On September 5, four Flathead Valley Mystery/Crime Fiction writers shared their views and experiences in a panel discussion held on the back lawn of Lake Baked Bakery in Bigfork.

The panel consisted of Leslie Budewitz, Christine Carbo, Debbie Burke, and Mark Leichliter. Leslie is best known for her cozy mysteries, such as the Spice Shop Mysteries set in Pike Street Market, Seattle., as well as another series set in a fictional mountain town like Bigfork. She has also just published a crime thriller under the pen name Alicia Beckman, entitled Bitterroot Lake. Christine has published several books in her Glacier Mystery Series. Titles include “The Wild Inside”, “Mortal Fall”, “The Weight of Night”, and “A Sharp Solitude”. Mark, a well-known writing instructor from Wyoming and Colorado who now teaches writing classes at FVCC, has recently published his first procedural crime novel, The Other Side, which takes place on the shores of Flathead Lake. He has also published other words under the name Mark Hummel. Debbie has self-published six mystery Thrillers with Passion set here in Northwest Montana, including “Instrument of the Devil”, “Stalking Midas”, “Dead Man’s Bluff”, and “Flight to Forever”.

All four authors followed their presentation taking questions from the audience, and concluded by having copies of their books available for sale. This is the second year for this event, which they hope to make an annual part of Bigfork’s Labor Day Weekend celebrations.

IN ADDITION:

Join Barbara Schiffman: On Fri 10/8 (3:00-4:30pm), for a fun and interactive workshop for screenwriters and filmmakers on “Pitching Your Script or Film in 3 Minutes or Less” at the Bigfork Independent Film Festival (live in downtown Bigfork MT from Fri-Sun 10/8-10). What I will share is also useful for pitching your novels to agents or publishers, or to producers who might want to adapt them to film. There will be prizes for top pitchers. Get workshop info on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/9zWhag38l or http://mtbiff.com – where you can also get the BIFF screening schedule. Come see 2021’s best Montana indie films on the big screen and meet some of the filmmakers.

Also, Barbara and her husband/co-writer Glenn Schiffman’s screenplay “The China Horse” was recently named a Drama/Family Feature Quarterfinalist in the 2021 Creative World Awards. About a teenage girl who doesn’t want to live but finds her “reason for being” while traveling from Chicago to Montana with a stubborn old woman who doesn’t want to die, this script was written long before Barbara and Glenn planned to move to Montana. You can download the script to read what they wrote, including climactic scenes set at a private ranch in Deer Lodge, at https://writers.coverfly.com/submissions/view/331514 .

MORE NEWS:

Shira Marin has edited and project managed a children’s book entitled “Silas the Civet”. The book was written by a 90-year-old great-grandmother, as a legacy for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This year’s Flathead River Writers’ Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17. Due to continuing Covid issues, this year’s conference is being held online. More detailed information about speakers, workshop topics, prices, and registration can be found on the Authors of the Flathead Website.