A Crime Bake to Remember
A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the New England Crime Bake, an event that has become a cornerstone of my writing year. For those unfamiliar, Crime Bake is a premier writers' conference tailored specifically to mystery and thriller writers, from aspiring scribes to seasoned pros. It’s a weekend of immersion in all things crime writing—masterclasses, panels, competitions, and, perhaps most importantly, community.
For writers, it’s a rare and invaluable opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who understand the agony of plotting crimes (fictional, of course) and the thrill of solving them. Whether you're there to hone your craft, network with industry professionals, or celebrate getting into the genre, Crime Bake has something for everyone.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the Agents and
Editors Track, a series of workshops, panels, and feedback sessions
specifically designed to help writers polish their manuscripts and pitches. I
was fortunate to receive feedback from some truly insightful agents and editors
this year, and their input has already transformed my current manuscript. They
offered a mix of hard truths and encouraging insights, pushing me to streamline
challenging concepts—such as cryptocurrency—and to anchor emerging technology
themes against classic, relatable plot points. The result is a richer, more
dynamic story, and these are the edits I am finishing this month.
These sessions aren’t for the faint of heart—it’s
nerve-wracking to put your work under a microscope—but the payoff is
invaluable. The conversations sparked new ideas, confirmed things I knew deep
down were necessary, and helped me refine my novel into something I can
confidently say is ready to query in January.
Another exciting aspect of Crime Bake is its
competitions, which give writers a chance to test their skills and pitches in
front of peers and professionals. I’m thrilled to share that I won the Log
Line Slam this year with my pitch for my latest novel, a closed-circle
murder mystery set on a stormy college campus. Hearing my pitch resonate with
the judges and audience felt like the ultimate validation of the countless
hours I’ve poured into this story.
Winning the Log Line Slam isn’t just a confidence boost—it’s a good omen as I prepare to dive into the querying trenches. Even better, every agent I pitched to during the conference asked for pages, giving me a solid head start on this new chapter in my writing journey. I’ve got a good feeling about this one, and I can’t wait to share more as the journey unfolds.
Crime Bake always reminds me why I love this genre, this community, and this craft. If you’re a writer of mysteries or thrillers and haven’t been, I can’t recommend it enough. Mark your calendars for next year—I’ll be there, ready to celebrate another year of writing and plotting (again, fictionally).
Until next time, happy writing—and happy scheming.
Check it out: www.crimebake.org