This Writer Was Thrilled!

Mike Tabor with New York Times best selling thriller author Brad Taylor

I just got back from one of the most exciting mystery writer’s conferences imaginable - the International Thriller Writers Association held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the Big Apple. There's nothing like rubbing shoulders for three days with the likes of David Baldacci, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Scott Turow, and Linda Fairstein!  Besides having some of the most interesting lectures and panel discussion about mystery writing, we got the opportunity to interact with most of the writers on all aspects of what it takes to be a successful mystery writer.

I was asked to serve on a panel of doctors who were also mystery writers. What an experience that was! There will be a link up on our website here in a few days if you’d like to listen to our program entitled, "What’s Your Cutting Edge? Medical Advances That Create Thrills." One of the panelists, D.P.Lyle, M.D., is the ‘go to’ guy for forensic facts in fiction. He has written three very interesting reference books helping mystery writers with all the little tidbits and facts about autopsies and crime scene investigation material to make sure their writing is as scientifically accurate as possible. He has even written a book Forensics for Dummies, an extremely interesting piece that all of you would recognize by the characteristic black and yellow striped cover.  

For an hour we fielded Q/A's on all aspects of the medical profession in writing mystery thrillers. Our topics ranged from identification of bodies on September 11th to how future science may turn to genetic coding into another world previously thought to be inconceivable. I consider it a true honor to have been asked to participate on this panel. Be on the lookout for some pictures from the ITW’s official photographer who should have them up on their website thrillerfest.com any day.