Mobile, Alabama is mostly closed down today because of icy conditions, but I’ve got a busy month of both online and in-person events.

In my readers group, Dalby’s Darklings, I’m hosting an online discussion all about Alliance: Washington Square Secrets 2, beginning tomorrow and running January 17-20, 2024.
I love doing book discussions, and the participants enjoy hearing the secrets, background information, and more when we deep-dive into a book.
By the time I host a discussion post-publication, I’ve been sitting on the finished manuscript for several months–or even a year–which makes it extra exciting to be able to talk about the story without holding anything back.
All the spoilers!
And there is so much to share about Jo and her friends, including what’s next in the series.

And if one book discussion wasn’t enough, January 21-27, 2024 I’m co-hosting an online discussion in POSSESSED: Timeless Gothic Reads (the Gothic book group I started over five years ago) all about To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird is Southern Gothic.
In schools it’s taught as a “classic” but not discussed as its genre–which is true of a lot of classics, especially the Gothic ones.
(If you haven’t already, take a half an hour and watch my presentation about Southern Gothic in comparison to Gothic Horror that’s on Youtube.
And while you’re there, subscribe to my channel because I’ll be adding more content this year.)
To make the discussion about To Kill a Mockingbird even more special, the 2010 recipient of the Harper Lee Award is going to co-host for one day: living literary legend Carolyn Haines. Carolyn and several other distinguished and independent authors are members in this global group of Gothic literature loving readers. Now is a great time to join.

Alliance: Washington Square Secrets 2 is dedicated to both Debbie Bradley and the band analog missionary. The photo below is with band member Kevin Kaiser, when I presented them with copies of Alliance in October. 



analog missionary has invited me to give a short presentation about how I use music to fuel my writing at their next studio concert event on the evening of [new date!] FEBRUARY 3, 2024 in Silverhill, Alabama. If you are in the area and wish to attend check out the FB event link for details. Let me know if you have questions.

And to close out the month, I’m going big with a lecture at Bellingrath Gardens and Home.



I’m excited they are having me back for a second year. My presentation “Mining Mobile’s Gilded Age for Historical Drama” is a ticketed event as part of their Ink and Insights series, so check their website for details. It will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. 



One more thing to keep in mind…
Save the date for March 23, 2024. That’s the Mobile Literary Festival–a FREE all-day event for readers and writers. March is a fabulous time to visit Mobile, Alabama.