MWA-U is back!
Upcoming MWA-U Sessions
Wed., Nov. 18 8 PM Eastern Time on Zoom
Once Upon a Crime: Bringing Historical Mysteries to Life
The past is full of secrets—and excellent motives for murder. Join L.A. Chandlar for a MWAU class on crafting historical mysteries that immerse readers in another era while keeping them turning pages. Explore how to weave research and your own unique flair into a compelling story, create characters shaped by their times, and build clues and investigations that fit a world before modern forensics. From avoiding anachronisms to balancing period detail with pacing, discover how to make history an essential part of the mystery.
Presenter Bio: L.A. Chandlar is the author of the Lane Sanders Mystery Series. Laurie has been nominated for the Agatha, Lefty, Macavity, and Anthony Awards; winner of Suspense Magazine’s Crimson Scribe and the Guides Association of NY Apple Award. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Laurie has worked in PR at General Motors, toured the nation managing a rock band, and has raised funds and mentored artists at a major non-profit for over 20 years. Laurie is also a motivational speaker and has worked with a wide variety of audiences including the Sisters in Crime Speaker’s Bureau and a women’s group with the United Nations. Her next stand-alone novel releasing Thanksgiving 2026 is “The Lost Stories: Based on true holiday events that changed the course of history.”
Previous MWA-U Sessions
Whose Story Is It? Mastering Point of View
with Lou Berney & Lori Rader-Day
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Point of view is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—craft choices in crime fiction. Whether you’re writing an intimate psychological suspense novel, a twist-heavy thriller, or a complex whodunit with multiple narrators, POV determines what your reader knows, when they know it, and how deeply they connect with your characters.
Join award-winning authors Lou Berney and Lori Rader-Day for an engaging, craft-focused conversation on how POV shapes mystery and suspense. Together, they’ll explore:
Choosing the right POV for your story
Balancing character interiority with narrative tension
The benefits and pitfalls of first-person, third-person, and hybrid structures
Using POV to build surprise, misdirection, and emotional resonance
Tips for revising when POV isn’t working
This interactive Zoom session will include time for audience Q&A. Whether you’re drafting your first novel or refining your tenth, you’ll leave with new tools to elevate your storytelling and sharpen your narrative edge.
You Tube Link: bit.ly/MWAU-Story
Killer Love Letters
February 18, 2026
Looking for a match made in publishing heaven? Join senior editor for Atlantic, Joe Brosnan and literary manager Liza Fleissig as they share what makes them fall in love with a query letter. From perfect first impressions to lasting connections, discover how to write the kind of “love letter” that makes an agent’s heart skip a beat. Whether you’re a new writer seeking representation or an established author exploring new opportunities, this session will offer practical tips, real-world insights, and examples of what makes a query stand out from the slush pile.
Joe Brosnan is a Senior Editor at Grove Atlantic where he oversees the Atlantic Crime imprint. Prior to that, he was an Editor and Senior Marketing Manager at St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and also the Site Manager for Criminal Element for nearly a decade. He lives in NYC.
Liza Fleissig, with her business partner Ginger Harris-Dontzin, opened the Liza Royce Associates (LRA) in early 2011. A cross-platform company providing development and strategic career management for clients in all media, their goal is to represent clients in every stage of their careers, from the most established to those honing their craft. Both former partners in NYC based litigation law firms, Liza and Ginger bring a combined 50 years of negotiating experience to the field. This background, along with connections rooted in film, television, and publishing, allow them to focus and build on a referral-based clientele, providing bespoke services on a multi-dimensional level.
You Tube Link: https://bit.ly/MWAU-LoveLetters
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Effective Social Media for Authors
Social media can be a powerful way to connect with readers, build an author brand, and promote your work—but only when it is used with purpose. Join presenter Magen Mintchev for a practical discussion about creating an effective social media presence without allowing it to consume your writing time. Whether you are new to social media or looking to refresh your current strategy, this presentation will offer useful guidance for choosing the right platforms, developing engaging content, and building authentic connections with readers.
Magen Mintchev is a social media strategist and founder of Social with Magen, a boutique agency helping authors, brands, and executives grow with a clear, data-driven strategy. She is the creator of @bonechillingbooks on Bookstagram, collaborates with major publishers and entertainment brands, and speaks at industry conferences while building engaged communities of readers and writers.
This presentation of Effective Social Media for Authors was a joint effort of Mystery Writers of America and the Outliers Writing University. Both organizations strive to provide writers with unparalleled access to education, resources, and advice from industry leaders and bestselling authors. We, at Mystery Writers of America, encourage you to explore the course offerings at Outliers Writing University and consider joining. MWA members get a significant discount when signing up for an Outliers membership. https://mysterywriters.org/members-only-section/active-status-members/outliers-writing-university-partnership/
If you aren’t a member of MWA yet, please consider joining the premier organization devoted to all things mystery. The Effective Social Media for Authors presentation is an example of the resources available to level-up in your writing career. https://mysterywriters.org/how-to-become-a-member-of-mwa/benefits-of-membership/
Attendees of this session who join either organization will receive a free e-book copy of Steven James’ new craft title, “Troubleshooting Your Novel.”
Video Link: https://bit.ly/MWA-SocialMedia
