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 some of our meeting and event topics.
2026 Meetings:
Jan 10 – Working Relationships: Police and Public Defender with Mark and Ruth Bergin
Feb 7 – What the Dog’s Nose Knows: The Pleasures —and Pitfalls — of Adding a Scent Detection Dog to Your Plot with Cat Warren
Mar 7 – Clued In: Contrasting and Comparing Fictional Sleuthing and Real-Life Investigative Work with Aîné Cain & Kevin Greenlee
Apr 11 – Meet the Chessie Chapter Agatha Finalists!
May – No Meeting
June 13 – K.T. Nguyen’s “Mind and Mystery”
July 11 – The Book Coaching Maze: How to Choose the Right Support Without Wasting Time or Money with Melissa Haveman
Aug 1 – BBQ and Pool Party Social
Aug 29/September meeting – Why Short Stories? Panel with Art Taylor, John Betancourt, Leslie Budewitz, Kaye George, and Richie Narvaez
2025 Meetings:
Jan 11 – Pomodoros & Chocolate: Motivation & Productivity for the Writer – Lori Rader-Day
Feb 5 – Ask the Editor – Josh Pachter
Mar 5 – 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 – E.A. Aymar with authors Vera Kurian, James D.F. Hannah, and Andi Bartz
Jul 12 – Writing Humor in Mysteries – Lois Winston
Aug 2 – Anatomy of a Scam with Melissa Lansing
Sep 13 – Weapons & Weaponizing with John Gilstrap
Oct 4 – Uncovering the Truth of the Delphi Murders: A Conversation – Murder Sheet Podcasters Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee
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 8 – The Pitfalls of Police Procedurals Panel
Feb 5 – Life in the FBI: An Hour with a Retired Special Agent
Mar 5 – Paranormal Investigator James Burnette with Research Society of Virginia Paranormal (RSVP)
Apr – No meeting
May 7 – Investigative Journalism with Mark Feldstein, Lynne Russell, and Thomas Young
Jun 4 – Ergonomics for Writers with Shaun Taylor Bevins
Jul 9 – Ghostwriting 10K Words a Day Using Dictation with Leslie Truex
Aug 13 – Cocktails and Mocktails with the Board (online)
Sep 17 – Conversation with Mike Van Linn, DEA Chemist
Oct 8 – Scams, Identity Theft, and Fraud with a detective
Nov 12 – Mystery Author Extravaganza
Dec – Mystery Author Extravaganza
2021 Meetings:
Jan 9 – A Chapter Roundup with Fellow Chessies
Feb 6 – Bookstagram: What Writers Need to Know with E.A. Aymar, Jennifer Hillier, Shannon Kirk, and Vanessa Lillie
Mar – Postponed
Apr – Using Bookstagram: The Nuts and Bolts for Authors with Sonica Soares
May 8 – The Art of the Short Story with Art Taylor
Jun 5 – Pick Your Poison: An Hour with Luci Zahray, “The Poison Lady”
Jul
Aug 7 – Deep in a Bowl of Porridge: Planting Clues with Catriona McPherson
Sep 18 – Short Stories vs. Standalone Novels vs. Novels in a Series
Oct 2 – Public Speaking with Wendy H. Jones
Nov 6 – Mystery Author Extravaganza
Dec 11 – 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