Talking social issues as a panelist at Left Coast Crime

I’m very flattered that I was invited to participate in the upcoming annual mystery convention, Left Coast Crime. This year’s gathering of fans and authors will be held in Reno, NV, so it’s fittingly called “Crime on the Comstock.” I’ll be on a panel exploring “Muddy Waters: Social Issues in Crime Fiction.” Although I’m a newbie crime fiction author (see previous post about my short story in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine), I’ve dealt with plenty of social issues – recidivism, the debate over the death penalty, school shootings and more – in print and on TV. The event’s in late March. Meantime, I’ll be prepping.