Looking ahead to 2026, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be presenting a workshop called True Crime Uncovered at the 39th Annual Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster, PA, May 15-17, 2026!
This is a particularly meaningful opportunity for me, as I first attended the conference this past spring as a debut author still finding my way in the publishing world. The organization’s support and resources helped shape my first book, Chained Birds: A Crimemoir, into the award-winning (and Amazon Best Selling!) publication it is today. Now I get to give back by sharing what I’ve learned about the true crime genre with fellow writers.
AND I’m also excited to share my journey of going from traditional publishing to becoming an indie author! Two months after this year’s Pennwriters Conference in Pittsburgh, I reclaimed the rights to Chained Birds from my original publisher WildBlue Press. I relaunched the book with a new cover and subtitle under my own imprint, while learning so much along the way. I really look forward to sharing and connecting with other indie and aspiring authors next year.
What to Expect at the Conference
The three-day conference at the DoubleTree Inn and Resort promises to be packed with opportunities for writers at every stage of their journey. My βTrue Crime Uncoveredβ workshop will be one of many sessions designed to help attendees hone their craft and navigate the publishing landscape.
The conference features an impressive lineup, including:
Keynote Speakers:
-
- Chuck WendigΒ (Friday Evening) β TheΒ New York TimesΒ bestselling author ofΒ Wanderers,Β The Book of Accidents, and more than two dozen other books, known for his popular blogΒ TerriblemindsΒ and writing craft books likeΒ Damn Fine Story
- Maria V. SnyderΒ (Saturday Lunch) β Long-time Pennwriters member,Β New York TimesΒ bestselling author of 24 published novels, and MFA faculty member at Seton Hill University
Beyond workshops and keynotes, attendees will have access to:
-
- Pitch appointments with agents and editors (first registered, first assigned)
- Friday Networking Luncheon
- Keynote dinners and lunches
- Friday Night Read & Critique sessions
- A new writing retreat room
- Saturday Night Social (dress like a Lord of the Rings character!)
- The returning Tea Exchange
- Book sales and author signings
- Basket raffle
- βIn Other Wordsβ contest (often called βOn The Wallβ contest)
My βTrue Crime Uncoveredβ Workshop
In my session, Iβll be diving deep into what makes true crime workβand what doesnβt. Drawing on my experience as a journalist and in writingΒ Chained Birds, Iβll cover the unique challenges and opportunities of documenting real crimes and the people affected by them. Weβll explore navigating the ethical complexities of telling real peopleβs stories, e.g. how to portray victims and perpetrators with nuance, dignity, andβwhen necessaryβaccountability.
Attendees of my workshop will gain practical insights into this competitive genre and a roadmap for breaking into true crime or strengthening their current projects.
Join Me in Lancaster!
Conference registration offers flexible pricing with three-day, two-day, and single-day options to fit your schedule and budget. And for those in the area, some eventsβlike the bookstore signingsβare open to the public.
I canβt wait to connect with the Pennwriters community again, meet aspiring true crime writers, and learn from the incredible lineup of speakers and fellow authors. If youβre planning to attend, please come say hello at my workshop!
For more information and registration updates, visitΒ Pennwriters.org.
See you in Lancaster! ππ
Carla Conti is a former journalist and the award-winning author of Chained Birds: A Crimemoir. Her true crime debut won multiple 2025 national book awards, including 1st Place in True Crime from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Winner in True Crime from the Indie Reader Discovery Awards, Silver in True Crime from the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Finalist in True Crime from the National Indie Excellence Awards, and a 1st Place Nellie Bly Journalism award from the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Carla is at work on her next true crime book, The Jacklighter, scheduled for release in 2026. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who supports her true crime habit.
