EVENTS - 2024
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July 4 PUBLICATION DAY!!
FROM THE BACK COVER:"On her first day as White House Press Secretary, Lark Chadwick is confronted on live television by a reporter with an agenda who asks, “Are you, or are you not, planning to abort your unborn child?” His question puts Lark in the crosshairs of extremists on both sides of the highly fraught abortion issue. Ambivalent about becoming a single mother in the post-Roe era, and grieving the death of her boyfriend, Lark is now forced to make her abort-or-not-to-abort decision in a highly toxic, politicized, and polarized fishbowl. At stake: her sanity—and her life.
In the political thriller Enemies Domestic, his most important and controversial book to date, former CNN editor John DeDakis dramatically and thoughtfully tackles the hot topics of abortion, QAnon, White Christian Nationalism, and mental illness at a time when America itself is teetering between democracy and authoritarianism."
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY Wednesday, July 24
Thriller Author Jeffrey James Higgins hosted the launch party of my sixth novel and political thriller, Enemies Domestic, at Elaine's, his restaurant and literary salon in the DC suburb of Alexandria, Virginia. The meet and greet was followed by an interview and Q&A of me conducted by Jeff.
In-Depth Writing Coaching Consultation (Pick a Topic)
Stuck? Unmotivated? Discouraged? I can help you re-ignite your writing enthusiasm.
Creatures, Crimes, & Creativity (C3Con) September 13-15
This is a boutique writers conference hosted every year by Austin and Denise Camacho in Columbia, Maryland near D.C. I won't be able to attend this year due to a family vacation, but I'm sponsoring a scholarship in honor of Tom O'Day.
Saturday, September 28 2-4 p.m. Eastern
This will be a comprehensive, hands-on, writing workshop designed to start with a blank screen and end with something that might be shareable with a wider audience. During our two hours together, I'll help you tap into your unconscious to capture an idea, write a first draft, and then revise it. As an added bonus, I'll critique the first thousand words of your work in progress. If you can't attend live, the class will be recorded for your convenience. Sponsored by Scribophile.
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Writing to Heal
Monday, September 30
7-9 p.m. Eastern
We all have pain and loss in our lives, but our society encourages you to anesthetize the pain. In this live online writing workshop, I'll help you move toward the pain, mine it, and use it to bring meaning to your life---and the lives of others. Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
Write on the sound Oct. 4-6 Edmonds, Washington
I'll be returning once again to this excellent writing conference in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle to lead two writing workshops, plus do one-on-one manuscript critiques.
october 19-20 Saturday/Sunday
On Saturday, Oct. 19, I'll be in Baltimore leading "Buffing and Polishing: The Art of the Rewrite" at the "From Brain to Bookshelf" writers' conference sponsored by the Maryland Writers' Association.
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Capturing Your Story Tuesday, October 29 7-9 p.M. Eastern
You don't have to be old, famous, or an ex-president to write a memoir. In this live on-line webinar, I'll show you how it's done.
Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
La Crosse, Wisconsin October 25-26
This year, the Wisconsin Writers Association will hold its fall conference in the city where I was born and raised, so of course I'll be there.
WRITING RETREAT Saturday, November 2
Join me for this day-long writing retreat at the historic Ravens Crest on the Maryland shore of the Potomac River. This seminar-style workshop will delve deeply into the finer points of writing a novel or memoir, plus tackle scene building and dialogue. There will be plenty of time for Q&A and to write. Space is limited, so it's never too soon to register.
The Art of the Rewrite Wednesday, November 6 7-9 p.m. eastern
The best writing is REwriting. In this live, online writing workshop, I'll give you practical tips and tricks on how to buff and polish your manuscript. Sponsored by The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Eastern Panhandle Talk with Rob Marino & John Gilstrap Monday, November 11
When it comes to politics, Bestselling Thriller Author John Gilstrap and I rarely agree on anything, so join us as we either celebrate, or grieve, the results of the 2024 presidential election. John and his sidekick Rob Marino will be interviewing me live on WRNR talk radio in Martinsburg, West Virginia. We'll also be discussing my latest novel, Enemies Domestic, set at a time when abortion is a crime and a dictator becomes president. The show is live, so you can call in (I'll need all the help I can get). Don't know the exact time I'll be on, but the program airs from 8-10 a.m. Eastern.
How to Write a Thriller Saturday, November 16 1-3:30 p.m. Eastern
I'll be leading this live online workshop "The Ticking Clock: How to Write a Thriller" sponsored by The Muse in Norfolk, Virginia
Writing as a way to heal from grief Saturday, November 16 4-6:30 p.m. Eastern
Pain and loss are a part of life. We've all experienced grief. But our society encourages you to anesthetize the pain. In this live online writing workshop, I'll encourage you to move toward the pain, mine it, and use it as a way to find healing for yourself and encouragement for others. Sponsored by The Muse in Norfolk, Virginia.
A Discussion of "Enemies Domestic"
2-Part In-Depth Podcast Interview
My friend Teri Murrison did a masterful deep-dive interview with me on her "Teri's Doing It!" Podcast. The buttons below will take you to parts 1 and 2.
Earlier This Year.....
- January 6 - "Facing Your Writing Fears" workshop online on Scribophile
- March 2 - interviewed live online by Danna Wilberg of the Sisters in Crime Northern California chapter.
- March 9 - Led "Facing Your Writing Fears" at the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Wye Mills, Maryland
- March 13 - April 17 - "From Novice to Novelist," a 6-week in-depth on-line writing workshop sponsored by The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- March 16 - Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival, Suffolk, Virginia
- March 23 - Led "Perfecting Your Key Scenes," an online workshop sponsored by Scribophile.com
- April 4 - Spoke via Zoom with Ms. Headrick's journalism class at Tallmadge High School, Tallmadge, Ohio
- April 14 - Last Word Books, Savage, Maryland
- April 19 - Led "Polish Your Writing," an online workshop sponsored by the Hellenic Writers of D.C. Link to the presentation
- April 25-28 - Returned to the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs to lead an all-day Master Class, plus 2 other writing workshops
- April 27 - Led the workshop "Facing Your Writing Fears" on-line at the 2nd annual Hella Vella Serial Writers Conference
- Ma y 7- Unveiled my short story "The Case of the Anonymous Source" at Noir at the Voir (overlooking the Swift Creek Reservoir) in Midlothian, Virginia near Richmond
- May 15 - Led the online workshop "How to Write a Key Scene" for The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- May 18 - Led the workshop "How to Write a Thriller" in person at this all-day festival in Gaithersburg, Maryland
- May 29 - Led the workshop "Facing Your Writing Fears" online for The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- June 5 - Led the workshop "How to Write a Novel" online for The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- June 6 - Took part in "Ask the Author Anything" online with Prolific Writers Life
- June 13 - Led the workshop "Capturing Your Story: The Art of the Memoir" online for Prolific Writers Life
- June 20 - Pre-ordering available for Enemies Domestic, my 6th novel.
- June 24-28: Led "From Novice to Novelist" during Week 1 at The Chautauqua Institution in southwestern NY state
- July 4 - Publication Day for Enemies Domestic, Book 6 in the Lark Chadwick Mystery-Suspense-Thriller series
- July 6 - Book Signing - Elaine's Restaurant, Alexandria, Virginia
- July 13 - Led the online workshop "How to Write a Novel" on Scribophile
- July 15 - Deliah Lawrence - Attorney, Author, Blogger, & Workshop Facilitator interviews me about Enemies Domestic for her blog.
- July 24 - Book Launch Party - Elaine's Restuarant and Literary Salon. I'm interviewed by Owner and Thriller Author Jeff Higgins.
- July 29-August 2 - Lead "From Novice to Novelist" during Week 6 at The Chautauqua Institution in southwestern New York state
- August 12 - Author Talk: "From Journalist to Novelist (Or How I Learned to Start Making it Up)." - Southeast chapter of Mystery Writers of America (SEMWA)
- August 13 - Led the online workshop: "Capturing Your Story: The Art of Memoir" for Prolific Writers Life
- August 22-25 - Led a Master Class, was on 2 panels, and did 11 one-on-one manuscript critiques at Killer Nashville
- August 28 - September 1 - Bouchercon, Nashville. Interviewed Fan Guest of Honor Clay Stafford and was on 2 panels.
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ATTN: BOOK CLUBS/WRITING GROUPS
LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER OR WORKSHOP LEADER?I'm your guy........