Speaking Experience

I have many years of experience in public-speaking, both in my former career as a software engineer and project manager, and in my current career as a published fiction author. I have spoken to both adults and teenagers on writing-related topics. Some examples are listed below.

1. • The Art of Writing Dialogue
   

2. • Series Writing for the Organizationally Challenged
   

3. • Techniques for Character Development
   

4. • Plotting a Mystery
   

5. • The Appeal and Marketing of Niche Mysteries
   

6. • Writing and Marketing Short Stories
   

7. • How to Write Query Letters
   

8. • After the Call: Between your Contract Signing and your First Book Signing
   

9. • Networking as a Writer
   

10. • Promotion Dos and Don’ts for Authors
    

11. • Arranging for Authors to Speak at Library Programs
    

12. • Brainstorming Techniques
    

13. • Author, Agent, Editor Relationships & Communication
    

I have presented workshops and served on panels at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Conference, Colorado Independent Publishers Association College, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic, Mayhem in the Midlands, Murder in the Grove, the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave, the Puerto Vallarta Writers Conference, to Colorado libraries, and chapters of Sisters in Crime and other Colorado writing organizations. If you would like me to speak to your organization, please Contact Me. My rates are negotiable, especially with respect to nonprofit organizations.

Judging Experience

I have judged the Anthology category for the Colorado Book Award. I have judged both the short story and mystery/suspense novel categories of the Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Writing Contest. I have also served as a judge for the Derringer Award for published mystery/suspense short stories that is awarded by the Short Mystery Fiction Society. I have served as an editor/judge of short stories to be included in the Mistwillow anthology produced by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. And I am a judge in the Mystery category of the Colorado Gold writing contest put on by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.