Happy 2018!

Happy 2018, everyone! I hope it’s a great year for you…

I’m making plans for 2018 (I like plans better than resolutions, which always seem a little vague), with equal parts writing and reading in the comfort of my office, as well as getting out into the world. I try not to be a hermit.

Here are my goals; share yours if you’re willing in the comments…

Writing

I’m working on a MG mystery, very fun and super structured in a mystery way, if that makes sense. A true whodunit for kids. It’s fun so far; I plan to spend January and probably part of February on the first draft. Kind of like a NaNoWriMo, only in January, which makes more sense anyway. January is cold and dull otherwise. 

Reading

I made myself set a reading goal, fifty-two books, which is one a week. Totally doable, I say. I read from picture books to mysteries for adults; I’ll post more reviews here too, as I read.

Out in the Wild World

I'm traveling this year, mostly around Colorado, but here’s the breakdown for now:

Feb. 7-10, 2018: Colorado Council International Reading Association Conference, Author visits 101 presentation

​Feb. 10, 2018: ALA Midwinter 2018, Meet the Author at SinC booth 649, 9-11 a.m. 

​Mar. 3, 2018: Colorado Book Festival, Denver Public Library 

​Mar. 17, 2018: Denver Children's Festival of Stories, hosted by Second Star to the Right Bookstore, Denver, CO

Jun. 5, 2018: nErDcampKS, Heston, KS

Mystery TV

Okay, so it’s time for me to do more writing and reading, and less binge-watching. But I did get caught up on season two of The Travelers—love this science fiction series! It’s on Netflix… And of course, there’s Broadchurch. Still awesome as ever. 

That’s it for me. Oh, and I want to take more photographs and learn to play the banjo. I’m aiming high this year. 

How about you?

Where I'll be this winter/spring, and some good news about Linc and George Washington

So far, 2015 has been all about writing for me. It's been nice to hibernate a little, especially with all the snowfall we're having here in Colorado.

But I do like to get out every once in a while. And I hope to see you at one of these events, if you find yourself in Colorado!

Here's where I'll be:

Feb. 5, 2015: CCIRA Conference (Denver, CO):

I’ll be at the SCBWI table, sharing all the great things SCBWI has to offer!

 

Feb. 14, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers one day conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

I’m hosting a free workshop for local writers on how to plot a novel using plot points.

 

Apr. 11, 2015: Colorado Teen Literature Conference (Denver, CO)

Presenting a workshop on reaching reluctant MG and YA readers 

Apr. 24-26, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers Conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

Faculty member, presenting workshops on writing MG, plotting, and author platform building.

 

Double Vision trilogy books will be available at the bookstore at all events. Hope to see you there!

And to add a bit of good news: Double Vision: Code Name 711 will be out in paperback on February 10th!

Just in time for Presidents Day (since the book features George Washington), very cool...

To celebrate, there's a giveaway of signed copies over at Goodreads (see nifty gadget to the right). Or be wild and crazy with seven bucks, and buy yourself a copy at your favorite bookstore, or straight from the awesome people at Harper Children's. I love paperbacks, don't you?