Events

PenguinCrowdTHE LAST CARETAKER is an instant USA Today Bestseller!

(Events are being added on a rolling basis: Please check back often.)

Ohioana Book Festival
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Columbus Metropolitan Library
*Free & open to the public.

Lebanon Public Library: Meet the Author
“Beyond the Book Club” Discussion: A Million Reasons Why
April 23, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

The Carnegie Center Books in Progress Conference 2024 (faculty)
Lexington, KY
Friday, May 31, 2024
*Paid registration required

Writer’s Digest University Webinar: Setting Up a Great Novel Premise
June 13, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST
*Paid registration required

Columbus (Ohio) Book Festival 2024 (featured author)
July 13-14, 2024
*Free & open to the public

In support of event programming and other outreach to fellow readers and writers, on the page and off: This artist was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for FY 2024.

PREVIOUS 2024 EVENTS

Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (faculty)
April 4-6, 2024
University of Dayton, Ohio

Authors in Conversation: Jessica Strawser & Jacquelyn Mitchard
Q&A & Signing: The Last Caretaker and A Very Inconvenient Scandal
*Free & open to the public: No advance registration required.
Saturday, April 6, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble Beavercreek

Career Authors Writing Retreat (faculty)
April 12-14, 2024
MIT Endicott House, Dedham, MA

PREVIOUS 2023 EVENTS

Meet Jessica Strawser at the Cincy Book Bus Depot
Saturday, March 11, 2023,
11 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
10936 Reading Road, Sharonville
*Prepublication exclusive: New paperback editions of The Next Thing You Know will be available for signing.

In-Store Event at Joseph-Beth Cincinnati: In Conversation with Rebecca Serle On Tour for One Italian Summer (*New Paperback Editions of The Next Thing You Know will also be available)
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
7:00 p.m., free

Writer’s Digest 9th Annual Mystery & Thriller Virtual Conference 
March 25-26, 2023
online workshop; paid registration required

Wright Library Foundation’s Writing Workshop Series
Virtual Workshop: Surprise & Delight Your Readers on Every Page
Thursday, April 20, 2023, 7-8:30 p.m.
free and open to the public; advance registration required

2023 Ohioana Book Festival
Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 10:30-5:00
in-person event; free and open to the public

Career Authors Writer’s Retreat 2023 (faculty)
MIT Endicott House, Dedham, MA
May 5-7, 2023
in-person event; advance paid registration required

Columbus Book Festival: Featured Author
July 14-15, 2023
Columbus Metropolitan Library, Central Ohio

In Conversation With Katrina Kittle about her new novel: Morning in This Broken World
September 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

Meet the Author: Jessica Strawser
September 26, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Clermont County Public Library, Miami Twp., OH

2023 Ohio Library Council Convention & Expo
Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH
September 28, 2023
Author Spotlight (paid registration required)

Writer’s Digest University Webinar: Mastering Voice
October 5, 2023
Virtual Event (paid registration required)

Kentucky Book Festival
Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY

Buckeye Book Fair
*Exclusive presale event! Get your signed copies before the official release.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Greystone Event Center, Wooster, OH

Book Clubs Discuss: A Million Reasons Why
Free & open to the public (book sales provided by The Bookshelf Madiera)
November 14, 2023, 6-8 p.m.
Oxford Lane Library, Oxford, OH

Books by the Banks
*Exclusive presale event! Get your signed copies before the official release.*
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

The Last Caretaker: Cincinnati Launch Event
Wednesday, November 29, 7 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

The Last Caretaker Meet & Greet / Signing
Saturday, December 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cincy Book Bus Depot, Sharonville, OH

The Back Room Authors
Multi-author event with bestsellers Jillian Cantor, Jeneva Rose & Nalini Singh. 
Sunday, December 3, 7 p.m.
Virtual interactive event: Register for free.

The Last Caretaker on Adriana Trigiani Live
Virtual event, in conversation with Adriana.
Tuesday, December 5, 3:45 p.m. (EST)

The Last Caretaker: Pittsburgh Launch Event
Wednesday, December 6, 7 p.m.
Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, PA

The Last Caretaker on Tour: Cuyahoga Public Library:
In Conversation with The Scent of Murder Author Kylie Logan
Thursday, December 7, 7 p.m.
North Royalton Branch Library, OH
*Book sales on site courtesy of Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry

2022 EVENTS

THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW IS ON TOUR! 

Friends & Fiction After-Show
With NYT Bestsellers Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Kristin Harmel
Wednesday, March 16, 8 p.m. EST, Live on Facebook & YouTube

Joseph-Beth Booksellers: Launch Day Celebration
In Store Event, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. EST

Reading With Robin: Tell Me About Your Book
Tuesday, March 22, 3 p.m. EST, Live on Instagram @robinkallink

A Mighty Blaze: “Authors Love Bookstores” Series
Wednesday, March 23, 4 p.m. EST, Live on Facebook and YouTube

Cuyahoga County Public Library
Monday, April 4, 7 p.m. EST, Virtual Event

Adriana Ink!
With NYT bestseller Adriana Trigiani
Tuesday, April 5, 6 p.m. EST, Facebook Live

Inside the Writer’s Studio: Cincinnati State
Arts & Sciences (students & faculty only; not open to the public)
Wednesday, April 6

The Penguin Bookshop Writers Series
In Store Event, Pittsburgh, PA
Thursday, April 7, 7 p.m. EST

Don Bentley, In Conversation With Jessica Strawser (Hostile Intent Book Tour)
In Store Event, Mason, OH, Half-Price Books
May 5, 6 p.m. EST

Career Authors Writing Retreat (Faculty)
Endicott House, MIT, Boston
May 13-15, in person event

Clermont County Public Library: Amelia Branch Author Visit
Tuesday, May 31, 6 p.m. EST

Thurber House Summer Literary Picnics: An Evening With Jessica Strawser
Wednesday, July 13, 6 p.m. EST (Ticketed Event)
Thurber House Lawn, Columbus, Ohio

Kentucky Book Festival 2022
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY
Saturday, October 29

Buckeye Book Fair 2022
Greystone Event Center, Wooster, OH
Saturday, November 5, 9:30-4:00

Books by the Banks 2022
Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH
Saturday, November 19, 10:00-4:00

2021 EVENTS

THE A MILLION REASONS WHY BOOK TOUR HAS GONE VIRTUAL! 

The Back Room: Cocktails & Conversation With Your Favorite Authors
An Evening With Joshilyn Jackson, Jessica Strawser, Steph Cha, and Emily Carpenter
Sunday, March 7, 7 p.m. EST (free Eventbrite registration required)

Reading With Robin: Tell Me About Your Book
Tuesday, March 23, 4 p.m. EST, Live on Instagram @robinkallink

Adriana Ink! The World’s Biggest Book Club
Jessica Strawser In Conversation with Adriana Trigiani
Tuesday, March 23, 6 p.m. EST, via Facebook Live (streaming live) & YouTube (on demand afterward)

Joseph-Beth Booksellers Presents: A Million Reasons Why
Jessica Strawser in Conversation with Colleen Oakley
Wednesday, March 24, 7 p.m. EST (via Zoom: RSVP for free event link)

The Penguin Bookshop Writers Series Book Launch: A Million Reasons Why
Jessica Strawser In Conversation with Kristin Bair
Thursday, March 25, 7 p.m. EST, via Zoom (ticketed event; registration required)

Macmillan Publishers Presents: Author Agent Virtual Tell-All
With Jessica Strawser & Barbara Poelle (Co-sponsored by Writer’s Digest)
Tuesday, March 30, 7 p.m. EST, via Crowdcast (free; registration required)

Cuyahoga Public Library Author Series
A Conversation With Jessica Strawser: On A Million Reasons Why
Wednesday, March 31, 7 p.m. EST, via Zoom (free registration required)

National Society of Newspaper Columnists Virtual Conference
Virtual Session Facilitator, April 16, 2021

Ohioana Book Festival 2021
Free Virtual Event, Featured Author/Panelist, April 23-25, 2021

Wright Memorial Public Library: Virtual Writing Workshop
May 4, 2021, 7-8:30 p.m. EST
Free & Open to the Public: Advance Registration Required

Career Authors & MIT Endicott House Intensive Writer’s Workshop
Virtual Event Faculty, May 7-8, 2021

In Conversation With Catherine McKenzie: Six Weeks to Live Tour
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, live on FB & Zoom, May 18, 2021, 7 p.m. EST.

Carmel Clay Public Library: Virtual Author Series
Facebook Live, June 3, 2021, 11 a.m. EST

Midwest Writers Workshop 2021
Virtual Conference, July 28-31, Instructor/Panelist

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I’D LOVE TO JOIN YOU!

I have nearly 20 years of experience presenting at writing conferences, literary festivals, charity luncheons, book club gatherings and more. Visit my complete Speaking hub for information on my keynotes, workshop offerings, and other opportunities for me to visit with your group (large or small).
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PAST EVENTS

Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (Sponsor Representative)
University of Dayton, Ohio, March 31 – April 2, 2016

5th Annual Books-in-Progress Conference(Featured Speaker)
Carnegie Center, Lexington, Kentucky, June 3, 2016

Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Almost Missed You Launch / Signing!)
Rookwood Pavilion, Cincinnati, OH

March 28, 2017, 7 p.m.

Penguin Bookshop (Almost Missed You Launch / Signing)
Sewickley, PA

April 6, 2017, 6 p.m.

Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square, Columbus, OH

April 8, 2017

Colorado Springs, CO

May 5-6, 2017

May 10, 2017, 6 p.m.

Erlanger, KY

May 16, 2017, 7 p.m.

Antioch Writers’ Workshop LitSalon (Featured Author)

May 21, 2017, 4-7 p.m.

Green Tree Public Library (Joint Event With Author Rebecca Drake)

Pittsburgh, PA

June 29, 2017, 7 p.m. (discussion of my Almost Missed You, Rebecca’s Only Ever You and the domestic suspense trend, followed by Q&A and book signing)

Oakmont, PA

July 1, 2017, 10:30 a.m.

Antioch Writers’ Workshop(Instructor)

Yellow Springs, OH

July 8, 2017 (daytime workshop + evening faculty signing)

Midwest Writers Workshop(Keynote Speaker / Panelist)
Ball State University, Muncie, IN

July 20-22, 2017

Main Campus, 800 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH

August 1, 2017, 7 p.m.

Florence Freedom Better in a Book Night(Celebration of Local Authors at the Ballpark)
UC Health Stadium, Florence, KY

August 4, 2017, 7 p.m.

Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Lexington, KY

August 10, 2017, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Info / Registration ($30 Fee)

Writer’s Digest Conference (Speaker / Sponsor Staff / Panelist)
New York Hilton Midtown, NY, NY
August 18-20, 2017
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Free & Open to the Public!
Discussion, Q&A, Signing (With Authors Charlie Lovett & Fred McGavran) 
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 2944 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, OH
Sunday, September 17, 2017, 1 p.m.
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Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

Saturday, October 28, 2017, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
Saturday, November 18, 2017, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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The Bookshelf, Madeira, OH
Saturday, December 2, 2017, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m
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Murder and Mayhem (Panelist, 1-Day Event for Mystery/Crime Writers & Readers)*
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL
Saturday, March 17, 2018
*Special: The first hardcover copies of Not That I Could Tell will be available for purchase/signing in advance of official on-sale date!
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Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, PA
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 7 p.m.
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Coffee & Crime (Joint Event With Author Rebecca Drake)
Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont, PA
Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
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Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 7 p.m.
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Books & Co., Dayton, OH
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 7 p.m.
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Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (Faculty)
University of Dayton, OH
April 5-7, 2018
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Sheraton Capitol Square, Columbus, OH
April 14, 2018
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Bowling Green, KY
April 20, 2018
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SOKY Book Fest 

Bowling Green, KY
April 21, 2018
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Lexington, KY
June 1, 2018
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Columbus, OH
July 25, 2018, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (dinner optional; program begins at 6:45)
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Hilton Midtown, New York, NY
August 10-12, 2018
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Alliance, OH
September 8, 2018
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Cincinnati, OH
October 20, 2018
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Main Library, Reading Garden Lounge
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 7 p.m.
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In Conversation With Jess Montgomery
Books & Co., Dayton, OH
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, 7 p.m.
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In Conversation With Leah Stewart
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, 7 p.m.
Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, PA
Friday, Feb. 15, 2018, 7 p.m.
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In Conversation With Kristen Lepionka
The Book Loft of German Village, Columbus, OH
Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, 1 p.m.
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In Conversation Moderator: Laurie Halse Anderson, SHOUT(Ticketed Event)
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
Thursday, March 14, 2019, 7 p.m.
..
Lebanon, OH
Saturday, March 16, 2019, 1 p.m.
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Marion Public Library, OH
Saturday, March 23, 1-3 p.m.
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The Top 10 Writing Lessons From 10 Years of Interviewing Bestselling Authors
Main Library, Saturday, March 30, 2019, 1 p.m.

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Albuquerque, NM
April 13, 2019
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Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
Saturday, April 27, 2019
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Pittsburgh, PA
May 17-19, 2019
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Moon Township, PA
May 19, 2019
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The Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Lexington, KY
May 31, 2019
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Cincinnati Public Library Writer’s Workshop (Free & Open to the Public)
Fiction Writers’ Workshop: Building Suspense by Acting Out of Character
Main Library, Saturday, June 8, 2019, 1 p.m..

Hilton Midtown, New York, NY
August 23-25, 2019
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School for the Creative & Performing Arts, Cincinnati, OH
Sept. 11, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
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Cincinnati Public Library Writer’s Workshop (Free & Open to the Public)
Your Publishing Questions Answered—From Both Sides of the Desk
Main Library, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, 1 p.m.

AAUW Lunch & Literature (Ticketed Fundraiser)
American Association of University Women, Erie, PA, Chapter
The Kahkwa Club, Erie, PA
Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019

Clermont County Public Library Area Writers Festival (Keynote Address)

Miami Township Branch Library
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati: Books & Brunch (Ticketed Fundraiser)
Kenwood Country Club
Thursday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m.

Books by the Banks
Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, OH
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Kentucky Book Fair
Alltech Arena, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
November 16, 2019

Forget You Know Me Paperback Launch
In Conversation With Kimmery Martin
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, Ohio
March 4, 2020, 7 p.m.
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Kentucky Writers Conference (Faculty) (Cancelled Due to Public Health Concerns) Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
March 20, 2020
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SOKY Book Fest (Cancelled Due to Public Health Concerns)
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
March 21, 2020
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Tipp City Public Library Virtual Author Discussion, Not That I Could Tell
Tipp City, OH / Facebook Live
June 22, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
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Miami University Low-Res MFA Summer Residency (Visiting Faculty)
Virtual Campus (Oxford, Ohio)
July 2020
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Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (Faculty)
Virtual Event
October 29-31, 2020

Easton Book Festival (Panelist) — Virtual Event
Tall Poppy Writers: Raising Up Strong Women’s Voices in Fiction
November 1, 2020, 4 p.m. EST
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Writer’s Digest Annual Conference: 100th Anniversary Celebration (Instructor)
Virtual Event
November 5-7, 2020
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Virtual 2020 Buckeye Book Fair (Featured Author)
November 6-15, 2020

Penguin Bookshop Writers Series: In Conversation With Kristin Bair
Virtual Launch Event: Bair’s Agatha Arch Is Afraid of Everything
November 10, 2020, 7 p.m.