Acclaimed mystery authors, celebrated storytellers and the
fans who love them are set to rendezvous on the tropical island where so many
have found literary inspiration during the 6th Annual Mystery Fest Key West,
set for June 28-30, 2019 in Key West, Florida.
During the
weekend’s series of panels, presentations and social events, Mystery Fest attendees
will have the opportunity to learn first-hand how to craft or refine their own
tales of crime, murder and mystery from a stellar line-up of high-profile
mystery and suspense luminaries and true-crime experts.
2019 headliners
are Keynote Speaker Jeffery
Deaver, the international bestselling and global multi-award winning
suspense-thriller author of 40 novels, including the wildly popular “Lincoln
Rhyme” series books; New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Heather Graham, New York
Times bestselling authors Lisa Black, Carla Norton, and Diane A.S. Stuckart, along
with authors Jane Bock, Micki Browning, Gray Basnight, David Beckwith, Robert
Coburn, Bill Craig, Mike Dennis, Wayne Gales, Cheryl Hollon, Renee Kumar, Rick
Ollerman, Shirrel Rhoades, bestselling Buck Reilly adventure series author John
H. Cunningham and literary agent Bob DiForio.
Founded in 2014, the Mystery Fest Key West quickly grew in
fame and attendance, but “still has the intimacy of a boutique-sized convention
with lots of direct interaction between authors and audience,” commented author, publisher and Fest
co-founder Shirrel Rhoades. "And, because of the star-power of our guest authors,
the fascinating panels and unique social events, we also attract writers and
fans of other genres as well.”
Beginning Friday afternoon, June 28, Mystery Fest highlights are to include an
opening wine and cheese party on the veranda of Key West’s iconic Custom House
Museum with author Heather Graham and Key West Mayor Teri Johnston presiding,
keynote luncheon with Deaver, a killer line-up of panels and presentations
examining everything from “Forensics for Writers” to “How I Plot a Mystery,”
author book signings, a rum sampling event at Hemingway Rum Company/Papa’s
Pilar Distillery, a Bloody Mary Morning breakfast at the historic Schooner
Wharf Bar, a chance to win a cameo “character placement” role in author Gray
Basnight’s next mystery tale, and presentation of the annual Whodunit Mystery
Writing Award.
Event
registration is $195 and includes all panels, presentations, a lunch and a
brunch, and social events, with panels and presentations taking place at The
Studios of Key West in the island’s Old Town historic district. Those who
register by June 1 are automatically entered into the Gray Basnight “character
placement” contest.
Mystery Fest
Key West 2019 is sponsored by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council,
the Key West Citizen daily newspaper, The Helmerich Trust, The Gardens Hotel,
The Laureate Key West, Margaritaville Key West Resort and Marina, and Key West
Art & Historical Society.
For a full Fest schedule, online registration, and hotel links visit MysteryFestKeyWest.com
Mystery Fest Key West 2019 headliner and Keynote Speaker Jeffery Deaver. (Photo courtesy Gunner Publications)
