Events.
Here's what I'm up to. Let's hook up.
Standing Monkey Meetings
My writing group is called The Infinite Monkeys and they're a great bunch of typewriter smashing Hamlet aspiring authors who don't take themselves too seriously. A rare thing these days, I'd say. It is a chapter of the League of Utah Writers, a venerable organizaiton I used to lead.
Our stated meetings:We meet in person, thanks to the kind support of the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan. We meet in a cool little cubby of a space here:
7879 South 1530 West #600
West Jordan, Utah 84088
Meetings generally open at 6:30 pm for some chat time, with things kicking off at 7:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm.
Second Thursday of the month: General business
We'll have a class for the first hour and then critique groups for the last half. Bring 5 copies of 5 pages and get some feedback.
Fourth Thursday of the month: Write In
This is an informal gathering where we get togther and hopefully write something. It's often full of chatting groups. some critiquing, and general networking. Good times.
Our meetings are all open to the public and all are welcome. Come out and meet the gang! Chances are, though no guarantee, I'll be there distrupting what everyone else is trying to do.
THE GAIA CHIME
Order Now
Released:
March 11, 2025
Hunter High School FBLA
Tuesday November 18, 2022
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Hunter Hight School
4200 South 5600 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84120
My annual panel visit to talk to future business leaders about running your own business. I've done that. am doing it. So why not me?
Lifelong Learning - University of Utah
Continuing Education Building
540 Arapeen Drive (Research Park)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Creative Writing 1 (LLWRC 780)
Tuesday Nights (6 sessions)
Jan. 13 - Feb. 17, 2026
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Creative Writing (LLWRC 780): How do we tell stories? What do we include in writing, and what remains unsaid? Build your voice as we focus on a group of specific techniques for shaping and informing your creative skills, including character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, and setting. In class, we will read short selections of writing to see what techniques we can beg, borrow, and steal from them. We will experiment with in-class writing exercises and read and discuss each other's work. Writing can be inventive, illogical, chaotic, unexpected, strange, and wonderful. In this class, we will practice seeing the world in new ways and then recreating that experience on the page.
LTUE
Wednesday-Saturday
February 11-14, 2026
Provo Utah Marriott Hotel
101 W 100 N
Provo, UT 84601
Thursday February 12, 2026
7:00 p.m. — Room TBD
The Super-Power of Writing Sprints: Smash Writer’s Block Like a Hero
Pressure, stress, and deadlines—ugly words, but rocket fuel for the creative. The class is lead through several VERY short writing prompts, which break barriers of worry and over-analysis. We will share some of these with each other to show how well the process works. It's a fantastic class to build confidence and teach a new writing tool for struggling writers.
Saturday February 14, 2026
5:00 p.m. — Room TBD
A Study in Mystery
Uncover the truth of this wonderfully modern, strangely formulaic, but eternally popular genre—mystery. We will trace its origins and motives, expose it impact on English literature, and see how it forever changed the modern world. We will scrutinize the techniques, tropes, types, and methods employed in the dastardly deeds, so that we, with clear deduction, can join the rogue gallery of conundrum connoisseurs and weave whodunnits with the best of them.
Lifelong Learning - University of Utah
Continuing Education Building
540 Arapeen Drive (Research Park)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Literary Querying (LLWRC 844)
Saturdays (3 Sessions)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 28, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Literary Querying (LLWRC 844): So you've written a book. Now what? Approaching the publishing world can be a lonely and daunting task. This class will give you a jump start by providing the knowledge and skill required to navigate the world of agents and publishers. It is recommended (but not necessary) that you bring a finished piece of work you are trying to place. This is a workshop heavy class, where we'll polish your pages and develop a plan to give you the best chance in the great publishing hunt.
Lifelong Learning - University of Utah
Continuing Education Building
540 Arapeen Drive (Research Park)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Creative Writing 2 (LLWRC 825)
Tuesday Nights (6 sessions)
Mar. 3 - Apr. 2, 2026
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Creative Writing 2 (LLWRC 825): Taught in a workshop format, this course will get your creative juices flowing as we expand on topics covered in Creative Writing: voice, tone, point of view and use of tense along with journeying into literary elements such as metaphor and simile, symbolism, structure, and others. This class is a fun way to build and develop the skills in an encouraging and supportive environment. Come prepared to read, write, and talk.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE TAKEN CREATIVE WRITING TO JOIN THIS CLASS
Lifelong Learning - University of Utah
Continuing Education Building
540 Arapeen Drive (Research Park)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Zen Lessons for Writers (LLWRC 873)
Three Saturdays
Mar. 14 - 28, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Zen Lessons For Writers (LLWRC 873): Join a published author as he shares his discoveries in Eastern philosophy and their applications to the life of a writer. We will focus on overcoming writer's block, the nature of the Muse, and the nature of the work. This is a class about wellness and art, philosophy and creation, work, success, and existence. Sessions include directed mindfulness meditations, lectures on basic Buddhist concepts, and explorations of how these can be successfully applied to the author's journey. You will experience creative writing, discussions, homework, and camaraderie.
Pikes Peak Writers Conference
Friday-Sunday
April 17-19, 2026
Colorado Springs Doubletree Hotel
1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO, 80906.