Mystery Writers of America, New England Chapter

Engineering Surprise: How Stories Conspire with Our Minds and What Happens in Second (or Seventeenth) Readings – Vera Tobin
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
6:30 pm on Zoom to socialize
The meeting proper begins at 7:00

Vera Tobin, the author of Elements of Surprise: Our Mental Limits and the Satisfactions of Plot, will present an exploration of the cognitive science of the difference between plot twists that surprise and delight, and ones that fall flat. She’ll discuss findings on the interaction between surprise and memory, the relationship between ease of processing and the experience of insight, and how social psychology helps explain why unsuccessful twists can feel not just disappointing, but like violations of the social contract — plus, we’ll talk about what mystery and surprise even mean when we’re reading (for example) Some Buried Caesar for the umpteenth time.

Research Methods for Historical Fiction – John F. Gallagher
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
6:30 pm on Zoom to socialize
The meeting proper begins at 7:00

Learn how to use research to bring your historical fiction to life.

Forensic Genetic Genealogy – Anthony Redgrave
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
6:30 pm on Zoom to socialize
The meeting proper begins at 7:00

Anthony Redgrave, lead forensic genetic genealogist of Redgrave Research Forensic Services in Massachusetts, will explain the process of forensic genetic genealogy in criminal investigations. Anthony has been a forensic genetic genealogist for nearly four years and has participated in solving over thirty cases in that time. He has a background in creative writing, instructional design, and educational leadership. Forensic genetic genealogy is primarily used to identify unidentified John and Jane Does, and perpetrators of violent crime who have left DNA evidence at a crime scene. Anthony will describe what kinds of samples are used, how they are collected, the chain of custody for all the evidence, and the genealogical research process. A Q&A session will follow.

Invitations to the December meeting, Wednesday, December 8, have been sent to members via PaperlessPost.

There is no chapter meeting in November due to Crime Bake.

The Three Step Formula for Building an Author Platform – Fauzia Burke
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
6:30 pm on Zoom

Every author’s online platform is his or her biggest asset, and creating one is vitally important for your long-term success. However, there has never been more demands on an author’s time than today. In this session, you will learn which efforts are worth your time and which ones are a distraction. Whether you’re just starting out in your marketing efforts or ready to take it to the next level, this session will be the advice you need. You will learn through examples and case studies how to connect all the elements of online marketing (website, mailing list, blogging, social media, advertising and publicity) into a cohesive, successful and sustainable author platform.

Beyond Milk Cartons and Stranger Danger: The Myths and Realities of Missing Children – Stacey Pearson
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
6:30 pm on Zoom

Crime fiction writing gives authors the freedom to bend and shift reality when weaving police procedures into their stories. Influential crime writers understand law enforcement protocols, why they exist, and how to manipulate them to keep their readers engaged. In this session focused on kidnappings and missing and abducted children, former law enforcement and public safety professional Stacey Pearson will discuss how fiction writers can use common myths and misconceptions about missing children to create authentic conflict in their stories. The session will cover waiting periods for reporting, Stranger Danger, AMBER Alert criteria, interrogations and Miranda warnings, FBI involvement, and more.