Category Archives: Meetings
Writing Workshop on Critique Groups
Join us this Wednesday, September 12 at 7 pm at City Hall in the Billings Boardroom (2nd floor, next to the Honeywell room) for our first meeting of the year.
Writing is a solitary job. The author spends hours, days and sometimes years creating characters that live and breath, commit crimes or solve them. Every scene is meticulously crafted and flows to an awe inspiring conclusion.
Is that what the reader sees? Or do they see two-dimensional characters and so many plot holes that they almost overshadow the predictable ending.
That’s where the invaluable advice of a critique group, with fresh eyes that aren’t emotionally invested, can help.
Join Madona Skaff in a discussion that covers: where to find a critique group in your area or on-line; starting a group yourself and the pros and cons of these groups.
Madona Skaff is a long time member of CCW. She has published several SF as well as mystery short stories and is the author of the mystery novel, Journey of a Thousand Steps.
APRIL MEETING
Speaker: Donald G. Mahar, author of SHATTERED ILLUSIONS: KGB COLD WAR ESPIONAGE IN CANADA
Where: Honeywell Room (second floor), Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Date: Wednesday April 11, 2018, 7:00 pm
Donald G. Mahar served 41 years in the RCMP Security Service, Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Communications Security Establishment both in Canada and abroad. He currently serves as National President of the Pillar Society, the retirement/alumni organization for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the former RCMP Security Service.
MARCH MEETING
TOPIC: Private Investigations: the fact and the fiction, what investigators can really do in Canada (and what they can not!.)
DATE: Wednesday March 14, 2018, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Honeywell Room, second floor, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa.
SPEAKER: Chris Warrender:
Ex police from the UK, Chris has been involved in the security industry via law enforcement, private detective, security guard and private investigator for most of his working life save for a ten year period when he headed up CompuServe’s online shopping, ran Sony’s online division in the UK and started a host of internet companies. Now living in Ottawa he runs his own Private Investigation agency: Pi Investigations.
NOVEMBER MEETING
Do you wonder if there are crime television series you are missing?
Are you wondering if there are crime television series in far off lands?
Are there websites covering crime fiction that you may have missed?
Are there newer books on writing crime novels which you are unaware of?
If you answered yes to any of the above please join us:
WHEN: Wednesday November 8, 2017
TIME: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Honeywell Room (second floor), Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West)
Speaker Michael Murphy will discuss some lesser known crime television series you may have missed and also cover crime fiction websites and newer books on writing. Michael was a librarian for many years with Ottawa Public Library and past president of Capital Crime Writers.
CCW DUES FOR THE 2017-18 SEASON ARE BEING COLLECTED. FEES FOR THE YEAR ARE $40.00. RECEIPTS ARE ISSUED AT THE MEETING.
Dues can also be paid via PayPal – see the Join Us link on the website at capitalcrimewriters.com.
OCTOBER MEETING
THE OCTOBER MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18, 7 P.M.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BOUCHERCON 2017:
Bouchercon is the premier mystery conference for mystery fans. Join us for reports from the conference. Many CCW members are planning to attend. Come and hear about workshops and other happenings at the conference.
DATE: Wednesday, October 18, 2017
WHERE: Honeywell Room (second floor), Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West).
TIME: 7 PM
CCW DUES FOR THE 2017-18 SEASON ARE BEING COLLECTED. FEES FOR THE YEAR ARE $40.00. RECEIPTS ARE ISSUED AT THE MEETING.
Dues can also be paid via PayPal – see the Join Us link on the website at capitalcrimewriters.com.
David Tremain to speak at September 13, 2017 meeting
Our first meeting of the fall season is on Wednesday September 13, 2017 at 7 p.m. It takes place in the Honeywell Room (second floor of Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Av. W)
CCW MEETING WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2017
The CCW Executive is composed of the following positions:
PRESIDENT: oversees the Executive; builds consensus at Executive meetings; oversees the implementation of Association plans & programs; ensures Association operates in accordance with its By- Laws; calls Executive meetings; organizes agenda & chairs Executive meetings.
VICE-PRESIDENT: carries out duties & responsibilities of the President when the President is unavailable; runs the Audrey Jessup short story contest.
PAST-PRESIDENT: serves in advisory capacity to Executive to facilitate the continuity of information from one Executive to the next
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: responsible for the content of the regular monthly meetings(speakers & workshops) & the December dinner. Reserves the meeting rooms for the monthly meetings.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: responsible for implementing & maintaining communications, including an Internet presence.
SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: maintains membership records; solicits membership renewals; drafts summary minutes of Executive meetings.
TREASURER: maintains a bank account in the name of ‘Capital Crime Writers’; receives fees & reimburses expenses; prepares an annual financial summary
Members who have served on the Executive have generally served for a number of terms. This has given the Executive a degree of continuity. However, few new members have joined in recent years. The Organization’s strength lies in its members. An executive needs and benefits greatly from an infusion of new Executive members. New members build on past strengths, bring new ideas and help the Association face new challenges. In short, the Executive remains relevant to its members and carries the organization forward.
Any member of CCW can put their name forward for any position on the Executive. A number of current Executive members have agreed to stay on the Executive. CURRENTLY THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND ONE OF HIS ASSISTANTS POSITIONS WILL BECOME VACANT. THE PERSON WHO HAS OVERSEEN UPDATING THE WEBSITE WILL ALSO STEP DOWN. OTHER EXECUTIVE POSITIONS MAY BECOME VACANT.
The Executive meets about four times a year. The meetings usually take place in a library or a pub. Having vacant Executive positions places more work on fewer members. Our Executive needs new blood.
If you are interested in putting your name forward for any of the Executive positions outlined above, or if you have any questions, please contact the President Michael Murphy (m.murphy345@hotmail.com).
I look forward to a good turnout for this important meeting. It’s your CCW, please participate.
April Meeting Announcement
When: 7 pm, Wednesday April 12, 2017
Where: Honeywell Room, second floor, Ottawa City Hall
Speaker: Ray Tallim, Provincial Crown Prosecutor
Ray Tallim is a Provincial Crown Prosecutor who has worked for the department for 17 years. He will share stories of his job and answer questions.
March CCW Meeting
- Fraud Against Seniors
- Counterfeit Fraud (currency and other documents)
- Credit Cards and Debit Card Fraud,
- Cheque Fraud
- Social Assistance (welfare) Fraud
- Computer Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Corporate Fraud