Events

I have been presenting to writers, editors, and publishers on a wide range of topics since 2009. From St. Louis to Rochester, Tampa Bay to Seattle, and right here in Maryland, I enjoy sharing knowledge and insights with others. Scroll down to view upcoming events and a list of previous engagements.


I am available for local and national speaking engagements and workshops!

Contact me to discuss your next event.


Featured Events

Crafting Compelling Characters, The Writer's Center, on Zoom

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7-9 p.m.  In this session, we will look at previously published books to examine three facets of character—tragic flaws, contradictory behavior, and backstory—and reveal how you can combine them to create characters readers will love. Come ready to write! The class includes hands-on writing exercises. Attendees will walk away with the tools they need to craft compelling characters. Register through the Writer's Center website.

Areas of Expertise

 

  • Crafting a Marketable Manuscript
  • Navigating the Book Publishing Process
  • Hiring and Working with Editors
  • Choose Your Best Book Publishing Path
  • Making the Most Out of Beta Readers and Manuscript Assessments
  • Building Your Client Base with Self-Publishers
  • Launching Your Own Editorial Business

 

Previous Engagements

 

  • Is Self-Publishing Right for You? The Writer's Center. October 2025.
  • Author Talk: Debra Lee Won't Break, Wheaton Library, Wheaton, MD. July 2025.
  • How Authoring Improves Editing, Georgia Editorial Freelancers Association. June 2025
  • 2025 Gaithersburg Book Festival, Find the Right Editor for You, Gaithersburg, MD. May 2025
  • Is Traditional Publishing Right for You? The Writer's Center. September 2024
  • 2024 Maryland Writers Association Conference, Publish That Book! October 2024
  • 2024 Women in Publishing Summit, Make the Most out of Beta Readers and Manuscript Evaluations, March 2024
  • 2023 Editorial Freelancers Association Conference, Beyond Editing: Advanced Skills for Working with Self-Publishers; and Authors as Editors (panel), August 2023
  • 2023 Washington Writers Conference, Which Editor Do You Need? (panel), May 2023
  • 2023 Red Pencil Conference, Northwest Editors Guild, Launch Your Editorial Business Now, May 2023
  • 2022 Maryland Writers' Association Conference, Launch Your Writing Business Now, October 2022
  • 2021 Maryland Writers' Association Conference, 5 Steps to Finding the Right Freelance Editor for You, October 2021
  • The Writer's Center, Choose Your Best Book-Publishing Path (2-week class), June 2021
  • The Writer's Center, Launch Your Writing or Editing Business Now (4-week class), May-June 2021
  • Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA), Navigate the Book Publishing Process, April 2021
  • Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA), Craft a More Marketable Manuscript, March 2021
  • Maryland Writers' Association, Frederick Chapter, Is Your Writing Mojo MIA?, February 2021
  • Midwest Publishers Association (MiPA), Choose Your Best Book-Publishing Path, February 2021
  • Maryland Writers' Association, Howard County Chapter, Nonfiction Authors panel discussion, January 21, 2021. 
  • National Press Club, Navigating the Book Publishing Process, March 2020. Invited speaker.
  • 2019 Washington Writers Conference, Making the Most out of Beta Readers and Manuscript Assessments, May 2019
  • 2017 ACES Annual Conference, Beyond Editing: First and Last Steps When Working with Self-Publishers, March 2017
  • 2015 Beyond the Red Pencil conference, Northwest Independent Editors Guild, Client Profile: The Self-Publisher, October 2015