Our History

NoirCon is a biennial literary conference devoted to the dark, elusive, and seductive areas of art and life that we have come to call “noir.” Over a weekend, participants gather for panels, conversations, and parties centered around the best classic and contemporary expressions of this art form. The conference allows friends, new and old, to gather and carry on discussions that fittingly last late into the night. Above all else, NoirCon is a celebration, and a community of like-minded individuals who, thanks to our common interests, can become a family.

NoirCon began in Philadelphia, PA in 2007 as GoodisCon, an event dedicated to the life and work of Philly’s hometown noir hero, David Goodis. In 2008, under the tutelage of its co-founders, Louis Boxer and Deen Kogan, the event transformed into NoirCon. While still retaining its focus on Goodis, NoirCon has continually expanded its horizons to encompass not only literature, but also cinema, poetry, theater, photography, dance, performance art, visual art, music, and beyond.

What started as just a roomful of people united by their love of Goodis has grown into a multi-faceted arts institution. NoirCon’s biennial conference is only the start of its many endeavors, which also include publishing projects, cultural and historical tours, preservation initiatives, support for noir-related art and artists, and plans for much more in the years to come.