What IS the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival?
The Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival is a day-long event, held at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, where mystery fans get a chance to meet national best-selling mystery authors! There will be book signings, multiple workshops, and moderated panel discussions.
What is the fee to attend the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival?
The Festival is from 12 to 6 pm, with a private VIP Luncheon from 11am-1pm and the festival opening to the general public at 1pm. The VIP is $30 per person and limited to the first 50 participants - these tickets will go on sale on May 15. This is the only ticketed portion of the day; the rest of the day is completely free and open to the public.
How do I find out more details about becoming a Featured or New Author for the 2020 Festival?
The applications for 2020 can be found here. We encourage you to apply, but please be sure to read the rules and policies; almost all questions can be answered there.
What authors are coming to this Festival?
The 2020 roster of authors will be announced in late April.
I would like to advertise in the program. Is there a way to do that?
We offer several cost-effective options for advertising in the souvenir program. Advertising information can be found here.
Are there any sponsorship opportunities?
We will again offer a variety of sponsorship levels, making this Suffolk tradition a budget-friendly event. Sponsorship information can be found here.
Can I bring books by the authors who are attending the Festival?
Absolutely! We will be offering a limited supply of books (by each author) for sale, but we definitely encourage you to bring your own books if you have them.
I really want to attend but I don’t think I can stay the entire day. Is that a problem?
This event is set up so that you can come and go as you please. If you can only stay for a limited time, our suggestion would be to look at the schedule and try to plan your visit around the activities in which you’re interested.
I want to attend several of the workshops. What should I do?
Each workshop is being held on the second floor, which has a limited seating capacity. If you really want to attend something, we recommend you go to the workshop location (please see the program) a few minutes before the start of the workshop, to be sure you’ll get a seat. For more information on the workshops, please see here.
What panels are being offered and who will be on them?
Please see our panel page here. Due to author availability, this information may change.
Can I take pictures with the authors?
Many authors will be glad to take a picture with you, but please ask for permission first. If you post your pictures to social media, please tag the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival and use the hashtag, #smaf2020. No recordings will be allowed during any of the events (panels, workshops, signings).
Is there anything to eat or drink at the festival?
If you would like to have lunch during the day, we suggest walking a few blocks to our delightful historic district, where eatery opportunities abound. Be sure to visit the Suffolk Tourism table to receive restaurant recommendations. We will also have a complimentary Hospitality Room on the 2nd floor (near the elevator), with coffee, tea, and water, along with abundant seating. The Suffolk Center will be offering a snack cart/bar with a variety of beer, wine, soda and snacks for purchase.
Is there parking at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts?
There is an accessible and free parking lot behind the facility, and there is off-street parking surrounding the facility. Signs will be posted for easy access.
Is the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts accessible to those attendees with physical limitations or disabilities?
Yes. The Center is equipped with wheelchair ramps, elevators and designated wheelchair seating in the theater. The restrooms offer disabled access as well. The Center offers sound enhancement devices; please contact them directly at 757.923.0003 to make arrangements if this is needed.
I am coming from out of town. Is there a hotel nearby?
There are several hotels within about 2-5 miles of the venue. Here are some options for nearby accommodations. For complete details, visit www.VisitSuffolkVA.com.
I have been asked to fill out a survey at the festival. Am I required to do this?
While filling out a survey is not mandatory, it is much appreciated. The Festival uses it measure the demographics of our attendees. It also helps us determine how effective we are with Festival promotion and how we can make it better in the future.
A few basic rules about the Festival:
• Please be respectful of our authors and speakers during all Festival events.
• Please silence all cell phones for the duration of the sessions.
• Please do not leave trash inside the session locations. There will be trash cans throughout the Festival.
A friendly reminder that no eating or drinking is allowed in the Birdsong Theater (where the opening session
and all panels take place).
The Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival is a day-long event, held at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, where mystery fans get a chance to meet national best-selling mystery authors! There will be book signings, multiple workshops, and moderated panel discussions.
What is the fee to attend the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival?
The Festival is from 12 to 6 pm, with a private VIP Luncheon from 11am-1pm and the festival opening to the general public at 1pm. The VIP is $30 per person and limited to the first 50 participants - these tickets will go on sale on May 15. This is the only ticketed portion of the day; the rest of the day is completely free and open to the public.
How do I find out more details about becoming a Featured or New Author for the 2020 Festival?
The applications for 2020 can be found here. We encourage you to apply, but please be sure to read the rules and policies; almost all questions can be answered there.
What authors are coming to this Festival?
The 2020 roster of authors will be announced in late April.
I would like to advertise in the program. Is there a way to do that?
We offer several cost-effective options for advertising in the souvenir program. Advertising information can be found here.
Are there any sponsorship opportunities?
We will again offer a variety of sponsorship levels, making this Suffolk tradition a budget-friendly event. Sponsorship information can be found here.
Can I bring books by the authors who are attending the Festival?
Absolutely! We will be offering a limited supply of books (by each author) for sale, but we definitely encourage you to bring your own books if you have them.
I really want to attend but I don’t think I can stay the entire day. Is that a problem?
This event is set up so that you can come and go as you please. If you can only stay for a limited time, our suggestion would be to look at the schedule and try to plan your visit around the activities in which you’re interested.
I want to attend several of the workshops. What should I do?
Each workshop is being held on the second floor, which has a limited seating capacity. If you really want to attend something, we recommend you go to the workshop location (please see the program) a few minutes before the start of the workshop, to be sure you’ll get a seat. For more information on the workshops, please see here.
What panels are being offered and who will be on them?
Please see our panel page here. Due to author availability, this information may change.
Can I take pictures with the authors?
Many authors will be glad to take a picture with you, but please ask for permission first. If you post your pictures to social media, please tag the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival and use the hashtag, #smaf2020. No recordings will be allowed during any of the events (panels, workshops, signings).
Is there anything to eat or drink at the festival?
If you would like to have lunch during the day, we suggest walking a few blocks to our delightful historic district, where eatery opportunities abound. Be sure to visit the Suffolk Tourism table to receive restaurant recommendations. We will also have a complimentary Hospitality Room on the 2nd floor (near the elevator), with coffee, tea, and water, along with abundant seating. The Suffolk Center will be offering a snack cart/bar with a variety of beer, wine, soda and snacks for purchase.
Is there parking at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts?
There is an accessible and free parking lot behind the facility, and there is off-street parking surrounding the facility. Signs will be posted for easy access.
Is the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts accessible to those attendees with physical limitations or disabilities?
Yes. The Center is equipped with wheelchair ramps, elevators and designated wheelchair seating in the theater. The restrooms offer disabled access as well. The Center offers sound enhancement devices; please contact them directly at 757.923.0003 to make arrangements if this is needed.
I am coming from out of town. Is there a hotel nearby?
There are several hotels within about 2-5 miles of the venue. Here are some options for nearby accommodations. For complete details, visit www.VisitSuffolkVA.com.
I have been asked to fill out a survey at the festival. Am I required to do this?
While filling out a survey is not mandatory, it is much appreciated. The Festival uses it measure the demographics of our attendees. It also helps us determine how effective we are with Festival promotion and how we can make it better in the future.
A few basic rules about the Festival:
• Please be respectful of our authors and speakers during all Festival events.
• Please silence all cell phones for the duration of the sessions.
• Please do not leave trash inside the session locations. There will be trash cans throughout the Festival.
A friendly reminder that no eating or drinking is allowed in the Birdsong Theater (where the opening session
and all panels take place).