Visits & Events

Author Visits

Let’s talk books, reading, and writing! I love meeting readers and would be thrilled to visit your school, library, bookstore, or festival, either in person or virtually. I live in St. Louis but am open to traveling. Your Life Has Been Delayed and My Second Impression of You are targeted at young adult audiences, ages 12 and up, so they’re a great fit for middle and high school readers. Potential topics include:

  • My journey to publication (including 500+ rejections & the importance of perseverance) + an interactive activity creating a story together
  • My debut book along with the inspiration behind it, how I researched a book set in the present that includes a historical worldview, and other behind the scenes fun
  • Drafting, revising & polishing a book (including how revision is where the magic happens!)
  • Writing process and how it’s different for every writer
  • What it’s like working with other writers, an agent, and an editor to turn a draft into a published book
  • The story of a book (take students through the path of a single book from idea to drafting, sending to other writers for critique, revising with an agent then editor, cover design, copy editing, and more)
  • What makes a story (plot, character, conflict, etc.)

Conferences/Writing Groups

I love talking to other writers and have presented to multiple groups about my road to traditional publication (10 years in the making!). I queried for seven years and can give tips on querying agents, participating in contests, and fielding multiple offers from agents.

If you are interested in arranging an in-person or virtual author visit, please use my contact page to check my availability, rates, and more specific topic options.

Book Clubs

Is your book club reading Your Life Has Been Delayed or My Second Impression of You? I’ve created Book Club Kits that include the following resources:

  • What’s inside the book graphic
  • Answers to frequently asked questions
  • Snack & drink suggestions
  • A playlist
  • Discussion questions (not spoiler-free so fair warning!)
  • Quizzes
  • What to read next
  • What to watch after reading
  • And more!

If you decide to hold a book club using either kit, please let me know! I’d love to send you bookmarks and/or signed bookmarks. If you order a set of books, I’d be happy to send signed bookplates. Depending on when you’re meeting, perhaps we can arrange a video chat. Thanks so much for reading!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11 a.m.
Saturday Writers Group
Spencer Road Library, 427 Spencer Rd, St Peters, MO 63376

Past Events

In-Person School Visits
Wentzville South Middle School, Liberty High School, Wentzville Middle School, Wentzville, MO
April 13, 2023

Hazelwood West Writers Week Book Fair
Hazelwood West High School, Hazelwood, MO
March 9, 2023

World Read Aloud Day (Virtual school visits)
Millarville Community School, Millarville, Alberta, Canada
Central Middle School, Quincy, MA
Foster High School, Richmond, TX
Feb. 1, 2023

St. Louis Teen Book Festival
Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis, MO
Dec. 3, 2022

Virtual Autumn YA Romances Panel, Books of Wonder (replay)
Nov. 22, 2022

Signing at Barnes & Noble Chesterfield Oaks
Nov. 19, 2022

Signing at Barnes & Noble Ladue
Nov. 12, 2022

Opening reception, Heartland Fall Forum
Oct. 12, 2022

In conversation at Left Bank Books (replay, order signed copies)Sept. 26, 2022

Signing at Main Street Books (order signed copies)
Sept. 24, 2022

ParnassusNext event at Parnassus Books (order signed copies)
Sept. 21, 2022

MSIOY Launch Event at The Novel Neighbor (order signed copies)Sept. 20, 2022

Virtual YA Romance Panel, Books of Wonder (replay)
Sept. 16, 2022

Summer Writers Camp
St. Louis Writers Guild
June 29, 2022

World Read Aloud Day (Virtual school visits)
North Broward Prep, Coconut Creek, FL
Dr. Thomas E. Randle High School, Richmond, TX
Feb. 2, 2022

Signing at Barnes & Noble Mid-Rivers
Dec. 11, 2021

Virtual Book Club Visit
Success High School, Round Rock, TX
Oct. 22, 2021

YA Author Panel sponsored by St. Charles City-County Library & Main Street Books (replay)
Sept. 30, 2021

Signing at Barnes & Noble Ladue (advance interview with bookseller Perry)
Sept. 18, 2021

Instagram Live Chat with fellow debut author Brianna Bourne (replay)
Sept. 9, 2021

YLHBD Launch Event at The Novel Neighbor (replay)
In conversation with New York Times best selling author Debbie Rigaud
Sept. 7, 2021

Instagram Live with Best of Books (replay)
Sept. 2, 2021

YA Authors Panel, Young Writers Summer Camp
St. Louis Writers Guild
June 25, 2021

“The Path from Idea to Publication”
MO/KS SCBWI Business of the Book Conference
Feb. 22, 2020

“A Writing Journey”
Mason Ridge Elementary School, Town & Country, MO
Jan. 29, 2020

“Traditional Publishing”
StoryMasters KC Monthly Meeting, Overland Park, KS
June 15, 2019