Wednesday, December 20, 2017

My Spring 2018 Writing Classes

I'm teaching three classes next semester at the University of Utah. This will probably be the only time I'll teach MYSTERY and QUERYING this year since they're pretty specialized, awesome but specialized. They offer something for the beginner as well as the expert. Follow the links below to join me writing adventure! email me if you have any questions.



Lifelong Learning - University of Utah

University of Utah Annex Building
1901 E South Campus Drive
SLC, UT 84112

A Study in Mystery 
(LLWRC 837)

Tuesday Nights (7 sessions)
January 16th - February 27th


A Study in Mystery (LLWRC 837)— Look behind the curtain of the formulaic, but eternally popular genre: the Mystery Story. Learn about the constructions, tropes, types and methods that make the modern whodunit. Designed for both writers and fans of the mystery genre, class will include assignments and activities on plot, character web, record keeping, suspense, tension and conflict. Refine your work as you're asked the questions: Did you hide the clue well enough? Does the audience care about the victim? Is the suspense tight enough? By the end of the course, if the crime is writing a mystery story, the "Whodunit" will be you!


Lifelong Learning - University of Utah

University of Utah Annex Building
1901 E South Campus Drive
SLC, UT 84112

Literary Querying
(LLWRC 844)

Tuesday Nights (6 sessions)
March 6th - April 10th
, 2018


Liteary Querying (LLWRC 844): So you've written a book. Now what? Approaching the publishing world can be a lonely and daunting task. This class will give you a jump start by providing the knowledge and skill required to navigate the world of agents and publishers. It is recommended (but not necessary) that you bring a finished piece of work you are trying to place. This is a workshop heavy class, where we'll polish your pages and develop a plan to give you the best chance in the great publishing hunt.



Lifelong Learning - University of Utah

University of Utah Annex Building
1901 E South Campus Drive
SLC, UT 84112

Creative Writing Bootcamp
(LLWRC 842)

Saturdays (2 sessions)
March 24th & 31st
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.


Creative Writing Bootcamp (LLWRC 842)Have you always wanted to write creatively but never had the chance to start? Or is your writer-self blocked and unable to finish anything? In Creative Writing Bootcamp, we'll launch into a series of generative exercises designed to give you plenty of material for your own stories. In between exercises, we'll share our work in an open and joyous environment, discuss craft, and explore how to incorporate writing into daily life. You'll leave class with a series of flash fictions ready to be polished or expanded in your writing practice.




Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Vegas Visit

I had the absolute pleasure of going to Las Vegas last week and hanging out with the Henderson Writers Group, I presented a talk on mystery and gave a reading of WHAT IMMORTAL HAND as part of Dime Grinds, a wonderful community outreach to bring new authors to the public at a local coffee shop. I couldn’t have been happier if it had been a brewery. Well,… maybe.

Here are some pics (ignore the belly, I'm working on it)