August 8, 2015 Meeting — Hoarder Behavior; Books in Alternate Media
Hoarders. The word was made popular by television, but the phenomenon is anything but new. Is it really as bad as what you see on TV? When does it cross the line into law-breaking? And how might it affect an investigation or be used to hide a crime? Join us in welcoming a panel of experts on this subject, including Lisa O’Neill, the Director of Education and Elder Abuse Resources for Pima County and Chair of the Southern Arizona Hoarding Taskforce, Pat Hubbard from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and Michael Duffy from the Animal Cruelty Taskforce for Pima…
July 11, 2015 Meeting – Public Defender’s Office; Elizabeth Gunn on Writing
Public defenders get a bad rap, both on TV and in the media. But what is it really like to work in the public defender’s office? What motivates the attorneys who work there, and how do they deal with the negative perceptions? Bring your questions and join us in welcoming U of A College of Law alumni Joel Feinman from the Pima County Public Defender’s Office as he shares anecdotes and fills us in on what it’s like to work defense on felony cases. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle….
June 13, 2015 Meeting – Cold Case Follow-Up; From Fiction to True Crime
Approximately four years ago, Tom Mooney, Marana Police Department’s Crime Scene Supervisor, spoke to us about the cold case he had been working on since November 25, 1987, when a body was found in a culvert under the frontage road east of I-10 between West Tangerine Road and the Marana Road Exit. At the time he spoke to us, the FBI had just reconstructed the skull, and he gave us flyers featuring the reconstruction to pass out. In our June meeting, Tom will bring the story full circle, telling us how he finally brought closure to the woman’s family, after…
May 9, 2015 Meeting – Financial Crimes; The Editor-Author Relationship
White collar crimes, fraud and ID theft are big news these days. Please join us as a representative from the TPD Financial Crimes Unit walks us through the investigation process, from the crime’s commission through post-conviction. Bring your questions! We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon session, a group from the local Editorial Freelancers Association will tell us “How to Get the Most Out of the Writer-Editor Relationship.” When and why do you need an editor? How do you know if they are the right fit? What are…
Thanks to our wonderful speakers from last weekend’s meeting! Workshop speaker Ethel Lee Miller posted some nice comments and a picture to our FB page if you want to take a look. Ethel talked about guest blogging. Well guess what? We’ve got space right here. I’ve been trying (and sometimes failing) to get a post up every week, usually just some links as you see below. However, if you’re a member and you’ve got some words of wit and wisdom on some aspect of writing, I’d love to give you some space to air it! If you’re interested, contact me…
Still a chance to RSVP for this Saturday’s meeting! Please RSVP by 9:30 am Wednesday. Details here: http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Mystery-Writers-of-Tucson/ Another handful of links for this week: Having trouble with your story ending? Here are some common issues in Confronting the Truth About Endings. A book marketing truth few experts will admit. Frame of Reference. This is a long piece, but rather interesting. Will your readers understand your references?
Don’t forget to RSVP for the April meeting! You can find more details here. Some rather random links this time around (no April Fools Jokes here, I promise): Need your protagonist to be able to escape their captors? Here are three ways to escape zip ties. Never been to the RT Booklovers Convention? Do you have a book out and available for sale in the US (or will by April 1, 2016)? One author is holding a contest to give away hotel accommodations and a membership for one lucky recipient to the 2016 RT convention in Las Vegas (you have…
S.W.A.T. – everyone knows the acronym, but what you see on TV certainly isn’t the whole picture. Join us in welcoming our morning speaker from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to discuss the rumors and myths that swirl around this department, as well as give us a better understanding of what they really do. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon session, Ethel Lee Miller, a published author, educator, life coach and counselor, will speak on “building your writer platform.” It’s no mystery that for success today, it’s…
Don’t forget to RSVP for our February 14th meeting. Details are here. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting for working the AMW booth at the Tucson Festival of Books, so work some time into your schedule to hang out with us! The TFOB presentation schedule can be found here. Our 2015 short story contest is now open! Deadline is June 1, so get those ideas pumping. More information on the contest page. Our link roundup today is focused on the technical. The more stuff is computer-run, the more vulnerable to hacking society is: The next frontier of…
February 14, 2015 Meeting – Prosecuting Attorney; Choosing a Publication Path
Think you know about prosecuting attorneys because you watch Law and Order? Our morning speaker, retired City Prosecutor Lin Scharbach, will give us the scoop on the duties of prosecuting attorneys in Tucson City Court, ranging from criminal prosecutions to appeals and from civil infractions to civil forfeitures in Superior Court. (Disclaimer: Ms. Scharbach retired from the City Prosecutor’s Office in 2008 and cannot speak for their current policies.) We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon session, agent and editor Claire Gerus will present, “Shall I Self-Publish or…
Thank you to everyone who came out for our January meeting! Hope you enjoyed Sheila Lowe’s presentation. We’re working on more great presentations and workshops for you in the coming year. A reminder that our 2015 short story contest is now open! Deadline is June 1, so get your writing hat on. More information on the contest page. Here’s a few links for your perusal: Most common writing mistakes part 37: Unnecessary Filler. Stirring higher emotions. (On getting your audience to invest in the story.) Pitching your novel: Story hook vs. story heart. Editing: knowing what to cut, what to…
Don’t forget to RSVP for this week’s meeting with author and handwriting analyst Sheila Lowe! Details here. Also, the annual short story contest is now open for submissions! Put together your best story (or stories) and enter before June 1. More details on the contest page. Some links to start off your new year: An Interview with Sue Grafton The Promise of the Book, about first lines and passages. 10 Surefire Secrets of Torturing Fictional People Elements of a Good Mystery
January 10, 2015 Meeting – Handwriting Analysis with Sheila Lowe!
From forgery identification to personality assessment, handwriting evaluation reveals a lot. Please join us in welcoming our special guest, author and forensic handwriting examiner Sheila Lowe, who will be speaking to us in both our morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning, Sheila will inform us about her experiences testifying in some high-profile court proceedings. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon, Sheila will instruct us on how to use handwriting samples in personality assessment. Sheila Lowe is a court-qualified forensic handwriting examiner with more than 40 years…
December 13, 2014 Meeting – Traffic Investigations, and our Annual Holiday Party!
Traffic collisions can have a variety of causes (including nefarious intentional ones) and leave more evidence than just wrecked cars. Join our morning speaker to learn more about traffic investigation, including DUI investigations. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and some prize giveaways! In the afternoon, we will have our holiday party – this year, we are doing mystery theater. We supply the fictional crime, the suspects (as performed by our Board) and the clues, and you play detective – ask questions of the suspects, examine clues and figure out whodunnit. Join the fun! RSVP…
Thanks to everyone who came out to the All-Zona Book Fest. It was a lot of fun! Don’t miss AMW on the Morning Blend (KGUN 9, 11 a.m.) on December 11! A short list of links as we head into the holiday weekend: Yes That’s Spam, No Don’t Do It – how to avoid alienating readers on social media To Be a Writer, You Don’t Need… For those looking at traditional publishing, Treat Querying Like a Job (although from reading the article, it’s more like a job search) Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
The All-Zona Book Fest is this weekend, on Sunday, November 23. Lots of authors in attendance (all from Arizona!), and Arizona Mystery Writers will have a table there. Books make great holiday gifts. Come join the fun! On December 11, AMW will appear on the Morning Blend (KGUN 9, 11 a.m.)! Don’t miss it! A handful of links for you this morning: How to Compare Fingerprints: The Basics (video) Worldbuilding the Real World by Anna Zabo. Worldbuilding is an essential part of science fiction and fantasy, but you also need it for real-world settings so your audience can get a…
Do you know about the All-Zona Book Fest on November 23? Lots of authors in attendance (all from Arizona!), and Arizona Mystery Writers will have a table there. Come join the fun! On December 11, AMW will be on the Morning Blend (KGUN 9, 11 a.m.)! Don’t miss it! I’m including a few more interesting/helpful links. If you’ve missed any past writing links, I’ve collected them all in one page for easy reference. 12 Character Writing Tips A portrait of the Freeman Ranch, the “body farm” in Texas. 45 ways to avoid using the word “very”
Just a reminder, if you have not yet RSVPed for this week’s meeting, please do so! More information here: http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Mystery-Writers-of-Tucson/events/216385112/ We have two members with new books out: Jake Jacobs with The Battered Butterfly, and Preston Holtry with A Troublesome Affair. Check them out! Do you know about the All-Zona Book Fest on November 23? Lots of authors in attendance (all from Arizona!), and Arizona Mystery Writers will have a table there. Need some creepy inspiration for your mystery? Here’s a few real-life cases to give you ideas: The Murders Next Door – Couple kills the woman’s parents, buries them…
November 8, 2014 Meeting – Fighting Fire With Detective Work
Arson is a criminal act in itself, but it can also be used to commit insurance fraud, to murder, or to attempt to cover up a murder. And fire’s a destructive force that impacts the evidence left behind. Join Sean Garnand, representing the International Association of Arson Investigators, who will be speaking to us on the work of investigating arson cases. Because this is such a broad topic, this presentation will cover both morning and afternoon sessions. We’ll also have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. RSVP by 9:30 am, Wednesday, November…
A few links, before the cold knocks me over: Polling Your Intestinal Flora: How a Writer Cultivates Instinct by Chuck Wendig (standard Wendig disclaimer: he’s swear-y and kinda odd, but gives useful advice) Authors, Please Don’t Do This: Advice on approaching bookstores. The Straight Talk on Social Media for Authors Could Detectives Use Microbes to Solve Murders? Not yet, but if you’re considering “blending” genres, this could be good for a sci-fi detective.
I was attempting to write an actual blog post, but coming down with a cold got in the way. I worry enough about my writing when I’m well; no one needs a mushy-brain post from me. 🙂 Instead, you get more links, which are probably worth more anyway. A reminder that I find a lot of these from Science Fiction/Fantasy writers, but the advice is often useful regardless of genre. Here we go…. Things You Should Know When Writing About Guns by Chuck Wendig. Always good reminders for those of us who rely on these weapons in our writing. Also,…
Just one more day to RSVP for this week’s meeting! Details here: https://arizonamysterywriters.com/?p=2168 An odd assortment of links for today: Think DNA evidence is cut-and-dried? Perhaps not so much. DNA Experts Duel in NY Murder Trial Words of Wisdom From History’s Greatest Female Crime Writers 14 Definitions You Need to Know When Creating an Author Media Kit And to round out with some not-so-bright people: Bored Teacher’s Bomb Threat Joke Backfires Beware the Axe (Body Spray): Cologne leads police to man hiding in bushes
October 11, 2014 Meeting – Investigative Reporting; Line Editing
Looking for a non-law-enforcement protagonist? Join Matthew Schwartz from KVOA-TV as he discusses the work of the investigative reporter. With over 30 years of reporting experience, including four New York Emmys and a 2014 Edward R. Murrow Award, Schwartz will give us a look inside this fascinating occupation. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon session, author D.R. Ransdell, author of the Andy Veracruz mysteries and a U of A writing teacher, will lead a workshop on “Lining Up Your Line Editor.” Many people proclaim themselves as editors,…
Just a reminder to RSVP for this week’s meeting if you haven’t yet! Don’t miss our speaker from the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, and workshop on doing a book signing. RSVP by 9:30 am Wednesday. Details here: https://arizonamysterywriters.com/?p=2092 I’ve got a mixed bag of links for you today: What an author should have on their website. The introvert’s guide to selling books at a convention. While this is fantasy-oriented (talking about DragonCon), the principles are the same for any type of book and venues like the Tucson Festival of Books, or Left Coast Crime (which will be…
September 13th, 2014 meeting – Office of the Medical Examiner; How to Do a Book Signing
“But it’s a dry heat….” A commonly heard refrain in the Southern Arizona desert, but that dry heat can shrivel a human body and hamper identification. Join Gene Hernandez, Supervisor of Pima County’s Medicolegal Death Investigators, as he discusses the work of the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, including the process of rehydrating mummified fingerprints. Mr. Hernandez has a wealth of knowledge that all mystery writers will not only find fascinating, but necessary to the writing of credible stories. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, as well as the announcement of our short…
