Here's what we've scheduled for October. Click to see November.
Check back often because we update all the time with exciting new events.

Click on our Author & Musician Scrapbook link to get a peek at some past events.

 
   
 

Writing Workshop: Suspense: It's More Than a Ticking Bomb

NOTE: THIS IS A RARE FRIDAY EVENING WRITING WORKSHOP

Friday, October 8, 7 pm: Creating suspense is not just for thriller writers — every fiction writer needs to learn how to build reader anticipating and the techniques that make them turn the pages. Famed Minnesota writer, William Kent Krueger, author of VERMILLION DRIFT, will present a suspense-creating workshop for any writer of fiction. Using examples from classic novels, both genre and mainstream fiction, he'll look at the element of suspense, the part it plays in every great story, and how you can use it in your own writing. Kent asks that you bring notebooks and pens and be ready for a good time.

In Kent’s latest novel, VERMILLION DRIFT, when the Department of Energy puts an underground iron mine on its short list of potential sites for storage of nuclear waste, a barrage of protest erupts in Tamarack County, Minnesota, and Cork O’Connor is hired as a security consultant. Deep in the mine during his first day on the job, Cork stumbles across a secret room that contains the remains of six murder victims. Five appear to be nearly half a century old—connected to what the media once dubbed "The Vanishings," a series of unsolved disappearances in the summer of 1964, when Cork’s father was sheriff in Tamarack County. But the sixth has been dead less than a week. What’s worse, two of the bodies—including the most recent victim—were killed using Cork’s own gun.

VERMILLION DRIFT received a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly: "Krueger fans will find a feast in between these covers, and for those who have yet to sample his fine and evocative writing, the book offers a complex yet completely believable plot, all tied up in words sharpened by one of the modern masters of the craft."

Kent’s writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. Kent’s work has received a number of awards including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. He does all his creative writing in booth #4 at the renowned St. Clair Broiler in St. Paul.

  
   
   
 
  Writing & Inspiration Workshop for Prose Writers and Poets: Writing Authentically

Saturday, October 23, 2 pm: What do you feel prevents you from writing authentically? Join Prescott author, Laraine Herring, author of WRITING WARRIOR: DISCOVERING THE COURAGE TO FREE YOUR TRUE VOICE, who will discuss three key elements: self observation without judgment, absolute vulnerability, and releasing all desire for results, which helps writers remain in the direct experience required to write authentic prose and poetry, and will allow for the internal space necessary to cultivate the courage to write what is true. She will share insights learned while writing her novel, GHOST SWAMP BLUES, and how both writing and teaching fiction helped formulate the concepts explored in her new writing book, THE WRITING WARRIOR: DISCOVERING THE COURAGE TO FREE YOUR TRUE VOICE. Come with questions, struggles of your own on your writing journey, and a willingness to share in the process of the journey.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer writes: "THE WRITING WARRIOR fulfills its promise in offering discovery and courage; it's a terrific writing companion for any writer facing self-doubt or blocks, or who simply wants a motivational boost." And ForeWord Reviews says, "Writer's block, doubt, and shame are things of the past for Herring's readers; this guide gives them the confidence to share their true voices with the world without hesitation."

Her novel, GHOST SWAMP BLUES, is set in 1949, and features fourteen-year-old Lillian Green, who witnesses the unthinkable. Her choice to remain silent about what she saw ripples into the swamps surrounding her family’s home, awakening the ghost of Roberta du Bois, former rice plantation mistress, who had drowned herself in those waters in 1859. When the truth about what Lillian saw surfaces, no one, living or dead, can prevent what must come next.

Laraine Herring holds an MFA in creative writing and an MA in counseling psychology. Her fiction has won the Barbara Deming Award for Women and her nonfiction work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She currently teaches creative writing in Prescott, Arizona, and at the Omega Institute in New York and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. Laraine’s other books include; WRITING BEGINS WITH THE BREATH: EMBODYING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE and LOST FATHERS: HOW WOMEN CAN HEAL FROM ADOLESCENT FATHER LOSS.
   
 
Writing Workshop: Breathing Life onto the Page: How to Create a Real Character

Friday, October 29, 7 pm: Your protagonist can be a hero. But what else do you know about him? Join California author, Jeri Westerson, author of THE DEMON’S PARCHMENT, will explore what makes a real person and how to achieve depth in your characters and a backstory you never knew they had.

Noir and hard-boiled fiction seem to be in Jeri Westerson’s blood. She was born and bred on the mean streets of Los Angeles, inhaling smog and enduring earthquakes. Reporter, would-be actress, graphic artist; these are the things she spent her time on before creating her hardboiled detective, Crispin Guest—ex-knight turned PI, solving crimes on the mean streets of fourteenth century London in her “Medieval Noir” series. The Boston Globe called her detective, “A medieval Sam Spade, a tough guy who operates according to his own moral compass.” VEIL OF LIES, her 2008 debut from St. Martin’s Press, garnered nominations for the Macavity Award for historical mystery and the Shamus Award for Best First PI novel. Her second, SERPENT IN THE THORNS, is also a 2010 Macavity finalist and a finalist for the 2010 Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award. The October release of her third, THE DEMON’S PARCHMENT, is highly anticipated.

"So good it's sinful!"—William Kent Krueger, Anthony-Award winning author of Vermilion Drift

Jeri was one of our more popular presenters when she made her last appearance at the WRC, and attendees continue to ask when she’ll be back. Come early for a good seat at this dynamite workshop. 		   
 
 
   
 
    Halloween! Costumes! Party! Book Launch!

Saturday, October 30, 2 pm: Let’s celebrate Halloween a day early with the launch of Sedona author Jeri Castonova’s new book, QUEST FOR THE EMERALD TABLETS: THE SECRET OF ALCHEMIST GOLD.

Jeri invites everyone to come in costume, with a free book going to the one who wears the best costume. We’ll have loads of fun at this party, with refreshments, and interactive games echoing the book’s Egyptian themes. We’ll be serving ancient Egyptian-type Emerald green barley beer, date cakes, and Nile veggies.

QUEST FOR THE EMERALD TABLETS: THE SECRET OF ALCHEMIST GOLD, Book 2 of the 2013 Trilogy Thriller Master of the Game Board, features Dr. Sydney Grace. She is the chosen one, according to a mysterious shaman, who races to find the legendary Tablets of Toth, and their world-shaking words of that would lift the veil on transmuting lead into gold. Black magicians in Egypt and artifact looters in Istanbul use magic and modern technology to intercept her. Chased down the Nile, locked in a pyramid, she faces her greatest challenge yet. At stake is the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The diabolical magician threatens to blow up the Great Pyramid — from the inside.

Jeri Castronova, PhD, is a psychologist, artist and author. She is also the author of the Award-winning Book 1 CODE OF THE KING: A DEADLY SEARCH FOR ANCIENT WISDOM.