Still More Coronavirus Turmoil

First, this month’s Left Coast Crime convention in San Diego, California, was cancelled due to the risks from COVID-19 transmission. Now, SleuthFest 2020—which was scheduled to kick off on March 26 in Deerfield Beach, Florida—has also bitten the dust because of the worldwide coronavirus crisis.

This notice appeared earlier today on the SleuthFest site:

It is with regret we announce the cancellation of SleuthFest 2020.

The health and safety of our participants is of paramount concern to us. A week ago, we had hoped to proceed, and take the necessary precautions, in concert with the hotel (sanitizer, social distance, etc.), to protect our attendees. Within the last forty-eight hours, it has become clear that to help further reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, we must take this action.

If you have purchased a manuscript critique, it will become a virtual critique instead of a face-to-face one. Please be on the lookout for an e-mail with those instructions and details. We are in the process of evaluating refunds after factoring in booking fees and paid expenses. You’ll hear from us shortly. Don’t forget to cancel any hotel and travel reservations you’ve made.

Let’s hope this event, sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, can resume its annual schedule in 2021.

(Hat tip to Neil Nyren.)