Calling all writers and writers-to-be! I invite you to join me in Mesa on May 9, 2026, for the Sonoran Writers Conference at Benedictine University. I’ll be participating in several panels and sharing vital information about the venomous and poisonous animals found in Arizona. As many of you know, I love talking about animals, and I’m especially passionate about helping authors get their biology right.
Venomous vs. Poisonous: Yes, There is a Difference!
I’ve recently updated my presentation on venomous and poisonous Arizona wildlife. I first developed this talk for the Tucson Sisters in Crime back in 2015—my, how time flies! It all started when a speaker canceled at the last minute, and I stepped in to share my interests and a few scientific pet peeves. It was so well received that I’ve continued my efforts to educate writers on proper terminology and animal behavior ever since.
For instance, did you know we don’t have poisonous snakes in Arizona? We only have venomous ones. Do you know the actual difference between the two? Adding local wildlife enhances any story, but only if the behaviors are portrayed accurately.
The Evolution of “Facts” and the Value of Research
At 11:00 a.m., I’ll be joining the panel: You Can Make It Up, But it Better be Right: The Value of Research in Fiction Writing.
The books I write require extensive research. For example, when I was looking into dinosaur fossils found in Arizona, I found a case where an initial archaeological manuscript identified a species, only for a different paper to argue it was something else two years later. A few years after that, scientists confirmed the original identification! In science, “facts” often change as more information becomes available, so you really have to read every article to stay current.
The Dangers of Self-Editing and the Power of Critique
At 1:00 p.m., I’ll be on a panel discussing Critiquing, Self-editing, and What Professional Editors Look For. While I leave the “professional editor” perspective to my colleagues, I know a lot about the dangers of self-editing.
I once critiqued a story where a protagonist was bitten in the face by a Western Diamondback rattlesnake, received one vial of antivenin, and left the hospital a week later with a simple bandage. In reality, rattlesnake venom is designed to dissolve tissue for digestion; that character would be permanently disfigured. This is why having a critique group for “brutally honest” feedback is essential. I personally love having my work reviewed by non-scientists to ensure the general public understands my message.
Join Me in Mesa!
Whether you’re polishing your first manuscript or exploring indie publishing, this conference offers dynamic sessions to help you grow. Here is the full lineup of sessions prepared by the Desert Sleuths and Tucson Sisters in Crime:
- 9:00 a.m. Workshop: What I Learned from Nancy Drew—Tools for Fast-Paced Plotting, with Kris Bock
- 9:00 a.m. Panel: Unleashing Creativity through Brainstorming, with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Lauren Buckingham, Margaret C. Morse, and Claire A Murray
- 10:00 a.m. Presentation: Find Music in Your Writing, with Suzanne E Flaig
- 11:00 a.m. Workshop: Short Stories and Anthologies: Do’s, Don’ts, and What to Expect, with Eva Eldridge
- 11:00 a.m. Panel: You Can Make It Up, But it Better be Right: The Value of Research in Fiction Writing, with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, C.C. Harrison, and Elaine Powers
- 12:00 p.m. Presentation: Conflict-ology: The Art of Creating Conflict Within Your Writing, with Susan Magestro
- 1:00 p.m. Panel: Critiquing, Self-editing, and What Professional Editors Look For, with Kris Bock, Claire A Murray, Suzanne E Flaig, and Elaine Powers
- 1:00 p.m. Presentation: How to Write the Paranormal: Choosing a Paranormal Character and World Building, with Margaret Morse
- 2:00 p.m. Workshop: Haunted by History and Mystery: Writing the Past from Family Secrets, Memory, and Dreams, with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski
- 2:00 p.m. Panel: Plotting Practices—Tips, Practices, and Warnings, with Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, C.C. Harrison, and Susan Magestro
- 3:00 p.m. Presentation: Venomous vs Poisonous Animals, We Have both in AZ, but Which is Which? with Elaine Powers
- 4:00 p.m. Panel: Warm Up Your Writing with Cozy and Humorous Touches, with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Suzanne E Flaig, and Margaret C. Morse
- 4:00 p.m. Presentation: Cliffhangers: Keep the Pages Turning! with Kris Bock
Ready to sharpen your craft and your animal facts? Register for the Sonoran Writers Conference here!