The Early Bird Gets a Turn

I've gotten several notices recently about crime fiction conferences coming up next year. In some cases, you can receive a discount on registration if you sign up early, so keep that and the deadlines in mind. It's already looking like a terrific year for conferencing-going (especially if you have the time and cash). Here are a few:

The first registration deadline for Malice Domestic 23 is 12/31/10 at midnight. Not only will registration rates increase on January 1st, but only those who register before the end of the year will receive a nomination ballot for the Agatha Awards.  Guest of Honor this year is Carole Nelson Douglas; Toastmaster is Donna Andrews; Lifetime Achievement to Sue Grafton; Malice Remembers: Lyn Hamilton; Poirot Award to Janet Rudolph; and Fan Guest of Honor is Anne Murphy.

The first actual conference of the year is Murder Goes South, held in Atlanta January 28-29. The Keynote Speaker is Erica Spindler, with other guests including writers "Georgia Adams", Glynn Marsh Alam, Carla Damron, Mitchell Graham, David Hunter, Lee Lofland, Cathy Pickens, and William Rawlings Jr. and Guest Presenters, Janet Reid, Dr. Susan Kirkpatrick Smith and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.

Love is Murder follows on shortly thereafter, February 4-6 in Rosemont, Illinois. Ghost of Honor is Chester Gould; Local Guest of Honor is Michael Allen Dymmoch; Fan Guest of Honor is Scott Doornbosch; Featured Authors include Rhys Bowen, Joseph Finder, Carolyn Haines, Joan Johnston, Jon Land and F. Paul Wilson. There will also be master classes led by Carolyn Haines, Joan Johnston and a Pitch-A-Palooza.

SleuthFest is back bigger than ever, and since it's held in the Sunshine State in March, it's a tempting respite from the winter doldrums (which seem to have gotten a jump-start this year with all the snow in various parts of the country). Guests of Honor include Dennis Lehane, Med Gardiner and SJ Rozan, and there will also be hands-on writers' craft-oriented workshops, including a forensics track. Register by January 15th to receive a discount.

PulpFest is back in Columbus, OH for 2011, and this year will be celebrating its 40th year and the 80th anniversary of The Shadow magazine. Registrations aren't available yet, but you can go ahead and mark your calendar for July 29-30.

I've started updating the conference listing on the blogroll as I get information — click on the Upcoming Conferences link to the right of this page or here.