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, tension, and promise work together to hook readers instantly and signal the kind of story they are about to experience.
When Journalism Shapes the Perfect Murder Mystery
Moderated by Lori Chandler, Baron R. Birtcher, Bradley Harper, David Morrell, Mariah Fredericks, and Sheila Sobel discuss how journalism and mystery fiction overlap. They explore research, integrity, and character authenticity, and how journalistic discipline...




