EVENTS
Derby Rotten Scoundrels January 14, 2023
I was a guest speaker for the Louisville, Kentucky chapter of Sisters in Crime: "From Journalist to Novelist (Or How I Learned to Start Making it Up)"
Blackbird Writers Interview
Thoroughly enjoyed hanging out the other day with fellow mystery author and Blackbird Writer's group member Sharon Lynn. She conducted a brisk and astute interview with me on a variety of topics, doing a great job following her curiosity.
We talked about why (and how) I write as a young woman, Lark Chadwick. (There's a superficial reason -- and a deep one). Sharon is one of those rare interviewers who also wanted to know more about the inspiration behind Lark's mentor, journalist Lionel Stone.
And of course our conversation wouldn't be complete without an exploration of journalism and fake news. Our time together went VERY fast. Thanks, Sharon.
Below is a link to our conversation:
One-to-One with The QAnon Phenomenon
Do you have friends or relatives who have gone down the QAnon rabbit hole? In this interview with the authors of Pastels and Pedophiles: Inside the Mind of QAnon, we explore how QAnon got started, how it spread, and -- perhaps most importantly -- how you might be able to help someone captivated by the QAnon delusions to find their way back to reality. One of the authors has a Ph.D. in political science. The other has a doctorate in psychology. "One-to-One with John DeDakis" goes one-to-one with Mia Bloom and Sophia Moskalenko.
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One-to-One with Kim Tronic
She's faced cancer and beaten it. Twice. Her two memoirs document the ordeal. "One-to-One with John DeDakis" goes one to one with cancer fighter Kim Tronic.
FROM NOVICE to NOVELIST
6 Thursdays February 2 thru March 9
A live, on-line look at the novel-writing process from 30,000 feet, with deep dives into scene building, rewriting, and tapping into your subconscious. Lots of in-class writing exercises, plus a discussion of self-publishing vs. finding an agent. Sponsored by The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
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"Writing in the Voice of Other Genders" Saturday, February 25 1 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Chances are your novel will be populated with more than one gender. In this live, on-line writing workshop, we'll look at ways you can get into the heads of people who aren't like you, people of other genders, races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Sponsored by The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
"Writing as a Way to Heal from Grief" Sunday, February 26 1 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern
In our society, we try to anesthetize the pain. In this live, on-line writing workshop, we'll look for ways to mine the pain in our lives and transform it into stories of hope and healing. Sponsored by The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
WRITER in RESIDENCE February 27 - March 2 Monday through Thursday
During this in-person, multi-day writing retreat, I'll be the Writer in Residence, leading a workshop on How to Write a Key Scene, facilitating an evening discussion on the writing process, and meeting individually with people to critique their work. Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.
Bay to Ocean Writers Conference Saturday, March 4
I'm excited to return to the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference on Maryland's Eastern Shore where I'll lead a writing workshop on the rewriting process. This in-person event is sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association.
SUFFOLK MYSTERY AUTHORS FESTIVAL Saturday, March 11
I'll join dozens of your favorite mystery authors for this fabulous festival in Suffolk, Virginia. There'll be panels, writing workshops, and booksignings. Sponsored by the Suffolk, Virginia Department of Tourism.
FROM NOVICE TO NOVELIST 6 Tuesdays March 14 - April 18
For aspiring and/or struggling writers. We'll look at novel writing from 30,000 feet, then dive into the basics of all the moving parts involved in the process from start to finish, including getting an agent and marketing your work. Sponsored by the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis.
Looking forward to heading to Tucson, Arizona to be part of this annual conference featuring the best of the mystery-suspense-thriller writer community.
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FROM NOVICE TO NOVELIST
6 Wednesdays
March 22 - April 26
Alex Cabal, the founder of Scribophile, has invited me to lead a series of in-depth, online writing workshops designed to help the beginning or aspiring writer make good on their goal of penning a novel -- and getting it published.
BECOMING a MASTER WRITER
April 27 - April 30
I'll be leading a day-long, in-person master class Thursday, April 27, the "Prequel" for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs. During the conference, I'll be leading workshops on How to Write a Key scene, and Facing Your Writing Fears.
BECOMING a MASTER WRITER
May 25 - May 27
I'll be returning to Colorado to lead an in-depth writing workshop that will include How to Write a Novel, How to Write a Key Scene, and Facing Your Writing Fears at the Writing Heights Writers Conference in Fort Collins.
August 30 - September 3
A moving target is harder to hit. This time the traveling conference for mystery writers -- and READERS -- will be in sunny San Diego. See you there.
CREATURES, CRIMES, & CREATIVITY September 7 - September 9
Once again I'll be taking part in Austin Camacho's excellent writing conference on creativity in Columbia, Maryland.