Authors of the Flathead

09/10/2026

Tonight we are excited to have host Susan Purvis in conversation with true-crime author Cathy Scott!
September 10, 2026, Zoom meeting from 6:00-8:00pm Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Info and zoom links at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/schedule/

Cathy Scott is a powerhouse in true crime, a bestselling author for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, and an award-winning investigative journalist. She gained international recognition for her classic true-crime biographies, The Killing of Tupac Shakur and The Murder of Biggie Smalls, both of which became bestsellers, and Murder of a Mafia Daughter. Her latest book, First Lady of Murder, is an in-depth biography of the late true-crime author Ann Rule, with whom she was friends for the last three years of her life. Ann called Cathy “a star writer in the crowded field of true crime.”
She is currently working on a brand new Tupac book.

09/03/2026

Our final Presenter Spotlight is on our own Carl Stevens, whom we are excited to have returning with his presentation, “Readjng to Write.”

Want to explore new frontiers in your writing? Or just want to strengthen your narrative voice, character development or other craft elements in your work? This session is intended to direct you to proven sources that can illustrate mastery of those story elements that stump you.

Folks it is SEPTEMBER! If you aren’t registered, now is the time to head over to our website at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/ and save your seat.

Carl Bond Stevens is a ‘recovering’ CPA. After a twenty-year business career, he earned an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College. Since then, he has worked extensively in organizational diagnostics, forensic consulting and analytical writing; his client base ranged from small entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 100 multinational firms. He has taught writing at community colleges in Montana and Alaska. Recently, he has completed two novels.

08/18/2026

We are SO excited to bring audiobook Producer, Narrator, and SOVA award winner Becky Parker Geist to this year’s conference to talk audiobooks!
Most authors and particularly in the indie and self-published book spheres will attest to the power of having an audio option for your books, so this is a golden opportunity to get a solid grounding in next steps toward audiobooks for your projects.

Her two breakout sessions include: The Audiobook Blueprint: Making Smart, Empowered Audiobook Decisions from Manuscript to Marketplace, and Beyond Audible: Your 2026 Audiobook Strategy Playbook.

September is speeding toward us so be sure to check out the conference page on our website and register! https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/

Becky Parker Geist is the Founder & CEO of AMPlify Audiobooks and Pro Audio Voices, President of BAIPA (Bay Area Independent Publishers Assn), host of the Audiobook Connection podcast, and co-host of the Indie Authors Tell All podcast. Becky and her team at Pro Audio Voices developed AMPlify Audiobooks, the ground-breaking audiobook platform designed to help authors, listeners, narrators and anyone with a love of audiobooks to connect, build community, and thrive.

During the conference she will also be offering consultation or feedback for audiobook development, project ideas, and next steps.

08/13/2026

Conference speaker feature! We are so pleased to welcome past Montana Poet Laureate Mandy Smoker Broaddus to this year’s conference. Her presentation on the intersections of memory, relationship, and place in poetry will trace the threads of memory, the bonds of relationship, and our deep ties to the land through the written word. By engaging with curated poems and creative prompts, we’ll dive into the vivid imagery and fine details that bring our stories—and ourselves—into focus.

She will also be offering feedback and consultation on poetry, children’s books, or graphic novels.

This kind of exploration is a must for any creative writer to fuel your fire, whether you work in fiction, poetry, or other categories.
Space is limited and September is hurtling toward us! Grab your seat today at: https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/

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M.L. Smoker is Nakoda, Dakota and Lakota, a citizen of the Fort Peck Tribes. She served as Montana poet laureate from 2019-2021 with Melissa Kwasny. She received an MFA from the University of Montana, was recognized as an alumna of the year 2019 and an honorary doctorate in 2023. Her collection of poems, Another Attempt at Rescue, was published by Hanging Loose Press in 2005. She also co authored a children’s graphic novel entitled Thunderous (2022). She received a regional Emmy award for her work as a writer/consultant on the PBS documentary Indian Relay. She has worked in Indigenous education for over 20 years in Montana and throughout the country.

08/13/2026

Join our own Debbie Burke this Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Kalispell!

I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Kalispell, MT this Saturday, August 15, from 1-3 p.m., signing The Villain’s Journey - How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate, finalist for the Silver Falchion award for best nonfiction.

08/09/2026

Authors of the Flathead is having a summer picnic! Let’s catch up in the summer sun around a potluck dinner in the backyard of one of our beloved members. It’s local writing community at its finest!

Thursday, August 13th 6 - 8PM
1012 5th Avenue East. Kalispell

Please carpool, as neighborhood parking is limited.
Host is providing root b**r floats, please bring a potluck item or non-alcoholic beverages to share. It is most helpful if you bring your own plate, cup, and utensils. This party is outdoor only, ain’t no room inside 😏😉

08/05/2026

And speaking of Kathy Dunnehoff..! We are pleased to announce she will be presenting at our conference in September. Anyone who attends Kathy’s monthly classes for AoF knows she is a dynamic and knowledgeable professional with gems and invaluable tools to share.

Her presentation, “Stop Procrastinating…Tomorrow!”
will be just the kick in the pants everyone needs to put all their conference insight to work. Registration is filling up so make sure to check out Kathy’s bio and workshop description and secure your spot at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/

Kathy Dunnehoff is a National Bestselling women’s fiction & romantic comedy novelist with the ability to bring writing and life together with insight and humor. Her novels include The Do-Over, Back to U, Hollywood Beginnings, and Plan On It, and she’s a produced playwright.
After more than three decades teaching creative writing at the college level, Kathy offers writers a series of friendly guides. The first one, Hello, Writer: Plan to Have Your Best Writing Year Ever! And the second one (which ironically took her a while to finish) Hello, Writer: Stop Procrastinating… Tomorrow!

08/04/2026

This Thursday we’re back to regular meetings and Kathy Dunnehoff is kicking us off with “10 Ways to Better Pitch Your Work - and Yourself!”
With the conference just around the bend, this is a fantastic refresher not only in how to actually pitch your work to agents and editors, but to chat with other authors. What do you write? What’s it about? Learn to answer without freezing, or worse, droning on and on while the other person looks for the door..! 💀😴

THIS Thursday August 6th, 6:00pm MST, in person and on Zoom! Details at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/schedule/

08/01/2026

We often get asked for more presentations on writing and publishing children’s books, so we are extremely excited to welcome Marybeth Lorbiecki to this year’s conference to give us the full rundown in her presentation, “Children’s Books Nuts and Bolts.” She will be covering a vast overview of the children’s book world, including but not limited to: opportunities, craft, and breaking into the children’s book market. Definitely a workshop not to be missed!

Marybeth Lorbiecki, M.A, brings to her workshop knowledge gained as a children’s book editor and author of over 25 children’s books, most of them award-winners. (She was the Wisconsin Children’s Book Author of the Year 2008 and twice winner of the Living the Dream Award.) She has served as a freelance editor of adult and children’s books, run workshops on memoir and creative writing, and taught literature, writing, and an in-depth exploration of children’s books at the university level as an adjunct instructor.

You have HOURS left before the July 31st deadline ends to grab early bird pricing! Secure one of our very limited seats and start preparing your questions for our slate of amazing presenters: https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/

07/31/2026

Are you trying to decide if traditional or self publishing is for you? Come hear about our own Shayla Paradeis’ experience in her presentation “Empowered Self Publishing,” in which she will talk about her journey of taking her life experiences of walking across the country five times and turning it into a touring, storytelling career.
With the help of Light of the Moon Inc, a mother/daughter company based out of Carbondale, Colorado, Shayla was able to turn her adventure blogs into a book in only 6 months. At an affordable cost and with professional design and support, she published Footprint of a Heart in 2023, made her money back in the first season, and is grateful to own the full rights and build tours that reach the hearts of many nature and community enthusiasts worldwide. In her presentation, we’ll learn about the process of getting her book and business ‘on its feet.’

This is the LAST DAY for early bird pricing for the conference! Read the rest of Paradeis’ bio and check out the schedule, presenters, and registration at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference/