WORKSHOP: Elements of Fiction: Dialogue
Saturday, March 24, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
The Writer’s Center
4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD
Having trouble getting your dialogue to sparkle? In this workshop, you will see that writing realistic-sounding dialogue has little to do with how people actually speak. You’ll learn how to use dialogue to advance the plot and reveal character, and we’ll cover the effective use of tags, oblique dialogue, and subtext. In addition, we’ll discuss how to incorporate actions within conversations to make written scenes spring to life. Don’t let one of the most important building blocks of fiction fall flat!
WORKSHOP: BICFOK – Finish that First Draft!
Saturday, March 24, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
The Writer’s Center
4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD
If you’re having trouble finishing a draft of your novel, this workshop is for you. We’ll explore strategies for overcoming common writing obstacles and distractions that might be preventing you from typing THE END. We’ll discuss writing quotas, outlining, BICFOK (butt-in-chair, fingers-on-keyboard), and other techniques for getting the words down and keeping them flowing. Tips for conquering so-called “writer’s block” will also be covered. Shift your writing out of “Neutral” and into high gear!
Double Launch Party: THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD and I KNOW WHAT YOU BID LAST SUMMER
Saturday, April 7, 4:00
One More Page Books
2200 N. Westmoreland Street
Arlington, VA 22213
Join Sherry Harris, author of I KNOW WHAT YOU BID LAST SUMMER, and Ed Aymar, editor/contributor of THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD (and me, contributor to FLOOD), as we launch our respective books in NoVA! Fun, cake, and books! What more could you ask for?
WORKSHOP: Writing the Dreaded Query Letter
DC Author Festival 2018, sponsored by DC Public Library
Saturday, April 21, time TBD, FREE
Library of Congress
James Madison Memorial Building
101 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20540
You’ve spent months (or years) of your life—not to mention copious amounts of blood, sweat, and tears—writing a dynamite novel. Don’t simply spend five minutes slapping together a weak query letter; you owe it to yourself to write a great one that will break through the slush-clutter at top literary agencies. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to entice your dream agent into reading your masterpiece by writing a tight query that really sings (while avoiding those pitfalls that will land your query in the trash). I’ll also outline my “A-B-C” submission strategy while highlighting some valuable targeting resources. Note: primarily intended for novel writers.
Kensington Book Festival
April 22, 2018, 11 am – 4 pm
3786 Howard Ave
Kensington, MD 20895
Look for the Mystery Writers of America – Mid-Atlantic Chapter tent!
Malice Domestic Mystery Convention
April 27 – 29, 2018
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
North Bethesda, MD 20852
My panel: Crime Fiction: Short & Sweet
Saturday, April 28, 10:00 – 10:50
Teresa Inge — Moderator
Peter Hayes
Alan Orloff
Kathryn O’Sullivan
Cathi Stoler
Maureen Walsh
A gathering of mystery lovers–readers, fans, writers, experts–from all over the world!
Noir at the Bar
May 5, 2018, 7:00 pm
The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
D.C. crime writers read their stuff. Fun. Dangerous. Edgy.
Gaithersburg Book Festival
May 19, 2018, 10 am – 6 pm
Gaithersburg City Hall
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Fantastic festival for book lovers of all kinds! Don’t miss this one!
Launch Party for CHESAPEAKE CRIMES: FUR, FEATHERS, AND FELONIES
May 20, 2018, 2 pm – 4 pm
Arlington Central Library
1015 N. Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22201
Help the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime celebrate their newest anthology of great short stories! Open to the public!
ThrillerFest XIII
July 10 – 14, 2018
Grand Hyatt
109 East 42nd St at Grand Central
New York, NY 20017
The ultimate gathering of thriller fans in the world!
SinC Mystery Author Panel
August 22, time TBD
Lorton Library
9520 Richmond Highway
Lorton, VA 22079-2124
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention
September 6 – 9, 2018
Vinoy Renaissance Resort
St. Petersburg, FL
Mystery Author Extravaganza I
TBD
TBD
Authors from the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime will be discussing their new work. Books available for purchase and signing, just in time for the holidays. Refreshments, too!
Mystery Author Extravaganza II
TBD
Reston Regional Library (Fairfax County Library)
11925 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA 20190-3311
Authors from the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime will be discussing their new work. Books available for purchase and signing, just in time for the holidays!