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. • Writing and Marketing Short Stories
   

2. • Techniques for Character Development
   

3. • Plotting a Mystery
   

4. • The Appeal and Marketing of Niche Mysteries
   

5. • How to Write Query Letters
   

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

7. • Networking as a Writer
   

8. • Promotion Dos and Don’ts for Authors
   

9. • Arranging for Authors to Speak at Library Programs
   

I have presented workshops and served on panels at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Conference, Malice Domestic, Mayhem in the Midlands, Murder in the Grove, the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave, 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 been a judge multiple times in both the short story and mystery/suspense novel categories of the Paul Gillette Writing Contest conducted by the Paul Pikes Peak Writers in conjunction with their spring writing conference. 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. And I have served as an editor/judge of short stories to be included in the Mistwillow anthology produced by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.