When real crimes dominate the news cycle, how do writers tell those stories responsibly and powerfully? Jackie Barrett, Jane Turzillo, Rick Porrello, and Thomas H. Cook discuss the challenges of writing true crime drawn from headlines, with a focus on ethics, empathy, and narrative tension. This session explores how to honor real people while still crafting stories that hold readers from start to finish.
A.J. Tata on Service, Story, and Writing with Purpose
Clay Stafford interviews 2017 Guest of Honor A.J. Tata about his military background, educational journey, and the balance between writing and public service. Maggie Toussaint joins the conversation to help recognize and celebrate the 2017 debut authors.
