Bouchercon-fined

 

Due to the Bouchercon mystery conference, with a large percentage of the crime fiction community converging on St. Louis this weekend, Patti Abbott's Friday's Forgotten Books is taking a one-week hiatus. If you're unable to join the festivities at this year's Bouchercon (like moi), there are several ways you can keep up with the proceedings:

Bloggers on hand are promising to try and provide updates as possible. Bill Crider is one of those, as well as Mystery Fanfare's Janet Rudolph;  Shotsmagazine colleagues Ayo Onatade, Mike Stotter and Ali Karim; and Peter Rozovsky over at Detectives Beyond Borders.

Murderati's David Corbett has a preview of two panels, "Shadows Rising: Movies for the Crime Fiction Fan," with lots of recomendations, and "Witness to an Incident: The Human Element."

Mystery Scene columnist Oline Cogdill profiles the three Missouri crime fiction authors who will be given special recognition during the conference, including  Robert J. Randisi, John Lutz, and Joel Goldman.

Bouchercon is also where several crime fiction awards are announced, including the Anthonys, Barrys, Macavity and Shamus awards, which Murder, Mystery and Mayhem itemize for you. Dan Wager, the Hungry Detective, jumps the gun with his personal picks, and The Rap Sheet will also be ready to give you updates on the awards as they are handed out. The Short Mystery Fiction Society has already chosen its Derringer winners for 2011, but they will be honored during Bouchercon.

If you're on Twitter, you can follow conference-goer tweets via #bcon11 and #bcon2011.

Chairman Jon Jordan has gone above and beyond the call of duty to create what looks to be a very special event this year. Kudos to him and all those who have helped make this event happen.

Forensics U

 

Time is running out for you to register for three different hands-on workshops to learn the science and logistics behind criminal investigations:

• The Art & Science of Investigation workshop for mystery writers takes place this weekend in Bryan, Texas, but there are still places left (you must register by the 9th). Speakers will include Suzanne Lowe and Jorge Molina, both forensic artists with the Texas Rangers, Jeff Tomberlin, a forensic entomologist, and Steve Smith, a cognitive psychologist and expert on memory and eye-witness testimony.

• The National Institute of Justice is holding a free 3-day Public Safety Summit on Forensic Science October 18-20 in Clearwater Beach, FL. The event is designed for non-scientists in law enforcement and officers of the court. Registration closes 9/15/11.

• The 2011 Writers' Police Academy is slated for September 23-25 at Guilford Technical Community College and Public Safety Training Academy in Jamestown, N.C.  The Firearms Training Simulator workshop is sold out, but you can still register for the other panels, including everything from crime scene investigation to handcuffing and arrest techniques.
  

As Lee Lofland, the founder of the Writers' Police Academy notes, "Sweat now, so your manuscript won't bleed red ink later."