CrimeCONN 2022
Connecticut’s Own Mystery Lovers’ Conference
Presented by the Friends of the Ferguson Library and the Mystery Writers of America
Saturday, June 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
The Friends of the Ferguson Library and the Mystery Writers of America/NY chapter present CrimeCONN 2022, a one-day writers' and mystery lovers' conference.
Registration required.
Also available to attend as a virtual event via Zoom webinar. (Virtual event on Zoom will begin at 9 a.m.)
Book sale and signing.
The End of the World As We Knew It
This year, authors and crime experts take stock of the literary life in the midst of COVID, cultural upheaval and Russia's war on Ukraine. How do we keep creating and finding beauty amidst the turmoil?
REGISTRATION
Before May 6 - Early Bird Registration
$40 per person
After May 6
$50 per person
$45 per person for MWA members, Friends members, seniors and students
(Light breakfast and lunch included at the in-person event.)
Register HERE to attend in person.
Also available via Zoom (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
$25 per person (Register HERE to attend the virtual program on Zoom)
10:15 to 11:00 a.m. - The Eve of Destruction
Is this really the end or just a nasty speed bump? There's a lot of commentary that we're in apocalyptic times. Some scoff at the idea. How are writers reacting to it all? Can crime writing address some of the dystopian mood?
Moderator: Chris Knopf: Author of the Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mystery Series, Arthur Cathcart thrillers and Jackie Swaitkowski mystery books.
Panelists:
Reed Farrel Coleman: New York Times bestselling author of thirty-two novels including six in Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series.
Jill Fletcher: Avid reader, author, book editor, professional manuscript review
Wendy Walker: Bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten, Emma In the Night, The Night Before, Don’t Look for Me, Hold Your Breath, and American Girl.
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Forever Young
How young adult authors navigate unprecedented times.
Kids today face a world that no other generation has lived through. How does fiction recognize the challenges while sustaining hopes, dreams and aspirations – and still have fun doing it all?
Moderator: Desmond Hall: Screenwriter and author of Your Dark Corner, a YA novel that was a finalist for the New England Book Award.
Panelists:
Emily Arsenault: Author of several novels for adults and young adults, most recently the young adult psychological suspense/ghost story When All the Girls Are Sleeping.
Lorien Lawrence: Author of the middle grade horror series, Fright Watch.
Laurie Faria Stolarz: Author of several popular young adult novels including the Dark House series, the Touch series, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series.
12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lunch Break/Writing Workshop
Enjoy lunch in the auditorium with our CrimeCONN authors or grab your lunch and head over to a writing workshop with Desmond Hall. (Reserve your spot for the writing workshop when you register. Seating is limited. Workshop is available to in-person attendees only. )
1 to 1:45 p.m. - Psycho Killer
Law enforcement in the age of derangement. When the times get weird, the weird turn pro. Tales and commentary on all the crazy thinking and behavior rising up around us.
Moderator: Michelle Clark: Medicolegal Death Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s in Connecticut.
Panelists:
Bridget Brisnahan: Recently retired from the New Haven Police Department where she spent 22 years fighting crime - the last 16, fighting crime with science in the detective bureau.
Bruce Coffin: A former detective sergeant with more than twenty-seven years in law enforcement, he is also the award-winning author of the Detective Byron mystery series.
Joaquim (Jack) DeOliveira: After twenty-plus years of service, Jack retired from the Naugatuck Police Department and recently accepted a job at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a Medicolegal Death Investigator.
3:15 to 4:00 p.m. - Doctor My Eyes
Experiencing Covid and observing war through the lens of a physician and best-selling author.
Keynote Speaker: Tess Gerritsen: An international bestselling author, her series of novels featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the hit TNT television series "Rizzoli & Isles," starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.
Interviewer: John Valeri: Book critic, author, and host of the web series Central Booking, he has written for numerous publications.