Crime Writers of Canada is thrilled to be a proud sponsor of Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary
We're hosting the official Bouchercon Media Room, a place to connect, discover, and celebrate the crime writing community. Join us from October 22 to 24 for live recordings of the CWC Podcast, dynamic author conversations, Regional Spotlights showcasing crime writing across Canada, and plenty of fun with interactive games and special events.
Whether you're an author, reader, fan, or industry professional, you'll find familiar faces, new connections, and unforgettable moments. Many of your friends and fellow CWC members will stop by, so make the Media Room a must-visit destination during the convention.
Join the conversation, the laughter, and the excitement. We look forward to seeing you in the Bouchercon Media Room
Thursday
9 am A live recording of The Crime Writer Podcast
A bi-weekly podcast from Crime Writers of Canada featuring interviews with Canadian mystery, thriller, and crime writers. Host Erik D'Souza explores the stories behind the books, the craft of crime writing, and Canada's vibrant community of crime authors.
Guests: Neil Turner and Alice Bienia
10:15 am New Writer Spotlight
A special live recording of The Crime Writers of Canada Podcast spotlighting new authors.
Guests: Tamara Miller and Lisa Bush
11:30 am 3 Truths and 1 Lie
Crime writers are experts at crafting believable lies, but can they fool a room full of readers? Each presenter will arrive with three true facts about themselves. Then, just before taking the stage, they'll be given a false fact to weave into the mix. Their challenge is to convince the audience that all four statements are true. Armed with curiosity and a healthy dose of suspicion, audience members will play detective, questioning the authors and searching for clues. Join us for a lively game of deduction, storytelling, and literary sleuthing.
Presenters: Bill Selnes, Liisa Kolva, Dr. Melissa Yi, and Scott McKinnon
Chief Lie Detector: S.M. Freedman
1:45 pm Writer Games
Put your creativity to the test in this fast-paced flash fiction contest. Our presenters will be challenged to write a compelling 100-word story using three words the audience chooses on the spot. Want to join the fun? Bring a pen and paper, create your own 100-word flash fiction alongside the contestants, and see how your story measures up. Expect imagination, surprises, and plenty of literary magic as writers transform a handful of words into unforgettable tales.
Presenters: Robert Rotenberg, Liz Rachel Walker, P.D. Workman, and Jaima Fixen
Host: Erik D'Souza
3:00 pm Regional Spotlight: Join Us Down East
Join Atlantic Canadian crime writers for an interactive tour through the people, places, history, and secrets that inspire crime fiction from Canada's East Coast. Stories, surprises, and a little audience participation are all on the agenda as the authors put your regional knowledge to the test with questions drawn from their books and their lives. Discover why Newfoundland attracted Hitler's attention, whether the Freemasons buried treasure in St. John's, and what uprooted trees, Kevin Costner, and a plagiarized childhood poem have to do with crime writing.
Presenters: Monique Ferguson, Helen Escott, Alexis Koetting, and Stephen Kimber
Host: donalee Moulton
Friday
9 am A live recording of The Crime Writer Podcast.
A bi-weekly podcast from Crime Writers of Canada featuring interviews with Canadian mystery, thriller, and crime writers. Host Erik D'Souza explores the stories behind the books, the craft of crime writing, and Canada's vibrant community of crime authors.
Guests: Shane Jimenez and Peter Pontza
10:15 am Regional spotlight- BC/AB
Meet the BC and Alberta authors behind a new Sisters in Crime Anthology, Crime Wave 4: Home Sweet Homicide, and discover the stories behind the stories. From inspiration and writing challenges to publishing and collaboration, presenters will share candid insights into their creative process. This interactive event is designed as a conversation rather than a lecture, with audience members invited to ask questions, offer observations, and join in discussions about fiction, writing, and the power of storytelling. Come ready to participate and connect with some of Western Canada's exciting literary voices.
Presenters: Winona Kent, Craig H. Bowlsby, Merrilee Robson, and Susan Calder
Host: Shelley Adina
11:30 am Regional Spotlight: Ottawa
Join a lively celebration of Ottawa's crime-writing community featuring contributors to the acclaimed anthologies A Capital Mystery, Volumes 1 and 2. Presenters will introduce themselves with a few surprising and memorable facts before readers are challenged to match each anthology story with its author based on a brief three-line elevator pitch. The participant with the most correct answers will take home prizes.
Featuring: Mike Martin, Adrienne Stevenson, Bernadette Hendrickx, Lis Angus, Melissa Yi, Madona Skaff, Barbara Fradkin and Brenda Chapman
Host: Erik D'Souza
1:45 pm Building Your Writing Community
Writing may be a solitary pursuit, but no writer succeeds alone. Join our discussion on finding critique partners, mentors, writing groups, and professional connections that can support and strengthen your creative journey. Let's work together to build meaningful relationships that will help your writing thrive.
Presenters: Vicki Delany, Anthony Bibulka, Dave Wickenden and Emily Weedon
Host: Erik D'Souza
3:00 pm New Writer Spotlight
A special live recording of The Crime Writers of Canada Podcast spotlighting new authors.
Guests include: Kayleigh Suggett and Laurie L. Dove
Saturday
9:00 am A live recording of The Crime Writer Podcast.
A bi-weekly podcast from Crime Writers of Canada featuring interviews with Canadian mystery, thriller, and crime writers. Host Erik D'Souza explores the stories behind the books, the craft of crime writing, and Canada's vibrant community of crime authors
Guest: Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson
Interviewer: Erik D'Souza
10:15 am Meet our Characters
What happens when crime writers step out of the shadows and let their characters take center stage? In this unique event, crime writers will become their protagonists, answering questions as the characters readers know and love. Learn what really drives them, hear their side of the story, and find out whether they agree with the choices their creators have made. Expect wit, mystery, and a few unexpected revelations.
Presenters: Faye Arcand, Angela Douglas, Catherine Mackenzie, and Carolyne Topdian
Host: Erik D'Souza
1:30pm 3 Truths and 1 Lie
Crime writers are experts at crafting believable lies, but can they fool a room full of readers? Each presenter will arrive with three true facts about themselves. Then, just before taking the stage, they'll be given a false fact to weave into the mix. Their challenge is to convince the audience that all four statements are true. Armed with curiosity and a healthy dose of suspicion, audience members will play detective, questioning the authors and searching for clues. Join us for a lively game of deduction, storytelling, and literary sleuthing.
Presenters: Charlotte Morganti, Madeleine Callway, Marcelle Dubé, and Sara Driscoll
Chief Lie Detector: Barbara Fradkin
2:45 pm New Writer Spotlight
A special live recording of The Crime Writers of Canada Podcast spotlighting new authors.
Guest: Kevin Bartlett