Writing News, Publications and Writing Workshops
Writing News! My Fifth Book, Trespassers, coming in March 2025
I'm delighted to announce that my 5th book, "Trespassers and Other Stories" will be published early in March 2025. Watch for news of the book launch. The collection is available now as a pre-order, and some reader friends have already received their copy in time for the winter holidays.
In this collection of transatlantic fiction, most of my characters are women, so there's some potential appeal for Irish Heritage Month and Women's History Month.
More on the book and some early reviews here. Or visit my books page.
As well as writing, I have 20+ years experience in speaking, panel participation, keynotes, podcasts and media interviews.
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January - May, 2025: Winter - Spring 2025 Writing Workshops and Speaking Venues
I am finalizing some events and workshops for early and mid 2025. I still have some slots open, so if your organization hosts creative writing workshops or classes, feel free to get in touch.
Wellness Writing: Are you a hospital, wellness center, university or peer-recovery group who needs an employee-development session on writing for well-being? I am a trained teacher with over two decades’ experience in healthcare, and my workshops get great reviews.
Creative writing workshops are here.
Writing for well-being (expressive writing) workshops are here.
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October 2024: Publication
Just had my personal essay, “Permanent Resident” published in Doubleback Review. This creative nonfiction piece was previously published in the now discontinued journal, Amoskeag, where it was cited in “Best American Essays.”
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September 2024: Publication
I’m delighted to have a creative nonfiction piece, “The Girl in the Holiday Inn” just published in SugarSugarSalt Magazine. As well as re-publishing previously placed pieces, I love how this literary journal asks for the story behind the nonfiction story.
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September 2024: Publication
Just found this old article of mine online. Read, “I’ve Kept an Expressive Writing Journal for Four Decades: Here’s Why.” This piece was originally published in World of Psychology.
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August-September 2024: Coming Soon: My Updated Calendar Listing (above) of my Fall and Winter 2025 Writing Workshops and Venues
I’ve just posted some upcoming creative writing workshops for this Autumn. I still have some slots open for this year and early 2025, so if your organization hosts creative writing workshops or classes, feel free to get in touch. Are you a hospital, wellness center, university or peer-recovery group who needs an employee-development session on writing for well-being? I am a trained teacher with over two decades’ experience in healthcare. So let’s chat.
Creative writing workshops are here.
Writing for well-being (expressive writing) workshops are here.
Get in touch. Or email me via my contact page.
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August 2024 -At the Writers Tips Blog, “How to Write in a Café or Coffee Shop”
Whether you’re new in town or a long-term resident, it’s nice to escape your apartment or house to write away from home. However, when it comes to creative writing, not all coffee haunts are created equal. Some are noisy. Some are crowded. Some are just perfect. Read my tips for writing and ‘coffee-ing.’
July 2024 - New Poem, “First Kiss” Published at Poem Alone
Do you remember your first romantic—or not so romantic—kiss? During our pandemic-era lockdown, I realized that all of my education was lacking something: poetry writing. So I enrolled in some terrific workshops. During one of those workshops, we had a prompt to write about doing something for the very first time. So I drafted a poem, “First Kiss.” Today, that poem is published at “Poem Alone.” Read it here.
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July 2024 - New Essay Published at Thimble Magazine
What could you possibly write about an employee luncheon in a chain restaurant in an over air-conditioned shopping mall in America? Well, read my most recent published essay, “Matching Blue” published at Thimble Magazine.
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June 2024 - At the Writing Tips Page: Tips for Your Summer Writers Retreat
Writers retreats or residencies can last for a day or a month or a week or a weekend. In terms of setup or structure, they can range from a self-paid escape to a hotel or AirBnB, to a bursary-supported residency (with other writers) at a designated creative retreat.
Whatever price point or setup you choose, and based on my 20+ years of running away to write, here are six tips to select and enjoy your creative time away.
Read the post for my six tips for your summer 2024 writers’ retreat
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May 2024 - At the Writing Tips Page: “Writing True Stories about Folks and Family”
American author Anne Lamott that if people didn’t want to be written about, they should have behaved better. But by maligning them—at least without thinking hard about your motivations in doing so—aren’t you now behaving badly, too?
Read the post about nonfiction writing, memoir and truth telling.