#DSWN

Raquel V Reyes smiling at the webcam with her office in the background.

To cap off an amazingly inspiring day, Sisters in Crime Vice President Raquel V. Reyes spoke about "Investing in Your Career: A Pep talk about Planning, Professionalism, and Patience."

#WriteNOWConference #DSWN #SinC @latinasleuths.bsky.social @sincworldwide.bsky.social

clockwise from top left: Robyn Gigl, Alex Segura, Deborah J Ledford, and D.M. "Donna" Rowell. All four panelists are smiling on their webcams.

Our 2nd panel of the day focused on "Doing Justice to Characters Unlike Yourself" with Robyn Gigl, Alex Segura, Deborah J Ledford, & D.M. Rowell sharing their wisdom & experience. #WriteNOWConference #DSWN @alexsegura.bsky.social @robyngigl.bsky.social @dmrowell.bsky.social @djledford.bsky.social

Karen Odden (left) smiling as host Christina Estes (right) revs us up for a wonderful presentation.

After lunch our destination was "Grand Openings: The All-Important First Page" with Karen Odden & we will never think about first pages the same way again (complimentary)! #WriteNOWConference #DSWN @karenodden.bsky.social @reporterestes.bsky.social

Christina Estes (left) with a big smile introducing Allison Brennan (right) for her presentation via webcam.

Allison Brennan's "Is It Thriller, Mystery, or Suspense?" workshop was next & we took copious notes! (What genre are you writing, writer friends?)

#WriteNOWConference #DSWN
@reporterestes.bsky.social

clockwise from top left: Lois Winston, RhysBowen, Catriona McPherson, and Edith Maxwell (Maddie Day). All four authors wearing smiles on webcam.

Then we dove straight into a fun panel on "Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing" with four prolific & lauded writers, Rhys Bowen, Catriona McPherson, Edith Maxwell (Maddie Day), & Lois Winston. #WriteNOWConference #DSWN @authorrhysbowen.bsky.social @catrionamcp.bsky.social @maddieday.bsky.social

Christina Estes (left) introducing Wendy H. Jones (right), via webcams, for the presentation Self-edit Your Way to Being a Better Writer.

Host Christina Estes kicked off Saturday by introducing Wendy H Jones who gave us beaucoup tips on how to "Self-edit Your Way to Being a Better Writer." #WriteNOWConference #DSWN
@wendyhjones.bsky.social @reporterestes.bsky.social

We had such a fantastic time at the 2025 WriteNOW! Conference & we cannot wait to do it again next year!

Save the Date! Sept 18-19, 2026

THANK YOU to our wonderful guest speakers, organizers, volunteers, #SinC & Desert Sleuth members, & attendees! We have the best #WritingCommunity around! #DSWN

It's not too late to register for tomorrow's WriteNOW! Conference! A full day of AWESOME panels, presentations, and #WritingCommunity.

Register: desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

#DSWN #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #SinC #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters

Catriona McPherson smiling at the webcam with bookshelves behind her.

Catriona McPherson looking into the webcam, eyebrows raised, mid-sentence hands up in front of her for emphasis, with bookshelves behind her.

Catriona McPherson has just imparted a crucial tip on adding clues to your manuscript [Tip: NO CHEATING] and is giving a stern teacher look at the webcam with bookshelves behind her.

We just spent a wonderful 90 minutes with the lovely @catrionamcp.bsky.social laughing and discussing clues, red herrings, crafting mysteries, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Thanks for such a great workshop, Catriona!

Now, off to WRITE!

#Inspired #AmWriting #DSWN #SinC #WritingCommunity

Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference September 19-20, 2025 Craft*Publish*Market Featured Guests: Terri Bischoff, Allison Brennan, Rhys Bowen, Christina Estes, Robyn Gigl, Jay Hartman, Ginger Hutchinson, Wendy H. Jones, Deborah J Ledford, Edith Maxwell, Catriona McPherson, Karen Odden, Anne Rainbow, Melissa Rechter, Raquel V. Reyes, D.M. Rowell, Alex Segura, and Lois Winston Saturday: One fee for a full day of panels, a workshop, and presentations; $25 Desert Sleuth members; $35 all others For registration and conference details: http://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

Our signature event, the WriteNOW! Conference, is this Saturday! A full day of workshops, presentations, & panels for the budget-friendly price of $35 for non-Desert Sleuth members. All writers welcome, regardless of experience or genre. We have a great #WritingCommunity!
#DSWN #AmWriting #SinC

WriteNOW! Conference Fri-Sat, Sept 19-20, Virtual EditNOW! developmental assessment of your first 3 chapters (up to 30 pages) by Terri Bischoff, Jay Hartman, or Anne Rainbow PitchNOW! 10-minutes to pitch your book to Literary Agent Ginger Hutchinson of Moveable Type Management or Editor Melissa Rechter of Crooked Lane Books and Alcove Press CraftNOW! with Catriona McPherson presenting a workshop on "Clues and Red Herrings" Friday: Agent/Editor pitch sessions ($35), an editor's assessment of your first 3 chapters ($60), and a writing craft workshop ($35) Saturday: One fee for a full day of panels, a workshop, and presentations; $25 Desert Sleuth members; $35 all others For registration and conference details: http://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

Last chance for:

-PitchNOW! - pitch an editor/agent your book

-EditNOW! - get feedback on your first 3 chapters

-CraftNOW! - Catriona McPherson's workshop on "Planting Clues and Red Herrings"

RegisterNOW!: desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

#DSWN #AmWriting #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

On Friday Sept 19, Literary Agent Ginger Hutchinson of Moveable Type Management is taking zoom pitches at the WriteNOW! Conference. Let's take a closer look at her manuscript wishlist.

#DSWN #AmWriting #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

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Next Friday, Sept 19, Editor Melissa Rechter of Crooked Lane Books & Alcove Press is taking zoom pitches at the WriteNOW! Conference. Let's take a closer look at her manuscript wishlist.

#DSWN #AmWriting #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

WriteNOW! Conference Fri-Sat, Sept 19-20, Virtual EditNOW! with Terri Bischoff, Jay Hartman, and Anne Rainbow Editors will accept and assess your first three chapters (up to 30 pages) and give you feedback. Manuscripts will be accepted via email beginning September 19, 2025 with a 3-week turnaround. Friday: Agent pitch sessions ($35), an editor's assessment of your first 3 chapters ($60), and a writing craft workshop ($35) Saturday: One fee for a full day of panels, a workshop, and presentations; $25 Desert Sleuth members; $35 all others For registration and conference details: http://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

Great deal alert!
1. Choose your editor (Terri, Jay, or Anne).
2. Get helpful feedback on your first 30 pages.
3. Level up your manuscript.
4. Take the publishing world by storm!

#DSWN #AmWriting #MysteryWriters #ThrillerWriters #CrimeWriters #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity #SinC