Literary Salons
NEW! Freewheeling, minimally-moderated conversations among subject-matter experts
Join Us
Dive deep into the topics we love to talk about during our NEW Literary Salons. This added programming feature of Bouchercon 2027 showcases special guests engaged in lively, freeform conversations. Presented in the round, these discussions will occur after the day’s scheduled panels, or during lunch breaks. Open to all registered conference attendees. We are actively seeking Literary Salon Sponsors.
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Wednesday 7:15-8:30 PM
SPIES, LIES, POLITICAL GUISE
As we convene in Washington, DC, how can we not celebrate novels about espionage, national intelligence, and political intrigue? Stay tuned for updates. Discussants: Don Bentley, I.S. Berry, James Grady, Alma Katsu, Jerri Williams. Moderator: Hank Phillippi Ryan. Followed by a FREE screening of Three Days of the Condor -
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Wednesday 8:30 PM
FILM SCREENING
Spies, Lies, Political Guise salon to be followed by a FREE screening of Three Days of the Condor, the classic political spy thriller directed by Sydney Pollock and starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, and Max von Sydow. Based on the award-winning novel Six Days of the Condor by James Grady.
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Thursday 1:10-2:10 PM
POWER CORRUPTS: BOUCHERCON 2027 ANTHOLOGY
Enjoy slect short-story readings from the authors featured in the Bouchercon 2027 anthology Power Corrupts. Stay tuned for updates.Bring your own lunch. Beverages & snacks provided.
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Thursday 5:45-7:00 PM
BOOK REVIEWING: Keeping the Art Alive
Anthony Boucher, Bouchercon’s namesake, was a respected book reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle from 1942-1947. Mystery and crime fiction readers rely on book reviews to help us select our next reads, and mystery writers thrive on positive critical reception of our work. But, in recent years, the book review section of The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and Associated Press have been eliminated or downsized. In this literary salon, book critics discuss what it will mean for both authors and readers, if book reviews are now harder to find, and how literary criticism can remain relevant in an era of algorithms, influencers, and byte-sized information.Discussants: Ron Charles, Oline Cogdill, Maureen Corrigan, Paula L.Woods, Jenny Yacovissi, Kris Zgorski. Moderator: E.A. Aymar.
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Friday 1:10-2:10 PM
THE COLLECTORS
Our community includes super fans with amazing collections of first editions; special volumes, memorabilia, and crafts related to mysteries and crime fiction. Come hear from a passionate group of collectors whose devotion to our literary genre keeps it alive and vibrant. Stay tuned for updates.Bring your own lunch/Beverages & snacks provided
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Friday 5:45-7:00 PM
BOOK TO SCREEN
Join us for an illuminating conversation about process and product among authors who have had their literary work adapted for the big and small screen. Stay tuned for updates.Discussants: Dennis Lehane (Mystic River; Gone Baby Gone;), S.A. Cosby (All the Sinners Bleed; King of Ashes); Alexia Gordon (Haunted Harmony Mysteries-Hallmark Mysteries). Moderator: Louis Bayard (The Pale Blue Eye).
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Saturday 1:10-2:10 PM
LIKE, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE: Navigating Booktok, Bookstagram, and Beyond
Top book influencers discuss the rapidly shifting social media landscape. Join us as we venture beyond the algorithm and explore how to build quality connections and authentic engagement. Whether you're an author, reader, or reviewer, learn how to stand out and stake out your own corner of the bookish community. Stay tuned for updates.Discussants: Lupita Aquino (@Lupita.Reads); Jamise Harper (@spinesvines, @diversespines); Brian Larson (@brian.reads); Magen Mintchev (@bonechillingbooks); Rachel A. Dawson (@alltheRADreads).
Moderator: K.T. NguyenBring your own lunch. Beverages & snacks provided.
