Book Event

 SLEUTHFEST 2012 IS COMING

From: Julie Compton
www.julie-compton.com

 

Date: December 30, 2011

 

Contact: Julie Compton / Email:  email@mwaflorida.org

 

Best-selling authors Charlaine Harris, Jeffery Deaver, Chris Grabenstein headline SleuthFest 2012 in Orlando

 

Hundreds of mystery writers will gather for the annual conference March 1-4.
Both experienced and aspiring writers and mystery fans are invited to register.

 

Charlaine Harris, best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that inspired the hit HBO series “True Blood,” will speak March 3 in Orlando at SleuthFest, the annual conference of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

 

Both aspiring and well-established mystery writers from all over the country gather each year in Florida for the four-day SleuthFest, where they glean expert advice on everything from the nuts and bolts of writing a novel to finding an agent—and have a lot of fun doing it.

 

For many years a South Florida event, SleuthFest moves to Orlando for the first time this year. Attendees include editors, publishers, and agents, as well as famous authors such as Harris, whose “Dead Reckoning” topped the New York Times hardcover-fiction list in 2011, and international suspense superstar Jeffrey Deaver, author of the Lincoln Rhyme thrillers and the latest James Bond title, “Carte Blanche.” He’ll speak at SleuthFest on March 2.

 

SleuthFest’s Thursday Spotlight Speaker, Chris Grabenstein, has drawn critical acclaim and legions of fans for his Haunted Mystery Series of ghostly tales for middle-grades readers, as well as his adult mysteries. He’ll kick off SleuthFest with a talk at the popular Third Degree Thursday program, at which attendees hone their craft through workshops with masters of mystery. This year, a new two-part Thursday workshop session will focus on a timely topic: ebook publishing.

 

SleuthFest’s four days feature presentations by a variety of accomplished authors, including Jeff Ashton, author of “Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony.” Murder on the Beach bookstore in Delray Beach will offer books for sale throughout the conference, which includes many opportunities to obtain authors’ signatures.

 

Attendees can also sign up for special programs, including a trip to a gun range and a Mystery Dinner Theater performance, as well as a private Saturday night party at the House of Blues, hosted by best-selling romance and suspense author Heather Graham.

 

Orlando author Julie Compton and author Linda Hengerer of Vero Beach serve as volunteer SleuthFest co-chairmen for the conference, which takes place this year at the Royal Plaza in Lake Buena Vista, an official Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

 

Attendees may register for the whole March 1-4 program (with reduced rates available through January 15). They may also tailor their registration to sign up for only one day of programs, or as little as one luncheon, organizers say. For details and to register, go to  http://mwaflorida.org/sleuthfest.htm