Dialogue: San Francisco Crime Writers

San Francisco authors Colman Conroy and Jody Weiner read from their new books and discuss writing about crime and the criminal justice system.

Conroy is the author of No Special Hurry: A Seamus Shea Novel.  In the novel, Seamus Shea is drinking his way through a messy life. He just lost his job as a San Francisco Chronicle columnist, his wife left him eight months ago, and he's still wrestling with the tragic death of his brother, a former SFPD narcotics agent. When Seamus learns his best friend, a beloved high school teacher, has confessed to killing one of his students, Seamus must put aside personal demons and act to save his friend. Determined to find the real killer, Seamus's investigation takes him to all corners of San Francisco, where he confronts cold-hearted criminals, crooked cops, haughty philanthropists, and a high school student with a solid right cross. To succeed and uncover the truth behind the murder, Seamus will need to confront uncomfortable truths from his past, his own addiction, and even his mortality.

Jody Weiner is the author of Raise Your Other Right Hand. This darkly funny page-turner is about justice, family ties and the twisted road to redemption. Attorney Archie Krafter doesn’t need anything else on his plate. He’s happily tending to his lovely wife, Lora, while dodging his mafia in-laws. After many years representing high-profile clients, Archie is enjoying a quieter life away from the courtroom and penning "The Naked Lawyer" current events blog. Then NBA superstar Radon Jaalaba goes AWOL from a nationally televised game on Christmas and Archie is handed the case of his career. On the way to the arena Radon fled the scene of a drug-related shooting that killed his intimate friend and a responding police officer. Once America’s hero on the basketball court, Radon is now on trial for his life, battling addiction and the weight of a career-threatening secret.

About the authors:

Colman Conroy was born and raised in Noe Valley, a once working-class neighborhood in the heart of San Francisco. Twelve years of Catholic education spurred a love of reading and writing. While his work experience includes advertising management and nonprofit communications, he has spent the past ten years teaching English and American History. Colman's diverse life experience and love of San Francisco are evident in each character he creates. Colman continues to live in Noe Valley. No Special Hurry is his first novel. Colman Conroy - Website

Jody Weiner is a writer, attorney and producer. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Weiner began his legal career defending criminal cases in state and federal courts. Since moving to San Francisco, he continues to practice law in California concentrating on all manner of civil advice, disputes and their resolution. Weiner currently serves as Board President of San Francisco’s Litquake Foundation, producer of the largest, longest-running annual literary festival west of The Mississippi. Jody Weiner - Website

A book sale will follow the discussion.