Dr. Eleanor Blackwood

Areas of Expertise

Education & Qualifications

• Master of Arts in English Literature

  New York University, 2012

  Thesis: The Evolution of Detective Fiction in American Literature

• Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature

  University of California, Berkeley, 2010

  Summa Cum Laude

• Professional Certifications

  Advanced Mystery Fiction Pedagogy (AMFP), 2016

  International Association of Crime Writers

Recent Publications

• Fan Voting and Genre Evolution: The Anthony Awards Study

  Journal of Popular Fiction Studies, Vol. 18, No. 3

  2020

  Comprehensive analysis of how fan-voted awards influence mystery fiction publishing trends and author career trajectories over three decades.

• Convention Culture and Community Building in Mystery Fiction

  Literary Convention Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 2

  2019

  Ethnographic study examining how Bouchercon and similar conventions create sustained communities and networking opportunities for mystery writers and readers.

• Casino Settings in Contemporary Crime Fiction

  Crime Fiction Research Review, Vol. 7, No. 4

  2021

  Exploration of how casino environments function as effective settings for mystery narratives, analyzing authenticity and thematic resonance across multiple novels.

Awards & Recognition

• Excellence in Mystery Fiction Scholarship

  Mystery Writers of America, 2020

  Recognized for outstanding contributions to understanding crime fiction conventions and their role in shaping the mystery community.

• Best Academic Article on Genre Fiction

  Popular Culture Association, 2019

  Honored for groundbreaking research on fan-voted awards systems and their influence on mystery publishing.

• Distinguished Service to Crime Fiction Community

  Bouchercon International, 2018

  Acknowledged for extensive documentation and analysis of Bouchercon conventions and their impact on mystery fiction culture.

Professional Experience

• Senior Research Fellow

  Mystery Fiction Research Institute, 2017-Present

  Lead researcher examining contemporary trends in crime fiction, convention culture, and award systems. Supervise graduate students and coordinate international research collaborations.

• Associate Professor of Literature

  Columbia University, 2015-2017

  Taught courses on detective fiction, contemporary mystery literature, and genre studies. Developed curriculum integrating academic analysis with practical writing workshops.

• Bouchercon Programming Consultant

  Various Bouchercon Committees, 2013-Present

  Advised multiple Bouchercon organizing committees on programming development, panel topics, and guest selection to enhance attendee experience and industry value.

Articles by Dr. Eleanor Blackwood

• Crime Writing Craft Casino Settings and Story Tension
  2021-07-22

  Practical guide for mystery writers on creating authentic casino scenes with research checklists, surveillance flow maps, and techniques for using risk and odds to raise stakes.

• Anthony Award Nominees Spotlight
  2021-08-01

  Comprehensive look at Anthony Award nominees across all categories with reading recommendations and author appearance schedules for Bouchercon 2021.

• Guests of Honor and Program Highlights
  2021-07-28

  Complete guide to Bouchercon 2021 guests of honor including Michael Connelly and Steph Cha, plus programming highlights and essential panel recommendations.

• Bouchercon New Orleans Mystery Convention Guide
  2021-08-15

  Everything attendees need for the 2021 gathering including schedules, venue tips, volunteer information, and city notes for a smooth and memorable crime fiction weekend.