Welcome to the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Con
Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Columbia, MD
September 17-19, 2027
Our purpose is to gather readers and writers of genre fiction–mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal – to meet in an informal atmosphere so that everyone can have fun connecting, and learning about writing, the authors and their books. The conference offers panels on the craft and business of writing as well as panels tailored to engage and entertain fans. The registration fee includes Friday’s dinner, 3 meals Saturday and Sunday breakfast, so readers and writers dine side-by-side. Plus: keynote addresses, author interviews, an onsite bookstore, two giant book signings and readings open to the public.
Giving to others:
Free to the public:
2027 Guests of Honor
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Graham, has written more than 200 novels and novellas including mystery, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, romance, historical romance, horror, science fiction vampire fiction, time travel, occult, young adult, and even Christmas family stories.
She has been published in 30 languages Her awards include the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers, the prestigious Thriller Master Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Romance Writers of America.
Giving back to the community, Heather has hosted events to benefit pediatric children’s hospitals. In 2006 she hosted the first Writers for New Orleans Workshop to benefit the stricken Gulf Region. She is also the founder of “The Slush Pile Players,” a group of musical authors who present at conferences and benefits.
J.D. Barker is a New York Times and international bestselling author of suspense thrillers blending horror, crime, mystery, and the supernatural. His debut novel, Forsaken, was a finalist for the Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel.
After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family contacted Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula using Stoker’s original notes and journals, much of which had never been made public. After that book, Dracul, he collaborated with James Patterson on 5 joint thriller novels and has co-written with other authors as well.
His most popular series features the 4MK (Fourth Monkey) books—starting with The Fourth Monkey — following a twisted cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer. Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions is producing a series adaptation of them.