As the northeast gets hit again with a snowstorm and the rest of the country is cold, we have a good way to keep warm.

That would be 2011 Sleuthfest.

Sleuthfest, sponsored by the Florida chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, begins March 3, 2011, with the Third Degree Workshop and continues March

4-6. Editors, agents, authors and forensic experts will be on hand to discuss writing.

And Fort Lauderdale in March is pretty darn nice. Even if we have a cold snap, it is a lovely time to come to South Florida.

Unlike other conferences, Sleuthfest is a writing conference, geared to aspiring writers and published authors. And fans are welcomed, too.

Registration is $255 for MWA members; for nonmembers, $275. The rate includes some meals. One-day attendance also is available. Information and registration is at www.sleuthfest.com.

This year's guests of honors are Meg Gardiner, author of “The Liar's Lullaby” and “The Dirty Secrets Club,” and multi-award winner Dennis Lehane, author of “Mystic River,” “Gone Baby Gone” and “Shutter Island.”

Gardiner won the 2009 Edgar award for Best Paperback Original for her novel “China Lake.” Lehane built his career with Boston private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who returned in his recent novel “Moonlight Mile.”

In addition, mystery authors S.J. Rozan, James W. Hall, Michael Koryta, Dana Cameron, Deborah Crombie, Lisa Unger, Julie Compton, Marcia Talley, and more will attend. Les Standiford and Joe Matthews will launch their nonfiction book "Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America," about the Adam Walsh case.