We normally meet the first Saturday of each month at 10:15 a.m.
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
When Characters Misbehave, Follow the Money with John Tonsick
When Characters Misbehave, Follow the Money with John Tonsick
From 10:15 am until 12:15 pm
At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom
Ponte Vedra Beach Library, 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082
When Characters Misbehave, Follow the Money
Whether in real life or fiction, when someone acts suspiciously, it pays to ask: “What did they do with the money?” Money can serve as a lie detector, revealing fear, shame, or desperation to keep a secret. Think The Death of Roger Ackroyd, The Girl on the Train, or The Maltese Falcon. ,/p>
Writers looking to strengthen financial realism in their stories will benefit from a presentation by forensic accountant John Tonsick, CFA, CFE, at the next monthly meeting of Northeast Florida Sisters in Crime on Saturday, May 9, at 10:15 a.m.
Tonsick will explain how people hide assets, cook the books, and create financial pressure, helping writers deepen character motives, add realism, and raise the stakes in their mystery stories.
A former Fortune 50 executive, Tonsick is one of America’s leading fraud experts, with extensive knowledge of Ponzi schemes and financial deception. He is also a magician, offering a unique perspective on the parallels between magic and fraud.
Tonsick will present via Zoom. Attendees can watch online or join others at the in-person gathering at the address below.
- Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:15 a.m.
- Ponte Vedra Beach Library
- 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach
- Glass Meeting Room
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Marcus Melnick Author and Firearms and Personal Safety Expert
Firearms and Personal Safety Measures for Authors and their Writing
From 10:15 am until 12:15 pm
At On Zoom Only
Marcus Melnick has 35 years in public safety (Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting). He is a published author, court recognized expert witness, and second-generation inventor. Notably, he managed security functions at Chicagoland Hospitals and School Districts, as well as management positions at two Chicago area police/fire departments.
Melnick conducts adult education training seminars in a variety of anti-violence responses. He hosts a radio program called, “The Personal Safety Show,” has his own YouTube channel, and speaks publicly on a regular basis.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firearmmentor9963
Website: https://firearmmentor.com/
Firearms & Personal Safety for Writers
Join Marcus Melnick for a Zoom workshop that brings real-world expertise to crime fiction. With 35 years in public safety spanning security, law enforcement, and firefighting, Marcus offers writers a practical, no-nonsense look at firearms and personal safety. A published author, court-recognized expert witness, and second-generation inventor, he has managed security for Chicagoland hospitals, school districts, and police and fire departments.
This session focuses on firearm fundamentals, safety, legal realities, and realistic portrayal in fiction—cutting through myths to help writers create credible scenes. Marcus also draws on his experience teaching anti-violence strategies, hosting The Personal Safety Show, and producing educational content on YouTube. Writers will leave better equipped to write authentically, responsibly, and with confidence.
ON ZOOM ONLY
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August Is Vacation Month 2026 - No Meetings
Have a great time relaxing and decompressing - See you Next Month
August is Our Vacation Month!
August is the perfect time to step away from the keyboard, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the people and places that feed your soul. Whether you're heading somewhere new or simply savoring the comfort of home, consider making this month a true creative recharge.
3 Tips for Authors on a Creative Recharge Vacation
- Immerse Yourself in Something New You don't have to travel far to find fresh inspiration. Visit a town you've never explored, try a cuisine outside your comfort zone, or attend a local festival or cultural event. New sensory experiences have a way of quietly working their way into your fiction in the best possible ways.
- Let Nature Do the Heavy Lifting A walk in the woods, an afternoon by the water, or simply sitting outside at golden hour can quiet the mental noise that blocks creativity. Pay attention to what you see, hear, and feel. Your next setting or scene may be closer than you think.
- Follow Your Curiosity Take a class, visit a museum, volunteer somewhere meaningful, or dive into a hobby you've been neglecting. The skills and stories you gather outside of writing are what make your writing richer.
2 Reasons This Actually Works
- New Experiences Break Old Patterns Stepping out of your routine interrupts the autopilot thinking that leads to predictable storytelling. Fresh perspectives build more authentic, dimensional characters and unexpected plot turns.
- Rest Is Part of the Process Creative burnout is real, and pushing through it rarely produces your best work. Giving yourself permission to rest and play isn't procrastination — it's an investment in everything you'll write when you return in September.
See you back here next month, recharged and ready to write!
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P.O. Box 24141
Jacksonville, FL 32241-4141
Message Phone: (904) 800-7786
