Key West The Newspaper

Many have fantasized about authoring the perfect crime fiction story; now, in an unexpected plot twist, organizers of the upcoming Mystery Writers Key West Fest have announced that one Fest guest will walk into the pages of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham’s next novel.

Every fan of mystery fiction that has registered for the Fest by midnight June 30 is eligible to win a cameo “character placement” role in the prolific author’s next work. Graham, who has more than seventy-five million books in print published in approximately twenty languages, is slated to be a featured presenter and panelist at the upcoming “Murder & Mayhem in Paradise” themed Fest, a gathering of true-crime, mystery, and suspense writers and fans to be held in Key West, Florida, August 14-16.

Fest registration includes three days of panels, presentations and social events with best-selling and global award winning authors, including Graham, featured guest Jeffery Deaver – international best-selling author of the acclaimed “Lincoln Rhyme” book series; James O. Born, former U.S. Drug Agent and undercover operative whose titles include the award-winning novel “Escape Clause;” and a Who’s-Who of mystery genre luminaries including Libby Fischer Hellman, Chris Kuznesk, Irish thriller writer Laurence O’Bryan and Florida Keys based authors Michael Haskins, Mike Dennis, Shirrel Rhoades and Jonathan Woods.

Sponsored in part by the Mystery Writers of America – Florida Chapter, the Key West Citizen daily newspaper and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, registration for all three days of events is $125, with “killer” early bird discounts for select hotel rooms booked by July 10.

For registration, hotel room booking link and further information, visit www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com.