Friday! Memorial Day!

In general, it's been a crabby sort of a week....





...having absolutely nothing to do with Bouchercon, and everything to do with the stupid winter weather we've been experiencing in the San Francisco Bay Area.






OK, OK, I know all of you who actually have to deal with real winters are chuckling right now. Our weather really has been more like this....





Although the best weather in San Francisco is usually during September/October, our spring is rarely as damp and cold as it's been this year. Which has left me, as I said, somewhat cranky....





But! I'm quickly becoming much happier.....






It's Memorial Day weekend! So, first, let's remember those who have died in service to our nation - and other nations, for that matter. I admire and respect people who have the internal fortitude to say, "Yes, I will die for my country." I don't think I could do it.





And then, let's go out and have some fun....




Have a great weekend, everyone!

Down to the Wire

We're closing in on the final moments of Anthony Award nominations, and our Fearless Anthony Chair, Andi, tells me that in several categories potential nominees are only a vote or two apart.





It's a very big deal to be nominated for an Anthony Award, and an even bigger deal to win. If you haven't yet voted, now is definitely the time. You can download the ballot from our website, here, and email it to Andi at andi@bcon2010.com


Remember.......

Nancy Drew is 80!

And we're going to have a birthday party for her. I can't wait.





I don't know what kind of mystery books you fellows were reading when you were youngsters. I always say the first crime fiction I read was A.A. Milne. Pooh lost his 'Hunny' and the search for it was full of suspense - at least I thought so when I was five.




Anyway, I'm pretty sure most of us gals read Nancy Drew stories. There are those who, today, want to have a feminist debate over Nancy's place in literary and cultural history. Fine with me, but I wasn't worried about Nancy's socio-economic impact, or Carolyn Keene's hidden political agenda.

I just thought Nancy was cool.





Jennifer Fisher and Penny Warner have graciously agreed to organize the party, and we have some other special events planned, with some very special guests. I'm not going to tell you about them, I don't want to spoil the surprise - but trust me, it'll be fun.

And after all, isn't fun what it's all about?





Have a great weekend, everyone!

Time's A-Wasting

OK, people, Anthony nominations are open for about two more weeks. They close on May 28 so let's not mess around.





If you're registered for Bouchercon 2010 or attended Bouchercon 2009 and haven't received an email ballot from us, you can either download it from the awards page on our site or contact our Fabulous Awards Chair, Andi Shechter.

A lot of great books and short stories were published in 2009 and deserve to be recognized. We've received bunches of nominations, but not nearly as many as we'd like.

So send 'em in, people!

Noir we are......

"Noir we are" - sounds sort of Seuss-ish, doesn't it?

(With apologies to Seuss and Chandler purists everywhere)





From there to here and here to there,
Blood is spilling everywhere.
Blood on trains and blood on boats,
Blood from bad guys cutting throats.

Down these mean streets a man must go,
Himself not mean; a deadly foe,
A man complete, to strike a blow.
For what? He might not really know.

Except to say that "This is right"
By light of day, by dark of night.
The best man now, the best man here,
Does what he must, in spite of fear.

His task complete, he walks away,
To shed more blood another day.
From there to here and here to there,
Blood is spilling everywhere.







But, to get to my point (yes, I do have one ;-)

I had a terrific conversation the other day with Peter Maravelis of City Lights Books and Dominic Stansberry. There's nothing these two guys don't know about San Francisco's noir scene, and they've graciously agreed to put together some panels and events for us. So all you noiristas, get ready - it's gonna be great.


In Other News




What does Vincent Van Gogh have to do with Bouchercon, you ask? Other than, for an impressionist, he was a pretty noir sort of a fellow......

Well, the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.....





(You didn't seriously think I'd miss an opportunity to post a picture of Paris, did you?)


Anyway, the Musee d'Orsay is closing for repairs, and have agreed with San Francisco's De Young Museum to ship some of their art over here for a few months. Those few months happen to coincide with Bouchercon. So, thanks to Andi Shechter, who pays attention to these things, we're trying to get some docent tours together. No promises, and we'll contact everyone directly if it works out, but how cool would that be? Pretty darned cool, I think.

And finally (really, I'm almost finished) there are only about three more weeks left for Anthony nominations. If you haven't sent in your nominations now is the time. We want to hear from you!


And now, with a little something for Ruth and Suzanne, I really am finished.....





Have a great week, everyone!