EVENTS - 2025
Eastern Panhandle Talk
with Rob Marino & John Gilstrap
Date: tBD
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.
Enemies Domestic Wins Grand Prize April 6
I was on the faculty for this year's Chanticleer Author Conference in Bellingham, Washington where my latest novel, Enemies Domestic, won the Grand Prize for the 2024 Clue Award for Suspense/Thriller Fiction. The award was presented by J.D. Barker, one of James Patterson's co-authors. See the clip below for my Oscar-worthy acceptance speech.
1-2-1 with j.d. BARKER Friday, May 16 LIVE! 12:30 p.m. Eastern
He co-authors novels with mega-bestselling novelist James Patterson.
But he's also an excellent solo author.
"One-to-One with John DeDakis" goes 1-2-1 with writer J.D. Barker.
Watch Live on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn
fiction Sampler Wednesday, June 11, 6 p.m. eastern
I'll be hosting an informal one-hour conversation about the ins and outs of writing fiction. Bring your questions and concerns. Sponsored by The Loft literary center in Minneapolis.
Saturday, June 14 3 p.m. Eastern
Are you a planner or a pantser?
Let me help you tap into your subconscious to find the writer deep within you.
This online writing workshop is sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
International Thriller Writers' Conference June 17-21 New York
I'll be among the agents and editors providing you with professional feedback on your manuscript during the QueryFest portion of Thrillerfest.
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"From novice to novelist" June 25 - July 30 (6 Wednesdays) 7 p.m. Eastern
I'll be teaching this immersive writing master class for six weekly one-hour sessions online.
Sponsored by The Loft literary center in Minneapolis.
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Buffing & Polishing: The Art of the Rewrite Saturday, July 12 3 p.m. Eastern
Writing your first draft is the hard part. Making it better is the fun part.
I'll show you in this online writing workshop sponsored by Prolific Writers Life
From Novice to Novelist July 21-25 July 28-August 1
I'll be returning to the historic Chautauqua Institution in Southwestern New York state to teach my week-long deep-dive into how to write a novel or memoir during weeks 5 and 6 of the summer session.
Saturday, August 16 3-5 p.m. Eastern
I'll be leading a live online workshop on how to write a memoir.
Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
For details and to register, click on the button below.
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference August 21-24
I'll be among the agents and editors providing you with professional feedback on your manuscript.
bOUCHERCON September 3-7 New Orleans
Saturday, September 13 3-5 p.m. Eastern
I'll be live online teaching a workshop on how to create dialogue.
Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
For details and to register, click on the button below.
fiction Sampler
Wednesday, September 17, 6 p.m. eastern
I'll be hosting an informal one-hour conversation about the ins and outs of writing fiction.
Bring your questions and concerns.
Sponsored by The Loft literary center in Minneapolis.
Creatures, Crimes, & Creativity (C3) Writers' Conference September 19-21 Columbia, Maryland
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Conference
WISCONSIN WRITERS ASSOCIATION Stevens Point October 3 & 4
Bestselling Wisconsin Author Patricia Skalka and I will lead a 2-hour intensive workshop
on how writing can help you heal from the pain of loss.
Click on the button below for details and to register.
"From novice to novelist"
September 24 - October 29 (6 Wednesdays)
7 p.m. Eastern
I'll be teaching this immersive writing master class for six weekly one-hour sessions online.
Sponsored by The Loft literary center in Minneapolis.
How to Write a Thriller Saturday, October 4 3 p.m. Eastern
Everything you need to know about how to write a thrilling page-turner.
Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
Click on the button below for details and to register
Keynote Address Saturday, October 25 9:30 a.m. eastern Baltimore
I'll be delivering the keynote address to the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Ask the Author Anything Saturday, November 1 3-4 p.m. Eastern
Got a work in progress but you're overwhelmed by the process? Thinking of writing a memoir or novel but you don't know where to begin? Got questions about the writing or publishing process? I can help in this live online FREE Q&A session. Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life. Click on the button below to register and get your Zoom link.
Writing in the voice of other genders Saturday, November 15 3 p.m. Eastern
If all your characters are just like you and the people in your narrow bubble, you're story is gonna be boring.
In this live online writing workshop, I'll help you widen your horizon so you can write characters of other genders, races, ages, nationalities, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life. For more details and to register, click on the button below.
facing your writing fears Saturday, December 6 3 p.m. eastern
Are you shy, introverted, both? Many--if not most--writers are. You love to write, but the thought of sharing your writing, or trying to find an agent is daunting. In this online workshop, I can help you understand your fears and unlock the courage within you. Sponsored by Prolific Writers Life. For details and to register, click on the button below.
SO FAR THIS YEAR.......
February 6: Book Talk. "Facing Your Writing Fears." Sponsored by the Eastern Shore [Maryland] Writers Association.
February 13: Book Club Talk: Met with Kim Gorman's book club in Potomac, Maryland to talk about my latest novel Enemies Domestic.
February 19: Led a session on "Writing in the Voice of Other Genders" live online. Hosted by the Annapolis chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association
February 23: Spoke on the topic "From Journalist to Novelist (Or How I learned to start making it up.)" online to the North Dallas, Texas chapter of Sisters in Crime
March 15: Suffolk, Virginia Authors Festival
March 18: Joined Linda Chavez and 9 other D.C.-area authors for an evening of readings from our works at Sonny's Pizza. Sponsored by The Inner Loop literary community.
March 20: Taught interviewing techniques to journalism students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland
March 22: Taught a class on how to write a thriller at the Chesapeake Writers Workshop in Arlington, Virginia near Washington, DC. Sponsored by Writing Day Workshops
March 25: Taught "How to Write a Thriller" online for The Writer's Center, Bethesda, Maryland
March 31: Interviewed by Emily Rich on "Shore Stories," WHCP (NPR/97.1fm), Cambridge, MD. Listen HERE
April 6: Enemies Domestic wins Grand Prize for best suspense thriller of 2024 at the Chanticleer writers' conference in Bellingham, Washington. Presenting the award was J.D. Barker who co-writes with James Patterson. HERE is my acceptance speech.
April 13: Taught online class "When Creativity Gets Chaotic: How to Stay Organized" for Prolific Writers Life
April 19: "Ask the Author Anything" - a live online conversation on the Prolific Writers Life site for anyone who wanted to discuss writing and publishing.
April 25-27: Malice Domestic Writers' Conference, Bethesda, Maryland. Moderated one panel and was on another, plus read the title role in “Sherlock Holmes & the Nefarious Baron” written by Hal Glatzer for the Malice Theater of the Air.
May 2-3: Lakefly Writers' Conference, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Best-selling Wisconsin author Patricia Skalka and I presented an in-depth workshop on writing as a way to deal with grief and loss.
May 10 - Spoke online to the San Diego chapter of Sisters in Crime on "From Journalist to Novelist (Or How I Learned to Start Making it Up)"