I just returned from the American Night Writers Association conference! That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? We just call it ANWA, because we love acronyms.

I was delighted to be faculty at the ANWA conference in Mesa, Arizona! I mentored three writers during a four-hour critique workshop. It was intense and that’s a long time to tear into something, but they had amazing insight. How could you tell which table was mine? The next day I taught my class “Through A Glass Darkly: Can Good People Write Dark Fiction?” Spoiler: the answer is yes. Here’s a pic of my class. Look, Mom! They’re waving!

There was a gala where I dressed as a metal-faced futuristic scavenger, because why not? I had my work in the book store, and picked up a new friend.

Kid 1: Is that our new dad?

Kid 2: Mom and her new boyfriend.

Husband: You always liked the tall, lanky guys. 🙁

It was so much fun, but it was also a few busy days where I didn’t have a chance to write, and I missed it. My soul isn’t properly in place if I’m not writing.

Now I’m home, preparing for a live interview tomorrow with Horror Realm, and the next day I’m taking off to speak for the convocation series at Snow College. It’s a good, busy time.

Also! Love is a Crematorium and Other Tales releases on Friday! You can pre-order it for 99 cents here. I really hope you do, and that you enjoy it! The stories are dark but quite lovely, and for less than a buck, you can take a chance on a new book. Love you, friends!