It’s almost spring, I know because the frozen tundra we’ve been living with is melting and the sun is out.

I often attend several conferences and workshops in Oklahoma during the year. I love the opportunity to hear different speakers and their take on writing and to mingle with like minds. But there’s a great one coming up in Norman on March 22, 2025.

Sisters in Crime is a national mystery and crime writing association which has local divisions. The Oklahoma chapter is aptly named Tornado Alley. They’ve been in existence for a few years and are growing. I joined a couple of years ago to learn all I could about mystery writing and to mingle with others who do the same.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Hank Phillipi Ryan, Hank Phillippi Ryan – Wikipedia investigative reporter for Channel 7 News on WHDH-TV, a local television station in Boston, Massachusetts. She is also an author of mystery novels. Hank Phillippi Ryan – Book Series In Order. She will be speaking on “Conquering the Muddle in the Middle.” If you’ve ever attempted to write a novel, or any story, you know what she means.  I am looking forward to learning about her way of writing mysteries.

The other speakers include Peggy Doviak (Financial Tips for Writers) and Mel Odem (What Writers Need to Know about AI). There will be a panel discussion in the afternoon discussing The Artist versus the Professional—A Balancing Act with Alicia Dean, Mary Coley, Mark E. Jones, and Dianne McCartney.

The conference is at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Norman from 9:00 to 4:00 and lunch is provided. The cost is $45 for nonmembers or $35 for members, including lunch and there will be door prizes and a book table where you can purchase books of the speakers and members and have them signed while you are there.

We’d love to have you. To register, click the QR Code on the poster or go to www.tornadoalleysinc.wixsite.com. We’d love to see you.

What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?