Hurray for Newbies!

So, I've been thinking about Bouchercon a lot lately - yeah, I know, I'm supposed to think about it, I'm the dratted Chair. But I've been thinking about more than just panels and the program and Opening Ceremonies and the Book Room, etc etc etc.

I've been remembering what it was like to attend my first Bouchercon. I was scared to death.





Until I went to Bouchercon Toronto in 2004, I would not have described myself as a convention-goer. The idea of spending four or five days with a large group of people I didn't know......gak.

But, I'd started hanging out on Lee Child's Forum, which was fabulous then and is fabulous now, and the regulars there were nice and friendly and, well, normal. So, when I heard about how much fun Las Vegas was in 2003, I decided that I was darned well going to Toronto. And I did. I had no idea what to expect, and the closer the time came, the more nervous I got.

What if no one liked me? What if I couldn't find anyone to talk to? What if it was boring and awful and full of Mean Girls?





But I needn't have worried. I had a blast, was made to feel welcome, and haven't missed a Bouchercon since. I've heard it said a lot, and it's true: the mystery community is a group of people who are always looking to make a new friend, and can't wait to make newcomers feel right at home.

And now that I'm the Chair one of these little fiestas, I'm getting a lot of email from people who are coming to their very first Bouchercon. Which is terrific - I'm delighted that so many of you are choosing San Francisco for your first B'con experience.

So, if you're a B'con newbie, we're glad you're coming. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask (here's some basic info from our website). We're planning some special programming just for you - more to come on that topic - because we want your first Bouchercon to be so much fun that you become a regular.

And for those of you who aren't newbies, thanks for making Bouchercon such a friendly place.