Criminal defense is one of the most misunderstood roles in the justice system. Attorney and author Richard S. Jaffe explores what it really means to defend the accused, including the moral weight of the job, public judgment, and the responsibility of standing between a client and the power of the state. This session reveals how defense work exposes the true tensions at the heart of justice and how writers can portray that complexity honestly.
How to Keep Mystery and Thriller Readers Hooked
Jaden Beth Terrell, Carrie Smith, Charles Kowalski, Christine Husom, and Marc Rainer share practical strategies for writing page turning mysteries and thrillers. They discuss plotting, believable motives, pacing, and how to sustain tension from the opening scene...




