July 11 Zoom Meeting: Dan Fesperman on Crafting Thrillers

New York Times bestselling thriller author Dan Fesperman joins us by Zoom on July 11 to discuss his career. The former Baltimore Sun foreign correspondent’s travel to war zones and 30 countries has inspired 13 novels with stories of intrigue on an international stage. Dan’s coverage of the siege of Sarajevo was the motivation for his first novel, Lie … Read more

May 9 Zoom Meeting: Pitching and Screenwriting

Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, a senior executive at Pipeline Media Group and Book Pipeline, will join us via Zoom on May 9 to explain the finer points of her service that helps writers pitch their books to publishers and movie/television producers. The concept: enter the Book Pipeline contest, pay a modest fee, and the winner’s work is pitched. This has resulted … Read more

April 11 Zoom Meeting: A Conversation With David Baldacci

New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci, who has sold more than 150 million copies of his thrillers worldwide, joins us via Zoom at 7:30 on April 11 to discuss his writing career, including how he juggles several series with diverse main characters, and how he does research. He has published 47 novels, all national and international bestsellers, with … Read more

March 14 Zoom Meeting: Writing and Keeping Secrets

Tom Straw, who authored seven New York Times bestsellers under the pseudonym of Richard Castle, will talk about novel writing, what it’s like to be a bestselling author who can’t reveal his success, the writers’ room in television, and show running. Tom originated the Nikki Heat series, based on the TV series Castle, about a famous novelist following a female detective around New York … Read more

February 7 Zoom Meeting: Writing Sex Scenes

With Valentine’s Day approaching, what better time to learn how to write sex scenes to advance your plot and increase reader investment? Let New York Times bestselling romance author Roni Loren and book coach/editor Dawn Alexander tell you how at our Feb. 7 Zoom meeting. Roni Loren is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a two-time RITA Award winner, and a HOLT Medallion … Read more

Writing Cozy Mysteries

It’s winter, so get cozy with six wicked-good, best-selling authors who write traditional, cozy, and historical mystery novels. On Tuesday, January 10 at 7 pm, via Zoom, The Wickeds will discuss cozy mysteries. The Wickeds are Liz Mugavero, Sherry Harris, Jessie Crockett, J.A. Hennrikus, Barbara Ross, and Edith Maxwell, and their books are perennial favorites. How do they keep readers coming back for more? Why do … Read more

December 12 Zoom Meeting: Lee Goldberg

On Monday, December 12 at 7 pm, via Zoom, New York Times bestselling author & TV producer Lee Goldberg will answer your questions. Lee is a screenwriter, novelist, and publisher who has written or co-written more than 80 books, including the Shamus-nominated Watch Me Die. He’s also written TV scripts for Monk, Diagnosis: Murder, Nero Wolfe, and Hunter; and co-created the Hallmark movie … Read more

November 7 Zoom Meeting: Janet Hutchings

On Monday, November 7 at 7 pm, via Zoom, Janet Hutchings, editor of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine since 1991, will talk about the magazine and how she selects crime fiction short stories that are consistently nominated each year for (and often win) the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Macavity, and Thriller Awards. Stacy Woodson will host. Janet launched EQMM’s Passport … Read more

October Chapter Meeting: Literary Soiree at Katherine Neville’s

On Tuesday, October 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, join bestselling authors and literary luminaries for a celebration at Katherine Neville’s home near Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C. Wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. The party will be both indoors and on her terrace, for those concerned about Covid. Mingle with the hosts: Louis … Read more

September 13 Zoom Meeting: Writing History

On Tuesday, September 13, at 7 pm, former Washington Post editor and reporter Jefferson Morley will discuss untold chapters of U.S. history revealed in his new book–Scorpions’ Dance: The President, The Spymaster, and Watergate. In Scorpions’ Dance, Morley reveals the Watergate Scandal as the culmination of a concealed volatile power struggle between President Richard Nixon and CIA Director … Read more