A Tale of Two Chapters: Planning an In-Person and Virtual Workshop, Part Two

 by Paula Gail Benson

Yesterday, in my post on The Stiletto Gang, I described meeting Sonja Hazzard-Webster and later Penny Manson, who have served as Presidents of the Capitol Crimes Chapter of Sisters in Crime (based in Sacramento, California). In particular, Penny Manson and I began discussions about how the Capitol Crimes Chapter could collaborate with my local chapter, Palmetto (based in Columbia, S.C.), to present a workshop. We thought it would be a great way of celebrating Sisters in Crime’s 35^th anniversary.

Capitol Crimes had experience in presenting its Killer Workshop in-person prior to the pandemic.

Palmetto Chapter had presented its Mystery in the Midlands Conference in-person until the pandemic, when we were forced to convert to a virtual format.

Due to my association with Sonja Hazzard-Webster (see yesterday’s Stiletto Gang post), I decided to join Capitol Crimes. This year, I found myself in the lovely, yet daunting position of serving on the boards of both Capitol Crimes and Palmetto Chapters. I’m delighted that Penny Manson continues to serve the Capitol Crimes Chapter as its President Emeritus.

Penny Manson

So, how do two chapters on opposite sides of the country collaborate to create a workshop? Very carefully.

First, I want to express my gratitude to the two chapter boards, whose members were supportive of the concept and brought good questions to the table about how to accomplish it. The Capitol Crimes board includes: Sarah Bresniker (President), Jennifer Morita (Vice President), Karen Phillips (Secretary), James L’Etoile (Treasurer), and members-at-large Richard Meredith and Terry Shepherd. The Palmetto board includes: Carla Damron (President), Yasmin Angoe (Secretary), and Cathy Blake (Treasurer).

Sarah Bresniker

Second, I thank Penny Manson, our fearless workshop committee leader, and our workshop committee members who include: Jessica Cline, Chris Dreith, Rae Franklin James, James L’Etoile, Jennifer Morita, Karen Phillips, and Marie Sutro. All these folks have worked tirelessly to bring together the necessary elements to make this double event possible.

How is it a double event, you may ask? It is part in-person and part virtual.

If you are in the Sacramento area, you can attend a day-long program at Rancho Cordovo City Hall. The presenters will include: authors Dr. Ellen Kirschman, Cara Black, Simon Woods, Eileen Rendahl, Claire Booth, Kris Calvin, James L’Etoile, and Quan Huynh; Rick Nickel, a crime scene professional; publishing industry experts Karen Phillips and Terry Shepherd; and special guest District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who will speak about resolving the Golden State Killer case using genetic genealogy.

Carla Damron

For those not close enough to attend in-person, there is a great virtual option featuring three panels of distinguished and entertaining authors. Attorneys Debra H. Goldstein, Roger Johns, and Wanda Morris will share their experiences as mystery authors. Yasmin Angoe, E.A. Aymar, and Carla Damron will discuss how they wrote about sex trafficking in fiction. Robin Burcell, Terrie Farley Moran, and Charles Todd, all having been co-authors, will talk about writing with a partner.

The two events will share a fabulous keynote: the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers, including the ORPHAN X series, Gregg Hurwitz. With experience writing screenplays, poetry, and articles, as well as novels, Gregg’s insight and observations will inspire both writers and readers.

Planning an event like this has hundreds of elements to be checked and coordinated. From the in-person aspects of arranging rooms and providing lunch to the long distance concerns of making certain that video and audio connections work, it’s a major production. The terrific added benefit is that two chapters, one large and the other small, learn from each other and get to introduce their members to wider audiences.

Gregg Hurwitz

And, we hope many of you will join us!

Early bird registration rates are available for the Killer Workshop through March 31, 2022. For the in-person event, members pay $65 and nonmembers $80. After March 31, members pay $75 and nonmembers $90.

For the virtual event, the early bird rate is $25. After March 31, the virtual event rate is $35. (NOTE: the virtual event is available for viewing until July 31, 2022.)

Here’s a link to register for the Killer Workshop (in-person or virtual): https://capitolcrimes.wildapricot.org/Workshop

By checking out the information about the Killer Workshop, you can sign up for a dream editing giveaway at: https://capitolcrimes.wildapricot.org/Dream-Editing-Giveaway (If you register for the workshop, you are automatically entered in the giveaway!)

So, what are you doing on Saturday, May 14, 2022? Why not consider registering for the Killer Workshop?