Conventions and Conferences

There are numerous conventions and conferences of interest to writers in the field of mystery and crime. At many of the big conferences, Sisters in Crime National hosts special events for members only. We hope you find these links helpful.

MISSOURI CONFERENCES

https://kansaswritingworkshop.com/

Missouri Writers’ Guild

FAN CONVENTIONS (Great for writers too!)

BOUCHERCON – Home of the Anthony Award. Held annually in various locations.

LEFT COAST CRIME – Home of the Lefty Award. Held annually somewhere in Western North America (Mountain Time Zone and westward).

MALICE DOMESTIC – Home of the Agatha Award. Held annually in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

WRITER CONFERENCES (Great for fans too!)

CALIFORNIA CRIME WRITER’S CONFERENCE – Hosted by the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter and the SoCal Mystery Writers of America, this is a weekend full of workshops geared to both aspiring and established mystery writers.

KILLER NASHVILLE – Home of the Claymore and Silver Falchion Awards. The conference is for both novice and seasoned writers. Scheduled sessions on writing, publishing, forensics and more. Also includes manuscript critiques, networking parties, roundtables & panel sessions.

MAGNA CUM MURDER – Sponsored by Ball State University, the conference is held annually in Indianapolis, IN.  A smaller conference making big memories, it offers informative sessions, networking opportunities, and book signings.

NEW ENGLAND CRIME BAKE – Home of the Al Blanchard award. Held annually outside Boston. Hosted by the New England chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Offers Master Classes in writing, pitch sessions, classes about forensics, and more.

SLEUTHFEST – Full of a selection of sessions covering writing & forensics, pitch sessions, and more. Held annually in Florida.

THRILLERFEST – The annual conference for International Thriller Writers group. Several days of craft tracks with classes and panel sessions, a mastercraft all day intensive writing retreat, pitchfest, cocktail parties and awards banquet.

FORENSICS

WRITERS’ POLICE ACADEMY – The Writer’s Police Academy is a conference held annually for writers at a real police academy.  The conference includes opportunities for ride alongs, gun fighting, and jail tours. The classroom sessions cover multiple topics including fingerprinting, blood spatter patterns, and more.  The conference is headed by veteran police investigator Lee Lofland and is currently held at the Fox Valley Public Safety Training Center in Appleton, WI.  Discounts are provided to member of the National Sisters in Crime.