This is a reading group for writers or those interested in how writers read to improve their own craft. We’ll focus on specific writing craft elements (e.g. voice, world building, structure, etc.) within the context of the book we’re reading. We’ll delve into what makes a particular craft element work as a writer and reader as well as personal experiences from our own writing.

Most of the books selected are recent releases and tend to lean a little darker and usually have a mystery or suspenseful element. As a writer, I think it’s also important to ask: Why did a publisher buy this book? Why now? What did I love about it? What might other readers love as well? Are there implications in my own writing?

As best we can schedule, we’ll also have the authors join our Zoom meeting to chat and answer questions the first half hour about their writing process before the group discussion begins.

Supplemental: Reading Like A Writer by Francine Prose

This group meets on Thursdays about every six weeks, September through June, from 5-7pm. Meetings will take place on Zoom.

*VIRTUAL MEETING* Thurs, September 23 | Razorblade Tears, S.A. Cosby (Literary suspense; Craft element: CHARACTER)

Thurs, October 28 | The Firekeepers Daughter, Angeline Boulley (Young Adult thriller; Craft element: VOICE)

Thurs, December 2 | Arsenic and Adobo, Mia P. Mansala (Mystery; Craft element: SETTING)

Thurs, January 6 | My Sweet Girl, Amanda Jayatissa (Thriller; Craft element: SETTING)

Thurs, February 10 | The Other Black Girl, Zakiya Dalila Harris (Thriller; Craft element: CHARACTER)

Thurs, April 28 | Like a Sister, Kellye Garrett (thriller; craft element: SETTING)

Thurs, June 9 | All Her Little Secrets, Wanda M. Morris (Suspense; Craft element: VOICE)

Vanessa Lillie is the Amazon Bestselling author of Little Voices, which received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and Best Debuts 2019 by Bolo Books. She’s a Board Member of Sisters in Crime and wrote a weekly column in The Providence Journal about life during the first year of the COVID pandemic. Her recently released thriller, For the Best, was a “must read” in POPSUGAR and CrimeReads. Her next book is a co-authored audiobook out in Spring of 2022 by Audible Originals. She lives in Providence with her husband and sloth-obsessed six-year-old son. Hang out with her (and join her weekly author interview series) on Instagram.