EVENTS - 2025
Radio Interview WHCP 91.7 fM Monday, March 17 6:30 p.m. Eastern
I'll be interviewed by Emily Rich on her "Shore Stories" program on WHCP (NPR/97.1fm). We'll discuss my latest novel, Enemies Domestic, and how it ties in with the current political maelstrom.
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.
Suffolk, Virginia Authors Festival Saturday, March 15
READING Tuesday, March 18 7 p.m. Eastern
I'll join Andy Shallal and 9 other D.C.-area authors for an evening of readings from our works. The event is free and open to the public at Sonny's Pizza, 3120 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20010. Sponsored by The Inner Loop literary community.
The Art of the Interview Thursday, March 20
I'll be teaching interviewing techniques to journalism students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland
Saturday, March 22 10:45-11:45 a.m. "Twists, Turns, and Tension: The Thriller Writer’s Playbook"
I'll be teaching a class on how to write a thriller in person at the day-long Chesapeake Writers Workshop in Washington, DC. Sponsored by Writing Day Workshops
Saturday, March 22 3 p.m. Eastern
Let me help you bring the scene you see in your head onto the page so that it's just as vivid for your reader as it is for you. This online writing workshop is sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
How to Write a Thriller Tuesday, March 25 7-9 p.m. Eastern
I'll be leading this live, online writing workshop sponsored by The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For details, and to register, click on the button below.
Chanticleer Author Conference April 3-6 Bellingham, Washington
I'm on the faculty for this year's Chanticleer Author Conference in Bellingham, Washington where my latest novel, Enemies Domestic, is a finalist for the 2024 Clue Award for Suspense/Thriller Fiction.
Saturday, April 12 3 p.m. Eastern
When your creativity gets chaotic, let me help you come up with a simple organizational system so that the tail isn't wagging the dog. This online writing workshop is sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
"Ask the Author anything" Saturday, April 19 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.
Malice Domestic Writers' Conference April 25-27 Bethesda, Maryland
I'll be a busy guy at this year's Malice Domestic Writers' Conference in Bethesda, Maryland near D.C.: I'll be moderating the panel Writing in Turbulent Times (fellow panelists: Dana King, Kate Michaelson, Neil Plakcy, and Jule Selbo); I'll also be on the panel The Ethics of Fictional Detectives moderated by Bill Gormley. Fellow panelists: Annette Dashofy, Rabbi Ilene Schneider, and Gabriel Valjan. And I have the title role in Theater of the Air “Sherlock Holmes & the Nefarious Baron” written by Hal Glatzer. This will be a fun conference. Click on the button below for more details and to register.
"Writing Through the pain of loss" May 2-3 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
I'll be joined by best-selling Wisconsin author Patricia Skalka at the Lakefly Writers Conference in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where we'll present an in-depth workshop on writing as a way to deal with grief and loss.
Saturday, May 10 3 p.m. Eastern
Our society urges you to anesthetize your personal pain. I'll help you mine your pain so that it can be therapeutic for you and helpful for your reader. This online writing workshop is sponsored by Prolific Writers Life.
"From Journalist to novelist: (Or How I learned to start making it up)" Saturday, May 10 5 p.m. Eastern
I'll be discussing my 45-year-career in journalism (25 years at CNN) and how that led me to become an award-winning novelist. (I'm as surprised as you are.) This event will be online and free. Sponsored by the San Diego, California chapter of Sisters in Crime. Novelist Carl Vonderau will also be interviewing me.
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
"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