Murder, Mayhem and Mystery Author Panel

IN-PERSON EVENT

Join us to celebrate National Library Week (April 23-29)! Four Connecticut authors of mysteries and thrillers will discuss how they write their books including where their ideas come from, how they plot the twists and turns, and how they develop their characters. Meet the authors, get answers to your burning questions, and purchase personalized signed copies. Panelists: Mark Dressler, Patricia Dunn, Kathy Orzech, Wendy Whitman.

Mark Dressler was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. He is the author of 4 published police procedural mysteries. His fictional Detective Dan Shields takes on Hartford-area crimes in Dead and Gone, Dead Right, and Dead Wrong. Female Detective Lex Stall works a case in Manhattan in Dying for Fame. Mark has been featured on television shows in New Haven with Teresa DuFour {Channel 8}, and Hartford’s Stan Simpson {Channel 6). His interviews with Elsa Kurt (The Writer’s Tribe talk show) and John Valarie (Central Booking) as well as the TV appearances may be seen on YouTube. His 5th book, Write To The End featuring Lex Stall, is expected to be published this year. A portion of his profits are donated to The Boston Children’s Hospital.

Patricia Dunn (a.k.a. T. M. Dunn) has served as Senior Director of the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, where she holds an MFA in creative writing. She coaches aspiring and established writers and teaches creative writing workshops. She is the co-host of the Westport Library's podcast, "Go Ahead, Write Something." This Italian-American, Bronx-raised rebel has traveled the world. She lives in Stamford, Connecticut where she is currently working on her next novel, with her rescue puppy Blanqui snuggled at her side. Website:www.patriciadunnauthor.com

Kathryn Orzech, seasoned world traveler, film fan, and news nerd, writes suspense thrillers set in New England “and other exotic locations.” Lead women characters confront danger, flirt with romance, and brush with the supernatural. Work on a new project in her Connecticut home often begins or ends before dawn. The fictional jewelry business in ASYLUM: A Dark Suspense Saga, was inspired by the author’s early design career at The Napier Co., previously headquartered in Meriden. ASYLUM’s screenplay adaptation was recently awarded Best Unproduced Script in Boston, Chicago, and Toronto International Women film festivals. Kathy’s psychic thriller, Premonition of Terror, was based on her DreamWatch website where everyday people share paranormal experiences. Kathy is a member of Connecticut Authors and Publishers Assoc., Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Other interests include history and geopolitics, society and culture, psychology and science, and parapsychology, leaving few subjects off her literary table. Website: dreamwatch.com

Wendy Whitman has a unique background through her decades-long work as an executive and producer for Court TV and HLN, covering almost every major high-profile murder case in America. Through her knowledge of the most detailed aspects of the crimes, Ms. Whitman has become an expert on the subject of murder in America. Before attending Boston University School of Law, Whitman worked for comedians Lily Tomlin and George Carlin. After graduating from law school, the author embarked on what turned out to be a twenty-year career in television covering crime. She spent fifteen years at Court TV and another several at HLN for the Nancy Grace show, where she appeared on air as a producer/reporter covering high-profile cases. Whitman received three Telly Awards and two GLAAD nominations during her tenure at Court TV. Her debut crime thriller novel Premonition was released last year. The sequel Retribution will be out this July. Website: wendywhitman.com

This event is co-sponsored by Sisters in Crime.