Writer in Residence Workshop: Finding your People: Developing your Community of Practice as an Author

Finding your People: Developing your Community of Practice as an Author

As the publishing industry changes, authors are increasingly required to handle their own community outreach, including marketing, PR, their website, book launches, zoom events, and social media. With personal anecdotes and industry knowledge, Karen shares her journey toward discovering a “writing community mindset” and discusses some specific, professionally productive and emotionally fulfilling ways to engage with the writing community.

USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden earned her PhD in English at New York University, writing her dissertation on Victorian literature. After teaching at UW-Milwaukee and editing for an academic journal, she turned to writing mysteries, all of which are set in 1870s London. Her fourth, Down a Dark River, an Oprah Daily pick, introduces readers to Inspector Michael Corravan at Scotland Yard; the sequel, Under a Veiled Moon, was nominated for the Agatha, Lefty, and Anthony awards for best historical mystery in 2023. She is a member of the national board of Sisters in Crime and has taught workshops across the US for writing groups, libraries, and conferences, including Desert Nights, Rising Stars at ASU. She makes her home in Arizona and Utah, where she loves to hike while plotting crimes. www.karenodden.com