All About Bloody Words 2009
Whether you read mystery, or whether you write mystery, Bloody Words – Canada's only national mystery conference – is going to be the place to be in June 2009. This three-day event has a strong tradition of great mystery writers. Every Bloody Words is different, each with its own distinct personality. And every Bloody Words is the same – attended by mystery writers, agents, publishers and last by not least – the readers who love the genre – the mystery fan!
Ottawa is proud to host the 2009 Bloody Words Conference from June 5 to 7, 2009. Louise Penny is the Canadian Guest of Honour. Our International Guest of Honour from Australia is Denise Mina. Mary Jane Maffini is the MC for the event.
Guy Mercier, the mastermind behind the Bloody Words 2009 website, has created the gorgeous yet bloody site that honours Canada's capital city. It replicates what you'd see if you were driving the ceremonial route past the grand stone walls and copper roofs of Parliament.
What you'll find in Ottawa
Ottawa is home to the Tulip festival in May, and each February our famous winter carnival – Winterlude – that's when you can skate outdoors on the frozen canal without turning around for 9 kilometers. You won't be able to do either of those things in June, but what you may be able to see is one of Canada's most outstanding attractions – the Changing of the Guard. This half hour ceremony is presented daily on the lawn of Parliament Hill. Another must-do is the Mystery Walks of Ottawa. You'll get a chance to discover our deepest hidden secrets as you walk about the Bytown market area. Ottawa was a rough town in its humble beginnings; in Victorian times disputes were settled in the boxing ring.
Paul Anka is from Ottawa. Lorne Greene was too. Tom Cruise lived here briefly. Alannis Morrisette hails from Ottawa, and still owns a condo here she loves the place so much. Photographer Yousuf Karsh, and noted journalist Peter Jennings were also from Ottawa. Other journalists you might recognize are Peter Mansbridge and Shelagh Rogers. Then there is Rich Little, Matthew Perry from Friends, the Olympian skier Nancy Greene, and if you watch Jeopardy, you'll know Alex Tebek.
I could go on and on listing all our famous folks, like hockey players and politicians (and their kids) but I'll talk instead about some of those who may not be household names, but Ottawa is proud to have. Those are the detectives, forensic experts, police and other crime-fighting professionals that will be here to offer Bloody Words attendees all kinds of information that will allow you, the crime fiction writer, to put realism in your work. But it's fascinating stuff even if you don't write about it.
Katherine Hobbs
Chair, Bloody Words Steering Committee 2009
To Learn more about Bloody Words, click here.
Photos from www.iloveagoodmystery.com > Bloody Words 2003 & 2005
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