Bouchercon 2018: Sunny Place, Shady People
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Hotel: The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Date: September 6 – 9, 2018

Bouchercon is the world’s finest annual crime fiction event, bringing together more than 1,500 authors, fans, publishers, reviewers, booksellers, editors, and every other part of the community for a fantastic four-day event.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018
I arrived at the Vinoy after taking my first Uber ride using the app. Immediately saw Kathy Reel and Ayo Onatade, as my first sighting of the day. I checked in and luckily my room was ready. I had to change my room because I don’t like connecting rooms, so , since we both were starving, Kathy Booth Reel and I ate at the hotel’s restaurant, Marchand’s Bar and Grill. I had the Caesar Salad, which was great and Kathy had the grouper. We sat and chatted and enjoyed our meal. While eating lunch, I had my first author sighting, Sherry Harris, who was in town early to visits her friends. After checking into new room, went down the outside bar and hobnob with friends, some I haven’t seen in a year. What was fun was watching the sky and clouds turn dark and hearing the approaching thunderstorm before the rain burst on the scene for a few minutes and then the rain left us with a nice cool breeze. Later took the Downtown Looper trolley car for a private 45-minute ride. (okay, there was no other people on the bus, so I’m calling it private) and the driver telling me he hates New York and I told him likewise for Florida (I was kidding). He did point out all the restaurants. Then met up with Paula J. Matter and her saint of a husband, Annette Dashofy and Liz Milliron and we went to find the 4th Street Shrimp Store and along the way took a nice minor scenic detour. Came back to hotel and chatted some more. Got lost in the bowels of the hotel and ran into Barb Goffman and then hung out in the lobby bar just chatting away. I joined Barb at Marchand for a late-night snack of chicken wings.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Author Cheryl Hollon offered to show us (Judy B and me) her St. Petersburg and we got an early start with breakfast at the Annex 400 Beach and I enjoyed by breakfast bagel. After chatting, we then headed to Haslam’s Book Store, Florida’s Largest New & Used Book Store. You should have seen the Uber we took to the bookstore. It was a well-stock ride with food, incidentals galore, of course for a price. It was a nice ride though. I had a good time perusing the many book aisle and looking for my author friend’s books on their shelf. Had a nice time chatting with Raymond, as we talked about New York, The Strand and his friend who is an opera singer. After this, we walked a few paces to the Imagine Museum where glass work was on display. There were a few, if I had the funds, I would love to own. Then we headed back to the hotel for my joy at running into friends where chatting and laughter was on the menu. My friend Sarah RH arranged a surprise party for her BF where we had cupcakes. The day ended at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where I was a guest at the GOH dinner.

Some of the glass work at the Imagine Museum – my favorite is the pumpkin and the fast food items

The menu at the Yacht Club – notice the book covers in the background

The meal I had at the Yacht Club dinner

Thursday, September 6, 2018
Started the day watching Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in the morning before heading to breakfast. This was the first day of panels and I attended several, including the Coat of Many Colors, the Anthology signing. Had lunch with Mia (patiently waiting for her debut novel) and her friend Misti (an aspiring writer) and once again, chatted and laughed with friends. Met with the publicist from Crooked Lane Books and looked forward to another meeting with another publicist. All in all, a very productive day. Went to the Noir at the Bar and heard Kellye Garrett read. She did an amazing job. Had a late night snack again, this time at Paul’s Landing, the second hotel’s restaurant. Opening ceremony took place and congratulations to Brendan DuBois on his Derringer Award win and Meg Gardiner on her Barry Award win.

Friday, September 7, 2018
This is the day where I moderate the Reviewers Recommend Panel with David Nemeth, Ayo Onatade, Kate Pilarcik, Kathy Boone Reel and Janet Rudolph. I think the panel went well. We laughed and the audience laughed, so that’s a good thing. I counted 36 people in attendance. I think it would have been a larger crowd if we were not scheduled against two breakfasts – Sisters In Crime Breakfast which I had to cancel out on – I so wanted to see Sherry take the helm and the New Author Breakfast, I so wanted to see Aimee take the podium. Anyway, we had good conversations about books. I handed out a list of favorite and anticipated books and you can download it HERE. I went to more panels and had meals with friends, again at the Marchand. If it wasn’t for the mobility issue, I would have ventured out more for a varied dining experience. I went to a dueling karaoke thing with the assumption that we would be singing. . .nah, didn’t happen. it was a whole different thing.

photo courtesy of by John Bychowski

Saturday, September 8, 2018
The best part of the day was when I went to breakfast and the waiter asked “do I want my usual?’ and gave me two carafes of hot chocolate. I helped Kristopher with Speed Dating by making sure all the tables were occupied evenly and then pointing empty tables with seats to those attending. I finally left the Vinoy for a little adventure. Went to lunch w/ Eleanor, Robert and Terri at the Hollander Hotel. and later in the day went to the Canopy Bar where we (Judy B – Fan Guest of Honor), Kris and I (Anthony Award nominees), rented our own cabana. It felt like we, including Erin, Karen, Suzi and Michael, were on the top of the world lapping up the luxurious setting. The drinks were flowing and food delicious. Took a few pictures and saw a cruise ship from top of the roof. Funny thing. . .the name placed on the cabana reserving our spot was “Dr Judy Kris.” We laughed and laughed at what was said on the phone and what was heard. The evening ended with the Anthony Award ceremony and I was more than thrilled to hear that Kellye Garrett won for Best First Novel. I was truly honored to be nominated for the work I do on my blog, Dru’s book musings and congratulations to Jungle Red Writers for the win.

photo courtesy of Kristopher Zgorski

view from roof top of Birchwood restaurant

Sunday, September 9, 2018
For the life of me, I can’t remember the events of the day. Now I remember, met with Cathy Ace for our annual convention breakfast. I do know it’s the day to say goodbye to all my friends who I hope I’ll see next year. Oh, wait, I attended a panel and mostly hung out in the lobby.