FAQ for Readers Registering for Bouchercon

Find out more:

  • What is Bouchercon and Why Should I Go?
  • Event Info
  • Optional Tours
  • Who You Will See
  • Volunteering

What is Bouchercon and Why Should I Go?

Since 1970, Bouchercon has been a convention dedicated to the field of mysteries, suspense, thriller, and crime writing. It’s an event put on by fans, for fans. If you like to read books in that field, this event should interest you.

You will get to meet and listen to a wonderful list of authors (see Who You Will See below). You will meet authors you already love to read and ones you didn’t know about till now. You will come home with some free books and lots of free bookmarks and promo items about the author’s books. Belong to a bookclub? Take them home bookmarks from authors who you think they might enjoy.

You will also have the opportunity to buy a lot of great books and to bid on special auction items from authors (the auction raises money for some wonderful charities).

There will be an anthology of short stories for Bouchercon 2023 which will also be on sale.

You will have lots of fun entertainment in the evenings after the panels plus opportunities to meet people in the bar or talk to attendees over lunch or breakfast.

By attending, you also get to vote for the Anthony Awards and decide whose stories are honored at the Awards ceremony on Saturday night (which you can also attend).

Event Info

Schedule subject to change:

Wednesday 8/30:

  • Panels 2pm-5:30pm
  • Evening Entertainment

Thursday 8/31:

  • Panels 9am-5:30pm (including some of the Guest of Honor interviews)
  • Opening Reception
  • Bouchercon Anthology celebration
  • Entertainment

Friday 9/1:

  • Events and Panels from 7am-6pm (including some of the Guest of Honor interviews)
  • Underrepresented Voices reception
  • Noir at the Bar

Saturday 9/2:

  • Events and Panels from 7am-5:30pm (including some of the Guest of Honor interviews)
  • Banquet (extra fee)
  • Anthony Awards ceremony
  • Live Auction

Sunday 9/3:

  • Panels 9am-2:30pm (including a final Guest of Honor panel with all the honorees)

Optional Tours

We will announce the tours in the Spring but expected a Haunted History tour, a La Jolla/Raymond Chandler tour, and possibly an Earle Stanley Gardener tour. Tours will be held Monday, Tuesday, early Wednesday, or Sunday. Tours cost extra (fees to be announced).

Who You Will See

We are updating the list of registered attendees on a regular basis (once a month at first, more often as it gets closer to time). So in addition to our guests of honor (very big names!) you can expect to see a surprisingly large list of well known published authors. Plus lots of readers like you!

Volunteering

Bouchercon is put on by fans, for fans. We need help at all stages of the event, including on the actual days. Find out more at the volunteer link on the menu.