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2023 Programs:

Meeting time: 1:30 p.m.

March Meeting location: Edmond Library, Meeting Room A, 10 S Blvd, Edmond, OK 73034

April Meeting location: Ronald J. Norick, Downtown Library, Classroom F, 300 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City

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January 21: OKCPD Detective Cris Cunningham – Formerly in homicide, Detective Cunningham is now in the Internet Crimes Against Children unit but will be speaking about homicide.

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February 18 (Virtual): Formatting with Kathy L Wheeler.

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Multi published author and formatter extraordinaire, will show us how to format ebooks for submission to publishers and for uploading to Amazon and other retail sites.

Kathy L Wheeler loves the NFL, the NBA, musical theater (don’t ask how her how many times she’s seen Phantom of the Opera (12); or Wicked (7), travel, (Europe, Grand Cayman, Mexico, All over the US), reading (practically a book a night), writing (25 published books and counting) and karaoke (well… what can I say). She assists other authors in critiquing, formatting, and creating covers for their publishing dreams.

She writes contemporary and historical stories where the heroines save themselves and the heroes who honor their courage with suspense and humor.

She is thriving in the Pacific Northwest with her musically talented, lawyer husband and her adorable dog Angel who lives up to her name (…mostly).

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March 18: Betsey Kulakowski - Imposter Syndrome: What It Is, How to Avoid It, How To Overcome It

Have you ever felt like a complete fraud? Like any minute you’ll be unmasked as a big fake? Like you’re writing sucks — you suck — and you’re not meant to achieve your full potential? You are not alone! Even high-achievers like Maya Angelou and Neil Gaiman have expressed self-doubt. The key is to get out of your own way, overcome your fear and be the writer you were meant to be. In this session, I’ll give you some practical tips you can use to avoid and overcome the dreaded imposter syndrome.

Betsey is a federally trained investigator and has 30+ years of experience as an occupational safety specialist, with a degree in emergency management. Betsey served on disaster response teams at the Murrah Federal Building Bombing, the World Trade Center, and Hurricanes Katrina/Rita, as well as other disasters in Oklahoma.

She wrote her first book at age 6. Being a writer wasn't something she chose. It chose her.

Betsey is the author of the Best-Selling paranormal thriller, The Veritas Codex, and the series of the same name. She has experience as an amateur paranormal investigator and is an avid history buff and family genealogist. She's married and has two grown children, and two fur babies.

Visit her website at www.authorbetseykulakowski.com

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April 15 (Virtual): Maria Connor – A Comprehensive Guide to Marketing Your Books

Maria Connor is the founder and owner of My Author Concierge, which provides high-level project management support services to self-published authors. She is the author of The Self-Publishing Checklist Series, a USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author, and an international speaker on writing, editing, marketing, and publishing topics. For more than a decade, she has worked with hundreds of authors across all genres, published more than 35 titles herself, and presented more than 30 workshops regionally, nationally, and internationally.

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May 20: Callie Hutton: “Mastering Book Blurbs”

USA Today bestselling author, Callie Hutton, has penned more than 55 historical romance and cozy mystery books. She lives in Oklahoma with her very close and lively family, which includes her twin grandsons, affectionately known as “The Twinadoes.”

Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at calliehutton11@gmail.com.

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June 17: ​Kat Lewis: How to Write Diverse Characters

Kat Lewis is an up-and-coming thriller author and recently launched her career with her electrifying debut novel, Rogue Defender. She is a passionate advocate for those escaping the horrors of human trafficking and uses her writing an avenue to spread awareness. Kat Lewis has always had a penchant for pulse-pounding adventures and sassy characters, all of the things she fulfills in her debut thriller novel Rogue Defender. Born and raised in Oklahoma with her six siblings, Kat has worked in a variety of interesting industries, from politics to wedding planning. She believes that people level up the fastest when in community with movers and shakers which is why she's a member of Oklahoma Christian Fiction Writers (OCFW) and served as the 2020 President. Connect with Kat on her website at https://www.katlewisauthor.com

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July 15: Writing to evoke mood with Brooke Taylor

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August 19: Krysta Scott – Story Endings – The Good and the Bad

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September 15-17 – Retreat- Members only

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October 21: Romancing the Monster Contest (Contest for members only)

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November 18: Amy Brewer - Agent

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December 9: Christmas party – Members Only