LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR DESERT SLEUTHS WRITENOW! CONFERENCE

Join the Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime for a fantastic conference for writers (and readers) at the gorgeous Millennium Resort on August 11. To register right now go to the Desert Sleuths website.

Here’s an excellent article about the conference and interview with one of the guest speakers, FBI agent Michael Conrad, by Laurie Fagen of the SanTan Sun News.

FBI agent at writing conference

Hear a 25-year veteran of the FBI speak at the Desert Sleuths WriteNow! 2012Conference, “Criminal Minds: Investigating Today’s Writing Scene,” set for 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Sat., Aug. 11 in Scottsdale.

Special Agent Michael Conrad, who is the coordinator for the Abduction/Missing Child programs for the FBI in Phoenix, will discuss the bureau’s Crimes Against Children and Behavioral Analysis programs, including the field of Forensic Linguistic Analysis at the daylong conference held at Millennium Scottsdale Resort, 7401 N. Scottsdale Rd.

In addition, the founders of Scottsdale’s Poisoned Pen Bookstore and Press, Barbara Peters and
Rob Rosenwald will be this year’s guests of honor for their “undeniable impact on the local mystery writing
and reading scene and on Desert Sleuths.”

Other conference presenters include licensed psychotherapist and mystery writer Dennis Palumbo, author of “Fever Dream,” his latest crime novel published by Scottsdale’s Poisoned Pen Press. Also speaking will be Sean Chercover, author of the novels “Big City Bad Blood” and “Trigger City,” who will talk about his writing process as a successful psychological suspense author. His latest book, “The Trinity Game,” released at the end of July, and Chercover will speak and sign books at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale from 7 to 9 p.m. Fri., Aug. 10.

Chicago publicist Dana Kaye, who also is a freelance writer and book critic, will tell writers how to create innovative media campaigns to publicize their books.

Meanwhile, the latest anthology of The Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter, “SoWest: Desert Justice,” will be unveiled and on sale at the conference. It contains 20 original short stories by author members of the Desert Sleuths. The group meets monthly on the third Wednesday in Scottsdale, offering guest speakers and other writing information for members.

Conference fees, which include continental breakfast, plated lunch and afternoon snack, is $85 for members; for nonmembers, $95.

Interview: FBI agent discusses his work

For the past 25 years, FBI Special Agent Michael Conrad has been fighting crime.

He’s been in the Phoenix Field Office’s Violent Crime and Major Offender Squad since 1998, and has worked in counter-terrorism, national security and in the Russian Organized Crime program in the Los Angeles office.

Now his daily work revolves around finding missing children, and helping target those who exploit children through domestic sex trafficking among other duties. Conrad, who will speak about the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Behavioral Analysis programs, including Forensic Linguistic Analysis, at the Desert Sleuths WriteNow! mystery writing conference Aug. 11, responded by email to SanTan Sun News Publisher Laurie Fagen’s questions about his work:

STSN: What are you most proud of regarding your work when dealing in crimes against children?

MC: Any time we can recover a child alive. Throughout my career, I’ve also been proud to see the increasing skill of the Arizona law enforcement community in rescuing endangered and missing children. The FBI has helped create the Innocence Lost Task Force, a partnership with the Phoenix Police Department, which targets those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The FBI is also a partner in the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team (AZ-CART), a multi-agency law enforcement team that can provide trained volunteers anywhere in our state.

STSN: What is the toughest part of this work?

MC: There are many difficult aspects in any law enforcement profession: not only the pain and suffering of victims, but also the loss and sorrow that you see in their loved ones, which can continue for the rest of their lives. The FBI places a strong emphasis on long-term care and compassionate aid to victims and their families, and I’m thankful that we have such strong advocates within our Victim Services program.

STSN: What exactly is “Forensic Linguistic Analysis?”

MC: Forensic Linguistic Analysis uses a set of linguistic tools that help investigators analyze written and spoken communications – such as letters, text messages, emails, voicemail messages, manifestos, ransom notes, threats or any other kind of communication – to gain information about the author.

STSN: You work in an area with a lot of crime – how do you decompress at the end of the day?

MC: I try to create boundaries between my personal and my professional life. Having a family that has always been supportive of what I do helps a lot.

It’s been said that we should not think that we will not be affected by exposure to evil, as poison can fill an entire glass, drop by drop. The long-term effects of exposure to human suffering and those who cause it can be toxic to anyone, and the FBI is careful to monitor those who have to be exposed to these types of cases and provide the appropriate support.

As cumulative exposure to the effects of suffering and pain can cause us to lose faith in our ability to overcome it, the best prevention is to do the things that help bring us back to where we should be – using our spiritual resources, being with our families and friends, finding ways to be kind and caring to others, and refocusing on our mission to protect and defend the innocent.

Laurie Fagen is publisher of the SanTan Sun News and lives in Fox Crossing with husband Geoff Hancock and their cat, Jazz. She can be reached at Laurie@SanTanSun.com. For more, visit www.SanTanSun.com.