Are you going to Penned Con?

ChrisReaders, Uncategorized, writers conference, YA, young adult

Penned Con is happening at the St. Louis City Center Hotel and Suites July 23-25th in St. Louis Mo. 100+ Authors, guest speakers, panels, workshops are gathering to celebrate their love of books. I can’t wait. Here are some of the postcards I’ll be handing out. I hope to see some familiar faces there.

An Author’s First Year: Excerpt Trial By Fire

Chrishome, Uncategorized, UtopYA, YA

My first book, Going Down In Flames came out a year ago this week. It has been an exciting, stressful, and amazing year. Exciting because my dragons are out in the world. They are real to other people now too. Sometimes as an author you feel like a closet schizophrenic because there is a world in your head that no … Read More

To Kill A Character

ChrisFor Writers, Readers, Uncategorized

I’ve been facing an authorly issue.  While writing Trial By Fire, the third book in my shape-shifting dragon series, I accidentally killed off a character…a beloved character…a character I never meant any harm. After I finished typing the scene I just stared at my screen. How had this happened? What the heck was my brain doing? Would people hate me … Read More

Things I learned at #UtopYA

ChrisUncategorized, UtopYA

What did I learn at UtopYA this year? Many things. In no uncertain order, here they are. 1. Make sure you shave both your legs before walking out the door to a book signing. In your distracted state, you may have forgotten one. 2. Put a room key in your nametag. That way if you accidentally grab your driver’s license rather … Read More

Come Say Hello At #UtopYA2015

ChrisUncategorized, UtopYA, writers conference, YA

Right now, mentally, I’m skipping through a field of flowers and singing, “I’m going to UtopYA. I’m going to UtopYA.” I’m so excited to see my Facebook and Twitter friends. Although it’s always tricky to recognize people from their online photos. I have different glasses now, and my hair is not quite the same color as it was in my author … Read More

Preparing for UtopYA.

ChrisFor Writers, Uncategorized, UtopYA

UtopYA 2015 is just around the corner. Here’s a peek at what happens inside my head when I’m preparing to attend a conference. Fair warning: my head is a strange place. First thought: Woo Hoo! UtopYA is here. I get to hang out with Quirky Writer/Reader/Blogger  Chicks who speak my language. But half the people I met last year aren’t … Read More

UtopYA2015 is Almost Here

ChrisFor Writers, Readers, Uncategorized, UtopYA, writers conference, YA

 What is UtopYA?  According to the the official webpage it is: An uplifting, collaborative and educational conference for those who love supernatural and contemporary young adult and new adult fiction! Panels filled with writers and experts in the publishing and entertainment industries will share with established and aspiring authors and screenwriters their tips to improve craft and advance careers, as well as FUN panels … Read More