Intimidation and Mystery in the Midlands by Debra H. Goldstein

Intimidation and Mystery in the Midlands by Debra H. Goldstein

I’m not easily intimidated, but sometimes, when I’m in the presence of authors whose books I adore, I find myself absolutely tongue tied. Rather than bothering the author, I quietly sit back and observe unless something happens that breaks the ice for me.

 

The first time it happened was at one of the first Malice Domestic conferences I attended. There, standing across from me in an elevator was Carolyn Hart, a writer I’d met and admired for years. I tried not to stare or to make eye contact, but when there are only two of you in such a confined space and lots of floors for the elevator to go up… you get the idea. As the elevator slowed, I looked right at her and blurted out “Ms. Hart, I love your books.” She thanked me, pointed to the doors open behind me, and politely asked if this was my floor. I stumbled backwards out of the elevator – Carolyn Hart and I had talked to each other.

 

During the conference, our paths passed several times. Each time, I observed how warm and gracious

she was to everyone, but what impressed me most occurred during the hour she was being interviewed as the Amelia award recipient. Carolyn Hart took a moment from her hour of glory to give a new writer a shout-out. It was the first time I’d seen that kind of generosity from an honoree, and I was impressed. We ended up in the elevator alone again on the last day. This time, I was able to talk intelligently and end by saying, “Carolyn, have a safe trip home.” You see, I’d finally realized that the mystery community is warm with its welcoming embrace and giving with advice and support.

 

That’s why, on June 26, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. EST, I’m going to be in awe but also thrilled by the wonderful authors who will be sharing a part of themselves with readers and other authors alike as part of the virtual Crowdcast Mystery in the Midlands conference. Mystery in the Midlands, which is sponsored by the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Southeast chapter of Mystery Writers of America, will feature three panels moderated by Dana Kaye – Searing Suspense, Hot for Historicals, and Scorching Shorts. It will also have a keynote interview of Dr. Kathy Reichs, the author whose life and books inspired the television show, Bones.

Besides Dr. Reichs, the panelists read like a who’s who of the crime fiction writing world. They include Alex Segura, Yasmin Angoe, Robert Dugoni, Caroline Todd, Laurie R. King, Lori Radar-Day, Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, and Frankie Y. Bailey. I could be intimidated, but I know these wonderful people have so much to offer readers and

writers that I want to take advantage of every word they have to say. I hope you do, too. The cost, to defray expenses, is only $5. The registration link is: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/mystery-in-the-midlands-2/register .

By now, you’re wondering how seeing so many people I idolize in a virtual setting could possibly intimidate me? It’s simple – I’m the one interviewing Kathy Reichs.

 

Killer Nashville 2017

by Paula Gail Benson

Going to a writing conference is a wonderful experience. Each has its own personality and focus. For me, Malice Domestic, which occurs near Washington, D.C. at the end of April or beginning of May, is a warm family reunion of readers and writers, all relishing the strategies for puzzling out traditional mysteries. Bouchercon--taking place this year in Toronto, Canada--gathers together writers from all the mystery genres, from cozy to thriller, in a huge celebration of variety and skill.

Killer Nashville is the one conference I’ve attended that consistently has the effect of revving my writing engine. Although it welcomes both readers and writers, its primary focus is on the writing craft and criminal process. It features experts discussing developing characters, structure, and marketing as well as accurately portraying poisons, police procedure, and protocols. Each year, a member of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation sets up a crime scene and participants try to solve who did it. The lucky winner receives a free registration to the next year’s conference.

I have a lot of gratitude for Killer Nashville because it gave me the opportunity to be in the anthology Killer Nashville Noir: Cold Blooded (for “A Matter of Honor” written with Robert Dugoni) among such fabulous talents as Jeffrey Deaver, Anne Perry, and Catriona McPherson. This year, I delighted in being introduced by Guest of Honor Chris Grabenstein to publicly read the opening of the story.

Reading from "A Matter of Honor"

Clay Stafford, the founder and creative genius behind Killer Nashville, gives those attending lots of opportunities to serve on panels. This practice helps authors to develop their confidence in appearing before their peers and also helps panel members to meet and bond. I felt very fortunate this year to participate on four panels.

Subplots Panel

Creating and Weaving Subplots was moderated by Kelly Oliver (who won the Silver Falchion for Best Attending Author) and included Mary Davidsaver, Susan Page Davis, Tracee de Hahn, and Rick Helms (whose extensive work with the South Eastern Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America was recognized with the Magnolia Award). Catherine Dilts did a great job in providing a panel summary in her blog.

Writing Medical and Legal Thrillers, moderated by Charley Pearson and featuring Claire Applewhite, Judith Lucci, Linda Petrilli, and Doug Woodward all with medical backgrounds (I was the sole representative for the legal field), had a fascinating discussion about how reality and imagination can develop truly riveting stories that carefully adhere to medical or legal principles.

Medical/Legal Thriller Panel

I always love talking about writing short stories. Our panel moderated by Jenean McBrearty was a particularly fun group, including my pals Debra Goldstein and Robert Mangeot and new friends Warren Moore (who teaches at Newberry College in South Carolina) and Kathryn Lane (whose novel Waking Up in Medellin won the Silver Falchion for Best Fiction Adult Suspense). Again, Catherine Dilts provided a terrific summary.

Short Story Panel

My final panel, about writing with a collaborator, had just one person attending, but led by our moderator Mike Rubin, we went forward and enjoyed a lively discussion. Barbara Collins, Max Allan Collins (another Guest of Honor), and Susan Page Davis were the other panelists.

Being at Killer Nashville led me to become involved with the board of SEMWA. We have an enthusiastic organization. Our president Maggie Toussaint is a dynamo and board members Stacy Allen, Nancy Sartor, Susan M. Boyer, Phil Hardwick, and John Gordon work diligently to organize programs and retreats to benefit our members. Past President Beth Terrell continues to provide us with wise counsel, and we were very proud and celebrating with her when she was honored with the Builder’s Award at this year’s Killer Nashville. 

Over the years, those who have come as Guests of Honor or attendees have enjoyed the experience so much that they have created four scholarships to enable other writers to attend. Past scholarship holder and a Claymore finalist this year (and a writer to be watched), Kathleen Donnelly, spoke about what the opportunity to attend Killer Nashville had meant for her writing career. Her speech is published on The Stiletto Gang blog.

If you have an interest in a smaller conference that concentrates on writing skills and expert procedural information, please consider coming to Killer Nashville. I think you’ll find a place where you’ll want to return.

How do conferences enrich your writing?

Serendipity, Sisters in Crime, and Robert Dugoni, Oh My!

by Paula Gail Benson

Serendipity has been defined as a happy accident, a course of action that leads to unexpected benefits. According to Wikipedia, the word serendipity was initially used by author Horace Walpole, who, in a 1754 letter written to a friend, described a Persian fairy tale called “The Three Princes of Serendip” where the characters were always encountering things they were not seeking.

Generally, as mystery writers, we’re cautioned about not giving characters their answers too easily and making them face conflict or adversity before reaching resolutions. However, most of us remember in the course of our individual writer’s journey being the beneficiary of good fortune through serendipity.

Two instances where I’ve experienced an unexpected writing benefit were in becoming a member of Sisters in Crime (SinC) and meeting New York Times bestselling and Edgar nominated author Robert Dugoni. How those two separate fortunate incidents came together is the story of this message.    

In my post yesterday on The Stiletto Gang, I described how current national Sisters in Crime President Diane Vallere’s association with Sisters in Crime had influenced and advanced her writing career. Similarly, I credit joining that organization with giving me the information and boost I needed to start submitting my short stories to publishers and to become involved in the mystery blogging community.

Cathy Pickens, author of the Avery Andrews mysteries and former President of Sisters in Crime (thus properly recognized as “Goddess”), encouraged me to become a member. Due to her influence, I joined not only Sisters in Crime, but several of its chapters, including the Guppy Chapter, where I now serve on the Steering Committee and one of my stories appeared in the third Guppy anthology, Fish or Cut Bait.

Meanwhile, after we met at the South Carolina Book Festival, Robert Dugoni invited me to collaborate with him on a short story that was published in Killer Nashville Noir: Cold Blooded.

So, when I learned that Robert was headed to Beaufort, S.C., as part of a book tour, and that his trip coincided with the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime’s celebration of SinC’s 30^th anniversary, I asked if he could make a stop in Columbia. As serendipity would have it, Robert was able to attend the Palmetto Chapter meeting, where he was made an honorary member. In addition, he was interviewed by his good friend Cathy Pickens and told the group how it felt to receive the Edgar nomination for his novel The Seventh Canon.

Of course, there was cake and Cathy Pickens had the honor of making the first “stab” into it, as is benefiting a celebration of mystery authors.

The serendipity continued the following day when Robert accompanied me to a church service and met a fan of his Tracy Crosswhite series. She was thrilled to receive an autographed copy of the latest novel, The Trapped Girl.

So, while I’ll be careful of allowing my characters to experience too much serendipity, I’ll keep enjoying all that I encounter in life.

Has serendipity ever taken you down a happy pathway?