HANGING OUT WITH FBI SPECIAL AGENTS by Sheryl Jordan

 

I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 FBI Citizens Academy at the Norfolk Field Office. My time at the academy began when fellow author and friend Allie Marie posted on Facebook that the FBI was accepting applications for their 2025 session in October 2024. I was immediately interested.

The Citizens Academy is an engaging six-to-eight-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. Classes meet in the evening at the FBI field office. The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a great understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.

FBI employees, former Citizens Academy graduates, and community leaders nominate candidates. Participants are selected by the special agent in charge of the local FBI field office.

The application process began with completing a short form on the FBI website, where you provide your general information and a brief statement of why you are a good candidate for the class. Next, you wait for an email congratulating you for making it through the first phase of the selection process. (I assume you would receive an email saying you weren’t selected if you didn’t make the cut, as the class size is limited to thirty participants.) The congratulatory email includes a five-page background check application and information on the fingerprint process, which requires submittal by a set deadline. The wait was about thirty days, give or take a few. I received the final confirmation email that I was accepted. Then the fun began!

Entering the FBI Campus

When you arrive at the Norfolk Field office, the building is somewhat intimidating, with the twelve-foot-high black wrought iron fence surrounding it. You enter the security building, where you must give your state or government-issued ID to the security guard, place all personal items in a grey bin, while the guard looks over your ID and ensures you are on an authorized list. Next, you are asked if you have any weapons, explosives, or electronic devices that you better not have, or you will be denied entry. You are then directed to stand before a walk-through metal detector until another guard tells you to proceed. It never failed, I always set it off and had to stand facing with my back to the guard with my arms raised to shoulder height and palms facing down to be checked with a metal detection wand. I felt like I was at the airport going on a trip! Next, we proceeded out the back door to the main building to be escorted to the conference room.

Classroom Presentations

Each class began with dinner provided by the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBICAAA). We enjoyed meals from restaurants such as Mission BBQ, Jimmy John's, and local businesses while socializing and building relationships with classmates, agents, and support staff. After dinner, each session started promptly at six p.m. with announcements and a welcome from the Special Agent in Charge, who also briefly explained the agenda for the evening. We were given a handbook with thirty-seven pages of information, including the history of the FBI and three pages of common FBI acronyms, which leads one to believe there are many more. The presentations were informative and fun. The agents provided abundant unclassified and detailed information about how the FBI operates, its history, the myths and truths, the Norfolk Field office, the day-to-day, which isn’t necessarily day-to-day, as they all have multiple duties. For instance, an agent assigned to the Cyber Crimes Division may also be part of the Evidence Response Team.  

Personnel Stats

The FBI Headquarters is in Washington, DC, with fifty-five field offices across the United States and Puerto Rico. Many field offices are subdivided to include resident agencies with jurisdiction over a specific area.  The most prominent field offices are in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. There are legal attaché offices known as legats overseas. These offices are usually in American embassies. The FBI Norfolk Field Office is the third smallest of all field offices. It has one resident agency, the Peninsula Resident Agency, in Newport News, VA. The Norfolk Field office covers Hampton Roads, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Franklin-Southampton, Suffolk, Smithfield, and the Eastern Shore. The Norfolk Field Office opened on December 15, 1941, one week after the U.S. entered World War II. Due to the significant naval presence in the Hampton Roads area, the office focused on national security issues such as sabotage and espionage.

There are approximately 38,000 FBI personnel worldwide.:

·       37% - Special Agents

·       63% - Professional Staff

o   13% - Intelligence Analysts

o   7% - Staff Operation Specialists

The FBI works closely with police departments, the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), fire departments, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other agencies while investigating cases.

Mission, Vision, Priorities

“The FBI's mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Its vision is to stay ahead of the threat. The FBI is an intelligence-driven, threat-focused national security organization with intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities. Their Priorities are to focus on threats that challenge the foundations of American society or involve dangers too large or complex for any local or state authority to handle alone. In executing the priorities, the FBI, as a national security and law enforcement organization, will produce and use intelligence to protect the nation from threats and bring to justice those violating the law.”

The FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 federal laws. The major national security priorities are counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cybercrime. Then there are Criminal Priorities, including Public Corruption, White Collar crime, Civil Rights, Organized Crimes, and Violent Crimes.

Case Discussions

The Special Agents took us on a journey through a few of their resolved cases from the beginning to the end. The cases involved attempted solicitation of a minor and human trafficking; the take down of a local gang; an espionage case, and a fraud case. The interactive presentations allowed us to analyze the evidence presented. Then we collaborated as a class to determine the outcome. I had heard and read about most of the cases in prior years, so it was fascinating to get the inside scoop on what really occurred, not just what was reported in the news, how the FBI was involved, watched interrogation interviews, surveillance video, taped confessions, etc. At each presentation, the Agents emphasized that the FBI TV shows do not represent how the FBI operates! Cases can take months to resolve, although some are closed quickly. And they don’t storm into buildings or homes for every case they investigate. I would like to share more details, but I don’t want the FBI showing up at my door! We were instructed not to share specifics about the cases.

Hands On Fun

One session was dedicated to touring certain areas of the building. We were split up into three groups. My group went to the Firearms Training System (FATS) room first. It was a simulator on a big screen with different scenarios of you encountering situations where you observe the scene playing before you. You must make split decisions on who the threat is and shoot at the screen until there is no longer a threat. It felt like you were a part of the scenario, and I was a bit nervous. I didn’t do so well. I waited too long to fire the laser gun.

Next, the group went to the Gun Vault. This is the room where they store weapons they no longer use. The agent explained the gun type and the specifics of several of them and passed them around the room so we could see the details up close and get a feel of the weight of each one. There was a wide variety of guns, some I had heard of but hadn’t seen.

Our last stop was in the Evidence Response Team (ERT) area. ERT is responsible for working with other law enforcement agencies to gather evidence at crime scenes and transport it to the Field Office for processing. We made a cast of a shoe print just like they do on the true crime shows! We were also shown the various techniques they use in the finger collection process. I asked if any surfaces they couldn’t obtain a good lift from. They said they can lift a print from any surface. They must utilize the best method for the surface type. They demonstrated fluid detection with luminal and various black and blue lights. They have a heavy-duty machine for checking larger areas, but it’s heavy and a bit cumbersome to maneuver. We headed outdoors to the ERT trucks. It was phenomenal to see all of its features. It carries every supply imaginable. There were built-in generators and floodlights for when they process a scene at night or in a dimly lit area. The ERT vehicle was so organized that even the ladders had special compartments.

The SWAT Experience

The last day was dedicated to an FBI Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) presentation. It took place at the firearms range. After a brief but informative presentation, the SWAT team performed two demonstrations. The first was how they serve warrants on a person who violated a federal law in some capacity. They first used a drone for surveillance. Then they went in to ensure the building was clear. The next demonstration was of a suspected hostage situation. They yelled FBI, identifying themselves, then threw flashbangs in the building. Next, they went in, fired a few shots, and cleared the building. It was intriguing to see how every move they made was precise and how they utilized nonverbal signals to communicate.

After the demonstrations, their tactical gear was displayed for us. The SWAT agents explained what each item was and what it is used for. The gear is hefty, from the head protection to the body shield they carry. You must be in excellent shape and strong to wear it all.  

Next, we had target practice using four different firearms. An MP5, a Glock, a Tommy Gun, and an M4 SWAT Rifle. I got several bullseyes with the MP5 and Tommy Gun. Having agents on the FBI SWAT Team tell you how great you did at the range made my day!

Graduation

The graduation was bittersweet. It was great to have completed the academy, but a part of me was sad it had to end. The ceremony started with the Special Agent in Charge thanking everyone for their commitment to attend the eight-week program. He reiterated that the FBI does the Citizens Academy to increase awareness about the FBI, strengthen relationships, and improve understanding between the FBI and the communities it serves. We received our certificates and took pictures.

I met some wonderful people. All the FBI personnel were pleasant and accommodating. They had us laughing a lot. I admire their dedication to the bureau and the communities they serve.  

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a program. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in attending.

Have you attended Citizens Academies like the FBI, Police, Fire Department, etc.? If so, what prompted you to participate? Are you interested in participating in any?

Did I mention there is an FBI Norfolk PA Store where you can purchase memorabilia? I couldn’t resist purchasing the FBI stuffed animals, a couple of shirts, and coffee mugs!

 

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/norfolk/community-outreach          

MALICE DOMESTIC - WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME by Teresa Inge

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending Malice Domestic, an annual convention that celebrates traditional mysteries, with a focus on Agatha Christie-style storytelling. Since its inception in 1989, this event has brought fans and authors together for a fun and friendly experience. Currently held each April in Bethesda, Maryland, it offers a mix of author panels, book signings, and engaging mystery-themed activities.

My own journey with Malice began twenty years ago, accompanied by my husband, daughter, and mother. Although I was initially nervous—surrounded by so many accomplished writers and knowing no one—I was warmly welcomed by Malice volunteers, members of Sisters in Crime (SinC) an organization dedicated to supporting female crime writers, as well as other authors and fans. I then realized I had found a place where I truly belonged which reminded me of the Cheers show theme song.

Fast forward to last month, and Malice Domestic still exudes the same heartwarming “family reunion” vibe, complete with cheerful hugs, laughter, and enthusiasm shared with old friends and new ones. Over the years, this convention has had a profound impact on my writing career. It has helped me forge connections with fellow writers, build lasting friendships, discover publishing opportunities, and hone my writing craft. Now, I take pride in welcoming newcomers, just as I was embraced all those years ago.

This year's highlights included Malice Go Round Speed Dating, New Authors Breakfast, an annual lunch with the Short Mystery Fiction Society, a SinC gathering featuring an "Agatha signature cocktail" and appetizers, a captivating Sherlock Holmes play, the Agatha Awards banquet, an after-party, and panels like "Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys" and "Living in a Modern World: Women Take the Lead." There were fabulous interviews with the guest of honor Marcia Talley, lifetime achievement honoree Donna Andrews, and toastmaster Gigi Pandian as well as a book room overflowing with literary treasures, rounded out an unforgettable experience. 

THE WOODSMAN BY B.C. LIENESCH - BOOK REVIEW By: Kimberly R. Thorn

                                                                

Photo by: Kimberly R. Thorn

Scares That Care AuthorCon V was celebrated March 28-30, 2025 in Williamsburg, Virginia this year.  I have to admit that I am more of a cozy mystery lover than the bloody, gore, scary lover.  Scooby-Doo is as scary as it gets for me.  Occasionally though, especially at Halloween, I do like to be scared out of my wits.  Maybe John Grisham for Halloween?  Or the old Friday the 13^th movies?  I know, not most people’s ideas of scary.  But the movies Saw and Carrie (the original) still haunts me to this day.  As you can see, I’m not a lover of gruesomeness.  Being scared and being grossed out are two very different things.  I tell you this as I must admit my hesitation at attending my first STC AuthorCon.  But I am oh so glad that I went!  Not only did I get to see the grim reaper with a bra on.  Yes, I said what I said!  But I found some great reads that seriously put my TBR pile in jeopardy of falling over.  It is starting to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

How it Started

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were several crime fiction writers there with their books for sale.  As I walked in the first author section, I walked past a book, The Woodsman by B.C. Lienesch, that caught my attention (I mean, come on, what's not to love about this cover, am I right?).  So much so that I walked past it, I then stopped and backed up.  I picked up the book (the hardback one, that I never get) to read the summary and said to the author, ‘Oh, I’d like this one please!”.  He asked me if I wanted the paperback, which I didn’t even see, walked right past it (again usual for me).  I acknowledged that I wanted the hard back, please.  He signed it, thanked me and I left.  I was so excited to read this book, that I started reading it the very next day.  In three days, I finished it.

Overall

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book. It was AMAZING! The writing was clear and concise.  There was not too much description.  Just enough to be able to picture the scene but not an overabundance of it.  You know, where it’s two pages of description and you wanted to stop reading the description already for goodness sakes.......(now I'm out of breath).    

Plot Review

It had a great plot, which was the biggest mystery however there was another mystery that was intertwined within the bigger plot/mystery. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I could not wait to find out the true culprit.  It stumped me all the way through he book and I was shocked by the ending.  I had not expected anything that happened.  I tend to zone out during some action/fight scenes because it’s just too much for me to follow, but I could follow the action with no problem.  There is plenty of action and it flows well.  There is no lull in the story where you get bored and think to yourself, 'come on what happens next, this is boring.'  It just doesn't happen in this book.  Make no mistake though, the action isn't over the top either.  Like Tom Cruise and Mission Impossible where he never seems to be able to stop dodging bullets.  The action, then breaks move at a nice steady pace but still enough to keep you guessing. 

Main Character

Honestly, I trusted only the main character, Jackson Clay.  I knew he was a good guy but I wasn't so sure about anyone else.  You learn a lot about the main character and why he does what he does.  (If you’re wondering what he does, then you’ll have to read the book because I don’t want to give anything away.  Trust me, you will thank me later!)  I could tell you the summary but I don't feel that I could do it justice.  Believe me when I tell you that you WILL fall in love with Jackson Clay and want to learn as much as you can about him.  

Sequel?

Currently, the second book, Country Roads and third book, Chasing Devils are out in this series.  No I have not read them, yet.  Lienesch has the fourth book, Happyland coming out later this year.  You can check out his author page at www.bclnovels.com

 

SPRING CLEANING: THE COFFEE CUP DILEMMA by Yvonne Saxon

What is it about Spring that gives so many people the urge to throw open the windows, wash and sweep and declutter? Advertisements for cleaning supplies, brooms, mops and vacuums are everywhere! Freshen up! They say. Get rid of the old, the dusty, the unused, they say. It’ll be fun! They say.  Now I have no problem with the idea of giving the  house a deep clean—if you want to volunteer call me!  My difficulty comes when I’m bombarded with messages that tell me  I’ll feel better when all my possessions are sharing space in a landfill. Like my coffee cups. Who decides how many coffee mugs are too many, anyway?

BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART ONE) : REMEMBER THE THREE Rs - READ, READ, READ by Penny Hutson

 

Like many writers, I’ve received a ton of advice over the years from various sources, including other writers. Naturally, some were more useful than others. So, I’m beginning a series of the best writing advice that contributed directly to my own writing. I’ll cover one piece of advice in each blog and explain how I used it and/or the difference it made in my writing. I hope you find them useful.

The first one is that you must read a lot. And, according to famed novelist, Stephen King, “if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”

I’m starting the series with this piece of advice because it seems the most logical. First, anyone can do it. No need to be an accomplished writer or have a completed draft. Secondly, it’s best done before you begin writing. If you want to write a gripping novel, for example, you’re not likely to be successful if you haven’t read a bunch of gripping novels beforehand.

There are always exceptions. However, as I used to tell my students, if they were one of them, they’d probably know it by now. It’s like thinking you can become a great chef or successful baker when you haven’t tasted any great dishes or baked goods. You’d have nothing to go on.

Writing is similar.

You must read a lot, but what you read can be just as essential. For instance, if you’ve haven’t read a young adult novel since you were one many years ago, don’t expect to create a good YA novel without reading some good ones first. Likewise, don’t try to write a memoir or self-help book without reading some in those genres.

My first manuscript was YA because I had spent the previous thirty years as a middle and high school librarian and English teacher. I read hundreds of YA books during that time, and I knew what kinds of stories were popular with young people. All of this informed my writing. I am certain I could not have written that story prior to my educational career. I simply would not have had the necessary tools. And if I continue to write YA books, guess what? I must keep reading the new ones coming out, so I can keep up with what’s popular now and changing in this genre.

So, if you want to be a good writer, don’t forget to do lots and lots of reading.

VOICES OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS: IT'S HERE! by Michael Rigg

Finally. It seems like it took forever. But it's here. Voices of the Elysian Fields, my debut novel, published by Level Best Books, launches on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The e-book version is on Amazon.com for preorder. Future availability and distribution of both the e-book and paperback will be forthcoming. 

Voices of the Elysian Fields is a medico-legal thriller. Two days before Christmas, Jonathan Gray, M. D., Chief Deputy Coroner for Orleans Parish, learns that Robby O’Malley—Jonathan’s mentor for nearly forty years—died under mysterious circumstances. Within hours, Gray takes the oath of office as Coroner and participates in autopsies of an elderly couple murdered in their Garden District home. After Mass on Christmas, Archbishop Phillip Fontenot asks Gray to investigate the sexual assault of a parishioners, as well as the disappearance of her sister—without involving the police. As Gray investigates, he uncovers secrets that members of the city’s power elite would just as soon remain hidden.

I plan to outline some lessons learned and experiences in future blog posts. For now, please order your copy of Voices of the Elysian Fields. And, feel free to nag your local library about adding Voices of the Elysian Fields to their collection. 

Enjoy. And, as always, laissez le bon temps rouler!

For more information about me, check out Facebook ( www.facebook.com/michael.rigg.author), my website (www.michaelrigg.com), Twitter/X (@MDR102030), and Instagram (Instagram).

 

MY PRODUCTIVITY HACKS, PART FOUR: REST AND RESET by Max Jason Peterson

Eliot Knows by Max Jason Peterson

Rest and Reset 

Focus is one of the most deeply needed tools of a creative, and one that, along with time, can be the hardest to find. 

There's an old joke about the writer who sits down to work only to hop up again with a sudden passion for washing the dishes or changing the car’s oil. But it's not entirely off-base. Creative work is intense. It requires a lot of energy. When people talk about the discipline needed to follow through on creative pursuits, part of what they're talking about is focus: the ability to concentrate for periods of time long enough to make progress.

“Periods of time long enough to make progress,” of course, can be any amount of time in which you focus on your creative goal; leaving aside the dangers of rabbit holes, progress does include time spent searching for art references or studying an art technique you need to learn, or pursuing a small point of fact for a mystery or doing a deep-dive brainstorming session for your character’s personal habits. And the amount of time doesn’t matter—it could be a scene or plot notes you voice-typed into your phone while waiting in line at a drive-through. And make no mistake: even if you throw out all the words you wrote or erase what you drew, you’re still making progress: you’re exploring your way and getting closer to creating something that works for you.

Making art of any kind is hard but good work. It’s work that requires energy and thought and deep focus. It can take a lot out of you, but if making art is your dream, it can leave you satisfied in a way few other things do. So it’s worth finding ways to work with our own brains better to let that focus happen.

The reason I position focus as a resource even scarcer than time is simple: If you have focus, even five minutes will help you. But without the ability to focus, you may find yourself too weary to even take the time to write.

Distractions are the enemies of focus—especially the ones that you let get to you enough that you switch tasks, even if just for a moment.

A lack of focus can create a feedback loop. When you keep starting and stopping (even if it’s just to check your email or socials), your brain gets frustrated and you probably won’t get as much done as you could. (Focusing for a shorter time and then choosing to take a small break as a reward is different than letting the “breaks” interrupt the work, especially anytime you hit a stumbling block.)

Think of focus like sleep: it’s a different mental state, and it takes a little time to sink into it. With sleep, every interruption—especially frequent ones—makes it harder to fall back to sleep; even if you do, it might not be the deep sleep you need, leaving you feeling tired.

Maybe it’s hard to turn off the distractions in part because deep focus can make us “forget” the outside world for a time. Maybe that feels scary or dangerous. Maybe it makes us feel guilty or selfish. A lot of us have many responsibilities and challenges. You know what your priorities need to be. But remember that it’s also valid to take time for yourself to be creative, especially because if that’s your passion, it can improve your quality of life to do so.

Rest and taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health are very important. Feeling creatively exhausted may have a root in actual physical exhaustion or other health needs. Personal or health needs or challenges affect us in different ways; is there a way to work with or take care of your needs that might improve things even a little bit, whatever your situation is? (For example, I have insomnia. As an overbooked person, it’s hard to allow myself the extra time I need to allow for not sleeping well, in order to get enough rest. But paradoxically, I create better even in more limited time when I do so. It also makes it more important to say “no” where needed.) 

So, yes, rest of all kinds (even from working on creative projects!) is important to recharge the energy you need to make things.

Sometimes I find that taking a break from things that weigh on me can help me rest and reset my brain, allowing me to focus better when I work. I call this “reset” because I’m giving my brain a chance to stand down from all the things I anxiously think about and distract myself with, by setting boundaries and sticking to them. Whether for a day or three, I tell myself, “You don’t have to do that now. It’s okay. You can think about it tomorrow.” This helps me clear my mind. It’s a sort of mental freedom. 

It sounds contrary, doesn't it? "I don't feel I can break away from these tasks long enough to achieve deep focus. Therefore I'm going to stop doing the tasks and focus instead." But even if you only have an hour to push them back--try to give yourself permission to stop thinking about them for that hour. For myself, I find such a "vacation" from my daily mental burdens helps give me more bandwidth to dive into a creative project, or simply to let myself relax long enough to relieve some of the stress blocking me. 

Even if I don’t write or make art during that time, my "worries" are suspended long enough for my brain to settle down, reset, and clear some space to focus. (If your life concerns are too big to pause for a day or an hour—please take care of those first; you can give yourself a small vacation from them when they are not as pressing. But remember that taking breaks for yourself is also important to avoid burnout.)

Even if none of this works for you—thinking about what happens to stop, distract, or dissuade you from creating may lead to some solutions. Regardless of whether you create anything, getting more rest and finding ways to reset your brain (so you don’t keep distracting yourself) will probably help you feel better in the long run, and maybe even get more done.

In other words—taking time out to snuggle with kitties or read a book are important part of the creative process!

Earlier works in this series:

Part One: Multiple WIPs

Part Two: These Are Our Tools 

Part Three: Wake Up to Something You Love

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For more information about Max Jason Peterson (he/they), visit maxjasonpeterson.wordpress.com or the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram links through gardnercastle.com.