Bouchercon 2011: 13 days and Counting

As I write this, there are just 13 days and a few hours left until Bouchercon 2011 gets underway in St. Louis, and with showtime so near, we’re starting to get some strong hints about the fun to come.

Take, for instance, the cover painting done for this Bouchercon by comic-book artist and storyteller Jill Thompson (right), with lettering by Tim Broderick. The resulting art is stunning and will be available at a ridiculously low price and in a very limited run during the convention. There’s a possibility that Thompson will be on hand to do some signing, as well.

Still on the subject of Bouchercon, author Robert J. Randisi (Luck Be a Lady, Don’t Die, Fly Me to the Morgue) sends word that there are still tickets available for the 30th annual Private Eye Writers of America (PW) Shamus Awards Banquet on the Friday night of the convention, September 16. The location of that event is currently a secret, but we’re assured it will be a “St. Louis institution” and that those attending will be provided with transportation to and from the convention hotel. Tickets are $60 apiece--which, all things considered, is a small price to pay to watch the next generation of P.I. wordsmiths receive their piece of metal. And dinner, to boot. Randisi reminds us that this banquet is open to the public, and he asks that people wanting either tickets or further information should “e-mail him instantly.”

Meanwhile, if you want to know exactly how long you have to wait for the fun to kick into gear, check out the Bouchercon 2011 blog, where a countdown clock is doing what it’s meant to do.