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Hello and welcome to the latest issue of Fervent Curiosity. My name is Victor De Anda and this is my newsletter.

You probably read the headline above and wondered what the hell is a Bouchercon? For those who don’t know, it’s a writing conference organized by the Mystery Writers of America. All kinds of mystery, thriller and crime fiction writers converge on a different city each year to talk about writing, meet other writers, and give out awards.

The conference’s namesake, Anthony Boucher, was a mystery, science fiction, and horror author in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. He passed away in 1968. To honor his memory, a mystery and crime writer’s conference was started in 1970. I’d only heard of it two years ago when I started following crime fiction writers on Twitter.

Flash forward to June 2023. I decided to make the leap and attend Bouchercon 2023, which was in San Diego this year. Quite a few of the authors I followed on Twitter would be there. But I didn’t know any of them personally. I may have traded comments with some of them online, but what would it be like meeting them IRL (in real life)? Would I work up the nerve to introduce myself to them?

I’d been to other writing conferences before, so I thought I knew what to expect. You meet a few other authors and get to know them a little bit. But those people were complete strangers. This was different. Social media makes it easier to know people. Or does it?

My wife and I planned a trip. We’d fly to L.A. a few days before Bouchercon, spend that time together, then I would take the train down to San Diego on my own.

The Amtrak Coastliner is always a nice trip, about 3 hours from Union Station LA down to Santa Fe Depot in San Diego. It was a cloudy day in San Diego when I checked into my hotel and got ready for the day’s panels and events.

After picking up my Bouchercon badge, I looked around at the other attendees. Lots of older folks who I didn’t recognize. Was this a mistake? I didn’t see any of the authors I knew from Twitter. That all changed soon after. I began to see other writers I recognized, but first I had to get over my fear of introducing myself. I didn’t want to seem like just another hanger-on.

I got over that feeling after I spoke to the first writer I accosted. It was Tod Goldberg, author of the Gangsterland series and the excellent short story collection, The Low Desert. He was very friendly and funny, just like I’d heard him be on podcasts and interviews. After talking to him, the ice was broken. All of these writers were just people after all, and probably welcomed any interaction. Writing is a solitary vocation, but it’s good to get out once in a while and talk to people, right?

Any pretense I had about not bothering people went out the window after that. I was going to meet people, no matter what. Why not? The conference was packed with lots of writers with more experience than me and with wisdom to dispense. It was just up to me to gather it, which I chose to do wholeheartedly.

Every writer I met was gracious and friendly. Some of them I hung out with more than others. I got to meet and speak to some of my favorite authors. I bought a lot of books and had to get them shipped home because they wouldn’t fit in my suitcase.

Would I do it again? Most definitely. 2024’s conference will be in Nashville, which is a town I like a lot and it’s closer to home. And if I do go and see some familiar faces, I’ll just be able to get to know them even better. Friendships take time to forge, and I look forward to becoming a bigger part of this writing community.

What I’m Reading:

Just finished “Lowdown Road,” by Scott Von Doviak. It’s a non-stop, good ol’ boy romp through 70s America that starts out at 90 mph and doesn’t let up on the gas. Fun read.

Next for me: “The Contortionist’s Handbook,” by Craig Clevenger. I’m a few chapters in and the writing is amazing, it’s pulled me in.

What I’m Writing:

I’ve started writing stories in batches, drafting and revising a handful of pieces, then sending them out into the world. I think I like this method, rather than finishing one piece, sending it out, then starting another. I’ve got two crime stories out on submission, and a horror story that’s almost done. Stay tuned!

What I’m Watching:

My wife and I are currently watching a different horror movie every night in October. We started the tradition last year and decided to continue it again this year. It’s been a mix of good, great, and not so good films, but that’s what it’s all about. The highlights for me so far: Ravenous, Stoker, and Totally Killer. Check them out if you can!

If you liked this, please give me a mention or share it on social media. You can find all my links here: [Victor De Anda | Linktree]

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.

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