2014 promises to be chock full of wonderful mystery conventions and conferences ranging from Bouchercon— the world’s largest crime fiction convention—to more tightly-focused conferences like Malice Domestic, which specializes in traditional and cozy mysteries. Thrillerfest is, of course, primarily about thrillers, and Left Coast Crime is regional, but also offers the year's only humorous mystery award. Most conventions feature opportunities not only to meet your favorite authors and get your book signed, but also to make tons of new friends who love crime fiction as much as you do.
So, here's a rundown of the major crime fan conventions and conventions taking place in 2014:
Left Coast Crime
March 20-23, 2014 Monterey, California
LCC is held annually during the first quarter of the calendar year somewhere in western North America. In 2014 there are two Lifetime Achievement recipients: Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini. Guests of Honor are Sue Grafton, Cara Black and Louise Penny. This year’s Toastmaster is Brad Parks. Left Coast Crima also has a Fan Guest of Honor, Sue Trowbridge. The Left Coast Crime Awards are given out during the event, and all attendees can vote for up to three in each category. They have some great side trips planned this year, including a tour of movie locations on the Northern California coast.
Malice Domestic 26
May 2-4, 2014 Bethesda, Maryland
Malice Domestic salutes the traditional mystery, loosely defined as mysteries without explicit sex or violence (sometimes known as the cozy.) This year’s slate of honorees includes Guest of Honor Kathy Lynn Emerson; Toastmaster Earlene Fowler; Lifetime Achievement winners Margaret Maron, Dorothy Cannell, and Joan Hess; and Fan Guest of Honor Audrey Reith. After being voted upon by attendees, the Agatha Awards are given out every year at the convention. All attendees who registered by December 31st of the previous year can nominate books and authors.
Crimefest
May 15-18, 2014 Bristol, U.K.
Not to be outdone by their American neighbors, the British have Crimefest where the motto is “Where the Pen is Bloodier than the Sword.” This convention was born after Left Coast Crime traveled to Bristol, England, in 2006, and the U.K. realized it needed one every year! The featured guest authors will include: Mark Billingham, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, and Jasper Fforde. The Crimefest awards are given out here and, although this is primarily a fan convention, they do offer pitch sessions with agents and writing workshops.
ThrillerFest IX
July 8-12, 2014 New York City, New York
ThrillerFest is hosted by ITW, the International Thriller Writers, and has something for everyone with three components—ThrillerFest, for thriller fans, CraftFest, for writers and AgentFest, for writers looking for agents. Attendees can go to one, two, or all three programs. ITW has its own awards given during the conference. For the fan portion of the convention, the 2014 Thrillermaster is Scott Turow, with Spotlight Guests including David Baldacci, Ian Rankin, and Heather Graham. The 2014 Silver Bullet Award Winner is Barbara Novak.
Bouchercon 2014
November 13-16, 2014 Long Beach, California
Named for mystery lover, writer, and critic Anthony Boucher (rhymes with voucher), Bouchercon is the world’s largest mystery convention and features three solid days of panels, keynotes, and parties. Bouchercon's own Anthony Awards, Mystery Readers International's Macavity Awards, Deadly Pleasures' Barry Awards, the Private Eye Writers of America's Shamus Awards, and Crimespree Magazine's Awards are all given out during Bouchercon. Guests of honor in 2014 include: J.A. Jance, Jeffery Deaver, Edward Marston, and Eoin Colfer. The Toastmaster is Simon Wood. This year's Fan Guest of Honor is Al Abramson, and they're also issuing an anthology of short stories with the theme Murder at the Beach—guidelines at the link, but hurry, because entries need to be postmarked by March 20, 2014.
Did I miss any of your favorites? Are you planning to attend a mystery convention in 2014?
This sweepstakes has ended.
To enter for a chance to win the Murder at the Beach Sweepstakes prize package ( including a full registration to 2014's Bouchercon, a night's lodging at the Queen Mary, a beach bag with more goodies and 5 great titles from the convention's honorees), make sure you're a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.
TIP: Since only comments from registered users will be tabulated, if your user name appears in red above your comment—STOP—go log in, then try commenting again. If your user name appears in black above your comment, You’re In!
Murder at the Beach Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2014/02/fan-favorites-2014-mystery-conventions-murder-at-the-beach beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) February 4, 2014. Sweepstakes ends 2:59 p.m. ET February 18, 2014. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
Deborah Lacy likes speakeasies, yellow heirloom tomatoes, and crime fiction. She also blogs over on Mystery Playground. You can find her on Twitter @quippy.
I understand Long Beach is beautiful that time of year!
ME! ME! (oh sorry, was I shouting?)
Of course, I would not kill to attend, but if I did, I would make sure it was a fair-play mystery. Looking forward to Long Beach.
oh, heck yeah!
@stridr222 – Long Beach is beautiful every time of year.
@Terrie – quiet as a mouse.
@Ralph E. Vaughan – That’s very decent of you 🙂
ohhh . . . I want to go!
California? Sure! I’d love to go!
Looking forward to Bouchercon! A night on the Queen Mary would be fun!
A trip to Bouchercon? Yeah, count me in!
Never been but would love to attend this one!
I would love to stay at the Queen Mary!
Wow, that’s a pretty amazing bag of goodies 🙂 Count me in! 🙂
I’d absolutely add Harrogate to this list!
Would be nice!
Wow! What fun! A chance to hang out with my favorite writers, stay on the Queen Mary, and go visit my daughter in West Holly wood while I am in the vicinity.
WOW – great prize and great authors.
I would love the book bundle and to win a chance to go to the convention. Please sign me up to win!
Groovy Mystery Conventions!
It would be awesome to go!
Fantastic Reads; Fantastic prize; Fantastic Authors!!! What more could a librarian ask for?!??!?!
I’ve always wanted to see the ghosts on the Queen Mary and I’ve never attended Bouchercon so this is win-win all the day! Please count me in!
would love to attend Bouchercon!
How amazing — books, the beach, the Queen Mary! What a wonderful sweepstakes!
I posted a comment before I registered as a member, so here I am again! Please put my name in the drawing for Bouchercon!
This would be quite an experience! Would love it!
sounds like a fabulous time!
YES PLEASE!!!! This looks fantastic!
I would love this…so cool
Killer prize — I am dying to go!!!!!
what a trip to win, and they say the Queen Mary is haunted too.
I can’t wait!! I’ll be attending LLC & hopefully Bouchercon. This will be my first time at both. This entire package is fantastic!
Would love to go to Bouchercon. Love mysteries!! And with the Queen Mary reported to be haunted, what a great place to stay!!
[u][b]Sounds Awesome![/b][/u]
Sounds like a great time!
Wish I had time to go to them all! Love to spend the fall in CA. 🙂
What a great contest, would love to win!
I did it!
Someone get me OUT OF THE MIDWEST…at least for a little while. Anyone?
This is a great opportunity – I would love to read these books.
Mysteries and Murders and The Queen Mary, Oh My! Count me in , I’d love to win.
I’m going to Left Coast Crime next month–my first crime fiction convention, and I would love to follow up with Boucheron next year (a short plane ride).
Awesome!
Always looking for new authors to read.
What an awesome giveaway!
This sounds thrilling! I’ve always wanted to stay on the Queen Mary.
A great giveaway!
Wow, count me in, sounds wonderful!!
What a great place for a mystery. I want to be there.
I absolutely love these conventions and wish I could go to all of them–but they do keep getting more and more expensive. My home town is Chicago and Boucher con was being held there–this was at least 30 years ago, and since I didn’t need a hotel room, I signed up. Everything’s great, but the most serious temptation is the dealer’s room. I was collecting EQMM;s at the time, and one bookseller had the #2 issue, which, I had not known was a huge pulp sized thing–the first four issues were like that. It was selling for $150.00. I had $175,00 available to spend though some of it was necessary for gas to get back to school at the U of Michigan. I thought about it–for about 6 seconds at least, and put down my bucks. Like the naieve I was, and probably still am, did’t even think of bargaining for a bit. But I was thrilled with it. I had to be content for the rest of the con with free stuff and great activities, of which there is enough to completely gorge oneself on–I just didn’t go back in the dealer’s room again. So whatever other treasures were there I did not see. After all, There’s no crying at Mystery Cons.
THIS I LIKE.
THIS I WANT.
YES
This is the most wonderful thing-
Would it help if I sing?
It wouldbe great to attend. Looking forward to being there.
Would love to attend this! Sounds incredible and Long Beach is beautiful too.
I haven’t yet but I’d love to attend one of the cons. San Diego should be nice in Nov.
What a great giveaway. The Queen mary tops it. Mystery writers and a haunted attraction, I’m definitely in.
Great giveaway!
Please enter me.
Thanks —
I am so excited about this contest. So interesting and a mystery.
I’m going to Thrillerfest–but never been to Bouchercon, thanks for running the contest!
It would be an honor and a privilege to be at any of these events as I am a lifelong fan of crime/mystery/thriller fiction. Additionally, I am a professional actor who regularly portrays Sherlock Holmes (among others) on stage. The game’s afoot!
I love Long Beach, I love the Queen Mary and I love a good mystery. The only thing better than a good mystery is more good mysteries.
Yes, yes, & double yes. Would love to win!!!!
I want to go. BCon is a great convention!
I love mysteries, reading and visiting the great state of California.
I want to go. BCon is a great convention!
What a great offer
Mystery conventions sound like fun.
Mosaix is the winner! Yes!
Not sure I have the energy for anything except the boks to read, but let me win and we’ll find out.
What a fun time! I sure hope I win.
I’m not planning on going, but would love to go. The books are always a plus.
I would love to attend the Bouchercon.
Always fun to celebrate mysteries — in all genres! And on a day when the high here in NW Montana is 4 above, San Diego in November sounds mighty appealing!
would love to go
Mystery conventions? Sounds like fun.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Fingers crossed to win.
What a fabulous prize! Sadly, winning this will be the only way I can make it to Bouchercon, so here’s hoping!
So need a writing conference in California in November. Winter just starting where I live.
What a fabulous prize! Sadly, winning this will be the only way I can make it to Bouchercon, so here’s hoping!
I’m not usually given to begging but, oh please, please, please, please,please, please,please, please pick me.
This is a tremendous prize, Criminal Element – thanks for putting it up for grabs!
That would be a great get together to attend. Here’s hoping.
Wouldn’t be able to attend Bouchercon but the books would be great!
Attending Bouchercon for the first time in 2013 was a dream come true! I didn’t think I could afford to go to the one this year in Long Beach, but with this help, I could. Keeping everything I have crossed that I will win!!!!!
a chance at bouchercon contest! what could be better.
Super contest, would love to win. Never been to a Boucheron.
I would love to be able to go and discuss mysteries.
I’m going to be at Malice and Bouchercon and I can’t wait.
Wow!
Am going Bcon and would love to win!
Always love a new mystery–or 2 or 3 or…….
A night at the Queen Mary? Fun!
This sounds like an interesting book and I would like to read it.
Oh, what a wonderful opportunity for this just-about-to-be retired public librarian who [u]loves[/u] mysteries!
Gosh, a chance to go to any of these is wonderful! I am pretty excited about it and hope I win. What a great giveaway!
Count me in please.
Whats not to like about this contest?
This would be like a dream, a good one, come true. How do I count the ways? Winning would make a believer out of the people I try to encourage to read. Authors are the best. When on the bus I have to tell the person next to me where my stop is because I might forget to get off.
This would be like a dream, a good one, come true. How do I count the ways? Winning would make a believer out of the people I try to encourage to read. Authors are the best. When on the bus I have to tell the person next to me where my stop is because I might forget to get off.
I would love to go and also stay on the Queen Mary and meet lots of authors. It all sounds like a dream.
Sounds fun
Great list and summary!!
Fingers crossed
Hmm, guess I’ve been saying Bouchercon wrong all these years. Put me down for the contest.
I think this is the best sweepstakes I have ever seen. Winning this would be a dream come true!
I love Left Coast C rime, but won’t make it this year. I’d love to go to Bouchercon
Sounds like a great time!
What an amazing time this would be!
What a great sweepstakes!
I live in Los Angeles and I’ve long wanted to spend a night on the Queen Mary. To get to do that and attend Bouchercon would be a dream vacation for me without even having to go that far.
I could even drive there. It’s not too far…couple hours at most. I’ve never stayed on the Queen Mary. That would be great.
Sounds like a lot of fun, put me in!
I’ve never been to Bouchercon (and I’ve never been to Long Beach). I wanna go!
Wow, this sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to win
It would be such fun to go to this mystery conference!!
All these conferences sound great.
I’ve never been to one. I would like to go. Hope I win.
Caroline McGee
Perfect setting for a mystery- writers’ convention.
I agree- perfect setting for a mystery meeting.
This should be a great conference. And I hope I win the sweepstakes.
If there’s something I love more than reading, it’s traveling AND reading. I so badly need a vacation after this horrid winter and somewhere nice to go. I hope I win so I can read my favorite authors and participate in this trip
Sounds fabulous!!! Can’t wait to dive in & start reading all these fantastic books!!! Thanks for contest & good luck to all!!!?
Oh, Yeah!
So excited about this. I really need to win this
Very cool prize
Would love to win, great books and mysteries and vacation
Would love to meet some of my favorite authors, and to be in So Calif where we have family.
We need one of these conventions in Atlanta! I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks for the giveaway!
It would be a long trip but worth it.
This sounds like a super convention, count me in!!
I don’t know if this has already been mentioned (and I’m too lazy to read through the 128 comments to see if it has!) but another fest happening this year is NoirCon, which is in Philadelphia and happening in the fall. Details on the NoirCon web site. I for one plan to be in attendance.
Giveaways, like bow ties, are cool.
I am prepared to ‘do the time’ to be at the Murder on the Beach sweepstakes and meet a cast of characters (and authors) who will provide me with a total change of pace from teaching young children.
I would love to go to this type of gathering and to meet professional writers.
Wow this is an amazing giveaway i would love to win
Books and the beach, what could be better!
Would love to win!
Count me in – would love to see all of you there! 🙂
Bouchercon is definitely one of the best conferences out there.
DOes the QUeen Mary still serve the world’s best onion strings?
Thanks for the list — but what about Magna cum Murder?
This is exactly how I would like to celebrate turning 60.
I hope I win!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s time I went to Bouchercon. And I’d love a day on the Queen Mary.
B’con AND the Queen Mary? Ooohh – pick me 🙂
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could ALL win? Thanks for this excellent chance.
Very nice site!
My bags are packed and ready to go!
Interesting article – and great prize!
I would love to go. Please pick me. 🙂
I would love to start going to mystery conferences again. Due to issues, I haven’t been able to go for five years.
This is a win win. Bouchercon and Long Beach, I can’t wait!
Oh, what fun that would be!!!
I would use the opportunity to have a mini reunion with family out in California.
This sounds like a lot of fun!
Sun, sand and mysteries. Count me in!
OMG!!!! Pick me, pick me!!!
Looking forward to both Malice Domestic and Bouchercon. Convention season is the greatest!
I really want to go to Bouchercon this year!
I’ll get to Bouchercon one day . . . perhaps thanks to you!
Never been to Bouchercon, but would love to go! Thank you!
Wow! What a great prize package. Thanks for the chance to win.
I was not planning to attend a convention, but if I win this sweepstakes I will be attending one. You did miss Ann Perry & Elizabeth George 2 of my many favorites.
Would love to go to Bouchercon.
I would love to atttend the convention. I have been reading mysteries and thrillers for almost 40 years.
Would love the opportunity to meet the writers that I read
Very generoud giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance!
This is a very exciting contest! I love going to mystery conventions, but have only had the chance to go to Bouchercon twice – first in DC in 2001 (after 9/11) and then in St, Louis. A friend and I registered for B’con 2014 last May at Malice Domestic and it would be wonderful to get these prizes! 🙂
I want to win!!!
This would be a blast.
Enter me. I would love to go.
I went to my first mystery writers’ conference last year. It was great. Would love to try another one!
What a wonderful prize, I love new experiences.
This is the most awsome prize one could win. I have heard what a great conference this is and I am hoping to have a chance to win this!
Dreaming Big!!!!!!!
I just may have to attend my first Malice Domestic with that lineup!
I would love to win. It would be Awesome.
I would love to win!
Wanting to win! Is that a sin?
I have always wanted to do something like this. Never been to a mystery writers conference.
What a terrific opportunity!
great books to read
I would love to take my wife to do this it would be great and alot of fun!
Would love to win this!
Sounds exciting! Great prize!
I would love to win this!!! I have been a mystery fan for life!!!
Oh boy! I hope I am lucky!
this 1 is 4 my wife!
A conference sounds terrific. Great to be exposed to other mystery writers and reviewers and fans! What an opportunity!
This sounds amazing!
Bouchercon is a wonderful convention and I would love to attend another one!
Groovy Mystery Conventions!
GOOD LUCK
Very nice prize!
I would love to attend. A dream come true.
Mystery is my genre….kill to be a want to be a winner!
Mystery is my genre….kill to be a want to be a winner!
Count me in! I love mysteries, I love the beach, and I especially love reading mysteries on the beach.
I would love to go to a mystery convention!! So exciting to be able to see my favorite authors! I just learned about the murder mystery weekend in Langley on whidbey island Washington – another activity to add to my literary bucket list!
Wow, this is a great one!! Would love to attend, and never too many books to read.
What a wonderful prize – I would love to win it. What a great way to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary! Thanks for this opportunity.
this looks like a great time to be had…would love to win this
I’ve never been to California & this would be a perfect opportunity to combine a trip out west and meet the mystery authors I admire so much! Hoping I’m the lucky winner!
Would love to win this! Thanks for running the contest!
My introduction to the mystery community came by winning a trip to the Bouchercon in Monterey from Amazon. Does lightning strike twice?!?!
I was at a murder mystery on a cruise once and it was so much fun! I would love to experience another!
Best prize ever!
Looking out at a foot of snow with temperature plummeting. Long Beach sounds like heaven!
I was born in Long Beach, but have no memory of it. Dad was in the Navy then, and he was discharged when I was three months old. Do you think it has changed any?
What a wonderful contest! Keep me posted.
Bouchercon AND a night on the Queen Mary? What more could one ask!
Thanks again for the chance to win such interesting prizes.
I’d love to win this!
I’d love to go to this. The Queen Mary is supposedly haunted, which means I’d be scared out of my pants but probably love it. And then need therapy afterward.
Thanks for this great package!
I’d love to be there.
this would be the ultimate summer getaway – love to go 🙂
What a great oppurtunity. Thanks!
What a treat this would be! I’d love to do it.
What a treat this would be! I’d love to do it.
I want to win this!
Now this one I would REALLY want to win!
(well, I s’pose I want to win all of them……)
a good book- and a mystery- perfect : )
Pick me please!
I would LOVE to attend a Bouchercon!
YESSS!!!! PLEASE!!!!
I love allkinds of books and Ican’t get enough to read, thank you for the chance
Count me in.
This sounds smashing
I would love to win this
Hell yes. Thanks for this fantastic giveaway! I’ve heard such great things about Bouchercon; I’d love the chance to go.
Sure I hope I win. But I’ll be there no matter what. I live near L.A. so I can finally afford to attend.
I was able to attend Bouchercon in Baltimore. It was a great experience. I would love the chance to go to another.
I went to college in Long Beach, and have visitied the Queen Mary. It’s a great location for Bouchercon. Supposedly, it’s haunted. The Queen Mary, that is !!
Sounds so interesting!
Never been-sounds great!
Awesome! I wanna win!
This is a great prize! Thanks so much for the chance.
Thank you for the sweepstakes. Very nice
I’ve never been to a mystery convention. I think it would be loads of fun!
Long Beach and the Queen Mary- Sign me up!
The Queen Mary is perfect for a Mystery Convention. Thanks
I would love a vacation and Long Beach AND Bouchercon would be fantastic!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity!!!
Great contest! I would love to win
Thanks for offering
wow
I wanna win!! =)
Would love to re-visit all my new BCon buddies in Cali this fall! Count me in.
good luck all’.! Hope i win it!
I LOVE mysteries!!! I would LOVE to be able to go to Bouchercon! I read about it for years & would LOVE to see & hear some of my favorite authors!
What a great place to celebrate great mysteries…and perhaps do research for a new one!
One conference that may not show up on mystery lists, though it has lots of mystery content, is the Midwest Writers Workshop in Indiana. They often have an intensive one-day mystery session with a great author the day before the full conference starts.
Books and a trip to California WOW
I would love to attend
Enough of below zero temperatures and the never ending winter. Bring on the beach! A bag full of books and an exciting conference. It couldn’t get much better than that.
Wow! Murder and a looooong beach.
I haven’t attended any book conventions, since I live in a pretty rural area. This would be amazing and so fun! The trip of a lifetime. 🙂
[b]Sounds like a blast![/b]
Oooh! I would love this!
Long Beach, hmm. Well I’m in Hollywood so maybe I can make it this time for the first time in over 30 years.
Would love to meet authors. Pick me!
Mysteries all the way! I’d love to come!
This would be great!
Long Beach is to die for! And a mystery convention…yes I’d be caught dead there.
Count me in!
This would be an interesting experience and makes a great prize – I would love to win!
Sounds like a plan to me!! I am ready!!
Pack my bags. I’m ready for another mystery
I would love to win!
I would like to win.
This would be so wonderful! I love mysteries and the Queen Mary is so important in my family: my father came back on her from Europe in 1945 and I was married on the Queen. Thank you for the chance to go back!
Criminal Element always has the best sweepstakes! Count me in.
Oh, to be surrounded by “Criminal Elements” and in a good way ~ priceless and fun! Every day is a gift..enjoy yours today !
I’ve never been to Bouchercon – this would be fantastic!
Would love to attend the Crimefest
The Queen Mary, isn’t she haunted? That would be cool.
What a perfect place to host Boucheron, since the Queen Mary is definitely said to be haunted! *cue the scary music* And Long Beach is such a fun place. I’d love to win (of course)!
I’d love to visit the LBC in order to attend Bouchercon! Thanks for the chance!
Send me to Bouchercon! 🙂
Pick me-please
Pick me-please
May I please be the one? Thank you!
wishing & hoping
Thank you for the opportunity to win such an amazing prize.
I would love to win!
I need a vacation! Stat!!
Would love to win this
How wonderful it would be to win this. Please let it be so
This is a wonderful collection of prizes! I would be so happy to win!
I would be sooo excited to attend the 2014 Bouchercon and stay on the Queen Mary. How exciting! I hope I win!
I would like to go, this is awesome.
interesting
good luck
I can’t imagine a better vacation!
My wife & I would Love this! Soooo sick of this cold & snow! Even my dogs are!
This would be such a blastblast
Maybe I will get to see a ghost or two!
Would love to stay on the Queen Mary
love this, great way to imerse myself in the mysterys
sounds like good time
I’d love this!
I would love to go to the [b][url=http://thrillerfest.com/]ThrillerFest IX[/url]!!!!![/b]
A mystery convention sounds like a great time! How fun!
Great mysteries. I’d love to go .
I feel lucky
I’ve heard of Thrillerfest, but I like ll the authors who will be attending [b]Bouchercon [/b]too.
this is an awesome prize!
So why is this under the heading “Sweeptakes?”