Where to find me this Fall

Fall! I know, aren't you irritated when you see fall-themed decorations in the store when it's eighty-plus degrees outside? Let us have our summer, people... I'm looking at you, Hobby Lobby: Christmas décor is just not on in August.

But I did want to share some places I'll be speaking/signing this fall, plus a podcast. In case you're looking for some writing inspiration, as most of these events are for writers. I'll be cruising around on my trusted ol' Honda Element.

Sept. 8-10, 2017, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference:  I'll be talking about marketing plans for writers, the kidlit market (everything you need to know if you want to write for kids), and I'll show you how to outline your novel using plot points.

There's even a podcast of me talking about all this stuff, in case you're interested...

Sept. 16th: I'll be signing books at the Lone Tree Library (Denver), along with all my Rocky Mountain Chapter Sisters in Crime friends. If you're into mysteries, this seems like the perfect way to get the scoop on your local mystery authors.

Oct. 7-8, 2017, Rocky Mountain SCBWI Conference: This is a conference for kidlit writers, so if this is you, come on and join in on the fun! I'll be talking about how to write a MG/YA mystery, and how to put together a marketing plan (yes, you need one). There are some awesome speakers there, including Matt De la Pena...

Okay, so this is where my self-promotion ends. Although to tell you the truth, these events are pretty awesome for all the other speakers and stuff...

Hope to see you there! Seems like Denver is the place to be this Fall.

Getting my gardening on in June

I’ve been so busy editing the first draft of my crime novel-in-progress (working title: 39), tempus fugit so much that the trees are green and the flowers are blooming here in Colorado. Which means it’s time to pull weeds and get back to gardening, always fun. Pictures coming soon...

I'll probably be editing some more this summer, plus, I've been dusting off an old YA manuscript I'd given up on--and I still have plans to write a middle-grade. I'll keep you posted on if I'll actually be able to pull it all off :-)

Books, books, books

I’ve been reading up a storm the past few months, with a trip to Europe and cold weather as a good incentive. I’ve been plucking titles off newsletters and other recommendations, sometimes reading just a little more out of the box—and being pleasantly surprised. I recommend Kate White's The Secrets You Keep, in case you need some summer reading.

Mystery TV

David Tennant is my favorite Doctor (Who), and I loved Broadchurch, so I was happy to discover The Escape Artist. So far, it’s kind of terrifying and dark; looking forward to binge-watching the rest of this mini-series.

For Writers

As the weather gets better, I’m already looking to the fall: I’ll be part of the faculty at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ conference in September, and Rocky Mountain SCBWI’s Letters and Lines conference in October. Both are in the Denver area—hope to see you there!

Until then, I’m going to spend the summer editing, writing a few short stories, and planting some trees.

How about you?? Any good summer plans?