Write What You Know or Research What You Don’t?

Presented by: Joe Clifford | Katrina McPherson | Nancy G. West | Susanna Calkins

In this candid conversation, mystery authors share how they balance personal experience with deep research. They discuss when real-world expertise gives a story its edge, when imagination takes the lead, and how to convincingly write beyond your comfort zone without losing authenticity.

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How to Add Darkness to a Cozy Without Losing the Comfort

Cozy, Craft, Mystery, Writing

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Crossing the Line: Where YA Ends and Adult Begins

Language, Mid grade, Romance

What really separates young adult fiction from adult novels, and where do those lines start to blur? In this panel, authors dig into the evolving space between YA and adult storytelling, using dystopian fiction as a lens. They discuss voice, theme, intensity, and...

Writing Dark Minds: Psychos, Serial Killers, and Sociopaths

Antagonists, Killers, Storyline

Exploring the darkest corners of human behavior can create unforgettable antagonists. In this session, authors discuss the psychology behind serial killers, sociopaths, and other dangerous characters, and how to write compelling villains who are both unsettling and...

Write What You Know or Research What You Don’t?

How to Add Darkness to a Cozy Without Losing the Comfort

Crossing the Line: Where YA Ends and Adult Begins

Writing Dark Minds: Psychos, Serial Killers, and Sociopaths

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