The Legalese
      Bouchercons are non-profit (501(c)(7)) social organizations. Committees who plan them are unpaid volunteers. For specifics on the organization behind the organization, feel free to read the most current Bouchercon Bylaws & Standing Rules.
      Trademark ® protection for the Bouchercon name was first filed for in 1990 by Deen Kogan. Protection for the name became effective in 1992. To see the Trademark Office summary of this record, click here.
What Is A BOUCHERCON Convention?

Imagine getting together with friends to talk about something you all love - mysteries. You all read the books, see the movies and TV, and you invite a few of the people who create these works, too - the authors, editors, and others involved in the creation of the things we all appreciate. Fans have been doing this annual event for over thirty years.

What You Get?

Four days of talking about mysteries, with panel discussions, author readings and autographing all day and special events at night, including the voting on site for the Anthony Awards and the presentation of awards at the convention. There's an immense Dealers' Room with over an hundred tables of new, used, and rare books, and an immense assortment of other fan items is available. There are also fan gatherings of all types.

Why should you pay good money to attend this convention now?
Because you'll have a massively good time, and the at-the-door rates will be higher than our current pre-registered rate of $150.00. Bouchercon is more expensive than a small or mid-sized regional convention, like Cluefest or Left Coast Crime, but that's because it's bigger and longer. There's a lot going on at a Bouchercon, and it keeps happening for four whole days. Consider that you're also paying for the facilities and services that you'll use. Bouchercon is put on entirely through volunteer labor; if this were an industry trade show of some sort, you couldn't get in the door for five times the price.

Another reason for you to go is the "total immersion" feature - for four days, you're going to live, breathe, walk, and talk mysteries with over a thousand other fans who are interested in the same stuff. Bouchercon is the gathering of the tribes of mystery fandom - and there's a place waiting here for you, if you're willing to come join us.

When and Where?
The convention begins Thursday, October 17, 2002 and runs through Sunday, October 20, 2002. Most things will start around eight in the morning and run throughout the day and into the evening. Our headquarters hotel, the Renaissance Austin Hotel is enthusiastically waiting to welcome us. With 425 sleeping rooms and 56,550 feet of hotel function space reserved exclusively for us, you may never want to leave during the entire four-day event. We have also contracted with other local hotels in the area at varying room rates. The hotel is located in the Arboretum Center, which is full of shops, restaurants, in a wonderful park-like setting.

Why is it called Bouchercon?
The convention was begun in 1970 by literary fans to honor William Anthony Parker White (1911-1968). White, one of the foremost mystery critics and reviewers of the 20th century, used the pseudonym Anthony Boucher for his crime fiction and reviews. Bouchercon has been held annually in major cities across North America and in the United Kingdom. Special prestige is given to the Guests of Honor of Bouchercon. Biographical and bibliographical data are written in the publications. They often present Guest of Honor speeches, participate in interviews, and are treated with respect honoring their years in the Mystery community. Past Guests of Honor have included Sue Grafton, Elmore Leonard, Mary Higgins Clark, Ed McBain and Carl Hiaasen.