Bouchercon 2015, Part Two

Art Taylor's Anthony and books

Art Taylor

The joy of attending a writing conference is to celebrate your friends’ successes. Bouchercon certainly offered that opportunity this year. Art Taylor, whose first novel, ON THE ROAD WITH DEL AND LOUISE, was recently released (and sold out in the conference bookstore), also served as editor of the Bouchercon anthology MURDER UNDER THE OAKS (featuring stories by Robert Mangeot, Karen Salyer, and B.K. Stevens). It was delightful to see all these folks. Better still when Art Taylor’s “The Odds Are Against Us,” a Macavity finalist, won the Anthony award for best short story. And, I met Dash, Art’s Mustang-loving son!

Malice Domestic 2015

Malice Domestic was a wonderful experience of nonstop action.

Aziz Rakla, driver and friend, provided transportation.

WWKers Gloria Alden, E.B. Davis, Shari Randall, KM Rockwood, Grace Topping, and I gathered in the bar.
I connected with SinC friends, Chapter Presidents, and Guppies.

Panelists Cathy Ace, Peggy Hanson, Maria Hudgins, Maddy Hunter, and I discussed globe trotter sleuths.

At Art Taylor’s banquet table, we celebrated his second “Best Short Story” Agatha.
The new authors’ breakfast was terrific.

In Authors’ Alley, B.K. “Bonnie” Stevens introduced INTERPRETATION OF MURDER with daughter Sarah giving a sign language demonstration. It was truly a delightful conference!

A Joy Forever

B.K. Stevens’ latest story “A Joy Forever” is featured in the March Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and its cover art, where editor Linda Landrigan added the description “Homemaking in Hell.” The story is about florist Gwen Harlowe, who realizes too late that her new husband is determined she remain a submissive housewife. Gwen gets revenge through some newly acquired domestic skills. I had the privilege of meeting Bonnie at Malice Domestic, and having her on the panel I moderated. A brilliant writer and generous friend, Bonnie’s first novel, Interpretation of Murder, will be released this year by Black Opal Books.