Author Archives: Anna Di Meglio

What a week for Capital Crime Writers!

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Last week was an exciting whirlwind for many of our members. On October 15, 2025, the long-awaited A Capital Mystery anthology was officially published—much to the joy of the seventeen Capital Crime Writers among its twenty-one contributors.

The celebration began with several of our talented authors taking to the airwaves for radio interviews, where they shared behind-the-scenes stories, inspirations, and insights into the making of the book.

The momentum continued the very next day with a special meeting with the Mayor of Ottawa, who was presented with a copy of the anthology. That evening, festivities carried on at the Club SAW, where the launch party drew a standing-room-only crowd. Readers, writers, and mystery lovers alike gathered to celebrate the magic, the history, and—most of all—the mystery that makes Ottawa such a captivating setting.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to Mike Martin, Capital Crime Writers member and the creative force who dreamed up this project and brought it to life.

Left photo, from left to right: Barbara Fradkin, Bernadette Hendrickx, Maya Valenzuela, Elizabeth Hosang, Madona Skaff, Jennifer Jorgensen, Mike Martin, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Nancy Pawelek, Anna Di Meglio, Bernadette Cox, Brenda Chapman, Joanne White; top right photo, from left to right: Mike Martin, Don Butler; bottom right photo, from left to right: Brenda Chapman, Nancy Pawelek, Kathy MacLellan, Alan Neal.

Left photo, from left to right: Madona Skaff, Lis Angus, Brenda Chapman, Katie Tallo; top right photo, Barbara Fradkin; bottom right photo, Kathy MacLellan.

Left: Melissa Yi; right: Maya Valenzuela

From left to right: Elizabeth Hosang, Jennifer Jorgensen, Bernadette Hendrickx, Anna Di Meglio

Launch Event Crowd at Club SAW

November Meeting

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All the Feels – Crafting Your Reader’s Emotional Journey by Pam Barnsley, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm (EST)

Of all the skills we writers bring to our short stories and novels, the ability to evoke an emotional response in our readers is arguably our most vital. When our reader feels their own fear, anger, sympathy, desire for revenge, nostalgia for a time gone by, laughter, heartache—that is what engages them.

Great hooks, strong voice, tight plotting, interesting characters, and smooth prose are all important, but the greatest satisfaction for the reader comes from having gone on their own emotional journey. There are tips and tricks we can use in our writing to evoke those emotions.

Pam Barnsley is a writer living on Vancouver Island, whose short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, Cold Canadian Crime Anthology, Midnight Schemers and Daydream Believers Anthology, and Dangerous Games Anthology. Her novel, The River Cage, was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Best Unpublished Novel in 2020. Her short literary story, The Troll Artist, was longlisted for the CBC Short Story Prize in 2025. Pam is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, and Sisters in Crime. She is also a former snowboard instructor, award-winning poet, and from her father she learned the ancient art of training a cat to jump over a stick. Find her at www.pambarnsley.com.

October Meeting

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Forensic Field Techniques for Human Remains by Christopher Courtin: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:00 pm (EDT)

Forensic Field Techniques for Human Remains  is based on an educational documentary DVD produced for students of forensic science and as a reference for law enforcement officers. Working with experts from Laurentian University’s Forensic Science department, the roles, equipment and procedures used by anthropologists, botanists, and entomologists (or bones, plants, and bugs) are explored. Topics such as techniques for searching, the body decomposition timeline, and the effects of exposure to fire and water are covered. 

Christopher Courtin was educated as a scientist but has worked primarily in visual storytelling as a cameraman, editor, and director. He is the author of the “Margot & Harley” comedic mystery series, and lives in Victoria, BC, with his wife and two children.