Phil Messina, Chair of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the Willamette Writers Guild kicked off the event, delivering a state-of-mystery address on how mystery and crime fiction permeates our lives. This opening was followed by four professional crime fiction writers who delivered panel presentations during the morning session.

Tim Wohlforth, a master of short-form mystery and book-length thrillers, presented on Writing the Mystery Short Story. Among his many published works, Wohlforth's short story, The Masseuse was published in Harlen Coben's Death Do Us Part, also included in The Best American Mystery Stories, 2007 edited by Otto Penzler.

Kenneth R. Lewis presented Writing the Police Procedural a subject on which he is eminently qualified as he serves as Chief of Police in Rogue River, Oregon. Lewis is also the author of the award-winning mystery, Little Blue Whales published in 2009, and the 2011 mystery, The Sparrows Blade.

Robert Arellano talked about getting published, and this Edgar-nominated author of Havana Lunar (Soho, 2010) knew what he was talking about. He's got connections in the business from Portland to New York, and was ready to share tips and techniques about traditional print and electronic publishing.

Morgan Hunt, with a career in communications and graphics design, brought a wealth of experience to crime fiction marketing. The author of the Tess Camillo mysteries talked about creating your brand and marketing your mystery in all of the channels available to you in the new digital arena.

Thanks to Deli Down in Medford, Oregon for an extra special and delicious lunch for those who wanted to stay for the Ask the Experts round tables from 12:30-2p.

Oregon, The State of Mystery - Reading, Writing and Publishing Mysteries was organized by the Ashland Mystery Readers Group and was co-sponsored by Ashland Mystery and the Jackson County Library Services.