Members of the Speed City Indiana Chapter of Sisters in Crime Speakers' Bureau:

Kit Ehrman   After discovering the works of Dick Francis, Kit Ehrman quit her government job and went to work in the horse industry. Twenty-five years later, Ehrman combined her love of horses and mysteries by penning the award-winning, equine-oriented mystery series featuring barn manager Steve Cline. Published by Poisoned Pen Press, the series has received outstanding reviews in The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, The Denver Post, and the Chicago Tribune among others. The latest, TRIPLE CROSS, is a 2007 Best Book of Indiana, a ForeWord magazine Book-of-the-Year Medalist, an IPPY Award Medalist, and a BookSense Notable book.   TRIPLE CROSS, 2006 COLD BURN, 2005 “Retribution” in DERBY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, 2004 DEAD MAN'S TOUCH, 2003 AT RISK, 2002     Topics: writing, plot, character, setting, research   Website: http://www.kitehrman.com

Brenda Robertson Stewart   Although she earned a degree in English from Indiana University, Brenda Stewart has spent most of her life working in the fine arts. She was a figurative sculptor and painter for over 20 years, has been a forensic artist specializing in facial reconstruction on skulls for identification purposes for over 12 years, was a horsewoman, and is now a mystery author. Her Lettie Sue Wolfe mystery series features a forensic artist who works with an anthropologist identifying murdered dead people. She is working on the second book in the series. She is currently president of the Speed City Indiana Chapter of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of that chapter.   “Anonymous” in DERBY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, 2004 POWER IN THE BLOOD, 2005 “A Little Bitty Tear Let Me Down” in LOW DOWN AND DERBY, 2006 “A Little Dab Will Do Ya” in RACING CAN BE MURDER, 2007 Co-editor, RACING CAN BE MURDER, 2007   Topics: forensics, facial reconstruction, sculpture, painting, character, setting     Website: http://www.brendarobertsonstewart.com

Marta Stephens   Stephens began her career as a fiction writer in 2003. The desire to journal her thoughts evolved into a life-changing passion that has led to the birth of her Sam Harper Crime Mysteries and her debut novel, Silenced Cry.   She is published by BeWrite Books (UK); her work has attracted international exposure. Silenced Cry has received glowing reviews from Armchair Reviews, Bookbitch Reviews, Crystal Reviews (NY), Euro-Reviews (Netherlands), Alternative Read, (England) among others.   Stephens is employed at Ball State University where she developed and coordinates the WorkLife Programs. She returned to the classroom as a non-traditional student and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Public Relations in 2001.   Silenced Cry, 2007           Topics: The Importance of Family and Relationships in Mystery Fiction Building a Detective from the Ground Up Writing the Opposite Sex Writers Unwrapped The Butler Didn’t Do It Forensics—Getting it Right Internet Marketing/Promotions Research   Websites:  www.martastephens-author.com http://mstephens-musings.blogspot.com

Tony Perona   Tony Perona is a former General Motors advertising/public relations manager who became the first man at GM to use the corporation’s two-year leave-of-absence policy to care for his children.  While at home Tony kept up his writing skills by becoming a newspaper correspondent and columnist.  When the company could not reinstate him, he opened Tony Perona Writing to service the public relations needs of other companies.  His interest in mystery fiction led him to create novels featuring stay-at-home dad/former investigative reporter Nick Bertetto.  A University of Chicago MBA graduate, Tony lives in the greater Indianapolis area.   RACING CAN BE MURDER, 2007, anthology co-editor and contributor, "The Land Grab" ANGELS WHISPER, 2005 (paperback, 2006) SECOND ADVENT, 2002 (paperback, 2004)   Topics: editing, writing, plotting, characters, incorporating religion in mainstream novels     Website: http://www.tonyperona.com/

Phil Dunlap   Phil Dunlap is the author of historical Western novels, each of which incorporates a mystery. He lives and works in Carmel, IN, and is a longtime journalist and freelance writer. He has been a correspondent for the Indianapolis Star, and has written numerous articles for Indiana Business, Plane & Pilot Magazine, Sport Aviation, The Good Old Days, The Christian Herald, and many other national, regional and local publications.   The author has had a lifelong affair with the history and characters of the old west. Often drawn to a haunted land where ghosts of gunfighters, scalawags, gamblers, dance hall girls, and victims of gold fever still float among the cacti, he revels in revisiting that bygone era as a novelist. His talks about gunfighters of the old West have attracted sizeable library audiences.   Books:  The Death of Desert Bell 2004 Call of the Gun 2005 (paperback 2006) Fatal Revenge 2007 Blood on the Rimrock coming in 2008 “The Texas Vinegaroon” Amazon.com/shorts 2007 “Long Shot” Amzon.com/shorts 2007 “Driven to Kill” Racing can be Murder Anthology 2007   Topics: Researching and writing historical novels, fact vs fiction in the Old West, weaponry of the 19th Century, keeping character and language in the correct century, forget the outline–write from the muse.   Website: http://phildunlap.com/

Andrea Smith   Andrea Smith began writing mysteries and romantic suspense to help fill the void of positive African-American female protagonists in her favorite genre. Smith has published three short stories featuring her Chicago police detective Ariel Lawrence, including A Lesson in Murder, which earned this praise:   “Of the writers introduced for the first time, American Andrea Smith stands out with her sharp plotting and terrific new Chicago police woman, Ariel Lawrence.”  Alison Burns, Highbury and Islington Express, United Kingdom   Smith holds a master of arts in novel writing and publishing from DePaul University in Chicago. After a long career managing corporate communications at several Fortune 500 companies, Smith now writes full time.   Books:  A LESSON IN MURDER, Women on the Case mystery anthology, Delacorte, 1996. FATAL FLAW, Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, 1997 ELECTED TO DIE, Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, 1998 RACE TO THE RESCUE, Racing Can be Murder mystery anthology, Blue River, 2007   Topics: writing, plot

Jim Huang   Jim Huang and his wife own The Mystery Company, a bookstore in Carmel. He edits reference books, including Mystery Muses, winner of the 2007 Anthony and MacAvity Awards. He’s the mystery expert for What Do I Read Next?, a semi-annual guide to genre fiction published by Gale. He volunteers as Program Director for Magna Cum Murder, an annual festival for mystery lovers in Muncie. In 2006, Huang joined the board of Sisters in Crime. He lives with his wife, Jennie Jacobson, and their daughters in Carmel, where he recently served as president of the Friends of the Library board.   Books: 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century (2000) They Died in Vain: Overlooked, Underappreciated and Forgotten Mystery Novels (2002) Mystery Muses: 100 Classics That Inspire Today's Mystery Writers (2006)       Topics: Mystery 101: An Overview of the Genre How and Why We Read Mysteries Changes in the Publishing Business   Websites: http://www.statelyhuangmanor.com/ http://mysterycompany.typepad.com/jimhuang/

Wanda Lou Willis Using her Vegas "one arm bandit" super jackpot winnings, Wanda attended Indianapolis University-Purdue University while still working full time for General Motors. Her majors were English, Folklore and History. After graduation she taught Indiana Folklore at IUPUI and presented programs on various folklore topics throughout the state. Wanda continues to give programs, appear on national and international radio, local television stations, and in locally produced documentaries. She is also a consultant for PBS. Her emails are always signed, "Hoosier Hugs." Books: Haunted Hoosier Trails, 2002 More Haunted Hoosier Trails, 2004 "Central State, Asylum for the Insane," A Documentary Film by Dan T. Hall, 2006   "Pre-Race Jiggers," Racing Can Be Murder - Anthology, 2007 "Walking With The Dead," A Documentary Film by Dan T. Hall, 2007  Topics: Folklore, including, but not limited to, Hauntings, Holidays Storytelling Gardening Needle-arts Indiana History History of Indianapolis Website: http://www.wandalouwillis.com/

Monette Michaels        After twenty-something years of practicing law, Monette decided that she was tired of butting up against recalcitrant clients, rude opposing counsel, and a justice system that had become more and more political. Thus, she turned to writing books where the good guys always come out on top and the bad guys get their comeuppances--that’s why they call it “fiction.”       When she’s not righting wrongs and killing off bad guys in her books, she works part-time in an independent mystery bookstore and sits as an arbitrator on commercial, employment and securities cases for two of the largest alternative dispute resolution providers in the United States.  Monette and her pathologist husband divide their time between Carmel, Indiana and Austin, Texas.  And her greatest work-in-progress, her son, is a Business major at Indiana University.      Monette’s latest book, THE CASE OF THE VIRTUOUS VAMPIRE, is what she calls Perry Mason meets woo-woo, with a witch lawyer and a shape shifter private detective as her lead characters.  Her EPPIE award-winning BLIND-SIDED, written in collaboration with ophthalmic technologist, Janet Ferran, is a medical-legal thriller based on a real-life case in which Ms. Ferran was a whistle-blower on a medical research project gone horribly wrong. She also writes paranormal romantic suspense with a sexier edge for Liquid Silver Books under the name of Rae Morgan.   Books:   Monette Michaels: Fatal Vision, LTDBooks Death Benefits, LTDBooks Green Fire, LTDBooks Case of the Virtuous Vampire, a Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery, LTDBooks Blind-Sided, Atlantic Bridge Vested Interests, Altantic   Rae Morgan: Destiny’s Magick, Liquid Silver Books (Coven of the Wolf #1) Moon Magick, Liquid Silver Books (Coven of the Wolf #2) Treading the Labyrinth, Liquid Silver Books, (Coven of the Wolf #3) “No Secrets,” in Zodiac Elements (Coven of the Wolf #4) Enchantress, Liquid Silver Books “Evanescence,” Edge of Night Anthology, Liquid Silver Books Monette Michaels on the Moonspinners by Mary Stewart, Mystery Muses, 2006   Topics: Online intellectual property and how to be careful not to violate others’ intellectual property rights in blogs, e-mail lists and websites, Law, Self-editing, pacing, plotting, narrative, what an editor looks for in a submission   Website: http://home.att.net/~medraper/

Debi Watson   Blood, guts, weapons, and off-beat characters make Debi a happy girl. Debi is a certified family nurse practitioner. She has practiced in diverse areas; surgery, family practice and free clinics, but her favorite setting was the county jail.  She loves telling everyone she met her husband in jail, but conveniently forgets to add he was a police officer.  Currently she is a contributing editor to Shore Magazine. Her recently published short stories appear in the anthology, Racing Can Be Murder, and Shore Magazine. She is working on her novel Curing Evil.   Racing Can Be Murder 2007   Topics: Forensic Nursing

Sandra Tooley   Sandra Tooley is the author of seven adult mysteries:  The Sam Casey Series and the Chase Dagger Series (written as Lee Driver). A former casino dealer, the author is particularly fond of the unusual.  Her Sam Casey Series features a detective with the unique ability to hear the dead speak, mixing mystery with paranormal. Her Chase Dagger Series (written as Lee Driver) includes a young Native American woman who is a shapeshifter, combining mystery with fantasy.  Her first YA mystery, The Skull, was released in December, 2006, and won the Ida Chittum Award for Best Young Adult Mystery.   Written as S.D. Tooley: Sam Casey Mystery Series ECHOES from the Grave Restless Spirit Nothing Else Matters   When the Dead Speak Remy and Roadkill Mystery Series The Skull   Written as Lee Driver: Chase Dagger Mystery Series The Unseen Full Moon-Bloody Moon The Good Die Twice   Short Stories: Sara Morningsky, Mystery in Mind anthology published by the Rhine Research Center (2003) -- Nominated for a Derringer Award (2004) The Thirteenth Hole, Mystery in Mind anthology published by the Rhine Research Center (2003) Solving Life’s Riddle,  Amazon Shorts  (on line May 2007)   Essays: The Mystery Muses published by Crum Creek Press, Nov 2006 Myths of Self-Publishing – Crimespree Magazine, September 2005 Shadow of Chicago – Mystery Readers Journal, Summer 1999, Vol 15, No. 2 Cross Pollination – Mystery Readers Journal, Spring 1999, Vol 15, No. 1 The Culture You Love or the Culture You Know? – Mystery Readers Journal, Fall 1998, Vol 14, No. 3   Website: http://www.sdtooley.com/

Jeff Stone   Jeff is the author of The Five Ancestors, a series of 17th Century kung fu action/adventure novels for readers age ten to adult. Published by Random House, titles released to date include Tiger, Monkey, Snake, and Crane. The books have received awards from the American Library Association and the International Reading Association. The series is being published in eleven languages, and Nickelodeon has optioned the film rights. More than a quarter million copies have been sold. Originally from Detroit, Jeff now lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two children.  He holds a black belt in kung fu.   Jeff’s presentations are typically interactive, inviting children to learn “animal-style” kung fu poses as he discusses the merits of reading. He also conducts writing workshops for kids and adults.   Recent Speaking Engagements: International Reading Association Annual Conference 2007 Michigan Reading Association Annual Conference 2007 Hawaii Ka Hui Heluhelu Reading Association Annual Conference 2007       Website: http://www.readjeffstone.com/   Booking Contact: http://www.daytonbookings.com/

Beverle Graves Myers   Bev enjoys mixing history, music, and intrigue in the Tito Amato mysteries set in 18th-century Venice. The Iron Tongue of Midnight, due out in March 2008 from Poisoned Pen Press, is the lastest title in the series. Bev also writes short fiction set in a variety of times and places. Her stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Woman’s World, and numerous anthologies. Bev has been nominated for the Derringer Award for Short Mystery Fiction and the Kentucky Literary Award. A retired psychiatrist, Bev now writes full time from her home in Louisville, Kentucky.   Books: The Iron Tongue of Midnight, 2008 Cruel Music, 2006 "The True Story of the Whirlaway Cafe," Low Down and Derby, 2006 Painted Veil, 2005 Interrupted Aria, 2004 "Sweet Smell of Success," Who Died in Here? 2004 "Dead Heat with a Pale Horse"  & "Walking Around Money," Derby Rotten Scoundrels, 2004   Topics: Mysteries set in Italy, My Writing Life, Hands-on Research for Writers, Mental Health Issues for the Mystery Writer   Websites: http://www.beverlegravesmyers.com http://cruelmusic.blogspot.com

Marlis Day   Marlis Day is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. She writes the Margo Brown Mystery Series, featuring a teacher/sleuth.  Why Johnny Died, 1999, Death of a Hoosier Schoolmaster, 2002, and The Curriculum Murders, 2004. She has also written many articles for Christian and educational magazines.   A graduate of Indiana University, Marlis spent 32 years teaching Junior High School English. She says that qualifies her for just about anything. She and her husband, parents of two grown children, live in southern Indiana, where she enjoys her grandchildren, her pets, traveling, and her garden.   Currently she is working on a set of middle-grade novels. The first, The Secret of Bailey’s Chase, is to be released in 2008 by Echelon Press.   Topics: Academic Mysteries A Funny Thing Happened to Me on My Way to Becoming an Author What’s Funny About Being an Author? Setting a Mystery in Your Own Hometown   Website: http://www.authorsden.com/marlisday