I’ll be at Lit Fest in the Dena, on the Villians panel with Gary Phillips, Diana Wagman, Naomi Hirahara and David Ulin!

“A novel needs conflict. A protagonist needs an antagonist. As novelists—whether we write mystery, crime, or cozy literary fiction—we need to create unpleasant, possibly even abhorrent characters. At the same time, like writing any good, multi-faceted and believable character, we need to dig deep into their psyche, the why of who they are. We need to understand them, possibly even cheer them on. How do we go there? Do we need to explore our own darkness to write an unlikable, even offensive character?”

Altadena’s emerging from the ashes! The most amazing panels. Join us! Lit Fest in the Dena