Meetings

The Chesapeake Chapter usually holds a monthly meeting with a speaker on the first Saturday of each month, unless there is a holiday, venue scheduling, or convention conflict.

Upcoming meeting dates are listed below.  Members signed up on the listserv will receive an email notice in advance of the meeting, along with registration information. To reserve your place at a meeting, follow the directions as stated on the email notice or on the meeting’s announcement on this website. Guests and non-members are welcome to attend (unless otherwise noted).

UPCOMING CHAPTER MEETINGS/EVENTS

***NO MEETING IN MAY***
June 13, 2026
Pre-Meeting Chat: 12:30 pm ET

Program Begins: 1:00 pm ET

MIND AND MYSTERY
– K.T. Nguyen

What do we gain by viewing mystery through a mind with mental illness? Genre can be a powerful tool to engage the reader, allowing them to challenge their preconceptions and assume a new perspective within the comfort of familiar tropes. Award-winning psychological thriller author K.T. Nguyen takes us through a case study of OCD depictions in crime fiction, from Poirot to Monk to Lisa Jewell. We will then examine how to responsibly write from the perspective of a character experiencing mental illness.

AUTHOR BIO:
K.T. Nguyen is a former editor at Glamour magazine. Her psychological thriller YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID received the Agatha and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel. In a starred review, Booklist described it as “a twisty horror-filled thriller” and an “incredibly compelling debut.” Selected as a Best Book by People Magazine and Elle, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID is now available in paperback. When she’s not writing, K.T. enjoys practicing Krav Maga and rooting for the Mets. A graduate of Brown University, she lives just outside of Washington, D.C. with her family.

Register online at:    LINK TO COME

Thank you!

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July 11:
The Book Coaching Maze: How to Choose the Right Support Without Wasting
Time or Money with Melissa Haveman.
Coaching for writers is on the rise, but what kind of coach do you really need? With so
many options available (book coaches, writing coaches, author coaches, and more), it
can be hard to know the differences, let alone understand which one fits your needs. In
this session, certified executive coach (PCC), developmental editor, and author Melissa
Haveman will demystify the coaching landscape for writers. You’ll gain clarity on the types of coaching,what each one is best suited for, and how to choose the right support for your spot in the writing journey.
Whether you’re brainstorming a book, feeling stuck, or navigating a successful author career, this session will help you understand the options and how coaching can help you move forward. Melissa Haverman is a ICF Certified Leadership/Team/Career Coach (PCC), Everything DiSC Certified Trainer, and Accredited Facilitator for the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team

 

August 1:
Topic TBD

August 29/September Meeting:
Panel on Short Stories
October 3:
Kelly Oliver on self-editing

 

November 7:
MURDER, THEY WROTE: A MYSTERY AUTHORS EXTRAVAGANZA
HCLS Miller Branch Library, Ellicott City, MD

December 12:
MURDER, THEY WROTE: A MYSTERY AUTHORS EXTRAVAGANZA
Reston Library (VA)

UPCOMING CHAPTER AUTHORS’ EVENTS

** Watch this space for upcoming author events. **