Lansbury, Grafton, Ira Levin-Int'l Mystery Writers' Fest!

Sue Grafton, a Kentucky native and a prolific writer of chronological series of mystery novels known as "the alphabet novels." Grafton is published in more than 15 languages and 20 countries.

James W. Hall, winner of this year's Edgar for Best Short Story and the 2003 Shamus Award for Best Novel "Blackwater Sounds." Born in Kentucky, living in Key Largo, FL, writes primarily about Florida's exciting locals such as in "Forests of the Night" & "Off the Chart." A university teacher of writing mysteries turned author, Hall prides himself in his students' achievements: Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River"), Barbara Parker (the 'Suspicion' series) and Vicki Hendricks ("Miami Purity & Iguana Love"). Hall will be holding Master Classes at the festival.

John Jakes, who holds the record of the first author to have three books on The New York Times' best-seller list in a single year with "The Kent Family Chronicles." He repeated that pattern with his Civil War trilogy: "North and South," "Heaven and Hell," and "Love and War." All were No. 1 best-sellers made into Emmy-winning network mini-series.

Stuart M. Kaminsky is the current Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and a five-time nominee and winner of an Edgar Award for best mystery novel. He is author of more than 60 published mysteries, text books on film and television, as well as biographies of Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper and John Huston. He has written episodes for television's Nero Wolfe Mysteries. His screenplays include "Once Upon a Time in America," which starred Robert DiNiro, "FM" with Catherine Deneuve, and "Hidden Fears" with Meg Foster and Frederick Forrest. In addition to his other books, Kaminsky writes the "CSI: NY" novels and was the author of two "Rockford Files" books. Kaminsky will co-chair the festival's executive committee with Buffman.

Ira Levin, a two-time winner of the Edgar Award and past Grand Master of Mystery, songwriter and playwright best known for writing "Rosemary's Baby," "A Kiss Before Dying," and "The Stepford Wives." His Tony-winning Broadway/London masterpiece "Deathtrap" holds the record as the longest running comedy-thriller in Broadway's history and was later made into a film starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine. Five of Levin's works were made into major films, garnering several Oscar nominations.

Samuel "Biff" Liff has directed and worked on many hits, including "My Fair Lady," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "The Matchmaker" and "Call Me Mister." He has worked with stars such as Shirley Booth, Thornton Wilder, David Niven, Carol Channing, Gloria Swanson and Tyrone Guthrie. For the last 25 years, Liff has been heading the Theatre Division of the William Morris Agency, the world's largest and oldest entertainment agency. Liff represents a variety of clients in the theatrical field, including Julie Andrews, Julie Harris, Angela Lansbury, Jane Alexander and Chita Rivera.