Panel Boy

How do you know you are on your way in the writing world?

When you land on a discussion panel at a conference.

In June 2023, Sisters In Crime Los Angeles is presenting a conference on the writing and selling of the crime novel. It’s called the California Crime Writers Conference. Good seats still available.

(The conference is also being presented by the Mystery Writers of America. I happen to be a member of both organizations. What can I say? I’m a joiner.)

One of the panels at that conference will be about writing crime novels and getting the legal stuff right. They haven’t arrived at a name for it yet. I had already volunteered to be on such a panel when I signed up to attend the conference. I realize that my credentials are not as strong as some of the persons speaking at the conference, such as Rachel Howzell Hall, an excellent writer of mysteries featuring strong women protagonists. Those of you who frequent this blog know that I am always on the lookout for strong women in mysteries, the kind that don’t worry about their nails or their heels while solving crimes.

Still, I am a lawyer. I have published 10 short stories about Minerva James, a lawyer in 1962 Sacramento. I have a novel that’s going to be shopped (I hope) soon. So maybe I have some street cred, eh?

Turns out, the answer is yes. I do.

I am going to be on that panel answering questions such as “If I have my character commit a crime, then have him cross the International Date Line so that he was somewhere else the day the murder was committed, can they convict him?”

(Answer, yes. The law does not turn on such silly technicalities. You kill someone, you are guilty, even if you travel to yesterday after you do so.)

I am very excited. Back in 2003, I spoke to SICLA about legal procedure and was well received. I’m hoping I can do as well this time.

So. I’m almost big time! At least I am now going to be a panel boy.

Big fun. Come watch me. Come ask your legal questions so you can write your legal mystery.

But no International Date Line questions, please.