Conference for mystery, thriller, and suspense fiction writers
SleuthFest provides writers at any point in their publishing journey with techniques to improve their craft, information on publishing, marketing, and the business of writing, along with insight from best-selling authors, industry professionals, and forensics experts.
We also give authors networking opportunities that are an invaluable component of any writer’s toolkit.
SleuthFest helps attendees achieve their publishing goals.
MAY 14-18, 2025
Hilton Bayfront
St. Petersburg, Florida
Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America
Guests of Honor
Lisa Unger
Guest of Honor
Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-one novels. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Dr. Katherine Ramsland
Forensic Guest of Honor
Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology and behavioral criminology. She has appeared as an expert on more than 200 crime documentaries and is the author of more than 1,500 articles and 72 books. She has also published a fiction series.
Faculty Guests
Lou Berney
Faculty
Lou Berney‘s books have won the Edgar, Hammett, Steel Dagger, Barry, Macavity, Lefty, and Anthony awards, and he has been a finalist twice for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His short fiction has appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, Ploughshares, and the Pushcart Prize anthology. He teaches in the MFA program at Oklahoma City University.
Isabella Maldonado
Faculty
Isabella Maldonado wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in the Fairfax County Police Department, during more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and precinct commander. Her books have been translated into 22 languages.
Agents & Editors
The Official Bookstore of SleuthFest
