Did you know there are conferences throughout the country that focus on the mystery / suspense / thriller genre? Some are primarily writer’s conferences, others are primarily conventions designed for fans of the genre. Both types are great places to learn, network, and enjoy the latest and best of the genre.
Here are some of the biggest conferences. If you love reading or writing mystery, suspense or thriller, you might want to check one out.
The granddaddy of all mystery conventions. Named for the mystery fiction critic, editor and author Anthony Boucher, Bouchercon is the world’s largest crime fiction convention. The convention’s goal is to bring all parts of the mystery fiction community together, from readers to critics to booksellers. It features a four-day weekend of panels, keynotes, and special events. The 2018 conference will be held in Saint Petersburg, Florida in early September. Next year it will be held in Dallas, Texas at the end of October.
This annual conference is for all genres that involve mystery, thriller, or suspense writing. Held annually near Nashville, Tennessee. The four-day conference features seminars, breakout sessions, agent roundtables, a mock crime scene designed by law enforcement professionals, and more.
This annual mystery convention is held in March somewhere in the western half of North America. The 2019 location is Vancouver, British Columbia, and the 2020 location is San Diego, California. A with other fan conferences, the purpose of Left Coast Crime is to connect readers, authors, critics, librarians, publishers, and other fans of the genre. The three-day event features panels, interviews, award presentations and more.
An annual mystery fan convention held in the Washington D.C. area that focuses on tradition-style mysteries (think Agatha Christie). Book signings, award presentations, panel discussions, and other events. The 2019 conference will be May 3-5.
The largest crime fiction writers’ conference in New England. Held every year over Veteran’s Day weekend in the greater Boston area. Crime Bake is so popular it regularly sells out. Seminars, keynotes, master classes, pitch sessions, networking and more.
This conference devoted to thrillers is held each year in New York City by the International Thriller Writers (ITW) organization. ThrillerFest is a writers conference and fan convention in one, offering three paralell tracks: CraftFest offers classes for writers, PitchFest gives writers an opportunity to pitch their work to agents, and ThrillFest is a fan convention featuring both best-selling authors and not-yet-famous ones.
For writers who want a hands-on experience to better understand law enforcement, fire-fighting, EMS or forensics. This event is held at a law enforcement training academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It features actual police, fire, forensics, and EMS training with top instructors. If you want to write with gritty realism, this is the conference for you.
There are plenty of smaller mystery conventions around as well. In Reference to Murder has a helpful page listing upcoming conferences with links.
Hopefully there is one near you.
Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz
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