Love Is Murder Mystery Conference

10a – 5p

Registration
Lobby Hall

11a – 12p

How to Attend this Conference
Getty
Al Abramson
New to Love is Murder?  A seasoned veteran will guide you through.

11:30a – 1p

MASTER CLASS with Hank Phillippi Ryan
Hara
THE SCOOP! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING--HANK LEARNED ON TV!Here's what you need to do to produce a successful television news story: Develop memorable characters. Build suspense. Show conflict. Tell a compelling story. Create a satisfying ending. Find justice. Change lives. That's exactly what Boston's premier investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan's been doing for her entire career. But here's the scoop. Writing a successful mystery, thriller or romantic suspense novel—or short story!--requires exactly the same things. And Hank's years of experience with journalism can now give your book or short story a boost. With her top-ten list of questions, journalism techniques and solid practical applications, this Emmy- (and double Agatha-) winning reporter will teach you the secrets of television news. And then: she'll show you exactly how those skills can work for you to develop the novel you always wanted to write. Or to make your next book better. It’s your chance to learn the inside scoop!

12p – 1p

Author Chat
Bode
Sparkle Abbey, Donald Bain, Carl Brookins, JL Wilson
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Expert Witness Track – Anatomy of a Drug Investigation
Field
Lee Williams
Lee Williams has had a long career as a special agent with the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, conducting investigations involving organized crime, narcotic trafficking, money laundering and corruption in police departments and city government. Now in private practice, he is an expert witness in white collar criminal cases.

MWA – Structure of a Novel:  Getting the Opening Right
Teylers
Elizabeth Buzzelli (M), Laura Caldwell, Robert Goldsborough, Michael Harvey, Gail Lukasik
In this five-part series (one after another), these MWA authors will take participants through the writing process.

Pitching How-To’s: No Curve Balls
Montrose/Theater
Peter Miller – The Future of Publishing – 12n-12:30p
Jim McCarthy and Susan Crawford – The Best Pitches We Ever Got…And Why – 12:30-1p
In these two separate presentations, these experts coach rookies on pitching strategies.

1p – 2p

Author Chat
Bode
Elaine Abramson, Honora Finkelstein, Jerry Peterson, Sue Smily
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Expert Witness Track - CSI
Field
Susan Vondrak
Listen to this expert witness as she takes you through a crime scene investigation.

MWA – Structure of a Novel:  The Middle Pages
Teylers
Jack Fredrickson (M), Jamie Freveletti, Shane Gericke, Julie Hyzy, D. M. Pirrone
In this second of five parts, these MWA authors will take participants through the writing process.

Pitching Role Playing (will run until 2:30p)
Theatre
Donna Bagdasarian, Susan Crawford, Ben Leroy, Jim McCarthy, David Hale Smith, James Strauss
Agents reveal how “newbies” look to them.

2p – 3p

Author Chat
Bode
Judy Douglas Knauer, Ted Krever, David Morrell, Connie Wilson
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Expert Witness Track – Computer Forensics
Field
Tom Yarrish
This expert witness describes how they can retrieve files you thought you had deleted from your computer.

MWA – Structure of a Novel:  Nailing the Ending
Teylers
Raymond Benson, Kathleen Ernst, Libby Hellmann (M), William Kent Krueger, Jerry Peterson
In this third of five parts, these MWA authors will take participants through the writing process.

Pitching Role Playing (continues until 2:30p)
Montrose/Theatre
Donna Bagdasarian, Susan Crawford, Ben Leroy, Jim McCarthy, David Hale Smith, James Strauss
See description in 1p-2p section.

3p – 4p

Author Chat
Bode
Elizabeth Buzzelli, Evelyn Cullet, Dianna Dennis, B. Swangin Webster
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Expert Witness Track – Follow the Money
Field
Peggy Tracy
Listen to this expert witness talk about following the money and…. in divorce cases

Champagne Art Tour with Julie James, Shane Gericke, Austin Camacho, Elizabeth Duncan
Lobby
Tour the hotel’s extensive art collection.

MWA – Structure of a Novel:  Revisions
Teylers
Allan Ansorge, Carl Brookins (M), Judy Douglas Knauer, Helen Osterman, Lee WIlliams
In this fourth of five parts, these MWA authors will take participants through the writing process.

Interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan
Montrose/Theater
Hear our Chapter President Frances McNamara interview LIM Guest of Honor and SinC National Vice President Hank Phillippi Ryan, followed by SinC sponsored “coffee hour” from 4-5p.

Pitch-a-Palooza (runs 3p-4:30p)
Louvre
Take a few deep breaths and take a look around the room. Line up in an orderly fashion behind the shortest line in front of who you would like to pitch to.  The lines move very quickly—you get 4 minutes—so moving between lines is permissible and encouraged if an opening in another line in front of someone else you want to pitch to opens up.  Your pitch may take less time, but the lights will flash every seven minutes and you are required to move on when the lights flash (LIM “flashers”:  Robert Goldsborough and Henry Kanar).  If you did not get to the person or people you want to pitch to in the first session, queue up in the next one. Do not get flustered.  Things will work out, we promise.

4p – 5p

Reality Writing (Non Fiction)
Hara
Laura Caldwell, David Ciambrone, Michael Harvey, David Heinzmann
These gifted fiction writers also excel at non-fiction and they discuss their other expertise.

Expert Witness Track – FBI Agent/Cyber Crime
Field
Brent Dempsey
Of particular interest to writers, Special Agent Dempsey will also share some frustrations of cyber-crime fiction from a law enforcement perspective. Get the scoop on the sources of computer intrusions, common characteristics of cyber offenders, and investigative methods that land computer criminals in prison.

MWA – Structure of a Novel:  Queries and Synopses
Teylers
D. C. Brod, Luisa Buehler, Tony Perona (M), Nancy Sweetland, David J. Walker
In this last of five parts, these MWA authors discuss the steps after your manuscript is finished.

Sisters in Crime (SinC)-sponsored Coffee Hour
Montrose/Theater
We encourage all of our SinC authors and members attending to meet in the Theater immediately following the Hank Ryan Phillippi interview for coffee and conversation with other attendees.  Talk to others about the benefits of being a SinC member, discuss your writing/your book, and make new friends!.

Pitch-a-Palooza (continues until 4:30p)
Louvre
See description in the 3-4p section.

5p – 6p

Welcome Cocktails – courtesy of James Strauss and Spellbinders
Lobby

6p – 7:30p

Dinner
Louvre
Master of Ceremonies:  James Strauss

After dinner

Those Were the Days Radio Players
Montrose/Theater
Return to the bygone days of radio as the Those Were The Days (TWTD) Radio Players present comedy and drama programs based on original scripts from the 1930s to 50s. Relive—or experience for the first time—the magic of old time radio with sound effects and original music.

7:30a – 9a

Buffet breakfast
Arranged in the Lobby Hall

First-time Author Panel
Louvre
Sparkle Abbey, Allan Ansorge (M), Scott Doornbosch, Kathryn Flatt, Sharon Hopkins, Liz Lipperman, D. M. Pirrone, C.L. Shore, Susan Vondrak
Authors with their first books released have the opportunity to discuss their books and experiences.

8a – 9a

How to Pitch – No Curve Balls
Teylers
Terri Bischoff, Robert Brown, Bob Diforio, Sharlene Martin-Brown, Christine Wittholm
Prior to today’s “Pitch-a-Palooza,” get a few tips from the experts.

9a – 10a

Short Story – Bigger isn’t always Better
Hara
D.C. Brod (M), Barbara D’Amato, Jack Fredrickson, Mardelle Fortier, Jane Johnson
Shorter isn’t always easier – but sometimes it is better.  These authors discuss writing and selling short stories.

Author Chat
Bode
Frankie Bailey, Elizabeth Duncan, Ellen Hart, Sharon Hopkins, William Kent Krueger, Morgan Mandel
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Writing for Younger Audiences
Getty
Marco Conelli, Kathleen Ernst, Keir Graff, Ted Krever, Nancy Sweetland
Assessing the market in all youth age ranges.

Expert Witness Track – Guns & Roses
Field
Michael A. Black, Dave Case
Everything you wanted to know about guns and how firearms work. Two cop-writers give you the complete and total scoop on how to get those firearms descriptions right in your writing. Learn how TV, books, and movies distort things. Learn which writers get it right, and which ones are misfires. Plus, you'll get a chance to hold some real guns if you want.

Chasing Thrills: Keeping the Feeling over a Series
Teylers
Laura Caldwell , David Ciambrone ,Jamie Freveletti, W. S. Gager, Shane Gericke (M), David Morrell
Keeping the sparks in your relationship with characters through a longer series.

Publishers and Their Authors
Montrose/Theater
Emily Clark Victorson & Libby Hellmann; Terri Bischoff & Kathleen Ernst; Ben Leroy (M)
Authors and their publishers talk about their special relationship.

10a – 11a

E-Book Marketing
Hara
Allan Ansorge, Rebecca Crowley, Libby Hellmann
Techniques on spreading the word about your e-book from people who do.

Author Chat (this will continue until 11:20)
Bode
Patricia Batta, Richard Davidson, John Desjarlais, Mardelle Fortier, W.S. Gager, Linda Mickey
A fluid conversation – join in or just listen in.

Historical Settings
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Amy Alessio (M), Frankie Bailey, Robert Goldsborough, Frances McNamara
Whether the books are set in 1930s, the Civil War or turn-of-the-century, the setting becomes another character who impacts on the story.

Expert Witness Track – Bodily Fluids (this will continue until 11:30)
Field
Kara Stefanson
This expert for the State of Illinois will talk about DNA evidence in criminal prosecutions.

Designing Series, A to Z
Teylers
Donald Bain, Luisa Buehler (M), Barbara D’Amato, Elizabeth Duncan, Julie James, William Kent Krueger
This experienced panel talks about how to plan for current and future stories for their characters.

Pitch-a-Palooza (runs 10a to 11:20a)
Louvre
Take a few deep breaths and take a look around the room. Line up in an orderly fashion behind the shortest line in front of who you would like to pitch to.  The lines move very quickly—you get 4 minutes—so moving between lines is permissible and encouraged if an opening in another line in front of someone else you want to pitch to opens up.  Your pitch may take less time, but the lights will flash every seven minutes and you are required to move on when the lights flash (LIM “flashers”:  Janet Kargol and Scott Doornbosch).  If you did not get to the person or people you want to pitch to in the first session, queue up in the next one. Do not get flustered.  Things will work out, we promise.

11:30a – 1p

Lunch
Louvre
Julie Hyzy interviews Julie James and Donald Bain

1p – 2p

The Devil’s in the Details – Small Things that Make a Big Difference
Hara
Austin Camacho, Keir Graff, Ted Krever (M), Linda Mickey, Hank Phillippi Ryan
Authors discuss how small, but important, details enhance their plots and characters.

Master Class with David Morrell (runs 1p to 2:30p)
Bode
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR VIEWPOINT. To David Morrell, the viewpoint of a story is one of its most fascinating aspects. Each of the possible approaches carries assumptions and implications. David will point out the strengths and weaknesses of each and discuss the historical perspectives that caused them to be invented.

Expert Witness Track – Fingerprinting
Field
Bill Howe
This expert witness shows how a crime scene is handled and how they begin to lift fingerprints.

Not “Just the Ladies”: Sisters in Crime Talk Genres
Teylers
Frankie Bailey, Gale Borger, Barbara D’Amato, Gail Lukasik, Frances McNamara, D.M. Pirrone (M)
This panel focuses on the various genres that our SinC authors write: historical, humorous, amateur sleuth, and thriller.

Agents and Their Authors
Montrose/Theater
Susan Crawford & Julie James and James Strauss; Bob Diforio & Shane Gericke; Peter Miller & Raymond Benson
The relationship between agents and authors:  how it works (and why it sometimes doesn’t)

2p – 3p

If the Spirit Moves You: Religion and Spirituality in Fiction
Hara
John Desjarlais, Honora Finkelstein Sylvia Foti (M), Tony Perona, Susan Smily, David J. Walker
Incorporating aspects of spirituality and the realm of the great unknown.

Master Class with David Morrell (continues until 2:30p)
Bode
See description in the 1p-2p section.

Try your Hand at Fingerprinting
Getty
Bill Howe
Learn how to lift fingerprints at a crime scene - don’t come if you don’t want your prints on record.

Expert Witness Track – Coroner
Field
Scott Gamboe
This expert witness describes life in a coroner's office--processes, procedures, protocol, etc.  Warning:  photographs may be graphic in nature.

We Live for Romance
Teylers
Evelyn Cullet, Julie James, Liz Lipperman, Terri Stone (M), JL Wilson
Whether it’s romantic comedy or romantic suspense, these are authors to love.

Publishers and Their Authors
Montrose/Theater
L. Sue Durkin & Helen Osterman and C.L. Shore; Karen Syed & Gale Borger and Elaine Abramson
Authors and their publishers talk about their special relationship.

3p – 4p

HIGH TEA
Louvre
Tony Perona interviews Julie Hyzy

4p – 5p

SPILL! – The Most Embarrassing Things That Have Happened as a Writer
Hara
Donald Bain, Raymond Benson(M), Julie James, David Morrell, Hank Phillippi Ryan
The title says it all….!

Keeping you Day Job
Bode
David Ciambrone, Keir Graff, David Heinzmann, Linda Mickey, David J. Walker (M)
Unless you hit the NYT bestseller list on your first book, most writers have to keep their day jobs.  These authors will talk about how to juggle your love and your life.

On the Road Again – Authors Who Travel Together (Travelling Schtick)
Getty
Carl Brookins, Luisa Buehler, Honora Finkelstein, Ellen Hart, William Krueger, Susan Smily, Mary Welk
They travel together for camaraderie, support, and fiscal responsibility.  How do they do that without bloodshed?

Expert Witness Track – Going Undercover to Solve Your Crime
Field
Marco Conelli
NYPD Detective Marco Conelli presents an in-depth presentation that outlines his work as an Undercover Operative in NYC.  This course shows writes up close, unique and effective ways of getting their protagonist information to solve crimes while lending insight into the crafting of mysteries.

5:30p – 6p

Author Signings and Cocktails Lobby Hall
Attending conference authors will be available to sign their books.  Sip and schmooz while you wait.

6:30 –?

Dinner / Lovey Awards
Louvre
Keynote speaker:  David Morrell

After Dinner

Mixed Company Troupe
Montrose/Theater
One table, one actor, one volunteer.  The actor knows his lines, but the volunteer knows nothing of the script.  The director, hidden away, reads the first line of the play into the volunteer’s earbud.  The volunteer repeats it and the director’s inflection.  The play has begun.  Featuring Guests of Honor David Morrell & Hank Phillippi Ryan.  The Mixed Company Troupe includes:  Sasha d’Or (Director/Playwright), Gwynne Jennings (Producer),
Michael Lee, Rachael Wismont, Victoria Ames, Marie Jones, Brad Rondeau, Erin Osgood, Paul C. Lang (Actors), Ben Solomon (Sound Engineer), Alex Belhaj (Sound Technician), James Orr (Market Development Director)

8a – 9a

Breakfast
Louvre
Questions, he asked.  Donald Bain will ask the ladies the questions you’ve been dying to know the answers to.

9a – 10a

Expert Witness Track – Espionage
Field
Jim Strauss
What TV and movies get wrong when it comes to cloak and dagger work.

Marketing & Publicity
Teylers
Renee Paley-Bain, Juli Schatz, Karen Syed
It’s a brave new world and these experts give you the road map to travel it.

10a – 11a

E-volving
Field
Donnie Light
Step-by-step instructions on the best methods for formatting your print stories for Amazon and beyond. Bring your laptop and work along with him.

Straight Talk from the Librarians – How to Get (and keep) Your Book on Our Shelves.
Teylers
Monique Flasch, Susan Gibberman (M), Marlene Leonardi, Patricia Ruocco
Librarians describe the procedures and policies for ordering materials for their libraries and how to maximize your opportunity to get your book in the hands of readers. Will also include a discussion on what we’re reading now.

11a – 12p

Midwest Mystery Writers of America (MWA) Meeting – Open to All
Field
Join Tony Perona and guest speaker Donald Bain for this meeting.  All are welcome