Appearances
Farmington Author & Book Festival
Farmington, Michigan · June 2024
Writing Genre Romance
Panel presentation with authors Natalie Dunbar and DA Henneman · book festival & signing
Hamburg, Michigan · June 2024
SterlingFest Art & Music Fair
Sterling Heights, Michigan · July 2024
Farmington Author & Book Festival
Farmington, Michigan · June 2023
Lansing, Michigan · April 2023
Plymouth-Canton Bookfest
Plymouth, Michigan · October 2022
Houston, Texas · August 2022
Frankenmuth, Michigan · July 2022
Virtual · June 2021
Gothic Girls Gone Wild: Riverdale’s Recrafting of Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge
For decades, the Archie comics have depicted the fictional world of Riverdale and while doing so explicitly and implicitly addressed era-relevant social issues. Two Archiverse characters, Betty Cooper, sweet girl-next-door, and Veronica Lodge, privileged debutante, have been reinvented and freshly envisioned in the CW’s series, Riverdale. Their new depictions in the show offer the opportunity to inform on present attitudes of gender politics, such as commodification of sexuality and gender performativity.
Despite, or perhaps because of, being a broadcast television show, Riverdale intersects with mainstream popular culture. As part of that culture, the series should represent the interests and concerns of its audience. The world surrounding Archie Andrews has been updated, intensified, and othered. This multilayered amplification of setting provides an effective backdrop for the revitalized Archie characters but also complicates the understanding of the degree to which Betty and Veronica have been recrafted in a way that makes them currently relevant when situated in the conversations and politics of this #metoo era.
Intergenerational family dysfunction, secret societies, predatory men, marginalized women—all are classic elements of gothic fiction and all are present in CW’s Riverdale. Deconstructing the strategic and central role of setting in Riverdale provides a fuller opportunity to evaluate the influence of these tropes on the characterizations of Betty and Veronica. Have the characters truly been recrafted in ways that acknowledge the changing roles of heroines in present popular culture? Or has their potential been undervalued and are used as tropes themselves? Once the impact of the gothic setting is identified and disconnected from the overall narrative, an isolated assessment of the depictions of Betty and Veronica will be accomplished.
New York, New York · July 2019
Readers for Life Literacy Autographing
Every year the Romance Writers of America hosts the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing, all proceeds of which are donated to adult literacy organizations. This year they are supporting ProLiteracy, Literacy Partners, and The Literacy Assistance Center.
Washington, D.C. · April 2019
Scary Vulnerability: Considering the ‘Guilty Mom’ Horror Film Through the Lens of Lacan’s the Real
The ‘guilty mom’ is at the center of three tensions: society’s expectation that she provide for her child’s emotional and physical safety, the child’s needs, and her own needs. Within the context of a horror film, this tensional dynamic highlights the unique vulnerabilities of this marginalized, archetypal character and creates an avenue through which viewers experience Jacques Lacan’s the Real.
A comparative assessment of The Exorcist (1973), Babadook (2014), and Hereditary (2018) offers the opportunity to examine the ways in which Lacan’s conflicting imaginary order and symbolic order create the impossibility of absolute comprehension. Salvoj Zizek expands on Lacan’s theory to identify the “real Real” (2006). This modality can additionally inform an analysis of the unique terror of the ‘guilty’ mom horror film.
Capital City Writers Association
East Lansing, Michigan · September 2018
Elemental Magic: Creating Scenes That Have Purpose and Power
Scenes are the building blocks of story, the chunks of action where the story unfolds. Each one contains a goal and conflict. Each delivers an outcome. Sound simple? It is. Then why can they be so tricky to write? And a tangle to revise? The goal of this session is to demystify scene structure, offer the “rules” and then consider when and how to break those rules.
Reno, Nevada · May 2018
Indianapolis, Indiana · March 2018
Got Trolls?: Understanding and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Virtual Brand
The creation of a virtual identity for self-promotional purposes requires strategic and intentional development. The resulting ‘brand’ serves a purpose unique from a casual or personal online presence. Evaluating the effectiveness of an individual, sole person, virtual brand requires a specific understanding of how singular brands are created and perceived.
The creation of an effective brand depends on the creator’s willingness and ability to efficiently fragment and abstract their identity. One-person, virtual identities are received differently than identities resulting from corporate or institutional brands. This complicates on-line interactions. A consideration of the two primary user needs met by social media, belonging and self-presentation, as identified by Nadkami & Hofmann (2012), can assist in creating, negotiating, and evaluating the effectiveness of a singular virtual brand.
Rochester, Michigan · February 2018
Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America
Royal Oak, Michigan · January 2018
Elemental Magic: Creating Scenes That Have Purpose and Power
Scenes are the building blocks of story, the chunks of action where the story unfolds. Each one contains a goal and conflict. Each delivers an outcome. Sound simple? It is. Then why can they be so tricky to write? And a tangle to revise? The goal of this session is to demystify scene structure, offer the “rules” and then consider when and how to break those rules.
Atlanta, Georgia · May 2017
Grand Rapids Region Writers Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan · February 2017
Social Media…and Selfies
An author can get lost out there in social media land…Facebook is only the beginning. There’s also Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, Goodreads, Periscope… Which is right for your author brand? Once you decide which platforms suit you best, you need to connect with your audience and build. These insights, along with some fun with selfies, will be covered.
Online · February 2017
Write Sexy: Online sex scene writing seminar
No matter the heat level, creating satisfying, well structured, emotional sex scenes is a challenge. Online seminar combines daily challenges, lessons, scene work-shopping, and instructor feedback. Participants finish with at least one complete sex scene.
Online · January 2017
Tame the Revision Monster: Online sex scene writing seminar
The first draft may seem easy compared to the daunting task of revising. This online seminar provides a structured approach to shaping up and finishing your manuscript. One on one instructor conferences included.
National Novel Writing Month Lansing
Lansing, Michigan · November 2016
Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America
Grand Rapids, Michigan · October 2016
Savvy Social Media: creating and reinforcing your author brand
An author can get lost out there in social media land…Facebook is only the beginning. There’s also Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, Goodreads, Periscope… Which is right for your author brand? Once you decide which platforms suit you best, you need to connect with your audience and build.
Online · September 2016
Write Sexy: Online sex scene writing seminar
No matter the heat level, creating satisfying, well structured, emotional sex scenes is a challenge. Online seminar combines daily challenges, lessons, scene work-shopping, and instructor feedback. Participants finish with at least one complete sex scene.
Lansing, Michigan · June 2016
Michigan Romance Writers Open House
Panel presentation with authors Nancy Gideon, Loralee Lillibride, Alyssa Alexander, Dana Corbit Nussio, and Elizabeth Heiter
Have a question about writing Romance? Behind the scenes info on the books you love reading!
Las Vegas, Nevada · March 2016
Developing Dynamically Diverse Characters
Panel presentation with authors Aliza Mann and MK Shiller
Ethnicity, social class, religious beliefs, sexual orientation—these are tough topics, yet they are the stuff our characters are made of so we explore them through our writing. But how do you create authentic characters who may be different from yourself?
Capital City Writers Association
East Lansing, Michigan · January 2016
Naughty and Nice: Spotlight on romance
A reflection on the two ends of the Romance spectrum, with an evaluation of sub-genre differences and similarities inherent in all great relationship stories.
Online · May 2015
Write Sexy: Online sex scene writing seminar
No matter the heat level, creating satisfying, well structured, emotional sex scenes is a challenge. Online seminar combines daily challenges, lessons, scene work-shopping, and instructor feedback. Participants finish with at least one complete sex scene.
Michigan State University Graduate Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures
East Lansing, Michigan · April 2015
Writing Like a Writer, Not an Academic
Think of yourself as a writer, one who does. Not someone who will. But how to get the work done? Developing your writer tool-kit to include tools typically used by fiction writers, may be the answer to pounding out those pages.
Capital City Writers Association
East Lansing, Michigan · March 2015
Making the Good Bad: Using sex scenes & intimacy to create & increase conflict
Like all scenes, it must serve a purpose. The end result of the scene should change the character either internally or externally or better yet, both. Use the same approach to a sex scene as you do to any scene. Structure and purpose.
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
Seattle, Washington · April 2014
The Irony of the Internet: Reevaluating and Redefining Business and Creativity in the Digital Age
Panel presentation with author William Hastings, author Mike Miner, and Unstuck editor Matt Williamson
The literary world is experiencing what the music industry has been for years: expanded audience access, revised distribution channels, and pressure from business giants. We all know business is done differently, but the digital age also requires us to think differently. This panel—editors, authors, and an agent—will explore these aspects of the digital age as well as how the internet and electronic media alter attitudes on creativity and the perceived value of artistic endeavors.
Savannah, Georgia · July 2013
Horror in Romance
Panel discussion with authors CJ Ellisson, Marie Rose Dufour, and Saranna DeWylde
Spontaneously Paranormal
Panel discussion with authors Julie Kenner, Melissa Ecker, MK Mancos, Cam Cassidy, and Kaitlyn Ballenger
Erotica
Panel discussion with authors Saranna DeWylde, Melissa Ecker, and Julie Kenner
Zombies
Panel discussion with authors Jess Haines, Lia Habel, Mary Janice Davidson, and Bianca D’Arc
Kansas City, Missouri · April 2013
Readers Know Best
Panel presentation with authors Katharine Ashe, Sabrina Jeffries, Deb Marlowe, Beth Ciotta, Kieran Krammer, Mari Freeman, Cherry Adair, and Cindy Holby/Kassie Tayler
Readers know best—covers, storylines, heroes, heroines, and promo—and authors want to hear your opinions. Bring your questions, praise, and pet peeves about romance novels to this interactive gathering where we’ll talk business, play games, share prizes and giveaways.
Sex Goddess Hour
Presentation with authors Marilyn Campbell, Cheryl Dragon, Bronwyn Green, Julia Talbot, BA Tortuga, Brynn Paulin
Aliens, androids, cowboys, call girls, and vampy vampires—we love them all as long as they’re HOT. If you want your stories sizzling and sexy, this party is for you. Over the top erotic is just the beginning. Come play games, win prizes, and be in the drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Giveaways to everyone who attends.
Chicago, Illinois · April 2012
Romance Readers Town Meeting
Panel presentation with authors Cherry Adair, Katharine Ashe, Beth Ciotta, Cindy Holby aka Kassy Tayler, Sabrina Jeffries, Kieran Kramer, Deb Marlowe
Romance Readers Town Meeting! Bring all of your questions and opinions about what you like best about romance novels, what you like to see on covers and in online forums, the types of heroes you love, heroine pet peeves, etc.
Naughty Hour of Fantasy & Fun!
Reader event with authors Cheryl Dragon, Brynn Paulin, Julia Talbot, BA Tortuga, Marilyn Campbell
Super hot shifters, over-the-top ménage, BDSM, zombies, or intensely erotic contemporary romances—are these for you? If so, this is your event! Nothing is off limits in this naughty hour! Ask your favorite authors anything…names may be changed to protect the very guilty. Find out what this group has in store for you in 2012… and hear the author’s funniest stories, like “You know you’re an erotic romance writer when…” Play games and win goodies from books to sex toys and even a Kindle. Giveaways to everyone who attends…sorry, no cover models can be raffled off. We tried! They won’t let us.
Romanticon
Akron, Ohio · October 2012
Please Don’t Call My Baby Ugly: Reviewing, Reviewers, and Reviews
Presentation with reviewer Laura Topaz
Reviews are a touchy subject among authors, readers, and even the reviewers themselves. Get everyone’s POV and engage in some open, honest discussion about book reviews. What do readers want/expect from reviewers? How are books chosen for review? Should authors read them, why or why not? And of course, what about those semi-dreaded, nonprofessional consumer reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, blogs, and other sites?
Grand Rapids Region Writers Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan · October 2012
The Attraction of Fiction: The Emotional Connection
Dynamic characters and a compelling plot are crucial. But they’re not enough! Sensual details are the key to giving readers that up close and personal experience—and not just in love scenes. Come to this workshop and discover the fictive dream, what techniques can be used to induce it, and how to maintain that dream state that’ll have your readers begging for more.
National Council of Teachers of English
Columbus, Ohio · October 2011
Using the mythological hero’s journey to shape and develop reflective personal narratives
In this two-hour interactive workshop session, participants will explore how understanding the structure of the mythological hero’s journey, and the archetypal characters found within it, can be used to help students shape creative writing and personal narratives. As part of the exploration, theme, thesis, conflict, purpose, and audience will be addressed.
Los Angeles, California · March 2011
Sense-Sational and Sexy
Presentation with author Katherine Ashe
Dynamic characters and a compelling plot are crucial. But they’re not enough! Sensual details are the key to giving readers that up close and personal experience—and not just in love scenes. Come to this workshop and discover the fictive dream, what techniques can be used to induce it, and how to maintain that dream state that’ll have your readers begging for more.
Michigan Developmental Education Conference
Livonia, Michigan · April 2011
Got Structure? Using the mythological hero’s journey to shape and develop reflective personal narratives
In this interactive workshop session, participants will explore how understanding the structure of the mythological hero’s journey, and the archetypal characters found within it, can be used to help students shape creative writing and personal narratives. These personal narratives can serve as both reflective papers and preparation for analytical expository essays. As part of the exploration, theme, thesis, conflict, purpose, and audience will be addressed.
Liberal Arts Network Development
Traverse City, Michigan · February 2011
Got Structure? Using the mythological hero’s journey to shape and develop creative writing and personal narratives
The meeting place of creativity and intellect is unique to fiction. It is the creative nature of fiction that makes reading novels evoke an “afferent” process—meaning students put themselves in the work. (Rosenblatt, Theoretical Models and Processes, pp. 1057-1092, 1994) Once the student is immersed in the story, fiction’s distinct capacity to illuminate the human condition by fostering the interconnection of mind and spirit can pull readers through universal themes while speaking culturally, offering glimpses into different values, traditions, and life issues. This combination of characteristics invites discussion and critical thinking, two elements essential for academic success.
The goal of my session is to explore how fiction can be used to encourage critical thinking which can in turn be used to develop student writers who are emotionally connected to their topics and intellectually invested in their thought and writing.
Liberal Arts Network Development
Port Huron, Michigan · February 2010
Fiction as a Springboard for Critical Thinking and Expository Writing
Using fiction in academic courses can deepen student connection and interest. The benefits of assigning novels in academic courses include not only more lively course discussions, accompanied by deeper thinking, but also the fostering of student writers who are emotionally connected to their topics and intellectually invested in their thought and writing.
