Created by author Ellie Alexander, Ashland Mystery Fest is long weekend in Ashland, Oregon, filled with mysterious and bookish fun for readers who love cozy mysteries. The immersive experience includes author panels, opportunities to build a story with authors, book signings, cooking demos, recipe tastings (such as the chocolate mousse from one of my Accidental Alchemist novels), a solve-the-mystery scavenger hunt across the small businesses in the cozy town, themed mystery dinners, not to mention events for kids. Such a fun whirlwind of events for book-lovers to suit any mood.
It’s a small festival, with under 20 authors and only a few hundred attendees, and that’s what makes it feel so intimate and cozy. I’ve been one of the attending authors since it first began three years ago, in 2023, and it keeps getting more amazing each year!
Big thanks to to Ellie Alexander and Travel Ashland for pulling off such a special book festival, and booksellers Bloomsbury Books and Paddington Station for making our books available to readers throughout the festival.
I loved hanging out with my fellow book people, and now that I’m home I’m so energized and can’t wait to dive into my next book. Here are a handful of snapshots from the 2025 festival.
Collage of the excitement of the opening reception, and the authors in costume for the Sleuths Dinner on the last night of the festival.
With Esme Addison at the Sleuths dinner, where we dressed up as our favorite sleuths. She was Velma (from Scooby Doo, of course!), and I was Poirot (a fun costume for me both because I already had a hat, courtesy of Sanjay, and Dorian the Gargoyle thinks of himself as a modern-day Poirot, since he literally has little gray cells!).
After a panel: Gretchen Rue, Eryn Scott, Gigi Pandian, and Esme Addison.
Crime Writers of Color: Mia P. Manansala, Esme Addison, and Gigi Pandian.
With Ellen Byron for our event at Lovejoy’s Tea Shop. It’s a terrific spot to go for a full tea, with equally amazing food and staff.
A hanging lamp at Lovejoy’s Tea Shop.
Ashland Mystery Fest tote bag, mug, program, and bookmark.
Autumn scenery while walking in Ashland.