June 20, 2020 Luncheon Meeting

How Authors Can Incorporate the Pandemic in Their Fiction Writing
Although living through a pandemic has become a reality, writing a pandemic into a fictional work is unchartered territory for many of us. Alexia Gordan, physician by day, multiple award winning #ownvoices author by night, will be the virtual guest speaker at our June MWA-FL meeting. With her unique perspective, she will share information about the pathophysiology of viruses, present a brief history of pandemics, and discuss how authors might incorporate the pandemic into their fiction writing. Join us for this timely and insightful presentation!

Alexia Gordon writes the award-winning Gethsemane Brown Mysteries. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Crime Writers of Color. She blogs with the Miss Demeanors, the Femmes Fatales, and the Killer Characters. She also hosts The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon, the podcast focused on cozy and traditional mystery authors. Listen on AnchorFM, SoundCloud, or your favorite podcast listening platform. A new episode premieres every other Wednesday.

DATE:  SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020
TIME: 12:00 Mingling | 12:15: Lunch | 12:45: Business Meeting | 1:15: Presentation
PLACE: DOUBLETREE BY HILTON: 100 Fairway Dr, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441; Get Directions Here

IN-PERSON COST: $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members.
VIRTUAL COST: $5 for MWA members; $7.50 for non-members.

REGISTRATION by June 13 is strongly urged, since BOX LUNCHES must be ordered in advance.

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 he 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!

In this era of social distancing, advanced reservation by PayPal is recommended so that the Treasurer is not handling checks/cash. If that isn’t possible, make contact by email as follows:

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 for the in-person meeting by JUNE 13, so we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Because we must pre-order BOX LUNCHES, walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Next Meeting Date: SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2020

DATE:  February 15, 2019 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

PROGRAM: Writing the Dreaded Query Letter

Alan Orloff’s thriller, PRAY FOR THE INNOCENT, won the 2019 ITW Thriller Award for Best E-Book Original. His debut mystery, DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD, was an Agatha Award finalist; his story, “Dying in Dokesville,” won a 2019 Derringer Award; and “Rule Number One” was selected for THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2018. His first PI novel, I KNOW WHERE YOU SLEEP, was released from Down & Out Books this week, and he’ll be appearing at Murder on the Beach next Saturday, Feb 22 at 5:00 pm.

Alan loves cake and arugula, but not together. Never together

“Writing the Dreaded Query Letter”

You’ve spent months (or years) of your life—not to mention copious amounts of blood, sweat, and tears—writing a dynamite novel. Don’t simply spend five minutes slapping together a weak query letter; you owe it to yourself to write a great one that will break through the slush-clutter at top literary agencies. Learn how to entice your dream agent into reading your masterpiece by writing a tight query that really sings—while avoiding those pitfalls that will land your query in the trash!

DATE:  SATURDAY, February 15, 2020

TIME: 12:00 Mingling | 12:15: Lunch | 12:45: Business Meeting | 1:15: Presentation

PLACE: DOUBLETREE BY HILTON: 100 Fairway Dr, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441; Get Directions Here

COST:  $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. Prepayment by February 10^th 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 he 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 February 10^th, 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.