forms in Indianapolis, be sure to send it in, either with a check or after you've pushed the button on PayPal, before December 31 to be eligible for one free night at the Hyatt Regency during Bouchercon 2010. (The drawing will be in mid-January.)
We’re working on some website updates, including the attendees page, and they’ll be up very soon.
In the meantime, I hope you’re all well and happy.
