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…
If it’s Tuesday, it must be post day! I’ve got a few more writing-oriented links to share with you. The Spreadsheet of Shame. This Excel setup allows you to track your daily word counts and see when you’re getting ahead…or falling behind. I haven’t used it myself (although I did download it), but I know people who swear by it. (Instructions on its use at the link, including how to download the spreadsheet.) From the creators of South Park…no, I’m not kidding…their Writing Rule #1. (It’s video; the swearing is bleeped.) Never thought you’d get a good storytelling tip from…
Greetings! I’ll start out by apologizing for the length of the post, but there’s a few things I wanted to include today: Our Social Media, Member Listings/Announcements, and Information Links. Our Social Media Did you know we have a web presence in several places, including: Meetup.com: A great way to RSVP for our meetings! Great way to seek out other interest groups as well. http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Mystery-Writers-of-Tucson/ Facebook: With Facebook’s algorithms, even if you’ve liked/followed our page you are more likely to see our posts in your newsfeed if you like/comment on our posts (even just occasionally). We also get better “reach”…
August 9th, 2014 meeting – Burglary Investigation & Court Scenes
Murder here, homicide there. While it’s a common plot foundation in mysteries, there’s more for a fictional detective to investigate than just suspicious deaths. Learn about burglary scenes and investigation in our morning presentation from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, “Burglary In The First, and More.” We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. In the afternoon session, AMW member Jane Rodda will lead a workshop on setting the courtroom scene. We will discuss the players in a trial and try our hands at writing a courtroom scene. Jane earned a JD…
July 12th, 2014 meeting: Victim Advocacy & Meta Communication
A crime occurs. The police are busy with their investigation. Who provides help and support to the victims and their loved ones, both at the scene and in the sometimes-confusing criminal justice system? Howard Druan from the Pima County Attorney’s Office will share stories about his life as a Victim Witness Advocate. We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. Our afternoon workshop will be “Psychological Issues: Meta Communication, Part II.” We had such great discussions that we ran out of time during the Meta Communication workshop previously presented by Kay Lesh,…
Enjoy fascinating speakers and learning the craft of writing mystery! Meetings include two different speakers with lunch in between. The morning speaker might be a detective, FBI agent, US Marshal, Medical Examiner, forensic scientist, private investigator, psychologist, corrections officer, attorney. These are fascinating talks, and useful for mystery writers. The afternoon workshop involves advice or practice in the craft of writing or in publishing. The meetings are an opportunity to hang out with interesting people, have fun, and learn from other writers. Meetings are open to everyone. When: Second Saturday of every month (except March when we are at the…
Death: It happens to all of us, some ushered into it sooner than nature intended (especially in mystery novels). But a lot goes on between the last breath and the grave – what might a mortician find that would bring detectives running? Ask your morbid questions of our June speaker, April J. Seybert – General Manager and Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Carillo’s Tucson Mortuary. She will speak on “Postmortem Cardiovascular Surgery and Underground Furniture.” We’ll have a selection of delicious lunch entrees to choose from, and a fun book raffle. Our afternoon workshop will feature AMW member Carol Dee…
Sergeant Brian Parker has been with the Tucson Police Department for nearly fifteen years. He studied law enforcement in college, then entered the workforce in corrections, and soon after, was hired as a Pima County sheriff’s deputy. He joined TPD in 2000. In 2003, while working undercover, he started journaling, writing down the more extraordinary things that happened to him as a law enforcement officer. That journal expanded into his book, “My Rookie Memoir.” Come and hear authentic cop stories: Sgt. Parker’s experiences during his first eleven years of law enforcement. We’ll have delicious choices on the lunch menu, and a fun…
We’ve recovered from the Tucson Festival of Books and we’re ready to resume our monthly meetings. April will be an especially good one: Morning Speaker: Take-downs, trauma and tragedies in the ER If you’re writing crime, you’re going to have at least one hospital scene, right? How should it look? Get a clue, from our April speaker, Rhema Sayers, M.D., Ret. Dr. Sayers was an emergency Room doctor during the ‘80s and ‘90s, serving in Douglas, Arizona, Lemoore Naval Air Station in California, and at Kino, Tucson General, The Heart Hospital, and El Dorado Hospital. During her Douglas years, she had…
Our February speaker is Betty Webb, teacher, critic, and national best-selling author. She’ll give an “expert’s” talk in the morning, and also lead the afternoon writing workshop. It’s an all-day Betty Webb festival! Cost: $20 for non-members and walk-ins, including lunch; $16 for RSVP’d members; $10 for one session, morning or afternoon, no lunch. Please RSVP as soon as you can, and definitely before the DEADLINE OF 9:30 AM ON WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 5TH, by email at amwmembershipchair@gmail.com or call Gail Gibbs at (520) 433-0738. You can also RSVP at www.meetup.com/Arizona-Mystery-Writers-of-Tucson/
We list current AMW members who choose to post their name and bio on the site. If you want to appear in this esteemed list, or want to update your information, contact the AMW Communications Chair at amwcommschair@gmail.com. In general, bios should be 200 words or less, and include a head shot or some sort of avatar. For each publication listed, summaries should be 200 words or less and include a book or magazine cover shot. (Please do not embed the photos in a Word file; attach separate jpeg files.) For more detailed information on what/how to submit, see: How…
We’ll hear from speaker Anne Gunn, founder of Tally Systems, a bootstrap-funded software company now owned by Novell. Anne has started a new software products company, Sheridan Programmers Guild, that publishes apps, websites, and e-books. Her talk is, “A Primer for On-Line Publishing: E-book Production for the Self-Published Author.” She’ll survey approaches to producing content and platform for the markets you need to reach, and answer your technical how-to questions. There are three new and delicious choices on the lunch menu. RSVP by 9 am on October 9th. After lunch, we have a mysterious special agent from one of those 3-letter federal agencies,…
(Click the article Title to read all) AMW members may post or update a member bio, a publication announcement, or a news report. Take advantage of your membership! Post or update your Mystery Writers’ information on the site. CLICK HERE to get the details on how to put your information on line. To save the document, right click and select “Save As…” Use your browser’s back arrow to return here. Need more info? See this FAQ for how to post information. Questions? Use the CONTACT US tab to email the Online Communications Chair (amwcommschair@gmail.com).
