We normally meet the first Saturday of each month at 10:15 a.m.

Ponte Vedra Beach Library

PONTE VEDRA BEACH LIBRARY
101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Friends of the Library (FOL) room

*Zoom links are available to both members of the Northeast Florida Chapter of Sisters in Crime and guests

2025 PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Our group welcomes misters and sisters to learn more about writing, promoting, and enjoying crime fiction! – If you would like to see our previous events please visit our Events Archive

 

Mar012025

George Cramer-Retired Police Officer-Author and PI

George Cramer-Retired Police Officer-Author and PI

From 11:15 am until 2:00 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

George Cramer is an author, master of creative writing and a Private Investigator.

Of Karuk descent, George attended the Institute of American Indian Arts, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts / Creative Writing – Fiction.

He enjoyed a forty-year career in law enforcement, corporate and private investigations. Over the years, Mr. Cramer has conducted thousands of successful investigations throughout the Americas and Asia. Recognized as an expert in Interviewing and Interrogation, he kept his investigative skills honed by volunteering as a Missing Person’s investigator at the San Leandro, California Police Department.

Mr. Cramer’s short stories and poems have been published in numerous online and printed anthologies. He was the editor-in-chief of Impressions, the Las Positas College 2015 anthology. He is currently working on the second police procedural novel in the Liberty Trilogy. A thriller spanning four decades is in the final stages of development.

Website: https://gdcramer.com/

Email: gdcramer@outlook.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdcramerpi/

Facebook: Follow Author George Cramer on Facebook Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/George-Cramer/author/B086VHWM6X

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Apr122025

Jack Lawrence-Author-Retired Therapist

Jack Lawrence, Author, Retired Therapist --DISCUSSION: Using Psychology to Create Characters

From 11:15 am until 2:00 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Jack Lawrence, Author, Retired Therapist --DISCUSSION: Using Psychology to Create Characters

After selling his family therapy practice, Indianapolis native Jack Lawrence was able to put his focus into a childhood dream of his to become a published author. Lawrence said that he had an idea for his first book, “Blood Thorn,” circling his head for a few years. But it wasn’t until after he stepped away from the therapy field that he was able to put his focus on fully developing the story and getting the book published.

“It ended up being a lot different than what I had been thinking about over the previous years. But it turned out to be the best possible version of the story it could have been.”

“Blood Thorn” is the first of the David Thorne series, which follows an Indianapolis-based therapist as he tries to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of one of his clients. Lawrence noted that the character and story was inspired by his time in therapy, and his goal was to bring a more realistic approach to the character.

“I noticed in the mystery genre, but really any type of genre, that when there’s a therapist in a story, either they’re very unrealistic or they work for the police or they’re psychiatrists – things like that. I wanted to make a character who was a true talk therapist who really had no idea when it comes to criminology or anything like that. He is just a guy who has the ability to connect with people to gain information from talking to them and to build rapport with anybody he comes across.”

Website: https://jacklawrencewriting.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Author-Jack-Lawrence-100089570351357/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_jack.lawrence/

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May102025

Jason Futch, Chairman, Suwannee Valley Unsolved

Jason Futch, Chairman, Suwannee Valley Unsolved Discussion: NE Florida Cold Cases

From 10:15 am until 1:00 pm

At Ponte Vedra Beach Library

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Jason Futch, Chairman, Suwannee Valley Unsolved Discussion: NE Florida Cold Cases

Jason Futch has been passionate about true crime since his school days in Suwannee County. His interest grew when, as a criminal justice student at Florida Gateway College, he learned about a 1994 dismemberment case in Columbia County. His investigative efforts and interviews with case participants uncovered exclusive details, which helped identify the victim's killer in 2017.

After moving to Portland in 2015, Jason began exploring local unsolved cases, leading to his first podcast, True Cold Case Files, in 2018. He gained recognition for covering cold cases across the U.S. and Canada. In 2020, Jason returned to the Suwannee River Valley and, in 2021, launched Suwannee Valley Unsolved: Murder on the Night Shift, focusing on three unsolved homicides.

He later founded the Suwannee Valley Unsolved Facebook page, which became a vital resource for local cold cases. Jason’s efforts helped close two major unidentified persons cases, including a 1983 lynching and a 1990 death in Suwannee County. In 2023, Suwannee Valley Unsolved became a nonprofit, with Jason serving as Chairman and Executive Director. Under his leadership, SVU has contributed to local causes and collaborated with law enforcement.

Jason is committed to keeping unsolved cases in the public eye and holding authorities accountable. He resides in Lake City, Florida with his fiancée, Heidi, and children, Renna and River, and is active in local community organizations, including the Lake City Lodge #27 Masons and the Florida Sheriff’s Association.

Website: https://suwanneevalleyunsolved.org/the-svu-team

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-futch-3b12a5a6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuwanneeValleyUnsolved

Twitter X: https://x.com/realjasonfutch

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Jun072025

Lisa Black-Author-Certified Latent Print Examiner and Crime Scene Analyst

Lisa Black-Author-Certified Latent Print Examiner and Crime Scene Analyst on ZOOM

From 10:15 am until 1:00 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Lisa Black, Author, Certified Latent Print Examiner and Crime Scene Analyst - Discussion: Fingerprint Evidence

Lisa Black spent five of the happiest years of her life working as a forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office in Cleveland, Ohio. After a decade as a secretary, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Cleveland State University. In her role, she analyzed various forms of trace evidence such as gunshot residue, hairs, fibers, DNA, blood, and more, as well as crime scenes.

Her life took an unexpected turn when her husband, tired of Cleveland’s snow, moved them to Florida, 1,400 miles away from her family and career. She now works as a latent print examiner for the Cape Coral Police Department, specializing in fingerprints and crime scene analysis.

A member of multiple professional organizations including Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, [Author Name] is an experienced speaker at writer's conventions and panels. She is also a Certified Crime Scene Analyst and has appeared as a forensic consultant on CourtTV.

With over 1,050 hours of forensic training and more than 65 court testimonies, she brings an extensive background to both her writing and forensic work. In 2021, she was honored as a Guest of Honor at Killer Nashville.

Website: https://lisa-black.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-black-88155492

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IU0RQ8/

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Sep062025

Marcus Melnick-Anti-Violence Specialist

Marcus Melnick, Anti-Violence Specialist – DISCUSSION: Firearms in Fiction on ZOOM

From 10:15 am until 1:00 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Marcus Melnick, Anti-Violence Specialist – DISCUSSION: Firearms in Fiction

Marcus Melnick is a Personal Safety Specialist and worked in Public Safety roles since 1988. In addition, he is the host of the radio program, The “Personal Safety Show,” and Marcus regularly equips people with the understanding and tools needed to respond to violence. Marcus holds multiple criminal justice degrees, has taught on the graduate level, and is a second generation inventor. After studying mass and interpersonal violence for decades, Marcus realized that the human stress response does not differentiate between real life-and-death danger and “administrative strain.” Administrative strain is what happens when people have an irrational fear (claustrophobia, public speaking, or even talking to a boss or possible date).

Marcus took overcoming the human stress response paralysis in dangerous circumstances and applied it to the corporate world, allowing leaders to make appropriate decisions without the incapacitating effects of perceptual and cognitive changes that occur during crisis.

Marcus lives with his family and dog in the suburbs of Chicago, and loves the outdoors. He uses comedy in his approach to even the most serious of subjects.

Website: https://www.stress2logic.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.melnick

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusmelnick

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Oct042025

Doyle Glass-Former Asst Attorney General of Kentucky

Doyle Glass, Former Asst Attorney General of Kentucky. – DISCUSSION: Handling of Evidence on ZOOM

From 10:15 am until 12:15 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Doyle Glass-Former Asst Attorney General of Kentucky. – DISCUSSION: Handling of Evidence

Doyle Glass is an American historical novelist best known for his bestselling nonfiction works Lions of Medina (2007) and Swift Sword (2023 edition). His writing vividly portrays the heroism and sacrifices of Marines during the Vietnam War, with Lions of Medina offering a firsthand account of Charlie Company’s struggles, while Swift Sword recounts a harrowing firefight in the Queson Valley.

In 2025, Glass will release Unthrottled: The Story of Robert Benoist, which tells the incredible story of a French Grand Prix champion who risked his life as a British secret agent during WWII to help liberate France from Nazi occupation.

Before his career as an author, Glass served as a criminal prosecutor in Texas and Kentucky. He began writing and speaking about history to share the stories of his childhood heroes. His works draw readers into some of history’s most impactful moments, blending compelling narratives with deep historical insight.

In addition to his writing, Glass is an engaging speaker, sharing his passion for history and storytelling. He resides in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three children.

Website: https://doyleglass.com/about-doyle-glass/

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Nov012025

Elissa D. Hecker-Literary Lawyer

Elissa D. Hecker, Literary Lawyer --DISCUSSION: Legal Matters Writers Need on ZOOM

From 10:15 am until 1:00 pm

At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Elissa D. Hecker, Literary Lawyer --DISCUSSION: Legal Matters Writers Need

My goal as an attorney is to help resolve your legal and business affairs issues, enabling you to do what it is that you do best; running and growing your business/brand, acquiring deals and investors, creating and acquiring commissions, and moving forward.

My approach is to listen carefully to you to determine how we can best work together in order to accomplish your needs. I advocate and negotiate on your behalf and make sure that all of your questions and issues are properly addressed.

I take a “bird’s eye” view of your situation and work to address your legal needs. In addition, I often act as a sounding board for non-legal issues, especially those that are crucial to big-picture decisions. My focus is on you as a whole, rather than as a single legal issue.

I represent businesses (both established and new ventures), the entertainment industry, individuals, creators, entrepreneurial ventures, and both for-profit and not-for-profit entities. I have extensive experience with contracts, licensing, digital issues, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Intellectual Property, and all aspects of running a business. I optimize legal and business affairs for individuals, startups, and businesses of all sizes.

Website: https://www.eheckeresq.com/

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Dec062025

Christmas Social for Club Members

Christmas Social for Club Members

From 10:15 am until 1:00 pm

At Ponte Vedra Beach Library

101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Christmas Social

PENDING MORE INFORMATION

Group Discussion:

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P.O. Box 24141
Jacksonville, FL 32241-4141
Message Phone: ‪(904) 800-7786‬