Let's Have a Conference

There are several crime fiction conferences coming up this month, all of which are in the UK. First up is Shetland Noir, which is returning to the Mareel Arts Center in Mareel on Scotland's Shetland Islands, after a three-year absence. But they're making up for lost time with the participation of several internationally bestselling authors, including Lee Child, Louise Penny, Vaseem Khan, Professor Lorna Dawson, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, and Ann Cleeves. The event has panels, workshops, film screenings, and more from Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14. 

The Hillingdon Libraries Crime Festival is a one-day affair on Saturday, June 13, at the Winston Churchill Theatre in Ickenham, with over fifteen authors scheduled to appear, including  M J Arlidge,  Louise Candlish, Araminta Hall, Tom Hindle, TM Logan, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Luca Vesta, and more. The authors will be on hand to discuss their books and writing in various panels, plus there will be signed books available for purchase, a fully licensed bar, and a pizza truck. 

Capital Crime returns June 18-20, in the heart of central London. Over 100 authors and experts will feature over the three-day program of panels, Q&As, book launches, quizzes, and industry networking events, culminating in the Fingerprint Awards, an annual reader-voted awards ceremony celebrating the very best new writing in the genre. Highlights include Lee Child, creator of the globally famous Jack Reacher novels, and his brother Andrew, who has taken up the baton, who will be in conversation with author and journalist Stig Abell. Other featured authors include Elly Griffiths, Abir Mukherjee, T.M. Logan, Vaseem Khan, MJ Arlidge, Chris Brookmyre, Catriona Ward, and Lucy Foley.

On June 20, the British Library will be hosting the 11th annual Bodies From the Library conference celebrating the Golden Age of Detective Crime Fiction (Agatha Christie and her contemporaries). The event includes a program of discussions, presentations, and panels, plua the chance to meet leading experts on classic detective fiction and modern authors whose novels follow in the Golden Age tradition. Although all tickets for this year’s conference have been sold, there is a wait list for tickets that are returned because the person can no longer attend.

A "Peculier" LIneup

Harrogate International Festivals revealed the full program for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, one of the world’s largest celebrations of crime fiction, at a special reception at Hachette, Carmelite House in London.

This year’s slate was curated by bestselling psychological thriller writer, Lisa Jewell, and features over 140 crime and thriller writers, making it the biggest event ever in the Festival’s illustrious twenty-three-year history. The all-star line-up of bestselling authors and crime fiction names includes Richard Armitage, Ardal O’Hanlon, Andi Osho, Denise Mina, Adam Kay, Abir Mukherjee, Elly Griffiths, Vaseem Khan, Val McDermid and M.W. Craven join Special Guest headliners Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookmyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper, LJ Ross, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney, and David Baldacci.

Taking place at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel from July 23-26, this year’s Festival offers crime fiction fans even more opportunities to hear from superstar writers and discover new talent with the launch of the Swift Half Stage. This innovative new space seeks to champion brilliant storytellers, rising stars and boundary-pushing creatives in a series of bite-size events. Those scheduled to take part include  Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, Mick Herron, Ahana Virdi, Will Carver, Clare McGowan, Kia Abdullah and Traitor’s star Harriet Tyce.

Other festival highlights include the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards Ceremony and the much-anticipated Critics’ New Blood panel showcasing four extraordinary debut novelists, Anna Maloney, Leodora Darlington, M.K. Oliver and Mel Pennant, selected by leading crime fiction critics. For aspiring writers, Creative Thursday offers an immersive day of workshops and talks led by industry experts and bestselling writers including A.A Dhand, GR Halliday and Julie Mae Cohen, with the rare opportunity to pitch work in the "Dragon’s Pen."

Evenings offer exclusive opportunities for fans to engage with authors at relaxed events, include the hilarious Interview Bingo and the hotly contested Late Night Quiz, compèred by Val McDermid and Mark Billingham. Two Author Dinners will see readers join forces with crime writers K.T. Nguyen, Sean Watkins, Emma Christie, Rupa Mahadevan, William Hussey and many others to solve a fiendishly twisty murder mystery, hosted by Mel Pennant.

Conference Confab

The crime fiction conference season isn't over yet! Coming up in November are three terrific events, two in the U.S. and one in Iceland.

Sponsored by the New England chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, the New England Clambake is deliberately kept small so you can meet lots of people informally in the hall, around a table for a meal, or in the bar. Registration is limited to 250 participants and approximately 75 additional instructors, presenters, agents, editors, panelists, and committee members. The Special Guest for this year's event, to be held November 7-9 in Dedham, Massachusett, is Lori Rader-Day.

The Men of Mystery one-day event is held in Long Beach, California, and is scheduled for November 8. This is the 25th anniversary of the festival—awarded the prestigious Raven Award from Mystery Writers of America—which will feature Headliners Craig Johnson, author of the Longmire mysteries, and Walter Mosley, author of the Easy Rawlins series, in conversation with Leslie Klinger.

A little farther north, Iceland Noir heads to Reykjavik from November 12-15. Founded by internationally bestselling crime writers Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Ragnar Jónasson, Iceland Noir is a destination literary festival "celebrating darkness in all its forms, held in Reykjavik at the darkest time of year." Along with founders Sigurðardóttir and Jónasson, this year's event features Guest of Honor Hwang Dong-Hyuk, along with George R.R. Martin, Nicola Sturgeon, and many more.

Sleuthfest Postponed

 The organizers of the Sleuthfest Conference, which was scheduled for this week, September 26-29, in St. Petersburg, Florida, announced that due to Hurricane Helene, they are postponing the event until May 14-18, 2025. They indicated that current hotel reservations will be automatically cancelled by the Hilton Bayfront, and registrants should watch their email for additional information, including the opportunity to keep your registration for the new dates or receive a refund. The posting on the official website and on Facebook added, "Words can’t describe our disappointment, but we look forward to seeing you next May!"

Free Mini-Bouchercon This Weekend

Although the in-person Boucheron Crime Conference originally scheduled for August 25 to 29 in New Orleans has been cancelled, the organizers pulled together a free two-day online event that anyone can attend. Check out those live video links here. They include James Lee Burke and Alafair Burke in conversation tonight; and the Anthony Awards presentation tomorrow evening, with presenters to include Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, Dennis Lehane, Caroline Todd, Charles Todd, Jonathan Maberry, and a special welcome from Craig Johnson.

Happy Bouchercon News

 

This, from the Bouchercon committee, which was posted online today:

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE TIME!

 

Get Ready! Get Set! A two-night blockbuster Bouchercon New Orleans 2021 extravaganza is coming to a screen near you.

 

We couldn’t let Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem vanish into thin air. So we found a way to offer something everyone will remember forever. We are creating two extraordinary online/virtual events, free and open to everyone.

 

On Friday, August 27

7 pm ET / 6 pm CT / 5 pm MT / 4 pm PT / Midnight GMT Bouchercon 2021 presents Alafair Burke in conversation with James Lee Burke, hosted by Heather Graham and Introductions from Rachel Howzell Hall.

 

On Saturday, August 28

7 pm ET / 6 pm CT / 5 pm MT / 4 pm PT / Midnight GMT we are excited to bring you the 52nd 2021 Anthony Awards Ceremony! Only previously registered attendees will receive an Anthony ballot.

 

On August 28, join us online for a spectacular evening (black tie optional…or watch in your PJs!) featuring the Anthony nominees and our Award Presenters, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, Dennis Lehane, Caroline (Charles) Todd, Charles Todd, Jonathan Maberry, and a special welcome from Craig Johnson.

 

Having to cancel the in-person New Orleans Bouchercon was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, but, as the saying goes, the show must go on!

 

These events will be free and open to everyone (so please tell your friends!). Please watch for details on how to watch online in upcoming emails from bloodonthebayou@bouchercon2021.com.

 

From our hearts to yours, turn on your computer (or whichever device you prefer) and enjoy two nights of Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem New Orleans Bouchercon 2021. We hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

Mike Bursaw, Heather Graham and Connie Perry

Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem New Orleans Bouchercon 2021 Co-Chairs

Edgar Week Events Canceled

Mystery Writers of America announced they have made the decision to cancel the annual Edgar Awards Mystery Week events, originally scheduled for late April. The Edgars Symposium, Deadly Anniversaries launch party, and the Edgars Banquet are all affected. Here's the official statement:

It is with heavy heart that we have to let you know we are cancelling both the Edgar Awards banquet and the symposium.

All bars and restaurants have been closed in New York City due to the pandemic (other than for delivery and pick-up), and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement on Sunday urging people to cancel or postpone all events bringing together 50 or more people for the next eight weeks, including weddings. “Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities,” the CDC said on their website. “Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.

This year is the 75th anniversary of MWA; our Edgar week festivities were to be a celebration of that anniversary.

But the health, safety, and well-being of our nominees, guests, members and the hotel staff have to be paramount, and it is not in anyone’s best interest that we go forward with the festivities.

We still plan on celebrating the achievements of our finalists and announcing the winners; how we will do that is currently under discussion.

We also still intend to publish this year’s Edgar annual.

We do hope you will join us next year, when we will celebrate this year’s anniversary for MWA along with the 75th anniversary of the Edgars themselves.

Please do everything you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and we look forward to seeing you next year.

MWA National Board of Directors

More Cancellations

Sleuthfest, scheduled for March 25-29 in Boca Raton, Florida, announced it is canceling the conference for this year.  If you have purchased a manuscript critique, it will become a virtual critique instead of a face to face one. Organizers are also in the process of evaluating refunds after factoring in booking fees and paid expenses, but also add that "We look forward to seeing you in 2021."

Malice Domestic also announced that they are postponing the event, that was to be held April 30 - May 3 in Bethesda, Maryland. Event staff noted they "have chosen to postpone rather than cancel for a number of reasons, not least of which is that we are committed to bringing the Malice family together when it is safe to do so." They're also working with the hotel to finalize the new dates, and all Malice registrations will transfer to those dates. (Note: the website hasn't been updated with the news just yet, although an email was sent to all registrants and the media.)

More Conference Cancellations

It's hard to keep up with all the closings and cancellations among the various organizations and events, but in addition to the previously announced cancellation of the Virginia Festival of the Book and Crime Wave, as well as the postponement of the LA Times Festival of the Book, there are two new additional cancellations to report:

Left Coast Crime was currently in full swing in San Diego, California, when it was abruptly shut down by San Diego County. Janet Rudolph over at Mystery Fanfare has an update.

Murder & Mayhem in Chicago was also just canceled, with no plans to reschedule at this time.

Paid to Kill(er) Nashville

The Killer Nashville conference has been expanding each year and become one of the premiere events on the calendar for crime fiction fans. This year, organizers are offering two free scholarship opportunities for writers who want to attend but may not have the financial means. Winners will receive funds towards registration, breakout sessions, writing critique sessions, and lodging. If you're interested in either the Lisa Jackson Scholarship or Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship, write a 500-word essay that describes your financial need and why you'd like to attend the conference. Anyone is eligible to enter (traditionally or independently published or unpublished), but you must apply by July 1 for the Jackson award and July 31 for the Loftin award.

Killer Nashville takes place August 18-21, 2016, and is being held at the Embassy Suites Nashville South Cool Springs. This year's Guest of Honors are Janet Evanovich and Kevin O'Brien, with other featured guests to include 2016 John Seigenthaler Recipient Robert Randisi as well as Anne Perry and William Kent Krueger. Registration is now open for anyone who wishes to attend, and I should also note that there is a discounted conference fee for members of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Crime Time in India

This week, India joins the list of countries with their own crime writing festival. The inaugural two-day Crime Writers Festival in Delhi grew out of the Jaipur Literature Festival, where one of the new festival's directors, Namita Gokhale, conducted a session on "Crime and Punishment."  Gokhale added, "It’s an important subset of literature and also serves as a barometer for the society . . . something that’s definitely worth exploring."

The event brings together crime reporters and journalists, authors, film directors, publishers, agents, and curators and collectors of crime stories. Ashwin Sanghi, another of the festival advisors and speakers, said, "Commercial writing in general did not take off (in India) primarily because of our snobbish attitude towards it. Most Indian authors were busy churning out literary fiction and publishers continued actively searching for the next Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Amitav Ghosh, or Jhumpa Lahiri. They could hardly be bothered with finding the Indian equivalent of Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth, Jack Higgins, or Tom Clancy."

Featured guests include international crime authors such as Håkan Nesser, Caryl Ferey, and David Stuart Davies, who will join Indian authors Amrita Chowdhary, Amrita Tripathi, Aroon Raman, Ashwin Sanghi, Hussain Zaidi, Jerry Pinto, Lady Kishwar Desai, Mahendra Jakhar, and many more. Film directors Dibakar Banerjee and Piyush Jha will also be on hand, representing the crime-on-film section.

Best of all, if you happen to be in the area and can take advantage of the festival's many programs, they are all free and open to the public.

More Murder and Mayhem!

So many crime fiction conferences have called it quits recently, it was with great sadness we learned in January that Murder and Mayhem in Muskego was shutting down, too. The conference's major sponsor, the Friends of the Library, was no longer able to support this event, because the ALA's rules require that all library programs should be free and open to the public.

Fast forward to August and the arrival of news that the conference is being reborn as Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee! Organizers Jon Jordan, Ruth Jordan, Erica Ruth Neubauer, and Penny Halle have switched venues to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and already lined up a great group of authors, including (so far):

Carole Barrowman
Kristi Belcamino
Susanna Calkins
Dana Cameron
Jessie Chandler
Sean Chercover
Matthew Clemons
Blake Crouch
Ian Hamilton
Chris Holm
Jess Lourey
Lori Rader-Day
Rob Riley
Todd Robinson
Marcus Sakey
Tom Schreck
Alex Segura
Johnny Shaw
Frank Wheeler Jr

They have a new website, too, as well as a new Facebook page with all the details, including the date – November 1. The registration fee helps to pay for the facilities and running the event, with any leftover money to be split between a local literacy charity and next year's event.

Fall for the Book

I'm not sure I'm ready for fall, but there is one good thing to look forward to, and that's all the autumnal literary conferences. One coming up next is Fall for the Book, a week-long, multiple-venue festival in Northern Virginia that runs September 11-18. From the official press release we learn that:

"The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of Mystery Writers of America is sponsoring one of the major events at this year’s Fall for the Book festival: One of only two U.S. appearances by internationally bestselling thriller writer Sophie Hannah, author of the The Monogram Murders—the first new Hercule Poirot novel in nearly 40 years and the first time ever that Agatha Christie’s estate has allowed another writer to use one of Christie’s characters for an original novel.  Hannah will talk about the book and her path to writing it on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA. A booksigning follows, and to celebrate Christie’s 124th birthday—the day before—we’ll also have a birthday cake!"

But wait, there's more:

"A mystery panel featuring members of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of MWA: E.A. Aymar, Mason alumnus and author of I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead; Barb Goffman, Macavity Award-winning short story writer with her debut collection Don’t Get Mad, Get Even; Mary Miley, historian and author of the Roaring Twenties mystery series, including The Impersonator, winner of the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Best First Crime Novel award, and the soon-to-be-released Silent Murders; and Kathryn O’Sullivan, a playwright and professor at Northern Virginia Community College, whose mystery debut Foal Play won the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Moderated by Donna Andrews, Agatha, Anthony, Barry, and Lefty Award-winning author of the Meg Langslow series, most recently including The Good, The Bad, and the Emus.

Throughout the week, Fall for the Book also hosts a wide range of mystery and suspense writers—from children’s book author Chris Grabenstein to nonfiction writer (and novelist!) Kate Flora to an array of noir-themed writers at Fall for the Book’s first “Nightfall” event. Stories span from the Middle Ages right up to the present moment, including the debut novel from Washington Post journalist Neely Tucker, inspired by D.C.’s last serial killer. And events take place across the region—at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, at libraries throughout Northern Virginia, at One More Page Books in Arlington, VA, and at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, MD."

Most of these events are free and open to the public, so if you happen to be in the area, check out the schedule and set a course for some "mysterious" book discovery.

National Book Festival Announces Schedule

The National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress, changes venues this year as it moves from the grounds of the Mall over to the Washington Convention Center. The move indoors may be disappointing to some, but it allows for new evening activities such as a "Great Books to Great Movies" pavilion that will explore classic literary adaptations through discussions and screenings, a "super-session" for graphic-novel enthusiasts, and a poetry slam.

Over 100 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets will beon hand to discuss and sign their books on August 30th, including the following from the fiction and mystery realm:

Fiction & Mystery

Time	Author	Signing
10:00-10:45	E.L. Doctorow	11:00-noon
10:55-11:40	Ishmael Beah	noon-1:00
11:50-12:35	Sara Sue Hoklotubbe	1:00-2:00
12:45-1:30	Claire Messud	2:00-3:00
1:40-2:25	Tiphanie Yanique	3:00-4:00
2:35-3:20	Siri Hustvedt	4:00-5:00
3:30-4:15	Lisa See	5:00-6:00
4:25-5:10	Anne Hillerman	2:30-3:30
5:20-6:00	Alice McDermott	3:30-4:30

What Happens in Vegas?

The 2014 American Library Association Annual Conference is coming up in Las Vegas this Thursday, June 26 through Tuesday, July 1. Among the many sessions, speakers, and awards scheduled during the event is the Pop Top Stage, which this year focuses on on mystery, crime fiction, and poetry. Among the features:

On Saturday, a "Mob Panel" (10–11 a.m.) kicks off the festivities with Geoff Schumacher, Morgan St. James, Frank Cullotta, Tony Montana, and Geno Munari. That's followed by "Women in Mystery" (3–4:30 p.m.) with Rachel Howzell Hall, Hannah Dennison, Jane K. Cleland, and Kelli Stanley.

On Sunday, there’s an International Crime Fiction presentation (10–11 a.m.) and on Monday, a panel will explores "Seedy Criminal Underbellies" (10–11 a.m.) featuring Deborah Coonts and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Plus, the three days of readings, discussions, and presentations throughout the conference will include author event sessions in the Exhibit Hall with crime fiction notables such as Jane Cleland, Hannah Dennison, Sue Ann Jaffarian, Alexander McCall Smith, Karin Slaughter, Kelli Stanley, and Elaine Viets. (Hat tip to Publishers Weekly.)

Tim Maleeny and the Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference

The 21st Annual Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference is coming up in Corte Madera, California on July 24-27. Participants will learn all the clues to a successful writing career from authors, editors, agents, and publishers via classes on setting, dialogue, suspense and point of view. Panels of detectives, forensic experts, and other crime-fighting professionals also provide invaluable information that allows writers to put realism into their work.

This year's event continues its tradition of distinguished authors and teachers, including Tim Maleeny, who stopped by IRTM to discuss why he enjoys participating in the conference. Maleeny is the author of the acclaimed Cape Weathers series, including Stealing The Dragon, Beating The Babushka, Greasing The Piñata, and Jump. Maleeny's short fiction has won the prestigious Macavity Award and appears in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen, Crimespree Magazine, and the anthologies Death Do Us Part, Uncage Me, and Thriller 2.

IRTM:  What is the most rewarding part of teaching at the conference?

TM: A good writer is always learning — reading other writers, trying new perspectives, deconstructing stories in their head — so being on the faculty at Book Passage is a chance to keep on top of your game. I think all of us on the faculty learn as much from interacting with the conference attendees as they do from us.

Another invaluable part of a weekend like this are the friendships you make with other writers. The conference is big enough to be truly intensive when it comes to the workshops, but intimate enough to really get to know the other writers. Some of my best friends, most loyal readers and even occasional collaborators are writers whom I met at Book Passage.

IRTM:  What advice do you wish you received when you were a new author?

TM: I was already published when I first attended Book Passage as a student, so my only regret is that I hadn't known about conferences like this sooner. I was clueless a community of writers like this even existed. Had I gone to Book Passage when I was first getting serious about writing, I would have spared myself a lot of heartache along the way. Even if you're shy about your writing, even if you're not sure what you're doing, force yourself to attend a conference or two. You'll find like-minded souls who will help you on the path to publication.

IRTM:  What do you hope aspiring writers will get out of this conference?

TM: For most it's inspiration, for some it's a gentle kick in the ass to stop procrastinating (something I sorely needed), and finally some help seeing your story through a reader's eyes, so you'll know if the story you're trying to write is the one that's appearing on the page.

A few laughs as well — it's curious but the folks writing about murder and mayhem are invariably the nicest and funniest people you'll ever meet. (Maybe it's because they let all their aggressions out on their characters, so they have only positive energy left for those of us who live outside the pages of a book.)

 

For more information about the Book Passage conference and to register, check out the official website. You can also click on the banner in the top right-hand side of this page, and if you mention In Reference to Murder when you register, you'll receive a $10 gift certificate.

Literary Rock Stars

Book Expo America added a new event this year, BookCon, produced by the same folks behind New York Comic Con. While BEA is usually geared more toward industry insiders, BookCon was open to the general public – at least the first 10,000, as attendance was maxed out at that limit, with each attendee forking over $30 for a one-day event pass (kids got in free).

Barbara Marcus, head of Random House children’s books, told The Bookseller that BookCon’s was "the most diverse population I’ve ever seen at a book event." Attendees were black, white, Asian, local, foreign; mother/daughter duos; teenage boys hoping to see comic book legend Stan Lee; and even grey-haired seniors, some navigating through the crowded space on motorized wheelchairs.

The day was filled with author Q&A panels, autographing sessions, storytelling podcasts, special screenings, literary quiz shows and the chance for fans to interact with close to two hundred authors. What was really encouraging was the response from the fans. As Shelf Awareness noted, there were long lines snaking through the BookCon areas, and the crowd limits meant "tearful attendees were turned away from some full events."

That's the sort of reaction you usually see reserved for rock stars and Hollywood celebrities. And yes, even there were a few Hollywood celebrities on hand, the majority of folks came for the literary component. Hopefully, the event will expand next year so more fans can meet and greet with their favorite writers and not be turned away. At any rate, it does lovers of the printed word good to see so many excited and engaged readers thrilled to support authors and their books.

A Noir Affair

Every two years, fans of the devilishly dark and the tortuously twisted descend upon Philadephia for NoirCon. As the organizers note, "The sins, moral failings and dark truths of the human condition find a home at NoirCon—a forum where writers, filmmakers, publishers, and other noir fans share the trials of uncovering the dark side of life for readers and viewers. We look into the minds of tortured fictional characters and see real people, the mirror images of ourselves, coping with deep longing and inevitable disappointment."

In addition to a varied slate of authors and panels and films, NoirCon also bestows the David Goodis Award for Literary Excellence upon such noteworthy individuals as Ken Bruen and George Pelecanos. But it's not all dark and deadly; each conference sponsors one organization that helps those in need, such as the Awassa Children’s Project, helping Ethiopian orphans battle AIDS, and Project H.O.M.E.

This year, the journal NoirRiot will be published in conjunction with the conference for the first time, featuring original stories, essays and poems. I am honored to have two of my poems included and look forward to reading all the other contributions to the publication, edited by Lou Boxer and Matthew Louis.

Some of the featured authors scheduled to appear at NoirCon 2014 from October 30 to November 2 are Charles Benoit, John Connolly, K.A. Laity, and Fuminori Nakamura (this year's Goodis Award recipient). There will also be some surprises, which in the past have included performance art and musical guests. And, since the fest happens to occur on Halloween, the Saturday night award dinner will be themed accordingly.

To keep up with all the latest NoirCon news, follow the blog or their Twitter feed. To register, click on the Society Hill Playouse venue link, print out the PDF form, and mail it in along with your registration fee. Hurry and reserve your space - attendees to previous NoirCons have remarked on how much easier and fun it is to rub elbows with authors and fans at a smaller conference like this one with a more personalized experience.

A Little Dark & Stormy

Coming up May 23-25 is the very first Dark & Stormy crime fiction conference in Brighton, UK, "serving up a wicked selection of book, film, music & theatre events." The bestselling, award-winning author – Elizabeth Haynes, Lesley Thomson and Lisa Cutts start off the festivities in a panel on independent (small) publishers.

That's followed by a showing of Matthew Vaughn’s 2004 cult classic Layer Cake, starring Daniel Craig, Kenneth Cranham and Michael Gambon, and introduced by the author of the original novel and the screenplay, J.J. Connolly. Author Peter James rounds off the first day by celebrating the 10th anniversary of his Detective Roy Grace series. Other authors scheduled to appear include Sophie Hannah, Erin Kelly, Tony Parsons, Stella Rimington, Tom Robb Smith, S.J. Watson, and more.

Crime in the Keys

If you're still deciding on your vacation plans for the summer, why not combine some fun in the sun with a criminally good time? This June 13-15, the inaugural Mystery Writers Key West Fest heads to the land of Hemingway and Tennessee Williams with a dozen leading authors from the crime and adventure fiction genres.

The festival is the brainchild of co-founders Shirrel Rhoades, a publisher who has worked with Reader's Digest, Scholastic, Harper's, Marvel Entertainment, and Absolutely Amazing eBooks, and author Michael Haskins, creator of the Mad Mick Murphy mystery series. As Rhoades explained, "Haskins and I had already founded the Key West Writers Bloc to promote authors and their work, so we thought, why not bring together a gathering of acclaimed South Florida and Key West authors to talk with fans- not just about whodunnit- but about how they actually do it."

Highlights include a Friday-night opening party with participating mystery writers followed by—what else?—a Bar stroll led by author W.E.B. Griffin and Jim Linder, military contractor and retired Navy officer with the JIATF (Joint InterAgency Task Force, South) to some of the preferred Key West lairs of authors, actors, detectives and shady ne’er-do-well’s: Hog’s Breath Saloon, Fairvilla Megastore (free rum punch in Key West’s home for Fantasy Fest costumes), Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel and the waterfront Schooner Wharf Bar.

Sponsors brought on board include the Mystery Writers of America, the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, and the Key West Citizen newspaper, who are making the Fest open to authors, aspiring authors, and non-writing mystery-buffs. The Saturday sessions will offer up panels such as "Women of Mystery" and "Importance of Getting Locale Right."

DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort is the main venue for the event, and is offering an early bird rate for those who book rooms before May 10. For information on registration, visit the Mystery Writers Key West website.