I’m so excited to attend my favorite writing groups in person. I belong to three professional writing organizations that support mystery readers and writers. Here in St. Petersburg, I’m a past president of the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime. We meet on the first Saturday of each month. During COVID, we held zoom meetings. At last, we’re meeting in libraries as far north as the Barbara S.Ponce Public library in Pinellas Park, FL, and to the south at the Fruitville Library in Sarasota. We extend our socialization at a nearby restaurant after our meetings.
On the third Saturday of the month, I usually dial in for virtual meetings held by the Florida Mystery Writers of America. Most of the year, even before the shutdown, I didn’t make the trip across the state. This month presented a unique opportunity to attend a presentation by Lisa Black and the farewell party at the Murder on the Beach bookstore.
I took the Amtrak train from Tampa to Deerfield Beach for a weekend of reconnecting with writers I’ve known for years. At the last Murder on the Beach Bookstore party, friends and supporters enjoyed a delicious spread of wine and cheese in remembrance of good times. It’s sad to see such an institution close. The chapter presented a crystal vase and a bottle of champagne to retiring Joanne Sinchuk.
The next day I attended the April Florida Mystery Writers of Ameria in a new venue at the Deerfield Beach Historical Society Cultural Center. They welcomed us with a helpful sign and yellow arrows.
The speaker was the fabulous Lisa Black, who gave us an in-depth presentation on “Things You May Not Know About Crime Scenes (and Crime Scene Investigators!)
On Sunday, I was back on the train to Tampa Union Station and enjoying the wonderful inspiration that a weekend filled with readers and writers gives me. Now back to the keyboard with a renewed spirit!
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If you’re ready for some Cozy Florida Mystery investigation challenges, try my Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries set in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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