Join the Mystery Writers of America for a panel discussion covering what it takes to create a mystery novel. Whether you're a reader or a writer\, join us for a compelling conversation.
\ nWhat makes the worlds of mystery novels so tantalizing and their twist s and turns so intriguing? Four distinguished authors will delve into the creation of mystery novels\, the thought processes\, the ideas for worlds and plots\, and the ever-so-satisfying aha moments. \;
\nJoin us for a panel discussion with panelists Dawn Barclay\, Jeff Cohen\, Kellye Garrett\, and moderator Tom Coffey.
\nRegistration is free and requi red.
\nQuestions? Email reference@hobokenlibrary.org
\n&mdash\ ;
\nPanelists Bios:
\nDawn M. Barclay is an A gatha Award and Lowell Thomas Gold Award-winning author and a Chanticleer finalist. She writes psychological/domestic/romantic suspense as D.M. \;Barr and nonfiction under her own name. Traditionally published works in clude seven novels\, three anthologies\, and three nonfiction books\, with several anthologies to be published by White City Press in 2026. The owne r of Suggested Development Editing and Book Coaching\, she&rsquo\;s a form er acquisition editor for Champagne Book Group\, former editor for Down &a mp\; Out Books\, and the current editor for Hold Fast Publishing. She is t he incoming co-president of Sisters in Crime New York/TriState and a forme r MWA board member.
\n
Jeff Cohen\, who also writes as E.J. Cop
perman\, writes comedies that have mysteries in them. Sometimes they have
ghosts. A lot of the time they don&rsquo\;t. He has been a newspaper repor
ter\, trade magazine editor\, freelance journalist and screenwriter (no cr
edits on IMDb) and mystery novelist. The last one stuck. Jeff is a native
New Jerseyan and has never been outside the Garden State for more than two
weeks at a time. He has no patience for any form of entertainment that ha
s no sense of humor at all\, and will tell you about that at length if you
are foolish enough to ask. Find him on Facebook and at \;www.ejcopper
man.com. \;
Kellye Garrett&rsquo\;s crime fiction novels
have been named to Time Magazine&rsquo\;s 100 Best Mystery &\; Thrille
rs of All Time\, were spotlighted as a $1\,000 clue on Jeopardy\, and have
won Agatha\, Anthony\, Lefty\, IPPY\, and ITW Thriller awards. After brea
king into publishing with the Detective by Day lightweight mystery series\
, she transitioned into standalone suspense with \;Like A Sister.
\;Her latest\, the Jersey City set \;Missing White Woman\, \;was a
Reader&rsquo\;s Digest Book Club pick\, CBS New York Club Calvi selection
\, Apple Books Staff Pick\, and Amazon Editors&rsquo\; Pick. In addition t
o writing\, Kellye is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color\, which recei
ved the 2023 Raven Award from MWA and Boucheron&rsquo\;s 2024 David Thomps
on Special Service Award. She&rsquo\;s a New Jersey native.
Tom Coffey retired from The New York Times in 2023 after a decades-long ca
reer in journalism. His first novel\, THE SERPENT CLUB\, was published in
1999 by Pocket Books\, and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
In 2008 Toby Press printed BLOOD ALLEY\, which also earned a starred revi
ew from PW. His series with Level Best Books\, The Devine Trilogy\, which
is named for the dysfunctional family at its center\, began in 2023 with t
he publication of \;PUBLIC MORALS\, which gained four- and five-star r
eviews on Amazon and Goodreads. The second book in the series\, SPECIAL VI
CTIM\, was published in 2024\, to similar acclaim. Tom recently completed
the final book in the series\, STOP AND FRISK\, which will be published ne
xt year.