2025
January 5, 2025
Ethical Humanist Society: Author Talk: “How Family Secrets Impact Us Throughout Life.” Sunday, 10:30 – 11:30 am
7574 Lincoln Ave.
Skokie, IL
I’ll be discussing my new nonfiction book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to White Like Her. The event is free. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, contact Andrea Guthmann.
2024
December 12, 2024
The Bookish Hour : Live Thursday, 7-8 pm CT/ 8-9 pm ETS
Click on this link: https://youtube.com/live/A8CikRJ0x08
Hosts Sarah Burr and J.C. Kenny and I will be discussing my new book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s live and lively.
October 26, 2024
Horror/Thriller Panel Discussion. Saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble
Algonquin, IL
Just in time for Halloween. I’ll be a part of a panel discussion about horror and thriller novels. The event is free. Signed copies of The Darkness Surrounds Us will be available.
November 2, 2024
Author Talk: The Darkness Surround Us. Saturday, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Barnes & Noble
Skokie, IL
I’ll be giving an author talk about my gothic, historical mystery that Publishers Weekly called “a gripping ghost story.” The event is free. Signed copies of The Darkness Surrounds Us will be available.
April 25, 2024
WTTW-TV A Panel Discussion Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Finding Your Roots. Thursday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
WTTW-Chicago Studio
Chicago, IL
I’ll be a part of a panel discussion led by Brandeis Friedman about identity and DNA surprises. The event is free and live. To register and for details, click on the link: https://interactive.wttw.com/events/2024-04-25-163000/finding-your-roots-wttw-community-conversation
2023
May 4, 2023
Library Journal Day of Dialog: Fiction Thrillers Panel.
Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Virtual
I’ll share the panel with Laura Lippman, Heather Chavez, Mick Herron, Anna Pitoniak and Riley Sager.
June 14, 2023
White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing
Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Genealogy Club–Sun City Huntley
Huntley, IL
I’ll discuss my book White Like Her, my appearances on PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow and The Today Show, as well as my documentary film, History of Memory. I’ll share my personal and genealogical journey to uncover my mother’s racial heritage and how tracing her family back to eighteenth-century Louisiana led me to a deeper understanding of race and racial identity and the discovery of a lost family. Signed copies of White Like Her will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Michele May.
June 25, 2023
The American Library Association’s Annual Conference Sunday, 11-11:30 and noon-1 pm Independent Publishers Group Booth–11-11:30 Sisters in Crime Table–noon-1 pm
Exhibitors Hall, McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
I’ll be signing copies of my forthcoming Gothic, historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us. Be sure to sign up for the SinC drawing to win a book club visit from me.
September 13, 2023
A Bookish Moment Podcast
Wednesday, 3:00 – 3:30 pm
I’ll be in conversation with author Sarah Burr and J.C. Kenney.
September 23, 2023
Popular Creek Author Fair
Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Popular Creek Public Library
Streamwood, IL
I’ll be signing copies of my Gothic, historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us and copies of my memoir White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing. From 2-2:45 pm, I’ll be on a panel with authors James Klise, Melonie Johnson, and Jen Collins Moore. For more information, please contact Hannah Sloan @ authorfair@pclib.org.
October 4, 2023
Cook Memorial Library Authors Out Loud
Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Cook Memorial Library
Libertyville, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Erica O’Rourke @ eorourke@cooklib.org.
October 10, 2023
Palatine Public Library Author Talk
Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Palatine Public Library
Palatine, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Carly Thompson @cthompson@palatinelibrary.org.
October 19, 2023
Women’s Exchange Fall Author Luncheon
Thursday, noon – 1:00 pm
Women’s Exchange
Winnetka, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. A boxed lunch will be provided. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Deb Guy @deb@womens-exchange.org.
October 25, 2023
Evergreen Park Public Library Author Talk
Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Julianne Keaty @keatyj@evergreenparklibrary.org.
November 4, 2023
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore Saturday, 2 – 3 pm
7419 Madison St.
Forest Park, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Angie @ 708-771-7243.