Previous Meeting Topics

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 a listing of our meeting and event topics in 2019, as well as a sampling of topics from previous years:

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