Traditional mysteries continue to enjoy enormous popularity among readers. In this class, we will explore the hallmarks and challenges these books present, including amateur sleuth protagonists, an appealing cast of recurring characters, a distinctive setting, a puzzle that plays fair with readers, and a touch of romance. Bring your problems and ideas as this will be an active session involving brainstorming and class feedback.

Presenter: Roberta Isleib

Screenwriting is a highly structured method of storytelling. Learn how to use some of these techniques to plan a new novel, correct a work in progress, write more effective scenes, improve dialogue and develop more compelling characters. Participants are encouraged to bring to class an outline for a story or novel or a sample of a scene that isn’t working.

Presenter: Jan Brogan is the author of FINAL COPY, which won Drood Review Editor’s Choice award, and the Hallie Ahern mystery series. Jan recently completed a screenplay to spec for Hollywood director Andrew Cadiff and the project is in development. She has taught fiction writing at The Cape Cod Writing Center, The Brown University Learning Community, and The Learning Connection in Providence. www.janbrogan.com

Topics discussed include:
How to prepare for a successful radio appearance
*Knowing key info about the station/format/host
*Sounding as good as possible on air - proper breathing, microphone technique, "studio etiquette"
*How to handle an ill-prepared interviewer
*How to come across well in a phone interview
*Developing effective talking points about you and the book for the radio audience

Tips for a successful podcast
*Crisp writing for the "ear not the eye"
*A professional studio production - why it is key
*Effective voice-over training to help you sound natural and conversational

Developing relationships with broadcast professionals
*Knowing that an interview is a two way street---you get and you give
*Keeping up contacts with interviewers as well as producers the easy way
*Maximizing the most from your interview by using it in additional formats such as your website, remembering that a solid interview can help sell you to other broadcast outlets

Presenter: WBZ Radio personality Jordan Rich has a weekly show that brings authors to readers. www.jordanrich.com

*** This class is an Advanced Track Class that is designed for seasoned authors who want to take their writing and promotion to a new level.

Every good writer knows that rewriting is a necessity, but if you don’t enjoy it, chances are you’ll never go from good to great. This workshop will focus on the dynamics of rewriting: when, where, how, and how many times are enough? How to do it on your own (not recommended) and how to do it with a large group of reviewers (also not recommended). Through lecture, exercises and workshopping, you’ll figure out the ways that work best for you – and how to have fun doing it. Please bring one-to-two double-spaced pages of your written work with you.

Presenter: Barbara Shapiro is the author of five suspense novels, all set in the Boston area: THE SAFE ROOM, BLIND SPOT, SEE NO EVIL, BLAMELESS and SHATTERED ECHOES. She has been called a “master of mystery” by the Boston Globe and “a master” by the Boston Herald. Her novels have been translated into German, Greek and Japanese, and film rights have been optioned. Dr. Shapiro currently teaches creative writing and advanced composition at Northeastern University. She lives in Boston and is currently working on a new novel and adapting her novels to film.

Maybe murder is no laughing matter, but almost any mystery can benefit from lighter moments. Author Toni L.P. Kelner, a mystery author with a gift for laughs, shows how you can use humor in your novel. She'll pull examples from popular mysteries to show when humor works and then discusses the pitfalls of pratfalls. Whether you're writing slapstick, black humor, whimsy, or cynical wisecracks, come prepared to laugh and learn. Just remember--Toni takes humor very seriously.

Presenter: Toni L.P. Kelner doesn't think she could write a book without humor if she tried. Kelner is the author of the "Where are they now?" mysteries, featuring Boston-based freelance entertainment reporter Tilda Harper, and what's funnier than Hollywood? Who Killed the Pinup Queen?, the second in the series, was released earlier this year. Kelner is also a prolific writer of short stories and the co-editor of urban fantasy anthologies along with Crime Bake Guest of Honor Charlaine Harris. Their latest, Death's Excellent Vacation, came out in August. Kelner lives north of Boston, Mass. with amusingly charming author/husband Stephen Kelner, two witty daughters, and two guinea pigs who make great straight men. www.tonilpkelner.com

In this workshop, David Krasner, Associate Professor of Performing at Emerson College, will teach this interactive session demonstrating and discussing how acting exercises can help crime fiction writers explore and deepen their characters as they write, followed by Q&A.

Exercises will include:
- sense/emotional memory
- creating subtext (mantras)
- objectives/actions (the 6 basic actions)

Presenter: David Kranser teaches acting at Emerson College and formerly taught acting at Yale University. He is the author of eight books and is under contract and working on two more acting and scholar/history books on theatre. He also edits a series for the University of Michigan Press, titled "Theater: Theory/Text/Performance."

*** This class is an Advanced Track Class that is designed for seasoned authors who want to take their writing and promotion to a new level.