What’s the story behind the story? Hear how authors combine personal experiences and events ripped from the headlines to create compelling mysteries. From that first idea, to research and their daily writing schedule, authors discuss their creative process.

Sisters in Crime is an international organization dedicated to the professional development and advancement of women crime writers. 

panelists include:

Coralie Jensen: This Globe-trotting author has a mystery series set in Tuscany, L'ORO VERDE and IL PANE DELLA VITA, and CHIANTI CLASSICO; two historical suspense novels, WINTER HARVEST, THE PUKEKO, set in New Zealand; LEGS TO DIE FOR, set in Denmark; a historical mystery, HAWKSWOLD PRIORY; and LETY'S GIFT and PASSUP PONT , both set in Canada. Not surprisingly, she has also started a mystery travel Blog. A graduate in English from University of California at Berkeley, she now lives with her husband in Massachusetts.

Toni L.P. Kelner is two authors in one . As Leigh Perry, she writes the Family Skeleton series featuring a walking, talking skeleton named Sid. The series debuted with A Skeleton in the Family and The Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking is the sixth and most recent addition to the series. As Toni L.P. Kelner, she's the author of the eight Laura Fleming mysteries and the three books in the "Where Are They Now?" series (all available as audio downloads, audiobooks, and ebooks). She also co-edited seven urban fantasy anthologies with NYT bestseller Charlaine Harris. Their most recent is Dead But Not Forgotten. In between novels and anthologies--and under both names--she writes short stories about pirates, PIs, serial killers, zombies, and demonic phone calls. Leigh and/or Toni have been nominated multiple times for the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Derringer, and won an Agatha Award for Best Short Story and an RT BOOK Review Career Achievement Award.

Sharon Healy-Yang: A huge fan of films and books created during the 1930s-50s, with their blend of sharp wit and dark suspense, Sharon was inspired to write Bait and Switch, a mystery/romance set in 1943 and a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards, as well as its sequels: the noir-inflected Letter from a Dead Man and Always Play the Dark Horse (TouchPoint Press). Her novels feature an intrepid, witty, imaginative female lead who's ripe for a little romance, even if it is mixed with espionage, deception, or murder. Always Play the Dark Horse brings in another of her passions, thoroughbred racing. Forthcoming is the fourth entry in the Jessica Minton series: Shadows of a Dark Past - a ghost story.

In-Person Program. Registration Required.