The topics for our previous meetings have ranged from forensic anthropology and how to disappear, to art theft and crime scene cleanup procedures. Here are listings of our meeting and event topics in 2025, as well as a sampling of topics from previous years:
2025 Meetings:
Jan 11 – Pomodoros & Chocolate: Motivation & Productivity for the Writer – Lori Rader-Day
Feb 5 – Ask the Editor – Josh Pachter
Mar 5 (Wed) – Cozy Mystery Marketing Brainstorm Session – Lauren Silberman
Apr 5 – Chapter Agatha Award Nominees
May – No Meeting
Jun 14 – How to Get the Most from Your Author Newsletter
Jul 12 – Writing Humor in Mysteries – Lois Winston
Aug 2 – TBA
Sep 13 – TBA
Oct 4 – TBA
Nov 1 – Mystery Authors Extravaganza – Ellicott City, MD
Dec 13 – Mystery Authors Extravaganza – Reston, VA
2024 Meetings:
Jan 7 – Tips & Tricks on How to Effectively Market In-Person and Online – Brian Paone
Feb 3 – Forensic Pathology – Mary Jumbelic
Mar 12 – Chessie Chapter Nominees for Agatha Awards
Apr – No Meeting
May 4 – Discovering Insurance Fraud: A Conversation – Tonya Sherman, Market Regulation Supervisor
Jun 1 – He Said, She Said, They Said: The Art of Writing Dialogue – Kathleen Barber, Author
Jul 13 – Understanding Extremist Behavior – Dr. Flurije Saliju
Aug 3 – Available for Check Out: How a Library Selector Chooses Books for the Collection – Matthew Moffett
Sep 7 – How to Bookstagram – Magen Mitchev, Bonechilling Books
Oct 12 – Spotlight on Cheryl A. Head: A Conversation with the Award-Winning Author
Nov 3 (Sunday) – Mystery Authors Extravaganza – Ellicott City, MD
Dec 14 – Mystery Authors Extravaganza – Reston, VA
2023 Meetings:
Jan 7 – New Year, New You Marketing Techniques –
Feb 18 – Business & Craft of Writing – Hank Phillippi Ryan
Mar 4 – The National Crisis in Forensic Death Investigation – Bruce Goldfarb
Apr – No Meeting
May 6 – Forensic Psychology: A Guide for Writers – Dr. Katherine Ramsland
Jun 10 – Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT (AI) for Writers – Cathy Wiley
Jul 8 – Cultural Sensitivity – Austin S. Camacho
Aug 5 – The Ins and Outs of Self-Publishing – Karen Cantwell, Cathy Wiley, Lori, Roberts Herbst, Rosie Pease
Sep 16 – Multi Genre Authors: How do they do it? – Amanda Flower, Leslie Budewitz/Alicia Beckman, KB Jackson, Heather Webber/Heather Blake, Lauren Silberman
Oct 21 – Tactics, Tools, and Tales: Alaska Search and Rescue – Patrick Fowler
Nov 4 – Chessie Author Extravaganza – Ellicott City, MD
Dec 2 – Chessie Author Extravaganza – Reston, VA
2022 Meetings:
Jan 9 – Conversation and Writing Fellowship
Feb 6 – Bookstagram: What Writers Need to Know
Mar 7 – TBA
Apr – TBA
May – No meeting
Jun 5 – Luci Zahray, The Poison Lady
Jul – TBA
Aug – TBA
Sep – TBA
Oct – TBA
Nov – Mystery Author Extravaganza
Dec – Mystery Author Extravaganza
2020 Meetings:
Jan 26 – Mystery Play The Game’s Afoot – Reston, VA
Feb 8 – Writing Marathon – Reston, VA
Mar 7 – Jeanne Adams – Bethesda, MD
Apr 4 – Allison Brennan Writing Workshop – Reston, VA – **CANCELLED**
May – No meeting
Jun 6 – Don Klees, VP Programming at Acorn TV streaming service
Jul 11– Paul Gomez, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Investigator
Aug 1 – Terry Smith – A Virtual Visit to the Stagecoach Theater
Sep 5 – Matt Fine – FBI Cybercrimes Expert
Oct 3 – Jeffrey James Higgins, Retired DEA Special Agent – Narco-Terrorism
Nov 7 – Mystery Author Extravaganza
Nov 21 – Mystery Author Extravaganza
Dec 5 – Margaret Press – DNA Doe Project
2019 Meetings:
Jan 11 – Crime Lab Tour, Manassas
Feb 8 – FBI Field trip, Washington, DC
Mar 2 – Frank Hazard – Fire and Arson expert – Bethesda
Apr 6 – Harry Milman – Forensic Toxicologist – McLean
May 4 – No meeting, during Malice
Jun 22 – Eryk Pruitt – Viewing of Going Down Slow & discussion of filmmaking
Jul 21 – The Business End of Hollywood: Pitching & Writing Screenplays
Aug 3 – No meeting
Sep 7 – Rhys Bowen – Writing workshop, author talk & book signing
Oct 5 – Agent McGregg – Criminal Profiling
Oct 26 – Chapter Author showcase and book sale in MD
Dec 7 – Chapter Author showcase and book sale in VA
Various Topics from Previous Years:
Crime Scene Cleanup
How to Disappear
Art Theft and Reclamation
Forensic Anthropology and How to Identify Burial Remains
Baltimore Crime Lab Field Trip
K-9 Dog Training Procedures
Funeral Home Procedures, Licensing Requirements, and Staff Experiences