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, October through June, from 5-7pm. Meetings will take place on Zoom until further notice.

Thurs, October 8 | Blacktop Wasteland, S.A. Cosby (Literary suspense; Craft element: CHARACTER)

Thurs, November 12 | Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Gothic Mystery; Craft element: GENRE)

Thurs, January 7 | And Now She’s Gone, Rachel Howzell Hall (Thriller; Craft element: CHARACTER)

Thurs, February 18 | Cottonmouths, Kelly J Ford (Rural Noir; Craft element: SETTING)

Thurs, March 25 | Winter Counts, David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Thriller; Craft element: WORLD BUILDING)

Thurs, May 6 | Your House Will Pay, Step Cha (Suspense; Craft element: STRUCTURE)

Thurs, June 17 | Death in Her Hands, Ottesaa Moshfeghy (Horror/Humor/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 regular contributor to The Providence Journal. Her next book, For the Best, releases September 8th, and she’s currently working on her third, which is set in rural Oklahoma.

She’s originally from Miami (Mi-am-MUH), Oklahoma and is a member of the Oklahoma Cherokee Nation. She now lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and sloth-obsessed son. Smitten with the smallest state, she enjoys organizing book events and literary happenings in the city’s robust creative community. Come hang out with her on Instagram @vanessalillie or facebook.com/vanessalillieauthor.