An Evening with Vermont Women of Mystery

Last night at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library we had a great time with four Vermont mystery writers in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Sisters In Crime an organization that promotes the professional advancement of women mystery writers. The organizer of the "Evening" was Robbie Harold a former KHL Trustee, theater buff, and author of a mystery(not yet published), organizational consultant and member of Sisters In Crime. Our four authors were Nancy Means Wright, Carla Neggers, Sarah Stewart Taylor, and soon to be published author, Jennifer McMahon. Each author read from her most recent book and then, as a panel, answered questions about character development, story ideas, research, the dual role of mother and writer, favorite authors and the importance of libraries in their life. Sarah Stewart Taylor recounted her local librarian's angst at informing young Sarah that there were no more Agathie Christie novels left to read. She had read them all! Carla Neggers, author of more than 50 novels, started writing at a young age sitting up in a tree with pen and pad. Nancy Means Wright used a real life murder in the Northeast Kingdom as her story line with her neighbors as the characters in the book. Nancy's first mystery was written when she was 9 years old with the main character an obnoxious brother. Her mother destroyed it! Jennifer, whose book will be published on April 10th, said that this is her fourth book and the first that's published. Following the program we enjoyed a "Death by Chocolate" reception in the dimly lit library. It's always fun to be in the library after hours sipping coffee and eating dark chocolate cake, cookies, brownies, and biscotti. Today I received emails from Sarah Stewart Taylor with a link to her blog where she talks about our program last night, and one from Jennifer McMahon with a link to her "grog". Jennifer plans to blog on last night's program next week. This program came together with the help of a lot of people: Robbie Harold, Wayne Fawbush, Susan Reid, Marjorie Strong, Roberta Downey, Rachael Grossman, George Spaulding and all four authors and their families. If you missed this program you'll be able to watch it on the local access television channel. Once again the wonderful community-minded people at Onion River Community Access taped this program. The library has books by all four authors - we'll receive Jennifer's soon. Check them out or buy a copy at Bear Pond Books that's been authographed by the author.