Lori Russo, of Marathon, Florida, has won a walk-on cameo appearance in New York Times bestselling author Lisa Black’s next novel.

The “character placement” contest was an early registration promotion for the Mystery Writers Key West Fest, set to take place June 10-12 at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Grand Key.

While the namesake character’s internal character remains to be determined by the author, “I’m most comfortable being a positive role model, so I’m hoping it’s a heroic character with my name, not a villain,” commented Russo. “My husband John F. Russo is author of two action-adventure novels and has said I’m the inspiration for his heroine, Angela Fournier. It’s very exciting living the life of a heroine among villains!”

Author Black is slated to be a panelist and workshop presenter at the upcoming Fest. Her titles include “Close to the Bone,” “The Price of Innocence,” “Blunt Impact,” “Defensive Wounds,” “Trail of Blood,” “Evidence of Murder,” “Takeover” and “That Darkness.”

Mystery Writers Key West Fest 2016 is sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America – Florida Chapter, the Key West Citizen daily newspaper and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. Registration includes all panels, presentations, four meals and is $175. For a full Fest schedule, online registration and links to accommodations visit mysterywriterskeywestfest.com