July to December 2024 Writing Workshops

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

July 7 – 13, 2024 Kenyon Review Fiction Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio offers online programs for adults and young writers. https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/

July 8 – 15, 2024 Squaw Valley Writer's Conference, Olympic Valley, California. https://communityofwriters.org/workshops/writers-workshops

July 8 – 14, 2024 Fishtrap Summer Weekend, Wallowa Lake Lodge, Joseph. https://fishtrap.org/summer-fishtrap/

July 10 – 14. 2024 Southampton Writers Conference, Southampton, New York to be announced. https://www.stonybrook.edu/writers/

July 11 - 13, 2024 Midwest Writers Workshop, Muncie, Indiana, https://www.midwestwriters.org/

July 14 – 21, 2024 Tin House Summer Workshop, Portland, Oregon, https://tinhouse.com/workshop/summer-workshop-2/

July 16 – 28, 2024 Sewanee Writers’ Conference, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. http://www.sewaneewriters.org/

July 14 - 20, 2024 Port Townsend Writers Conference in Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA https://centrum.org/the-port-townsend-writers-conference/

July 16 – 18, 2024 Sewanee Writers Conference, Sewanee, Tennessee, http://www.sewaneewriters.org/conference/index.html

July 19 – 21, 2024 Book Passage Mystery Writer’s Conference at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925 https://www.bookpassage.com/mystery

July 19 – 20, 2024 Writing Heights Writers Conference Our conference sessions will take place both in-person and online. https://www.writingheights.com/page/conference

July 20 - 22, 2024 Sun Valley Writers Conference in Ketchum, Idaho. https://svwc.com/

July 31 – August 3, 2024 Romance Writers of America Conference in Austin, Texas https://www.rwa.org/

August 1 - 3, 2024 Mendocino Coast Writers Conference in Mendocino, Calfornia http://mcwc.org

August 16 0 18, 2024 When Worlds Collide Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South,135 Southland Drive SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5X5 https://www.whenwordscollide.org/

August 22 - 25, 2024 Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference Franklin, Tennessee, https://killernashville.com/

August 28 to September 1, 2024 Boucheron in Nashville, Tennessee https://www.bouchercon2024.com/

August 29 – September 2, 2024 Bear River Writers' Conference. Boyne City, Michigan. https://lsa.umich.edu/bearriver

September 4 – 7, 2024 GayRomLit Retreat Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel  Virginia https://www.gayromlit.com/ 

September 13 – 18, 2024 Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity Doubletree Hilton Hotel Columbia MD https://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com/

September 26 – 29, 2024 Sleuthfest at the Hilton Bayfront, St. Petersburg, Florida https://sleuthfest.com/

September 27 – 29, 2024 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Workshop will be held at the Hyatt -Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. https://rmfw.org/

October 5 – 6, 2024 DFW Writers Conference (DFWCon), Dallas- Fort Worth Texas. Check site for registration dates. https://dfwcon.org/

October 24 – 26, 2024 Annual James River Writers Annual Conference. Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia with a Master Class on the 23^rd. https://jamesriverwriters.org/

October 25 – 27, 2024 Surry International Writers Conference, Surry, British Columbia, Canada will be a virtual event. https://www.siwc.ca

November 11 – 17, 2024 Kauai Writers Conference Kauai There are also year-round online events. http://www.kauaiwritersconference.com

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

 

April to June Writing Workshops

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

April 4 – 6, 2024 Tennessee Mountain Writers annual conference at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oakridge, Tennessee. https://tmwi.org/

April 4 – 6, 2024 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, workshop is a hybrid in person and virtual event. https://udayton.edu/artssciences/initiatives/erma/index.php

April 11 – 14, 2024 Left Coast Crime Trouble in Tucson in Seattle, Washington http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/

April 15, 2024 A Rally For Writers Conference in Michigan. https://arallyofwriters.wordpress.com/

April 18 - 20, 2024 Chicago North RWA Spring Fling Conference Chicago Renaissance O’Hare—and online Registration begins Fall 2023. http://chicagospringfling.com/

April 18 – 21, 2024 Chanticleer Authors Conference, Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham, Washington.https://www.chantireviews.com/chanticleer-conference/

April 19 – 21, 2024 Clockwork Alchemy Steampunk Conference at the San Mateo Marriott. Panel discussions on all things steampunk.  http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/#/about

April 25 – 28, 2024 Pikes Peak Writers Conference will be held at the Colorado Springs Doubletree Hilton Hotel. https://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc

April 26 – 28, 2024 Ravencon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention will take place at the Virginia Crossings by Hilton in Glen Allen, Virginia. http://www.ravencon.com/

April 26 – 29, 2024 Malice Domestic Bethesda Maryland, http://malicedomestic.org/

April 26 – 28, 2024 Pikes Peak Writers Conference Colorado Springs Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. https://conference.pikespeakwriters.org/

May 3 – 5, 2024 Gold Rush Writer Conference in Mokelumne Hill, CA. http://www.goldrushwriters.com/

May 3 – 4, 2024 Lakefly Writers Conference will be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center in Wisconsin. https://lakeflywriters.org/

May 3 – 4, 2024 Atlanta Writers Conference, is an in-person event. Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel https://atlantawritersconference.com/

May 4, 2024 Writing Conference of Los Angeles https://writingconferenceoflosangeles.com/

May 10 – 12, 2024 GrubStreet The Muse and the Marketplace Conference Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts http://museandthemarketplace.com/

May 9 – 11, 2024 Storymakers Conference is Provo Utah Valley Convention Center Provo, Utah https://ldstorymakersconference.com/ 

May 11 - 18, 2024 Longleaf Writers' Conference, Seaside, Florida.www.longleafwritersconference.com

May 18 - 21, 2024 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference Kachemak Bay Campus in downtown Homer, Alaska. http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu/

May 26 – 30, 2024 Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference, Asheville, NC https://www.blueridgeconference.com/

May 29 – June 1, 2024 North Words Writers Symposium, Skagway, http://nwwriterss.com/

May 30 - June 3, 2024 ThrillerFest XVIII is at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, NY. http://thrillerfest.com/

May 30 – June 2, 2024 Stokercon Horror Conference, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, San Diego, California https://www.stokercon2024.com/

May 31 – June 1, 2024 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop, in Pittsburgh, PA will be an online event. https://pittsburghwritingworkshop.com/

May 31-Jun 2, 2024 CrimeCon in Nashville, Tennessee, https://www.crimecon.com/

June 6 – 9, 2024 Writer’s Police Academy/Killer Con in Greenbay, Wisconsin https://writerspoliceacademy.com/ 

June 6 – 9, 2024 Indiana University Writers' Conference, Bloomington, Indiana will be an in person event this year. https://iuwc.indiana.edu/

June 26 – 28, 2025 Historical Novel Society Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada looks like they are skipping 2024. http://hns-conference.org

June 9 – 15, 2024 Kenyon Review Fiction Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio offers online programs for adults and young writers.  https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/

June 9 - 15, 2024 Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Mar Monte Santa Barbara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California. http://www.sbwriters.com/

June 16 - 22, 2024 Chesapeake Writers’ Conference at the St. Mary's College of Maryland. https://www.smcm.edu/events/chesapeake-writers-conference/

June 16 – July 27, 2024 Clarion West Six Week Workshop, Seattle, Washington, https://www.clarionwest.org/programs/summerworkshop/

June 23- July 20, 2024 New York State Summer Writers Institute, Skidmore College, New. https://www.skidmore.edu/summerwriters/

June 24 - 29, 2024 Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference, Bemidji State University, Minnesota. Conference will be in person.  http://www.northwoodswriters.org

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

 

Writing Conferences Dates To Be Announced

 Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

Alaska Writers Guild Conference. Check site for updated information on the 2024 event. The 2023 event was September 29-30 at Rasmuson Hall, University of Alaska in Anchorage. https://www.alaskawritersguild.com/

Annual Digital Author and Indie Publishing Writers Conference TBA http://wcwriters.com/aglawc/index.html

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers, University of Houston, Texas details to be announced. 2023 was in May. http://boldfaceconference.com/

BookCon in Midtown Manhattan, check their site for updates regarding the 2024 event. http://www.thebookcon.com/

Book Lovers Convention,TBA https://www.bookloverscon.com/

Blue Ridge Writers Conference in Blue Ridge Georgia.https://www.blueridgewritersconference.com/

Broadleaf Writers Conference Decatur Library, Decatur, Georgia. Dates TBA http://broadleafwriters.com/

California Crime Writers Conference TBA Hilton Los Angeles Culver City, California https://ccwconference.org/

Cape Cod Writers Center Conference TBA Massachusetts https://capecodwriterscenter.org/

Castle Rock Writers' Conference, Castle Rock, Colorado.  To be announced. Check their site for updates. The 2023 event was end of September. http://castlerockwriters.com/

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference TBA has multiple events at Arizona State https://piper.asu.edu/conference

Door County Young Writers Conference has not announced the date for the in-person event at Sturgeon Bay High School. Check their site for other online classes and events throughout the year. https://writeondoorcounty.org/

Fine Arts Residency Conference Pacific University campus, Forest Grove, Oregon. The ten-day residency takes place twice a year and is open for registration. Dates TBA. There are other workshops available as well. https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference

Hampton Roads Writers holds events throughout the year. Check their site for schedule and details. The 2023 Conference was in November. http://hamptonroadswriters.org/

Highlights Foundation holds classes and virtual workshops throughout the year, live and virtual events. Visit their site for details. https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-workshops/

Historical Romance Retreat TBA  in San Diego, California. https://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/

Jackson Hole Writer’s Conference TBA Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole, Wyoming offers monthly workshops in addition to the conference http://jacksonholewritersconference.com

Juniper Institute for Young Writers, Amherst, Massachusetts. Event is for high school students finishing grades 9, 10, or 11. There are online events. No conference has been announced for 2024. Visit the site for more information. https://www.umass.edu/juniperyoungwriters

Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, Elizabethtown, Kentucky TBA. The 2023 conference was in October. http://www.kychristianwriters.com/

Main Crime Wave Portland, Oregon dates to be announced.

Men of Mystery Conference to be announced. https://www.menofmystery.org/

Napa Valley Writers Conference TBA will be held in Napa California at the Napa campus of Napa Valley College http://www.napawritersconference.org/

North Carolina Writers Conference holds multiple events each year. There will be a spring and summer conference as well as workshops throughout the year. https://www.ncwriters.org/programs-and-services/conferences

Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire Odyssey offers three workshops a year and ongoing online resources such as classes, webinars, critiques, podcasts, etc. Check their site for dates. http://www.odysseyworkshop.org/

The Pacific University Residency Writers Conference TBA Forest Grove, Oregon https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference

Pennwriters Annual Conference offers multiple online events. No conference data announced yet for 2024. https://pennwriters.org/

PNWA Annual Writer's Conference TBA registrations began in September 2023. https://www.pnwa.org/page/conference

Rochester Writers Conference 16^th Annual TBA Held at Oakland University.  https://rochesterwriters.com/

Sanibel Writers Conference was held in November in 2023. Dates for 2024 TBA. https://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/

Summer Writing Program at The Capitalocene Naropa University, Boulder. TBA Check their site for updates. https://www.naropa.edu/academics/swp/

Vermont College of Fine Arts Novel Retreat, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont. will be an on-campus retreat. https://vcfa.edu/novel-retreat/

Voices of Our National Conference. Miami, Florida holds several events throughout the year. https://www.vonavoices.org

The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, New York, NY. To Be Announced. Check site for plans for the 2024 conference. http://writersdigestconference.com/

Writers' League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference, Austin, Texas. Check site for updates on the 2024 summer conference. There are other events throughout the year. https://writersleague.org/programs/summer-writing-retreat/

Writers Studio at UCLA Extension in Westwood Village has been shifted to the summer. Check site for dates. There are other events and opportunities during the year. http://writers.uclaextension.edu/writers-studio/

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

Writing Conferences January to March 2024

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

 Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

January 7 – 11, 2024 Key West Literary Seminar and Writers' Workshop Program, Key West, Florida http://www.kwls.org/writers_workshops/

January 12 - 15, 2024 Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway at Seaview Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ There are also online events during the year. https://wintergetaway.com/

January 12 - 15, 2024 The Colrain Poetry Intensive online event via Zoom. http://www.colrainpoetry.com/

January 13 - 20, 2024 Annual Writers In Paradise Conference, Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida http://www.writersinparadise.com/

February 2 – 3, 2024 Rhode Island Romance Writers Retreat, in Middletown-Newport, Rhode Island will be an online zoom event. https://www.rirw.org/retreat/

February 3, 2024 Murder in the Magic City, Homewood Library, Birmingham, Alabama is an in-person event. http://www.mmcmysteryconference.com/

February 7 - 10, 2024 Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference & Bookfair, Kansas City, Missouri https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/

February 8 -10, 2024 Superstars Writing Seminars, Colorado Springs, Colorado. There is a one-day intensive on February 7, 2024 as well. http://superstarswriting.com/

February 9 – 11, 2024 SCBWI Conference New York Hilton Midtown New York https://www.scbwi.org/events

February 15 - 16, 2024 Life, the Universe and Everything Conference Marriott Hotel in Provo, Utah. http://ltue.net/

February 15 – 18, 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference Hyatt Regency in San Francisco will be an in-person event. https://sfwriters.org/

February 15 – 19, 2024 The Savannah Book Festival  https://www.savannahbookfestival.org/

February 16 - 18, 2024 Southern California Writers Conference San Diego, California. http://writersconference.com/sd/

February 19 – 23, 2024 San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival, Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel, Mexico https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org/ 

February 22 – 25, 2024 Coastal Magic Convention, Urban Paranormal, Fantasy, & Romance in Daytona Beach http://coastalmagicconvention.com/

February 24, 2024 Amelia Island Book Festival https://www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org/

March 4 – 10, 2024 Breakout Novel Intensive in Hood River Oregon https://www.free-expressions.com/breakout-novel-intensive-hood-river-or

March 7 - 10, 2024 Futurescapes Conference at Utah Valley University will be a virtual event. http://www.futurescapes.ink/

March 9 - 10, 2024 Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona Campus plans an in-person event this year. http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/

March 9, 2024 Bay To Ocean Writers Conference at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland Writing workshops, craft sessions, readings and more every Thursday night from 7:30-9 PM on Zoom. Free & open to all. https://www.easternshorewriters.org/

March 14 - 17, 2024 New York Pitch has a live event in NYC. https://newyorkpitchconference.com

March 15 - 16, 2024 Mid-South Christian Writers Conference in-person conference at the First Baptist Church in Collierville, Tennessee https://www.midsouthchristianwriters.com/

March 16, 2024 Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in Suffolk, Virginia https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/

March 17 – 23, 2024 Sirenland Writer's Conference, https://sirenland.net/

March 19- 24, 2024 Get Away to Write Retreat, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Registration open now. There are other online events during the year. https://murphywriting.com/writing-workshops-retreats/

March 20 – 23, 2024 Wild Seeds Writers Retreat at Medgar Evers College, CUNY in Brooklyn, NY. https://centerforblackliterature.org/

March 20 - 23, 2024 The National Black Writers Conference in Brooklyn, New York. https://centerforblackliterature.org

March 22 - 24, 2024 Chicago Writers Association Conference, Warwick Allerton in Chicago, Illinois https://www.chicagowrites.org/conference

March 23, 2024 Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hamilton, NJ http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/conference/

March 23 - 25, 2024 54th University of North Dakota Writers  https://und.edu/writers-conference/

March 28 – 31, 2024 Norwescon Between Two Worlds SeaTac, Washington, https://www.norwescon.org/

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

The Magic of Mark Budman

 I just finished the most delightful book by Mark Budman, The Shape-Shifter's Guide to Time Travel.

It is suitable for any age, not just YA. The main character, Rose, travels to the last land of magic in the modern world, fictional Temnova, as an exchange student. She teams up with the Prince of Talents, an advanced shape-shifter named Gavrilo. Together they must go back in time to find an antidote to a drug that suppresses the power to shift. The government has imprisoned the rebel leader and only the antidote can free her and aid their cause to overthrow the totalitarian dictatorship.

The narrative voice makes the characters and setting come alive in a truly divine way. I'd give it six stars if they were available. 

Mark Budman is a first-generation immigrant. His fiction has appeared in Catapult, Witness, World Literature Today, Mississippi Review, The London Magazine (UK), McSweeney’s, Painted Bride Quarterly, and elsewhere. He is the author of the novel My Life at First Try, published by Counterpoint, and co-editor of immigration-themed anthologies published by Ooligan Press, Persea, and the University of Chester (UK). One of his short story collections from Livingston Press received a starred review at Kirkus and another received an honorable mention by the Forward Indies 2022 Award.

I had the pleasure of chatting with him about his writing career.

1.  What led you to your path as a writer?

As soon as I learned the letters, I began to put them together, and I enjoyed the process so much that I switched to assembling words. The sentences came a little later. By the time I progressed to novels, I immigrated to America and had to learn another language.

2. Are you a plotter, pantser, or combination?

A pantser all the way. That is why my pants need replacement more often than the rest of my wardrobe.

 3. How has your background as an immigrant informed your writing?

I answered a bit in #1 but in addition, I consider myself a champion of immigrant fiction and as such I co-edited an immigrant-themed anthology and penned an immigrant-themed novel and two short story collections. All were moderately successful. For someone who learned English at the age of 30.

4. What was your inspiration for The Shape-Shifter’s Guide to Time Travel?

I love fantasy. I love the what if question. I asked myself, what would happen if two people with disparate powers fell and love and combined their powers? What if this would have happened in an oppressive country like my native Soviet Union?

5. Is there anything you would like your readers to take away from this book?

Be young in spirit and adventurous no matter how old you are. And have a good friend. They come in handy. Just come in handy for them as well.

6. You write multiple genres. Do you have a favorite?

Magic realism is my number one love. To combine realistic and surreal in one believable blend. If you make it real, what can be more magical?

7. What is your advice for someone who dreams of writing?

If you have a wish, don't squish it. Work hard and turn the naysayers into admirers. 

8. Do you have a favorite author or two?

Mikhail Bulgakov. I reread his Master and Margarita several times. I imagined myself both of them but not at the same time.

9.  What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Watch fantasy shows. Currently, it's Foundation.

While I believe anyone can learn the craft of writing, some are just born with natural wit and story-weaving capability that sets them apart. Mark Budman is a natural. In addition to devouring the Shape-Shifter's Guide to Time Travel, I have his book The Armor Thieves on my Kindle to read next. Pick up your copies today!

https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Shifters-Guide-Time-Travel-ebook/dp/B09BBY2QYG/r

https://www.amazon.com/Armor-Thieves-Mark-Budman-ebook/dp/B0BN7182CD/

In a country ignored by most search engines, Andrey and Nina, a brother and sister, take opposite sides in a civil war. Both wear the pieces of an ancient queen’s armor protecting them and only them from any modern weapon and from each other. They both are brilliant and attached to their causes. He’s twenty. She’s eighteen. He’s a modest archivist. She’s a rising star in the Secret Police. He’s a newbie superhero, and she’s a novice super-villain. He loves her. She hates him and his friend Vesna. She wants to fight. He has to fight. Only one can win but many can lose as a result.

I look forward to reading many more stories from this talented author. 

Fierce and Funny Marti MacGibbon

One of my personal heroes is the amazing Marti MacGibbon. We met one day when she and her husband knocked on our door with a petition to keep a self-storage facility from being built next to the elementary school. We happily signed. They had moved in a few houses down and my husband and I were thrilled to find kindred spirits.

When I mentioned I wrote books, Marti told me about her self-published memoir Never Give In To Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom. Memoir is not my usual jam, but I purchased it and loved it. With her gallows humor, Marti wrote about her move to California to work in comedy which soon turned into a nightmare of homelessness, addiction, and being sex trafficked to the Japanese Yakuza. 

Marti not only survived but thrived, using her experiences to help others. She gained professional certifications in ACRPS, (Advanced Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist, and the CAPMS (Certified Addiction-Free Pain Management Specialist) and became a public speaker on the issues of addiction and sex trafficking. She has traveled the globe and been invited to speak at the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office for Victims of Crime on mental health and policy advocacy. Returning to her love of standup, Marti was founder, producer, and emcee of Laff-Aholics Standup Comedy Benefit for Recovery, an annual charity fundraiser in Indianapolis that features nationally headlining comedians.

Never Give Into Fear became a national award-winning and critically acclaimed memoir. She followed it up with her award-winning Fierce, Funny, and Female in which Marti takes us to the oil fields in Texas where she was one of the first women to work as a laborer, setting off explosives and staking oil wells. The memoir is dotted with memorable characters: sleazy authority figures, wannabe Sixties musicians, crazed Corn Belt cult leaders, wild-eyed redneck coworkers who robbed banks on their lunch hour in the company truck, Texas oil billionaires and wildcatters.

We both left Indianapolis, moving to opposite coasts, but I have enjoyed watching her spread her wings and soar, giving back to a world that took so much from her. She is a bad-ass warrior woman and I can't wait to see what she does next.

You can learn more about Marti and connect with her on social media and view her inspirational talks and comedy on her YouTube channel.

https://martimacgibbon.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MartiMac

https://twitter.com/MartiMacG

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martimacgibbon

https://www.amazon.com/Never-Give-Fear-Laughing-Bottom/dp/098600670X/

https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Funny-Female-Journey-Through/dp/0986006734/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2x9-WrvFAuHrUc00GvjEQ

 

Afro-Futurism and Fantasy with Author Rita Woods

I have the good fortune to present the amazing writer and physician, and someone I call friend, Dr. Rita Woods. She is the author of two fantasy novels Remembrance which was released in January 2020 and The Last Dreamwalker in September 2022 by Forge Books.

The books are considered part of the Afro-Futurism movement which consists of books, movies, and other art forms with futuristic or science fiction elements incorporating black history and culture.  

Rita's first book Remembrance was picked up by Tor/Forge in 2018

Spanning three centuries, Remembrance is the story of four women connected both by their individual powers and tragedy. They are linked across the centuries through Mother Abigail, a voodoo priestess who uses her powers to create Remembrance, a parallel universe that is a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Remembrance was a long road to publication. Rita met Joanna Volpe at a conference in 2009. It would take many revisions and submission rounds before the story was sold. 

How did you handle the requests that you significantly change Remembrance?

“I struggled with their requests at first. Not all of the suggestions were problematic. Many of the questions surrounding the story regarding arc, character development, etc. required some deep diving into areas that initially had not seemed central to the story. In the back and forth (which was quite a bit) the story continued to evolve. There is also the element of being a debut author and not feeling confident to question some things. Early on, acquisition editors wanted to know more about the adult characters. Then they asked for a contemporary character. So the character Gaelle was added. The story went from young adult fantasy to Black & African American Historical Fiction and Black & African American Women's Fiction. I feel more confident now about standing up for a story and saying no if I think a change will hurt it.”

How did the acquisition process work and how does the advance payment work?

"Remembrance went through several rounds of submissions before it found a home at Forge Books. The first half of the advance is paid upon delivery of finished manuscript. The second half is paid when final edits are completed and approved. You have to earn back your advance before you earn royalties, which Remembrance has done. I received my first royalty check with my first advance for the second book. I received a five figure advance, but still work as a full-time physician. After the book is submitted, the editor sends notes, usually one to five pages of suggestions and issues. My editor is all about motivation. Why does this happen? Why does the character do that? Then the pages are returned for thoughts. Next are extensive line edits.These are painful. Every character and locale is given a sheet to track continuity, arc, etc. In Remembrance, the level of detail included notations that streets have a period after them and avenues do not and discussions as to what exact year St. Louis Cathedral became a cathedral and stopped being referred to as a church and what the exact GPS coordinates of the Atchaflaya Basin were relative to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Final copy edits and ARCs are then done and approved. The second advance check is cut. We are now in the process of interviewing voice actors for the audible version of Remembrance. Not all authors have this much input into the audible version and cover design but this was both contractual and a function of the collaborative team at Forge."

 What was it like once the book was released? What is expected of you as an author?

"I really enjoyed traveling around the country for live events. I thrived on hearing from readers about the way the book inspired them and what they took from it. Every reader is unique and comes to a story with a different viewpoint. I would fly to destinations once or twice a week, often fielding texts about the next book. I still attend events and interviews a couple of times a week, occasionally twice in a day. Speaker fees run $50 to $1000 for a first time author. When the shutdown happened, everything went to Zoom. Then Zoom conferences started getting hacked and we had to switch to Comcast. I miss the audiences. I have been interviewed by well-known writers such as Veronica Roth, TJ Klune, Hank Phillipi Ryan, and Joshilyn Jackson.You are expected to continually post on social media. There is also the expectation that you will write multiple essays (I think I ended up writing close to a dozen) for inclusion in different magazines and papers, blog posts, even a short story, prior to launch. So it has been really exciting, but also very busy."

Remembrance earned you an additional two book deal. How is that going?

"Before you finish the first book, they are asking for pages for the next book and the process starts all over again. The next book to be released is titled The Last Dreamwalkers and is due to be published in Spring of 2022. The first draft of the third book, which is still in the concept phase, is due May of 2022."

How did the pandemic affect you?

"There were days when I wondered, 'Why does this matter?' I know people are looking to art and literature for comfort and escape but when the whole world feels like it is on fire, you ask yourself, 'What is the point?' I have editors with goals for me to hit, though. So I persist."

Rita went on to release The Last Dreamwalker in September 2022. In the wake of her mother's passing, Layla Hurley unexpectedly reconnects with her mother's sisters, women she hasn't been allowed to speak to, or of, in years. Her aunts reveal to Layla that a Gullah-Geechee island off the shore of South Carolina now belongs to her. As Layla digs deeper into her mother’s past and the mysterious island’s history, she discovers that the terrifying nightmares that have plagued her throughout her life and tainted her relationship with her mother and all of her family, is actually a power passed down through generations of her Gullah ancestors. She is a Dreamwalker, able to inhabit the dreams of others—and to manipulate them. As Layla uncovers increasingly dark secrets about her family's past, she finds herself thrust into the center of a potentially deadly, decades-old feud fought in the dark corridor of dreams. The Last Dreamwalker is a gripping, contemporary read about power and agency; family and legacy; and the ways trauma, secrets, and magic take shape across generations.

Since the pandemic has waned, Rita is back on the road, promoting and attending writing panels and events. She is hard at work on her third book.

Any final words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

"I read somewhere recently: Writing is art. Publishing is a business. And I think that is the truest way to capture it. If you want to write then write. It is incredibly important to find a tribe. People who will give you support, honest feedback and keep you on task. Writers are some of the most generous people I have ever met. But writing is hard work."

Thank you for the gift of your work and a glimpse inside the life of a traditionally published author.

I thoroughly enjoyed Remembrance and highly recommend it. I loved The Last Dreamwalker more. I critiqued some of the first draft and was thrilled to see it realized in print. I cannot wait for her next book.

Rita is, in my humble opinion, one of the best wordsmiths of our age. Even her first drafts are magical. Members of the Ladyscribes are lucky to have found one another. Having a supportive and knowledgeable critique group is invaluable.

 You can follow Dr. Woods on:

https://ritawoodswrites.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rita.woods.14

https://twitter.com/RitaWoodsAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/ritawoods723/

Miss Fisher's Mysteries

If you haven't been introduced to Kerry Greenwood's twenty-two book cozy mystery series set in 1920s Melbourne, Australia, you are in for a treat. I streamed the entire series and read all the books in 2020. I can't wait for the latest release coming in November of this year.

Phrynne Fisher (pronounced fry-nee) is a delightful amateur sleuth. Her war experience and intelligence work make her capacity for finding trouble believable. Her rags to unexpected riches backstory means Phrynne is free to do as she pleases and does not care who she offends. She returns to Australia from England, after a brief post war detour as a bohemian in Paris, to set up shop as a detective. In the television series, the costumes and sets are a feast for the eyes.

I was amused recently to read the story of Phryne (meaning toad) of Greek mythology fame. Phryne was an ancient Greek courtesan. Born in Thespiae in Boeotia, she became a muse for artists and was one of the wealthiest women in Greece. Free-spirited mystery-solving Phrynne is the perfect namesake. Both women do as they please and are loved for it. I am certain a series about the Greek Phryne would be equally entertaining.

The first television series follows the books fairly closely, with two exceptions I will discuss later. The writers were successful in maintaining the characters and feel of the books in the subsequent cases.

Relationships in the books are slightly different than in the series. In the books, Phrynne's butler, Mr. Butler, is married and his wife is the cook and housekeeper. I assume they cut her to limit the cast and make more work for Phrynne's maid Dot Williams. Dot and her beau, officer Hugh Collins, play a significant part in both books and TV.

The second departure from the books is more interesting. In the books, Inspector John "call me Jack" Robinson is a happily married orchid grower. In the television series, Jack is unhappily married then divorced and free to declare his love for Phrynne. There was no romantic entanglement in the books.

The adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth, and cabbies/war veterans Bert and Cec are part of the crime solving gang in both books and TV.

The television series invented a sister, Janey, that was kidnapped and murdered when Phrynne was young and sets up a motive for Phrynne's determination to seek justice. In the books, Phrynne had a younger sister that died of diphtheria which may have been the inspiration for the fictional Janey. 

Phrynne's mother and father were very much alive in the books. In The Castlemaine Murders, Phrynne's younger sister Eliza/Beth is introduced and a brother Thomas, who is studying at Eton, is mentioned. Eliza moved to Melbourne to escape her parents and chooses to live with a lesbian partner and the two work together on feminist issues.

Phrynne is devoted to free love and does not hesitate to have carnal relations with any man she sets her sights on. She deplores the loss of so many "beautiful boys" during the war. She has an affair with Lin Chung in the books and series, even after he is married.

Phrynne's sexual exploits lead to two of the book plots that were changed for the television series. In book #16 Murder in the Dark, Phrynne attends an orgy called The Last Best Party. The series kept the idea of the costume party, but omitted the prominent sex and drugs.

In book #5 The Green Mill Murder, Phrynne flies her Gypsy Moth Rigel into the Autralian Alps to see Vic, a veteran with PTSD. There is a dog called Lucky and a wombat living under his bunk. Phrynne stays for quite a while, enjoying the solitude and the sex before returning to real life. The television episode with the title focused on the murder at a Jazz club. There is a brief flight to meet up with Vic, portrayed as former love interest and heir to an estate, to ask him to return. Longing glances are the only thing exchanged in the episode.

A spinoff, Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, was broadcast in 2019 and 2020. The two-season series features Peregrine Fisher, explained as the daughter of  a half- sister, Annabelle, who was the result of an affair by Phrynne’s father. I am not sure why the series creators ignored Phrynne's existing fictional family, all of whom would have made more sense as heirs. At the very least, if the rest of the family had died, it could have been Thomas's daughter. Ah, well, ours is not to reason why.

Peregrine inherits Phrynne's estate when Phrynne goes missing. With the help of the Adventuress's Club, Peregrine, played by Geraldine Hakewill, continues her aunt's penchant for investigation.

I highly recommend the books and the television series. The wonderful Australian actress Essie Davis portrays Phrynne to perfection. After the third series, Essie's move to London made filming complicated. She agreed to a movie, The Crypt of Tears, released in 2020. Will there be another movie? Status unknown, but I hope so. 

Greenwood published a new book in the series #21 Death in Daylesford in 2021. She is publishing a new book in November 2023:#22 Murder in Williamstown. You can pre-order a copy today and there is still plenty of time to binge or reread the entire series.

Follow her on Amazon for news about her new releases: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kerry-Greenwood/author/B004MLDPYQ?.

Phryne Fisher Books In Order 

Phryne Fisher Television Series 

Miss Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries