The highly praised Bouchercon 2010 concluded on October 17th, but its success was equaled by that of its predecessor, Bouchercon 2009. That event, the 40th world mystery convention, took place in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 15-18, 2009.
Bouchercon 2009
Guest of Honor at the 2009 Bouchercon, held from October 15-18, was Michael Connelly, New York Times best-selling author whose works include the widely praised Harry Bosch mystery series. Connelly's Bosch novel, 9 Dragons, was released on October 12, 2009.
The convention's Toastmaster was S.J. Rozan (Bill Smith, Lydia Chin series). This critically acclaimed author is a past recipient of the Edgar, Nero, Macavity, Shamus and Anthony awards.
For the first time in the convention's history, Bouchercon 2009 also recognized an Honored Youth Author, Wendelin Van Draanen. Van Draanen is the creator of the Sammy Keyes mystery series featuring a middle school girl as its heroine. The 2009 convention also included programming specifically designed for young mystery fans.
On Saturday October 17, Bouchercon attendees voted to award the convention's prestigious Anthony Awards. Winners of these awards are highlighted in the article, 2009 Anthony Awards Announced.
Awards made by other several other mystery organizations were also presented at the 2009 Bouchercon. These include the Macavity, Shamus, Crimespree and Barry awards.
About Bouchercon
Bouchercon, more fully known as the Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Convention, is the world's largest annual meeting for mystery fans. The event is named in honor of Anthony Boucher, the pen name chosen by William Anthony Parker White – author, critic and devoted mystery fan.
Each year's Bouchercon includes panel discussions and lectures by a variety of mystery writers and genre experts. Nearly 1500 mystery lovers attend Bouchercon annually, a figure that includes nearly 500 authors. Librarians, booksellers, agents, editors and publicists also are present. Bouchercon, however, remains primarily a fans' convention; and it is these that constitute the largest number of attendees.
About The Anthony Awards
Many well known authors are quick to admit that their careers received a definite boost when they obtained their Anthony Awards. These much valued literary prizes, also named for Anthony Boucher, have been a feature of each Bouchercon since 1986.
Some of the prior winners of the Anthony Awards from 2006-2008 are listed below:
2008 Anthony Awards
- Best Novel: What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman
- Best First Novel: In the Woods ((Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox, book 1))by Tana French
- Best Paperback Original: A Thousand Bones by P. J. Parrish
2007 Anthony Awards
- Best Novel: No Good Deeds (Tess Monaghan series, book 9)by Laura Lippman
- Best First Novel: Still Life (Inspector Gamache series, book 1) by Louise Penny
- Best Paperback Original: Ashes and Bones by Dana Cameron
2006 Anthony Awards
- Best Mystery Novel: Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger
- Best First Mystery: Tilt-a- Whirl by Chris Grabenstein
- Best Paperback Original: The James Deans by Reed Farrel Coleman
Carol Thomas originally published this article on Suite101 on October 16, 2009 under the title "Mystery Authors Meet Fans at 40th Bouchercon: 2009 World Conference Held This Year in Indianapolis, October 15-18." She has updated it and added links to her current Examiner.com articles.
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