Strange Love: Why Do We Love Murder?

Kelli Stanley, Lauren Willig, Lynn Sheen, Tasha Alexander, and Tracy Kiely examine why murder is such a powerful force in fiction. They discuss how death drives plot, deepens relationships, and exposes human truths, with special attention to strong women characters in historical mysteries.

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Writing the Hero Who Breaks the Rules

Writing the Hero Who Breaks the Rules

Anthony Rainone, Chris Ewan, Jason Starr, Jodi Compton, Joseph Pittman, and Rob Byrnes explore the art of writing antiheroes. They discuss moral ambiguity, internal conflict, and how to keep readers invested even when a protagonist walks the line between right and...

How to Surprise Mystery Readers Without Cheating

How to Surprise Mystery Readers Without Cheating

Dana Cameron moderates a lively discussion on the unspoken rules of mystery writing with Chantelle Aimée Osman, G.M. Malliet, Jaden Beth Terrell, Joshua Corin, and Wendy Corsi Staub. They explore when writers should follow convention, when it is smart to break it, and...

How to Make a Powerful Impression on the First Page

How to Make a Powerful Impression on the First Page

An opening sets the contract with the reader. Bill Rapp, Jane B. Lee, Lawrence Allan, Linda Duncan, Michael Bradley, and Robert Mangeot explore what makes a beginning unforgettable, from first sentences to full opening chapters. This session examines how tone,...