When Sleuthfest first began, it was among a handful of conferences across the country.
That was about 20 years ago and the world -- and especially the mystery fiction world -- has changed.
Now there are so many regional conferences that it's hard to keep track of them all.
What hasn't changed is that Sleuthfest is still one of the few conferences that is geared for writers, not fans. Of course, fans are always welcomed, but Sleuthfest is mainly for writers -- published and unpublished. It is one of the few conferences that has panels for writing and for crime scene detection.
Sleuthfest begins March 3, with the workshop Third Degree Thursday and continues March 4-6. Editors, agents, authors and forensic experts will be on hand to discuss writing.
And did I mention that Sleuthfest is in Fort Lauderdale. In March? And the organizers can pretty much guarantee it won't snow.
Registration is $255 for MWA members; $275 for nonmembers. The rate includes some meals. One-day attendance also is available. Information and registration is at www.sleuthfest.com.
As in years past, Sleuthfest will have two guests of honor. Edgar winner Meg Gardiner, author of “The Liar's Lullaby” and “The Dirty Secrets Club,” will be the Friday guest. Multi-award winner Dennis Lehane, author of “Mystic River,” “Gone Baby Gone” and “Shutter Island,” will be the guest of honor Saturday.
Sleuthfest will feature other authors. S.J. Rozan will be the spotlight speaker during the Third Degree Thursday.
Les Standiford and Joe Matthews will discuss their nonfiction book Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America, about the Adam Walsh case.
In addition, mystery authors James W. Hall, Michael Koryta, Dana Cameron, Deborah Crombie, Lisa Unger, Julie Compton, Marcia Talley, PJ Parrish, Lisa Black, Lisa Unger, Toni Kelner, James Benn, Lori Roy, Wallace Stroby, Michael Palmer, Daniel Palmer, Jonathon King, Elaine Viets and more will attend.
For the past three years, I have had the honor to be a judge for the 
We started with an incredibly long list that we kept narrowing down and narrowing down. That's good news because it means the three of us thought that 2010 was a very good year for mysteries.
The 
Laura Lippman, 
