The Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance announces its inaugural 'Maine Crime Wave' conference. The day-long event will be held Saturday, April 19, at USM's Glickman Library in Portland. It will include a keynote address from best-selling author Tess Gerritsen, panel discussions, theme-specific workshops, manuscript critiques, book-signings with sales provided by Kelly’s Books To Go, and more.

From television stalwarts such as “Murder, She Wrote” and “Dark Shadows,” to the works of Stephen King, Maine has the reputation of being the spookiest state in the nation. Never mind that statistics consistently show the Pine Tree State to be one of the country’s safest places, in the public’s imagination, Maine equals murder, mystery and mayhem.

Manuscript critique

Have a manuscript already? Bring it along for critiquing: MWPA members: $50, nonmembers: $75. Manuscript Critique Details

Workshops

• Reality Check On Character with Gerry Boyle Scene of the Crime
• On Setting with Paul Doiron
• Building a Killer Plot On Plot with Kate Flora Creating and Sustaining Tension
• On Suspense with Julia Spencer-Fleming

Registration and payment due by April 11. MWPA Members: $95 (conference & workshops); MWPA Members: $120 (conference and workshops, plus morning coffee bar and lunch); nonmembers: $155 (conference & workshops), nonmembers: $400 (conference and workshops, plus morning coffee bar and lunch). For schedule of events, registration form, and more details visit the MWPA website: mainewriters.org. Questions? Call 207-228-8263 or email info@mainewriters.org.