Cheryl Head, Kristen Lepionka, and J. M. Redmann discuss their work as queer authors who write private investigator (P.I.) series with LGBTQ protagonists, including their writing process, how they choose series themes, how they select stories, and what their stories and protagonists bring to the genre. Audience members will be able to ask questions. This event is for those interested in literature by, for, and about lesbians across the spectrum of social identities.

Cheryl Head's first book, Long Way Home: A Word War II Novel, was shortlisted for the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the African-American fiction and the historical fiction categories. Cheryl Head writes the award-winning, Charlie Mack Motown mysteries set in Detroit and whose female PI protagonist is queer and Black. The series is included in the Detroit Public Library’s African-American Books List. Head, a Goldie winner, participates on the national board of Bouchercon, the crime fiction fan convention. In 2019, Head was named to the Hall of Fame of the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. Cheryl Head’s latest book, Warn Me When It’s Time, was reviewed in "The New York Times."

Kristen Lepionka writes the Roxane Weary mystery series for which she won the Shamus Award two times and the Goldie Award. Also nominated for the Anthony Award and the Macavity Awards, Lepionka is a cofounder of the feminist podcast, “Unlikeable Female Characters.” She serves as the president of the Midwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

J. M. Redmann writes the Micky Knight series set in New Orleans, winning multiple Lammy Awards for her works. She is the co-editor of three anthologies, including Night Shadows: Queer Horror, which was nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. J. M. Redmann is a gay rights activist, and she works as the director of prevention at NO/AIDS Task Force.