This symposium explores the reality of physical and technical surveillance so authors can write more compelling mysteries and thrillers. Additionally, as an indirect benefit, attendees will also learn how they can better protect themselves against cyber criminals and identity theft, and ensure safety and security for all the tech in our daily lives.

Adam Sikes is a former paramilitary officer with the CIA and an expert in physical and technical surveillance, and he will examine the following topics:

• What is surveillance and what is the point
• The different kinds of surveillance
• Surveillance methods and techniques
• What makes us vulnerable
• How to protect against surveillance
• Q&A

At the conclusion of this class, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how to follow someone, detect if someone is following them, monitor phone and social media activity, the vulnerabilities of location sharing and GPS, password and identity security, commercially available technical and surveillance tools, and a host of skills and methods. These insights will make your writing more compelling and authentic to readers, helping hold them to the page.

What attendees have said ...

"Truly could have talked about all of this for hours."

"Adam's presentation was amazing! It's invaluable to get insights from an actual former spy!"

"Far exceeded my expectations, not only for authenticity in my writing, but also for protecting myself from cybercrime."