I am an award-winning educator with over twenty years of experience teaching writing. I love presenting on almost anything writing-related: the writing process, any aspect of fiction or poetry craft, building a writing life, writing for teens, and writing with teens. I’ve presented at conferences and events international, national, and local. I always enjoy course and campus visits and can develop a program specific to your needs, learning objectives, and budget.

I am currently booking for in-person and online events for the 2024-2025 school year.

Upcoming Events

March 18, 2025: A Catalog of Burnt Objects Book Launch in Conversation with Meredith Tate, Main Street Books Saint Charles & The Saint Charles Public Library: Kisker Road Branch 

March 20, 2025: The Novel Neighbor in Conversation with Andrea Scarpino, Saint Louis, MO 

March 27, 2025: Devany, Doak and Garrett Booksellers, Farmington, ME, 

March 28, 2025 PRINT Bookstore, Portland, ME

March 29, 2025 Writing Disaster: Creative Response to a World Plagued by Fire, Flood at Famine, a one-day MWPA Workshop, Portland Maine, register here

Past events

Jackson Hole Writers Conference November 1-3, 2024

In Conversation with Katherine McGee to celebrate the publication of her new book A Queens Game, Main Street Books Saint Charles & The Saint Charles Public Library November 13, 2024

Kansas City Veteran Writer’s Workshop 2024

Associated Writing Programs: Kansas City 2024

Off-site AWP Event (poetry)

Wild Patience: A Poet Mom Reading Wednesday, February 7, 5:30-8:00 21c Museum Hotel, 219 W 9th St, KC 64105

AWP 2024 Panels:

Navigating Age-Based Audiences: Adult to Picture Book & Everything In BetweenNavigating Age-Based Audiences: Adult to Picture Book & Everything In Between with Linda Urban, Jennifer Moffett, & Jenn Bailey

10:35am – 11:50am on Thursday February 8, 2024

Location: Room 2102B, Kansas City Convention Center, Street Level

Why Take/Teach Kid Lit? Craft Arguments for Writers & Programs with Alexandra Villasante, Julie Schumacher, & Laurel Synder

Date/Time: 10:35am – 11:50am on Saturday February 10, 2024

Location: Room 2102B, Kansas City Convention Center, Street Level