Heart of Texas is proud to present an exciting line-up of experts in 2008, speaking on subjects dear to the hearts of mystery lovers. Don’t miss....

Kathleen Davis Neindorff, Attorney and Literary Agent, and Mike Tolleson, Attorney; Author Contracts: How your agent and your lawyer can help you have the right contract for your situation; Sunday, February 10, 2-4 pm

Ms. Niendorff currently offers her services as a publishing consultant and literary agent, focusing on adult non-fiction work.

Mr. Tolleson has been involved with intellectual copyrights for thiry-five years, primarily in the music and entertainment industries.

William S. Charlton, Ph.D.; Nuclear Forensics--using scientific analysis to understand the origin of radioactive materials, and their path to the area of dispersal; Sunday, March 9, 2-4 pm

Dr. Charleton is Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Dave Ciambrone, Sc.D.; Using toxic substances in mysteries; Sunday, April 13, 2-4 pm

Dr. Ciambrone is a mystery author who has written technical books for mystery writers, and books for industry.  He is a Texas Mystery Month author and mentor, active in local writing groups, and a columnist for The Williamson County Sun.

Earl Staggs; The difference between writing short stories and novels and why an aspiring novelist should write short stories first; May 11, 2-4 pm; of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. His short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, and one of his stories received a Derringer Award for Best Short Mystery in 2002.  His first novel, Memory of a Murder, was published in 2005.

Art Acevedo; Austin Chief of Police, Visions and Goals of the Austin Police Department; Sunday, June 8, 2-4 pm.

Chief Acevedo is the eighth Chief of Austin Police Department and the first Hispanic. He previously commanded the Planning and Analysis Division of the California Highway Patrol, and has twenty years experience in law enforcement. More...

Detective Greg Lawson, Travis County Sheriff's Department; Criminal Investigations and the Mentally Ill; Sunday, July 13, 2-4 pm

Investigator Lawson has been an Army Paratrooper, Naval Operations Specialist and Air Force Range Master. As a Deputy Sheriff he has worked with the mentally disturbed, cold cases and child abuse.

Indoor Picnic at the home of Dave Ciambrone.

George Wilhite, author of The Texas Rodeo Murder, Motivation: What It is, What it Isn’t, How We Lose it, and How We Get It Back. Wilhite teaches writing classes at Texas State Technical College, McLennan Community College, and Baylor University in Waco; Sunday, August 10, 2-4 pm

Mike Cox, columnist for Austin American Statesman and Communications Manager with the Texas Department of Transportation is the author of the recently released The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900. He makes history of law enforcement in Texas come alive as he recounts tales of the Texas Rangers garnered from memoirs and anecdotes of descendants; September 14, 2-4 pm

P.J. Nunn of Breakthrough Promotions, Cedar Hill, Texas: What You Didn't Know About Book Promotion; P.J. is founder of Breakthrough Promotions, a team of talented and experienced public relations professionals dedicated to helping writers fulfill their dreams. Sunday, October 12.

Gary Payne, Producer, Capital City Mystery Players, Sunday, November 9, 2-4 pm

The Capital City Mystery Players, founded in 1991, "...are Austin's original comedy whodunit troupe."  Their shows include "Antiques Road Kill," 'The Falsettos' and 'The Linguini Code.'

Dec. 14, Heart of Texas Sisters In Crime Christmas get-together. Details TBA. Special guest, Woody Falgoux, author of Cajun Mariners.