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

A woman standing on a step inside a bookstore holding a book

Self-publishing panel, Washington Writers Conference

May 1-2, 2026, Bethesda, MD. I'm thrilled to be returning to the Washington Writers Conference for a panel discussion of self-publishing. Learn more and register on the conference website.

Areas of Expertise

Are you looking for a speaker for your next event? I have 20 years of presenting experience on a wide variety of topics.

 

  • 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

 

  • AWP 2026, AI and the Editor: Redefining Author-Editor Collaboration, panel, Baltimore, March 2026
  • Crafting Compelling Characters, The Writer's Center, February 2026
  • 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