Bouchercon2026: Calgary: Full Schedule

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9:00am MDT

Authentic and Rich Characterization

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Glen 206

Finding inspiration and perspective when creating your characters

Moderators

Gail Vallance Barrington

Gail Vallance Barrington has published several short stories and poems in literary journals. She is the author of a six-story series about an irrepressible starlet who solves mysteries despite herself. Her current project is a a crime novel about a firefighter with a brain injury... Read More →

Speakers

Timothy Reynolds

Timothy Reynolds is a prize-winning Canadian author who balances writing novels with his humorous non-fiction column in San Fransisco's SEARCH Magazine. He has seven published novels and is currently working on a snarky, unconventional thriller series set in New York, and a semi-cozy... Read More →

Nekesa Afia

Winnie Frolik

Winnie Frolik writes the Mary Grey series set in Interwar England. She currently resides in Pittsburgh with Smoky the cat.

Richelle Braswell

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Glen 206

9:00am MDT

Best Side Kicks: the Ones Readers Remember Even if They Forget the Protagonist’s Name

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Macleod D

Forget the main character, I’m here for the sidekick. What makes a memorable side kick?

Moderators

Jessie Chandler

Jessie Chandler is the award-winning author/editor of ten novels, including the slapstick Shay O’Hanlon Caper Series. Her crime fiction has garnered an Independent Publisher Book Award, three Golden Crown Literary Awards, three USA Book Awards, and an American Book Award. The fifth... Read More →

Speakers

Roxanne Dunn

Murder Richly Deserved is Roxanne Dunn’s third novel, following Murder Unrehearsed and Murder Undetected. She is working on Murder Undeserved.In each of her novels, the good guys win, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and the course of true love does not run smooth. Roxanne has... Read More →

Anna Di Meglio

Retired public servant turned cozy mystery author, Anna crafts whodunits with quirky characters, charming cats, and clever twists. When not writing, you'll find her in her favourite chair with tea, drawing story inspiration from life's simple comforts. Proud member of Capital Crime... Read More →

Kayleigh Suggett

Kayleigh Suggett’s passion for classic mysteries, British satire, and clever humour inspired Alibi by Accident, the first in her series featuring private dick Verona Montero. Wishing more women wrote in the irreverent style she loves, she did it herself.
Her customer service and business admin background fuels zany characters, fast banter, and hilarious situations drawn from human quirks. She lives in Calgary, AB with her husband and son... Read More →

Elise Scott

Kit Gray, aka Elise Scott, writes from their lived experiences of queerness, disability, neurodivergence, fat-positivity, & petting three cats with two hands. Their debut cozy mystery, The Black Cat Dectectives, features three kitten sleuths solving a murder to save their human. Kit... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Macleod D 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

9:00am MDT

Different Genres; Different Headspaces

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Glen 203

Do writers need to be in different head spaces to write different genres? Tips for accomplishing this.

Moderators

Arun Lakra

Speakers

Adam Gorgoni

Film composer Adam Gorgoni has scored dozens of movies and TV shows over a decades long career. He recently turned to crime fiction, and stories have appeared in several anthologies including (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders and A Killing... Read More →

Scott McKinnon

Scott McKinnon began his career writing screenplays, mostly romantic comedies, before turning to cozy mystery and crime fiction. Born and raised in Alberta, he spent time in Los Angeles and Vancouver before settling in Toronto. Inspired by Anthony Horowitz, Rian Johnson, and Agatha... Read More →

Jonathan Ames

Jonathan Ames is the author of thirteen works of fiction and non-fiction. His most recent novel, from Mysterious Press, is A Past Without Pictures. His Novel The Wheel Of Doll (Part Of His Doll Series) won the Shamus in 2022. He's the creator of the television show Bored to Death... Read More →

Claudia Hagadus Long

Claudia Hagadus Long is a lawyer in Calistoga, California. Her writing includes the Zara and Lilly mystery series, one of which, Nine Tenths of the Law (Kasva Press) has been optioned for a feature film. Truck a Duck and Murder without a Duck (Simpato Mystery series, Sibylline Press... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Glen 203 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

9:00am MDT

Hosting a Bouchercon

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Glen 201

This convention could happen where you live. Getting there means a long-term commitment and is a lot of fun

Moderators

Bouchercon National

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Glen 201

9:00am MDT

No Inspiration Left Unturned

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Glen 208

Sometimes writing inspiration comes from poetry, art, and Tarot Cards.

Moderators

Lane Stone

Lane Stone lives in Alexandria, Virginia and Lewes, Delaware with her standard schnauzers, Cordy and Emma. She’s the author of The Big Picture art crime thriller trilogy. Book one,The Collector was followed by The Canvas. Crimes and Sins completes the trilogy. She published several... Read More →

Speakers

Lina Chern

Lina Chern is the author of Play the Fool, winner of the 2024 Mary Higgins Clark Award and nominee for the 2024 Lefty and Anthony Awards. A sequel, Tricks of Fortune, has been nominated for an Anthony Award. Lina has also written trivia questions, poetry, word puzzles for a TV game... Read More →

Pam Martin

Pam Martin is a retired therapist who enjoys writing and walking in the woods. Born in Ottawa, Pam spent most of her adult life in PEI, with a few years in Northern Saskatchewan. In addition to a wide variety of jobs, Pam has a background in the book trade, including co-owning and... Read More →

Ruth Knafo Setton

Ruth Knafo Setton is the author of Zigzag Girl—ITW Award finalist for Best Standalone Book, Next Generation Indie Book finalist for Best Mystery, & Grand Prize winner of ScreenCraft’s Cinematic Book Competition. She has studied magic with Teller & other magicians, been sawed in... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Glen 208 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

9:00am MDT

Pay it Forward

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Macleod BC

Helping one another is what crime writers and readers do. Book clubs, critique groups, festivals and conventions. Ready to volunteer?

Moderators

Todd Dashoff

Speakers

Bruce Johnson

In over four decades of working in information technology, Bruce published a dozen computer books. In a move that surprised anyone who knew him -- Canadians are supposed to be polite, not dreaming up innovative ways to kill -- he pivoted to writing psychological suspense. He has published... Read More →

Sonica Mizerski

Susan Calder

Susan Calder lives in Calgary. She is the author of six novels published by BWL Publishing Inc. Four are part of her mystery series set in Calgary. Her standalone novels take readers to California and 1918 Calgary. She is currently working on a suspense novel set in Czechia. Susan’s... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Macleod BC

10:15am MDT

Converting Real People, Places and Events into Fiction

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT

Macleod D

What’s possible? What’s ethical? What’s legal? What’s wise?

Moderators

Vicki Montet

Vicki Montet is an Emmy award-winning Journalist with decades of experience as a TV News writer, reporter, executive and producer. She has two southern mysteries in the works. Her stories have been published by the San Francisco Writers Conference and also recognized by the Atlanta Wri... Read More →

Speakers

Stephen England

Stephen England is the author of the Shadow Warriors and Lion of God series. Drawing upon over a decade and half of research into the Middle East, espionage and counterterrorism operations, England's work has drawn praise for breathing new life into the genre with the hard-edged realism... Read More →

Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson

Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson is the author of the Patrick Bird Mystery Series. The series' first book, The Road to Heaven, was nominated for an Edgar Award and a Shamus Award. The second book, Opposite Sully’s Gym, was released in 2026. Alexis is a past winner of the Black Orchid... Read More →

Steven L. Conley

Steven L. Conley is a retired FBI Special Agent with nearly 25 years experience in counterespionage, counterintelligence, and intelligence operations. Steve's novels reflect his time as a Senior Executive at FBIHQ and within field office leadership over all criminal and national security... Read More →

S.J. Rozan

SJ Rozan is the author of 21 novels and 100+ short stories, and the editor of three anthologies. She's won multiple awards, including the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony, Nero, Macavity; Japanese Maltese Falcon; and Life Achievement Awards from both the Private Eye Writers of America and the... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Macleod D 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

10:15am MDT

Long Distance Trucking

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT

Glen 206

It’s been a long road, getting from there to here. What keeps writers and their fans going for decades?

Moderators

Lori L. Lake

Lori L. Lake has authored 14 novels, 3 short story collections, edited 5 anthologies, and has work featured in over a dozen anthologies including Silence Of The Loons, Once Upon A Crime, And Women Of The Mean Streets.
Next up will include Adventures Unlimited and a “revenge-based” short story collection, both for 2026 publication. Lori lives with writer-partner Tairi Blair in Oregon. To find out more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lori_L._Lake... Read More →

Speakers

Traci Abramson

Traci Hunter Abramson worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for six years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She firmly believes all... Read More →

Tracy Blom

Tracy is an award-winning author of 40+ books featured nationwide in bookstores, museums, zoos, airports, and major retailers. Her work has earned STEM accreditation and multiple awards, with international media features. Her latest book, The Wonder Lens Friends: Lissa Loves Bugs... Read More →

Jennifer Hillier

Jennifer Hillier is the USA Today bestselling author of Things We Do in the Dark, winner of the ITW Thriller Award for Best Audiobook. Earlier novels include Creep, Freak, The Butcher, Wonderland, Jar of Hearts (winner, ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover), and the national bes... Read More →

Leslie J. Hall

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Glen 206

10:15am MDT

Out of this world

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT

Glen 203

Paranormal elements take a story to a whole new level, but not all readers buy into the “other worlds” thing.

Moderators

Sharon Ashwood

USA Today Bestselling author Sharon Ashwood is a novelist, desk jockey and enthusiast for the weird and spooky. As a vegetarian, she freely admits the whole vampire/werewolf lifestyle would never work out, so she writes mystery and fantasy fiction instead. Sharon lives in Victoria... Read More →

Speakers

Ana Stanojevic

Ana Stanojevic is the author of a trilogy called Fire Wave along with a brand new series known as The Bounded Curse. The sequel of The Bounded Curse is set to be released on June 17, 2026

Wendy Roberts

Wendy Roberts is a thriller, mystery and supernatural writer living a super-normal life. Cloak and dagger are her bread and butter. She is the author of Burning Hope, four novels in the Bodies of Evidence series, five Ghost Dusters mysteries, as well as Dating Can Be Deadly, and Grounds... Read More →

Matthew Porter

Matthew Porter is a lawyer, writer, and media creator, and author of the psychic P.I. mystery Questions for the Dead. With his son Ian he co-hosts the Inter-Millennium Media Project podcast. He is also a speaker on topics including digital evidence, and lock picking for mystery fans... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Glen 203 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

10:15am MDT

White Collar Crimes: Commit a Crime from the Comfort of your Home.

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT

Glen 208

There’s lots of money to be made without resorting to bank robbery. Well, bank robbery with a gun and balaclava.

Moderators

Brad Elder

Brad Elder is an author of thriller novels and a licensed attorney in the state of Texas. His first two novels in his Ryan Wolfe Series, Recoil of Justice and Core of Truth, are available now. Brad’s life goals are to be favored by God, be a great father and husband, write a few... Read More →

Speakers

Amran Gowani

Amran Gowani is a former organic chemist and financial analyst turned full-time author and stay-at-home dad. His first novel Leverage, a darkly satirical Wall Street thriller, was named a Best Book of 2025 by CrimeReads. He's also a prolific content creator and dabbles in podcast... Read More →

Jenny Dandy

Jenny Dandy is the author of the Houses of Crime Mystery series: The Brownstone on E. 83rd, “hits the ground running”—William Boyle; The Penthouse on Park Avenue, “top-floor entertainment”—James D. F. Hannah; The Loft at Broadway and 14th. “Highly recommend.”—Lou... Read More →

Susan Jane Wright

Susan Jane Wright was a litigator and corporate lawyer before becoming a writer. Her career took her from the boardrooms of Calgary to the streets of Hong Kong. Her debut novel, Box of Secrets, was a Crime Writers of Canada finalist and her third book, Fortune Favors the Dead, won... Read More →

Lawrence Light

Larry’s latest book, Payback, is out in July. It’s a revenge tale, where four Wall Street billionaires are marked for death. His previous books include Crash, with David Hagberg, and Ladykiller, with his wife, Meredith Anthony. He also is the author of many short stories, in Alfred... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Glen 208 136 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0K6

10:15am MDT

Writing and Reading for Joy

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT

Glen 201

Despite all the challenges, storytelling is so satisfying, some times even life-saving. Celebrate it.

Moderators

Richard E. Gower

Richard E. Gower followed a varied and winding career path before turning to write crime fiction. In previous lives, he was an air force officer, an advertising copywriter, a commercial pilot, a magazine writer, editor and publisher, a technical writer, a government speechwriter and... Read More →

Speakers

A.W. Powers

Christine Tsai Taylor

Christine Tsai Taylor is a Dutch American Taiwanese writer living in Edmonton. She writes essays and other non-fiction about her experience as a biracial American abroad. She lived most of her adult life in The Netherlands and Canada is her seventh country. Awarded a 2024 Individual... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Glen 201

11:30am MDT

Closing Ceremonies with Guest of Honour Panel

Sunday October 25, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT

Exhibit Hall

Hear from our Guests of Honour in this final panel moderated by David Poulsen. And learn about plans for Bouchercon 2027 as we pass the baton to Washington DC!

Moderators

David A. Poulsen

David A. Poulsen’s writing career began in earnest when The Welcomin’ won the 1984 Alberta Culture Short Story Competition. His inaugural foray into the world of adult crime fiction was Serpents Rising, the first of the Cullen and Cobb mysteries, a four-book series including Dead... Read More →

Speakers

Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs is actually Dr. Kathy Reichs, one of only eighty-two forensic anthropologists ever certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. For years she consulted to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, and she continues to do so for the Laboratoire... Read More →

Abir Mukherjee

Abir Mukherjee is the Times bestselling author of the Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in colonial-era India. His books have been translated into fifteen languages and won various awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Européen... Read More →

Mark Greaney

Mark Greaney is the #1 NYT Bestselling Author of The Gray Man series, the 15th of which, The Hard Line, was released in February 2026. The film version of his first novel, The Gray Man, was released in July 2022 starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. He is also the author or co-a... Read More →

Jennifer Hillier

Vicki Delany

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than sixty books: clever cozies to gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy.
She is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario... Read More →

Kevin Sands

Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, a teacher, and a professional poker player. He lives in Ontario, Canada. He is the author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key and Thieves... Read More →

P.J. Vernon

P. J. Vernon was born in South Carolina. Called a "rising star thriller writer" by Library Journal, Vernon's debut, When You Find Me, was both an Audible Plus #1 Listen and Associated Press Top Ten U.S. Audiobook. His most recent novel, Bath Haus, has been praised as "a nightmari... Read More →

Sunday October 25, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Exhibit Hall

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