Mystery writers panel to take place Oct. 28 at Ponte Vedra Library

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A panel of regional mystery writers will provide tips on writing a mystery novel at the Florida Writers Association's (FWA) Ponte Vedra Writers chapter meeting Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library.

Panelists will include Nancy Quatrano, Steven Kerry Brown, John Marling March, and Bruce Thomason.

Writing as N.L. Quatrano, Nancy Quatrano is the award-winning author of the “Point & Shoot” mystery series and other short stories. Quatrano and author D.K Ludas recently sold their southern women's fiction series to Salt Run Publishing. The “Point & Shoot” author is the owner of On-Target Words, LLC, which specializes in content editing, press release development, and copy writing.

Steven Kerry Brown has written several mysteries, including "Redeeming the Dead" set in St. Augustine. Brown has managed his own private investigative firm for the last 30 years; his career began with the FBI working in Phoenix, Chicago and San Juan. Brown authored "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating," a series of non-fiction magazine articles on gambling.

John Marling March is a retired Army Ranger who served in Vietnam as an infantryman and in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a military policeman. He is also a retired police officer with experience in patrol operations, as a plainclothes street crimes officer and as a criminal investigations detective. His novel, "The Perdiccas Scroll" took first place honors in the published mystery category in the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards.

Bruce Thomason served 45 years in law enforcement, including more than 21 years as Chief of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. His most recent series, "Perception of Power," won a bronze medal in the 2015 Florida Book Awards.

Each of the panelists will provide insights into how they crafted their mysteries and how to keep the reader turning pages. Brown will use his law enforcement and private investigator background to offer tips on the worst mistakes writers make with their fictional sleuths.

FWA is a statewide, non-profit organization with nearly 1,500 members dedicated to the support and networking of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. All meetings are open to members and non-members alike.