"Lawyer Writers" event attracts three dozen fans,
aspiring authors
A panel of nine attorney authors shared their inspirations,
writing styles and advice for finding a publisher with three dozen
fans and aspiring authors at a free panel discussion and reception
June 24.
The MBA Meet and Mingle Lawyer Writers event at the MBA's Boston
office featured published authors of everything from legal
thrillers to poetry collections to historical nonfiction. The event
was moderated by the Hon. James F. McHugh, an associate justice
with the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the former book review
editor of the Massachusetts Law Review.
The event included the authors Michael Fredrickson, Miriam Kurtzig
Freedman, Iris Gomez, David Hosp, Margaret McLean, the Hon. Gerald
D. McLellan (ret.), Christian G. Samito, Robert A. Shaines and
Raffi Yessayan.
Suspense novelist Yessayan talked about creating a frightening
serial killer for his first novel, Iris Gomez talked about how her
poetry impacted writing her first novel, and, in response to
audience questions, several panelists suggested finding an agent
before trying to land a publishing deal.
McLean, who teaches business law at Boston College and is
president of the New England branch of the Mystery Writers of
America, said she attended writers conferences to find herself an
agent.
"It's hard, when you sit down and write that first book. You say,
'Thank God I didn't know how hard this would be,'" she said.
Samito, an attorney with Jouret & Samito LLP, said he
cultivated interest in his six nonfiction books about the Civil War
by presenting at academic conferences.
Freedman said she self-published first to prove that she could
sell copies through a publisher, then found "I'm better at selling
my own books."
After an hour-and-a-half of discussion and questions, authors
mingled with audience members, discussing their books and
autographing copies.
Second Annual MBA Summer Social
About 130 people attended the Massachusetts Bar Association's
Second Annual Summer Social, where judges, attorneys, legal
industry professionals and students mingled at the Aug 19 free
event at Tia's Restaurant on the Boston Waterfront.