History, Craft, and Craps

I’m heading to Las Vegas next weekend—not for a bachelorette party or club hopping, but for something a little more my speed these days: the Historical Novel Society’s Writer’s Conference.

Historical fiction writers from around North America will be gathering to talk about storytelling, research, publishing, and the craft of bringing the past to life on the page. I'm looking forward to the programming—from panels on dual timelines and character arcs to sessions on writing unforgettable openings and navigating the path to publication.

Several authors whose books I’ve loved will be there, including Sarah Penner, author of The Lost Apothecary. That book sparked a binge into historical fiction for me that hasn’t let up since. It taught me that I love learning about history through storytelling—how fiction can illuminate the past in ways that feel personal, emotional, and real. That’s the kind of storytelling I want to spend my time reading—and writing. I also just finished The Midnight House by Amanda Geard, and I’m really looking forward to hearing her talk about it.

Even better? My husband will be joining me midway through the conference so we can spend the weekend celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary. I’ll be diving into craft sessions by day and enjoying kid-free dinners with him in the evenings—hopefully with some poolside lounging and maybe a lucky streak at the craps table.

I can’t wait to meet other writers, hear about their journeys, and return home armed with new tools (and probably a few extra books in my bag). Stay tuned—I’ll follow up with a post after the conference!