Jump into spring with a signed copy of Cold Mourning

Cold_mourning

Be sure to drop by Brittons in the Glebe on Saturday, April 5, 2014 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up a signed copy of Brenda Chapman‘s latest novel, Cold Mourning. Brittons is located at 846 Bank Street (near Fifth).

Cold Mourning, the first in a police procedural series set in Ottawa, recently received great reviews in the National Post and Quill and Quire.

The novel features police recruit Kala Stonechild and her bossDetective Jacques Rouleau, as they delve into the mysterious disappearance of wealthy businessman Tom Underwood just days before Christmas.

Book swap and a peek at the Capital Mayhem lineup

Give some mystery; get some mystery, and learn about our Capital Mayhem conference!
Bring some books; get some books, and learn about our Capital Mayhem conference!

Does your mystery collection need a refresh? Are there old favourites lying around collecting dust and in need of a good home?

Head on over to this month’s Capital Crime Writers’ meeting where members can pass along books and get some new ones to hibernate with during this interminable winter.

Bring your appetite too because free pizza is on the roster.

The meeting is Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 6:45 p.m. in the Honeywell Room at Ottawa City Hall. Chat to fellow members about beloved authors, compelling characters, crime, new authors to watch, or even share information about mysteries you’re writing. Elections will also be held for the 2014-15 CCW executive. Non-members are welcome.

Our president Michael Murphy will also share information about Capital Mayhem, our upcoming mystery conference on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ottawa Public Library Main Branch.

This free event features Peter Robinson, author of the Inspector Banks mystery series. Attend panel discussions starring well-known Ottawa mystery authors, and chow down on a free lunch. Stay tuned.

Florida audience gives warm welcome to Ottawa authors

Vicki Delany, R.J. Harlick and C.B Forrest participate in a panel discussion in Lake County, Forida. March 2014.
Vicki Delany, R.J. Harlick and C.B Forrest participate in a panel discussion in Lake County, Forida. March 2014.
Ottawa_florida_poster

Three CCW member authors, RJ Harlick, CB Forrest and Vicki Delany, visited Lake County, Florida on March 13-15, 2014 to participate in its annual Bookfest.

Lake County is just north of Orlando, Florida. This was the community’s first experience with authors from its northern neighbors.

The Canadian authors were greeted with warm weather and warm audiences.

Judy Buckland and her team from the Lake County Library System did a marvellous job organizing the conference.

The authors presented at venues in the cities of Leesburg, Mount Dora and Clermont.

The events provided the authors with an opportunity to introduce themselves to the Florida market.

Their books are now available in all Lake County libraries.

Less than a month to go for the CCW short story contest deadline

Get your crime fiction short story in by April 1.

Get that keyboard clacking to bring compelling characters to life–and the fictional unlucky to death.

Get your short story submission in for CCW’s annual cime fiction short contest–The Audrey Jessop.

Stories can be no longer than 3500 words.

The contest is open to residents of the National Capital Region and all members of the Capital Crime Writers. You must be 18 years of age or older. Cash prizes are available:

  • 1st prize: $200
  • 2nd prize: $150
  • 3rd prize: $75

Details about the contest are posted  here.

Purloined intellectual property

Patent and intellectual property lawyer, Jaimie Bordman will present at the March 12, CCW meeting.

The next meeting takes place at 7:00 on Wednesday, March 12 in the Honeywell Room at City Hall. The speaker will be Jaimie Bordman.

Intellectual property (copyright, trade-marks, patents) is a subject authors must consider. As a writer, you may not unfairly use others’ work (be it a copyright or trade-mark issue) and you do not want others to unfairly use yours.

If infringements occur, legal ramifications could result. Protect your intellectual property and protect yourself. Jaimie Bordman will guide us through this legal world.

Jaimie Bordman is an associate of Ridout & Maybee LLP in the firm’s Ottawa office. His practice includes the preparation of patent applications primarily for electrical, mechanical and computer related technologies, as well as the prosecution of patent and trade-mark applications and intellectual property litigation.

He graduated in engineering physics at Carleton before studying law at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Jaimie is a member of the Canadian, Ontario, American and New York State bar associations plus the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. He is also a registered trade-mark agent.

Crime fiction goes south–to Florida

CCW members R.J. Harlick, C.B. Forrest, and Vicki Delany head south to meet with fans from Florida.
CCW members R.J. Harlick, C.B. Forrest, and Vicki Delany head south to meet with fans from Florida.

Our CCW Florida satellite team (AKA Ken Gibson)  arranged for three lauded crime fiction writers (and CCW members): Vicki DelanyR.J. Harlick, and C.B. Forrest to appear as featured guests at the

This writerly trio will be appearing at the Lake County Library System’s 11th annual Lake BookFest, Delicious Reads event from March 13-15, 2014. Lake County is situated north of Orlando.

These authors will be appearing at the BookFest:

On Thursday, March 13 from 1 – 3:30 p.m for “Northern Exposure: Canadian Crime Fiction”  at the Leesburg Public Library. This event will introduce new works and exciting news.

On Friday, March 14 at 1 p.m.  for “Across the Border” at the W. T. Bland Public Library in Mount Dora. The authors will discuss the differences in the crime genre from a Canadian perspective.
On Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to lead a  writing workshop on “The Art of Character – Creating Memorable Characters” at the Cooper Memorial Library  in Clermont.

For more information about their Florida appearances, see this news release.

Learn about Canada’s border security

CBSA
The February meeting wiil take place at 7:00 on Wednesday, February 12 in the Honeywell Room at City Hall. The speaker will be Peter Rickard of  the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Peter is currently the manager of Compliance for the Advance Passenger Information Program at CBSA. He is responsible for monitoring and analyzing passenger data to determine compliance with Canadian law for arriving international commercial aircraft. His current interests encompass aviation security, regulatory compliance, and fraud investigation.

The CBSA provides border services that support national security and public safety while enabling the free flow of legitimate persons and goods. Headquartered in Ottawa, CBSA monitors, investigates, detains and removes people or goods in violation of the laws. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, measures have become increasingly important to protect the safety of Canadians. Using advance information and international partnerships, CBSA identifies and intercepts threats before they arrive at Canada’s borders.

Peter’s talk will include the history and purpose of CBSA, aviation and trade security. he will discuss the challenges faced by the agency, including terrorism smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering.

Start plotting the perfect crime for the 2014 CCW story contest

Murder you can get away with--the fictional kind.
Murder you can get away with–the fictional kind.

Plot fictional revenge on your unfavourite people and write a short story featuring the perfect crime.

Details for the 2014 Capital Crime Writers Contest are now posted.

The contest is open to residents of the National Capital Region and all members of the Capital Crime Writers. You must be 18 years of age or older. Cash prizes are available:

  • 1st prize: $200
  • 2nd prize: $150
  • 3rd prize: $75

Jan. 8 – Elizabeth Fry director to discuss women who commit crime

CCW January meeting topic: Women who commit crime.
CCW January meeting topic: Women who commit crime.

Bryonie Baxter, the executive director of Elizabeth Fry Ottawa, will speak to Capital Crime Writer members on the subject of women who commit crime.

A veteran educator with the Peel District School Board,  including positions as Vice-Principal, Secondary for two schools and I.B. Coordinator in one high school, Byronie co-authored The Future We Want: Building Inclusive Schools. Bryonie moved to Ottawa in March 2008 and began working for The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa in July of that year. As well as being Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, she is also a Federal Advocate for the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and President of the Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario.

In April 2010 Bryonie was the proud recipient of a Province of Ontario Leading Women, Building Communities Award recognizing her “exceptional community leadership to improve the lives of women and girls in Ontario”. Bryonie also sits on the East Region Director’s Resource Committee of the Office of the Independent Police Review Directorate.

When and Where:
Jan. 8, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Ottawa City Hall – Honeywell Room 2nd floor.

Follow Byronie on Twitter: @ByronieBaxter

Launch of a supernatural whodunnit

CCW member Mike Young is launching his first novel, Kirk’s Landing, on December 11th, at 8pm. at  Daniel O’Connell’s Pub, 1211 Wellington West, Ottawa.

Kirk’s Landing features Dave Browne, a big city undercover cop, with the power of invisibility who gets his cover blown by a biker gang in Toronto. He’s sent to head up a RCMP detachment in a supposedly quiet small town in Manitoba, and soon finds that Kirk’s Landing has a lot more going on under the surface that he had anticipated, including corruption at the mill, murder, and an evil spirit.