May 18, 2019 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

DATE: May 18, 2019
GUEST SPEAKER: Carla Norton
PROGRAM: Fact or Fiction: Attack of the Crime Writer!

Program: Are you fascinated by a criminal case that’s “stranger than fiction” and tempted to write a true account? Or would you rather cherry-pick details and blend them into a crime novel? Either way, there are certain steps to take and legal issues to consider. What are the challenges and pitfalls in writing true crime? When is it okay to fictionalize? And what’s the key to a good book proposal?

Maybe you’re ready to dedicate blood, sweat, and years into researching a crime, or maybe not. But here are some insights into the process and some tips on how to craft a story with the grit, complexity, and emotional payoff necessary for a successful book.

Speaker: Carla Norton is a novelist and true crime writer. Her award-winning fiction includes The Edge of Normal and What Doesn’t Kill Her. Her nonfiction includes Disturbed Ground, about a female serial killer, and Perfect Victim, about an extraordinary case of kidnapping and
prolonged captivity. Perfect Victim, which was put on the reading list for the FBI Behavioral
Sciences Unit and became a #1 New York Times bestseller, provides inspiration for her fiction. Carla has an MFA degree in creative writing and enjoys teaching workshops. She invites you to contact her via Goodreads, Facebook, and at CarlaNorton.com.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 18, 2019
TIME: 11:30: Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation
PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487
COST: $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. Prepayment by May 14 is strongly urged.

RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT: To reserve and pay online: Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT – if you sign up for a meeting via PayPal in error, do NOT dispute the charge with PayPal. Instead, please contact our Treasurer via email ASAP at ray@rayflynt.com and she will refund your payment less PayPal’s transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. If you do dispute the charge, be aware that you will be liable for any penalties back-charged to the FMWA Chapter by PayPal (minimum $20.00 per disputed transaction). Thanks for your cooperation!

To reserve and pay via mail:
Step 1–Email ray@rayflynt.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot. In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number.
Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.”
Step 3-Mail your payment to FMWA Treasurer, 2767 Carambola Circle S., #202, Coconut Creek, FL 33066.

Please make your online reservation by May 14, or mail your check at least 3 days prior to that date so that you will be included on the reservation list, and we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only it space allows.

Next Meeting Date: June 15, 2019

April 13, 2019 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

DATE: April 13, 2019 (Second Saturday due to Easter weekend)
GUEST SPEAKER: Tina Koenig
PROGRAM: “Building an Author’s Online Presence”

Building an author website can be a daunting task. Especially if you’re tech challenged. There are companies that let you build a site for free. However, a free service won’t provide essential features like the ability to back up your content. In this lecture, we’ll go over why an author needs a website, how to choose the best website host for your needs, what those needs are, and how much you can expect to spend. This session will also cover the importance of branding across all your platforms.

SPEAKER BIO:

Tina Koenig is an award-winning graphic designer and writer. She founded the Internet’s first PR wire service in 1995 and has since held various communication, marketing and fundraising roles that have included working with the Broward County Library System and the Broward Public Library Foundation.

She currently works as a marketing consultant and literary consultant to writers. She guides writers through the publishing process, helps them to develop a signature brand, builds websites (or helps you DIY), plans and executes online and traditional marketing strategies.

Tina is the author of the middle grade historical mystery, A Case of Considerable Consequence. She’s a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, specializing in humorous stories about family. She’s adapted some of those stories into a stand-up comedy show called Gefilte Fish Out of Water. Read more about her at www.tinakoenig.com.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 13, 2019 (Note: This is the second Saturday as the third Saturday falls on Easter Weekend.)
TIME: 11:30: Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation
PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487; Get Directions Here
COST: $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. Prepayment by April 9th is strongly urged.

RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT: To reserve and pay online: Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT – if you sign up for a meeting via PayPal in error, do NOT dispute the charge with PayPal. Instead, please contact our Treasurer via email ASAP at ray@rayflynt.com and she will refund your payment less PayPal’s transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. If you do dispute the charge, be aware that you will be liable for any penalties back-charged to the FMWA Chapter by PayPal (minimum $20.00 per disputed transaction). Thanks for your cooperation!

To reserve and pay via mail:
Step 1–Email ray@rayflynt.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot. In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number.
Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.”
Step 3-Mail your payment to FMWA Treasurer, 2767 Carambola Cir S., #202, Coconut Creek, FL 33066.
Please make your online reservation by April 9th or mail your check at least 3 days prior to that date so that you will be included on the reservation list, and we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only it space allows.

Next Meeting Date: May 18, 2019