Mystery Making Seminar

In this interactive workshop, three mystery authors representing different sub-genres, including cozy/traditional and thriller/suspense, will brainstorm on their feet to create a brand new mystery using suggestions provided by the audience. Fun, fast-paced, and fascinating, this improv game offers insights into mystery writer' minds and the conventions of the genre. 

Elaine Isaak As E. Chris Ambrose, she writes knowledge inspired adventure fiction including The Bone Guard archaeological thrillers, the Rogue Adventure novels, and the Rikki Talens tropical adventures with Douglas Pratt, as well as The Dark Apostle Series about medieval surgery (DAW) as by E. C. Ambrose. In the process of researching her books, Elaine learned how to hunt with a falcon, clear a building of possible assailants, and pull traction on a broken limb. Her short stories have appeared in Thrill Ride, Fireside, Warrior Women and Fantasy for the Throne, among many others, and she has edited several volumes of New Hampshire Pulp Fiction. A graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop, Elaine has returned there to teach, as well as at conventions and writer's groups across the country. She has judged writing competitions from New Hampshire Literary Idol to the World Fantasy Award. 

Lisa Q. Mathews began her publishing career editing Nancy Drew books. She also wrote for kids’ series such as Mary-Kate and Ashley and the Lizzie McGuire Mysteries. She now writes lighthearted mysteries for grownups with strong female characters and plenty of family, including the Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries (Book One, THE JIG IS UP debuts 8/20/2024) and the Ladies Smythe & Westin. Her short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” was an Agatha Award finalist. Lisa lives in New Hampshire. The “Q” in her name stands for “Quinn.”

Kim Herdman Shapiro worked as a journalist in Canada for many years. Her book, Gelato with the Pope, highlights her time as a syndicated travel columnist in the Nineties. In addition, she has written feature articles for various publications. Her mystery series, The Wynter Island Mysteries, was a semi-finalist for the Chanticleer Book Award. The series also received numerous positive reviews from such publications as Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Review. Kirkus Review listed it as an "Indie worth looking for." Kim is also a board member of Sisters in Crime New England. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.