Welcome, spring! At least according to the old Celtic calendar. A great day to double-check spring and summer writing enrichment plans. I’m looking forward to several conferences and classes here in the Midwest United States.

Midwest Murder and Mayhem in Chicago, Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Roosevelt University. Day-long conference aimed at mystery writers, readers, and librarians. Keynote speakers are Sophie Hannah and Scott Turow. http://murdermayhemchicago.com 

Mystery Writers of America University (MWA-U) 2019: Characters, Not Caricatures, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Concordia University, Chicago. Authors Cheryl Head and Mia P. Manansala will lead this hands-on workshop aimed to increase competence in writing diverse characters who are authentic, whole, and three-dimensional. Sponsored by Mystery Writers of America. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe350e7yNEGeuYnknxibjMMwXS8PkmoUJY6yW1CJWsVGR0ndA/viewform

Gateway to Publishing Conference and Convention in St. Louis, Friday, June 14, 2019 through Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Airport Renaissance Hotel. This event includes a writers’ conference: craft talks and workshops, agent/publisher pitch sessions, networking events, and masterclass opportunities. On a parallel track is a free, open-to-the public book fair: vendors of books and all the paraphernalia we book lovers must have, raffles, book signings, book panels, and a book podcast. All things book-ish! Reserve a conference-rate hotel room and make it a writing retreat. Organized by the St. Louis Writer’s Guild. I’ll be a volunteer at this event. https://www.stlwritersguild.org/writers-conference/