Left Coast Crime 2026 Newsletter
January 19, 2026
The Panels Are Here!
We are thrilled to announce that we have posted the Panel Schedule. It’s always a challenge to find places for everyone who requests panel appearances, and the available panel slots are limited. Our ultimate goal is to make sure the LCC audience is entertained and informed. A few panelists have yet to confirm, so do check back over the next week or so to view additions and changes.
Close Encounters
We have added a fifth event track this year — Close Encounters — which is not limited to authors. We are now accepting proposals from individuals, duos, or trios (but no more than three people) who would like a 20-minute time slot in a smaller room equipped with a couple of mics, a moveable table, and an audience. There are also a limited number of 45-minute slots. Would you like to read a section from a book or recite Poe's “The Raven” from memory? Perform magic tricks? Play the ukulele? Do a comedy routine? Here is your chance! Please email Victoria Kazarian & Diane Schaffer with your name(s) and emails(s) along with the title and short description of your proposed Close Encounter. Note: priority will be given to authors who did not receive a panel placement this year, so please note that in your proposal. Proposals are due Monday, January 26.
San Francisco Schemin’ Events
At Left Coast Crime 2026 we are also offering our usual four opportunities outside the normal panel and book signings for authors and readers to interact.
Meet the New Authors Breakfast, sponsored by Sisters in Crime
Debut Authors who have a first mystery, crime, thriller, or suspense novel published between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026 (who did not present at the LCC 2025 Meet the New Author Breakfast), are eligible to present at our Meet the New Authors Breakfast on Friday, February 27, hosted by Mike Befeler, assisted by Jeff Ayers & Terry Stevens-Ayers.
Debut Authors: If you have not yet received an invitation from Mike Befeler, please contact him at
mikebef@aol.com.
Fans: All LCC registrants are welcome to attend the breakfast Friday morning
Author Speed-Dating
Author Speed-Dating will take place Thursday, February 26, from 9:00–11:00 AM, before the panel programming begins, and is a fun way for authors to connect to a new set of readers. Hosted by Jeff Ayers & Terry Stevens-Ayers, the time frame and setup allows 40 authors to circulate in pairs and 144 fans to relax and enjoy the 2-minute pitches.
Authors: If you are interested in Speed-Dating, please email Speed Dating Organizer Leslie Blatt. First-time Speed-Daters have priority if requested by February 2, so do mention if you are a newbie. If you have a partner in mind, provide the name and email and we will do our best to pair you up.
Fans: First come, first seated! Seating is limited to 144.
Author-Hosted Tables
Authors are invited to partner with another author to host a table at the Lefty Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 28. The Awards Banquet seating will be at round tables ten: two Author Hosts plus eight other diners, who will sign up to join the hosted table as your guests. There is no fee for hosting. Table favors and decorations optional. Author requests will be taken through February 9th.
Author-Hosts: Email Lucinda Surber with BOTH of your names and email addresses.
Fans: After you pick up your registration materials, look for the Author-Hosted Table nearby to sign up. First come, first served.
Note: There will be open tables for those who don’t sign up for Author-Hosted Tables. Reservations are not available for open tables.
Author-Reader Connections
One of the best things about Left Coast Crime is the chance to get to know your fellow readers and writers. But sometimes, during the excitement and flurry of activities, it’s not always easy to find time to meet your favorite writer. Author-Reader Connections provide a unique forum for readers and authors to enjoy some time together in a small group. These Author-Reader Connections are free, and in some cases may include some special benefits from the authors.
Authors: Email Connections for all the information about setting up a Connection.
Fans: Information about signing up for Author-Reader Connections will be shared in the next newsletter.
Volunteers
As an all-volunteer organization, LCC can’t run conventions without volunteers... like you! There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for everyone.
Registration
Sign up for a two-hour shift helping Registrar Stan Ulrich manage the registration table. We need both experienced Registration volunteers and those who have never done this fun job of welcoming convention registrants and handing out the envelopes and book bags. Our long-time Registration Captain Dotty Morefield is not able to attend this year, so we would love to hear from anyone who is willing to serve as a Captain for half a day or longer. We also need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Wednesday (3:00–5:00 PM), Thursday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Friday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Saturday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM). Please email Lucinda Surber if you would like to help at Registration, mentioning some days and times you are available.
Panel Room Timekeeper
Sign up for a shift managing a panel room. We need 70 volunteers for this fun and important job. Responsibilities include picking up the Panel Packet and arranging the panelist name tents before the panel, holding up signs so the Panel Moderator knows how much time is left before the end of the panel, and escorting the panelists to the signing space after the panel. Written instructions will be provided. Please email Lucinda Surber if you would like to help as a Panel Room Timekeeper, mentioning some panels you would like to attend.
Book Signing Room Helper
Sign up for a shift helping with the book signings. Duties include placing signage for each panel, greeting and directing authors to their seats, and managing lines to avoid congestion. Please email Laura Boss & Thena McArthur if you would like to volunteer, mentioning some days and times you are available.
Silent Auction & Hospitality Room Monitor
Sign up for a two-hour shift monitoring the hospitality room and Silent Auction items. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Thursday (Noon – 4:00 PM), Friday & Saturday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM), and Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM). Please email Glenda Carroll & Vinnie Hansen if you would like to volunteer, mentioning some days and times you are available.
Volunteer Table Helper
Sign up for a shift at the Volunteer Table, helping the Panel Room Timekeepers pick up their packets and pitching in as needed if other volunteers don’t arrive. We need volunteers for two-hour shifts on Thursday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Friday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Saturday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM), Sunday (8:30–10:30 AM). Please email Bruce Johnson & Lexa Mac if you would like to volunteer, mentioning some days and times you are available.
Hands on History: Murder in Black and White
Free Archivist-Led Tour of the History Center at the San Francisco Public Library
Attend a special session featuring a curated selection of authentic materials from the San Francisco History Center Archives, arranged by Lisa Weddle from the San Francisco Public Library.
Participants will have the rare opportunity to handle select items under the guidance of the library's archivist. Highlights include photos from the San Francisco New-Call Bulletin newspaper photo morgue, early 20th century SF Police Department mug books & wanted circulars, original maps and guidebooks, and Dashiell Hammett’s typewriter.
Come curious, leave inspired! Two 1-hour sessions available on Wednesday, February 25: 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM
Location: San Francisco History Center, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, 6th Floor
Admission: Free for Left Coast Crime 2026 attendees (RSVP at Eventbrite, one reservation per attendee, space limited)
Date & Times: Wednesday, February 25, 2026: 11:00 AM–Noon or 1:00–2:00 PM
Book Room Information
Author, Author! specializes in online sales, special events, books for writers, and books for authors. Author, Author! will handle sales in the convention Book Room of traditionally published books — in general, titles returnable at a regular discount through major publishers or distributors — as well as consignment sales.
Traditionally Published Authors
The DEADLINE to request Author Author to order your books was January 5, 2026. Please use the Consignment Form below.
Consignment Sales
Author, Author! will also be handling Consignment Sales for authors who publish through alternate avenues. Consignment authors must bring or ship their own books to the convention.
Please download and fill out this CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT, and then return by email to Author, Author! by February 2. (Email & phone number on Consignment Agreement for questions.)
Advertising in the Program Book
The deadline for reserving ad space has been extended to January 23, 2026.
And it is now easier than ever to pay for ads — the ad form includes a QR code and link to pay with a credit card — or email us to pay by Venmo or PayPal. Or you can still just mail a check! Please encourage your publisher to advertise in the Left Coast Crime Program Book. There are sizes and prices for every budget. Don’t be left out! This is the last chance, the Final Extension, and we really mean it this time!
Details and Advertising Form
Sponsorship at Left Coast Crime
THANK YOU to Sisters in Crime for sponsoring the Meet-the-New Authors Breakfast! Left Coast Crime is so grateful to Sisters in Crime for their ongoing support of Left Coast Crime.
Left Coast Crime encourages organizations to sponsor a variety of events such as the Opening Reception, the Awards Banquet, the Saturday breakfast, and the Hospitality Room. We need your support!
Please email Lucinda Surber if you are interested in learning more about our sponsorship opportunities.
Books for Book Bags
We are happy to accept crime fiction and non-fiction books for distribution to attendees in our book bags. There is no charge, but you will need to ship the books to arrive in San Francisco by February 15, 2026. Please email Lucinda Surber if you are interested in learning more about donating books for our book bags. Books discovered in convention book bags are a delightful and traditional way for publishers to find new customers, and for authors to connect with new readers.
San Francisco Schemin’ Souvenirs
Planning ahead for the cool nights in San Francisco? Visit the
LCC 2026 store at Cafe Press to order your San Francisco Schemin’ sweatshirt or other souvenir LCC 2026 logo items.
Left Coast Crime 2027
The Big Chile Rides Again!
The 37th Left Coast Crime convention will be held April 1–4, 2027, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Special Guests
Lifetime Achievement: Craig Johnson
Guest of Honor: Lee Goldberg
Guest of Honor: Gigi Pandian
Toastmaster: Wendall Thomas
The Convention rate at the Eldorado Hotel is $249 on the convention nights, plus three nights before and after the convention (subject to availability) so you can extend your stay to explore the wonders in Santa Fe, the Rio Grande Pueblos, and northern New Mexico. The hotel’s usual $35 nightly “Amenity Fee” has been reduced to $10 for convention registrants, and is included in the $249 room charge. Amenities include complementary valet parking and wifi, the rooftop outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, and the Spa.
Convention Registration is now open!
The Registration Price is $250 through March 1, 2026, the close of Left Coast Crime #36 in San Francisco. More information and the Registration link can be found on The Big Chile Rides Again! website.
