Events
Used Courtesy of Bob Eckstein, Cartoonist for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Writer's Digest
Upcoming
The Night Before the End of the World will drop on July 9, 2025.
Fragments of the Afroverse: 100-Word Stories will drop on October 1, 2025.
Fragments of the Afroverse: 100-Word Stories will drop on October 1, 2025.
Past Speaking engagements and Events
Panelist. "Crafting Flash Narratives: Empowering Student Voices Through Micro Storytelling." AWP Conference 2025, Los Angeles, CA (March 29, 2025)
Panelist. "Professional Storytellers on Page and Screen." School of Liberal Arts and Education Career Day, Hampton University (February 26, 2025)
Speaker. Writing Workshop. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (November 16, 2024)
Panelist. "Authors Take Control: Tips for Successful Self-Publishing." James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA (Oct. 6, 2024)
Contributor/Reader. "Introduction to Afrofuturism" with DuEwa Frazier (Sep. 4, 2024)
Speaker. "Making the Most of the Inciting Incident." Writer's Digest's Virtual Short Story Conference (May 18, 2024)
Speaker/Filmmaker (The Last Semester). Virginia Black Film Festival, Hampton, VA (Feb. 23, 2024)
Speaker. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (Jan. 27, 2024)
Panelist. "Get In and Get Out: Writing Short Stories." James River Writers Conference (Oct. 6-8, 2023)
Keynote Speaker. Editorial Freelancers Association Conference (August 18-19, 2023)
Speaker."Using Fairytales to Create New Stories." Hampton Public Library (Main Branch), Hampton, VA (July 24, 2023)
Speaker. "Tips for Writing Horror Stories." Hampton Public Library (Main Branch), Hampton, VA (July 25, 2023)
Speaker. "The Similarities and Differences Between Microfiction and Prose Poetry." Short Story Virtual Conference - Writer's Digest University (May 20-21, 2003)
Panelist. "Writing About Tough Topics." Brambleton Public Library, Brambleton, VA (April 22, 2023)
Reading. Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA (April 15, 2023)
Speaker. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (January 21, 2023)
Panelist. Indie Author Project/Overdrive Webinar. Virtual (October 6, 2022, 2 PM)
Speaker. Hampton Roads Writers Conference 2022. Virginia Beach, VA (September 23-24)
Speaker. City of Richmond Author Chat. Virtual (September 20, 2022)
Speaker. Writer's Digest Conference. New York, NY (July 28-31, 2022)
Speaker. "The Unexpected: Irony and the Short Story." Writer's Digest University Short Story Conference (May 21-22)
Panelist. "The Publishing Business." William Carroll Writers' Festival, Norfolk State University (April 6, 2022, 12-1 PM)
Speaker. "The Lasting Impact of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'" Hampton University Film Festival, Hampton, VA (April 6, 2022, 5-6 PM)
Speaker. "Keep It Concise: Microfiction & Short Stories." Virginia Festival of the Book (March 16, 2022, 6-7 PM)
Speaker. "Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Library of Virginia. Richmond, VA (March 1, 2022, 10-11 AM)
Speaker. "Remixing the Classics: Writing New Flash Fiction from Old Stories." Writer's Digest University (February 24, 2022)
Panelist. "Using Fewer Words for Bigger Impact." James River Writers Writing Show (February 22, 2022)
Speaker. 2020 Fiction Focus Book Club Launch. Richmond, VA (February 8, 2022)
Speaker. "Building Big From Small: A View of Novellas-In Flash, Flash Novels, and Micro Novels." Writer's Digest Literary Fiction Virtual Conference (November 13, 2021)
Shoptalk Session Leader. James River Writers Conference (October 8-10, 2021)
Speaker. "Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Black Ink: LitFest 2021, Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, Chesapeake, VA (September 25, 2021)
Speaker. "Unplugging the Machine." Speakers Showcase. S.U.N.N. Speakers Toastmasters Club (September 29, 2021)
Speaker. "Holding Up a Microscope to Your Fiction: Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Writer's Digest Annual Conference (July 22-25, 2021)
Interview. Black Authors Matter TV, Facebook Live (June 1, 2021)
Speaker. Writer's Digest University Short Story Conference, Virtual (May 23, 2021)
Moderator. "Collections and Anthologies" feat. Tyrese Coleman and Eric Smith, James River Writers (April 28, 2021)
Panelist. National Library Week at Hampton University, Virtual (April 8, 2021)
Reading at Norfolk State University, Virtual (April 6, 2021)
Author Talk. Lord Fairfax Community College (March 1, 2021)
Session Speaker. "Diversity in Fiction." Inkers Mini Con, Virtual (January 16-17, 2021)
Session Speaker. Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference. (November 6-7, 2020)
Speaker for Indie Author Week at Fairfax County Public Library. Fairfax, VA (Nov. 2, 2020)
Introduction. Lift Every Voice with Tracy K. Smith. (October 21, 2020)
Panelist and Session Speaker. James River Writers Conference. (Oct. 9-11, 2020)
Panelist. Black Ink LitFest, The Cuffee Branch of the Chesapeake Public Library, Chesapeake, VA (Sep. 26, 2020)
Interview. "A Candid Discussion on Race and Writing with Ran Walker," hosted by RAILS and Soon to Be Famous Illinois Indie Author Project (July 24, 2020)
Camp Counselor for Camp NaNoWriMo (June 29-July 3, 2020)
Speaker. Indie Author Project Webinar: Expanding Your Reach. May 14, 2020.
Master Class Instructor. James River Writers: Self-Publishing Print Books Online Workshop, Richmond, VA, May 9, 2020
Panelist. Public Library Association Conference, Nashville, TN, February 27, 2020
Signing and Reading. Corinth Public Library, Corinth, MS, December 23, 2019
Signing and Reading. Blue Bicycle Books, Charleston, SC, December 13, 2019
Panelist. Meeting Modern Patron Expectations and Lowering Cost Per Circulation with Simultaneous Use eBooks Webinar, December 12, 2019
Author Talk. Lafayette Branch of Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, VA, November 20, 2019
Session Speaker and Signing. Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, Pasadena, CA, October 25, 2019
Panel and Signing. National Indie Author Day at Lafayette Branch of Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, VA, October 12, 2019
Panel and Signing. Library Journal's Day of Dialogue, Cambridge, MA, October 3, 2019
Panel and Signing. Black Ink LitFest. Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, Chesapeake, VA, September 28, 2019
Session Speaker and Signing. Writer's Digest Conference, New York, NY, August 24-25, 2019
Signing. American Library Association Conference, Washington, DC, June 22-23, 2019
Panelist. "Public Library Indie Author Support" (w/Indie Author Project and IngramSpark), Webinar, May 8, 2019.
Reading. Hampton University Read-In, Student Center Theater, April 8, 2019
Panel and Signing. Hampton University Literary Festival, Student Center Ballroom, April 6, 2019
Reading and Signing. "Love Never Dies" hosted by Spider Salon, American Legion Hall 134, Portland, OR, March 29, 2019
Reading and Signing. Independent Publishing Resource Center Showcase, Portland, OR, March 28, 2019
Moderator, James Baldwin Day (fiction and poetry panel), National Library Week, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 11, 2018)
Reading and signing, She Lives in My Lap. Virginia Union University (February 12, 2018)
Panelist, "Getting Over Writer's Block" (with Sabin Prentis). National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 11, 2017)
Speaker/Reader. "LOVE..For the Craft of Writing" (with Booker T. Mattison and Shonda Buchanan). Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (February 14, 2017)
Reading. African Voices Magazine Virginia Launch. Hampton, Virginia (April 2016)
Speaker, "Three Books, Two Authors, One Time" (with Dr. Sabin Duncan). National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 12, 2016)
Speaker, "Writing Short Stories." Chesapeake Bay Writers, Williamsburg, Virginia (February 17, 2016)
Speaker, "Self-Publishing: The Pro's and Con's of Doing It Yourself." National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 14, 2015)
Panelist, Professionalization in the Humanities for the "Read In" Mini-Conference at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 2, 2014)
Emcee, Opening Session of the Hampton University Read-In (featuring special guest Mat Johnson), Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 1, 2014)
Panelist, State of the Black Union, sponsored by the Hampton University Political Science Club, Hampton, Virginia (February 2014)
Guest Speaker, The Links Host An Evening With Local Authors, Suffolk, Virginia (February 2014)
Panelist, “Blu the Right Thing: New School vs. Old School Approaches to Relationships,” Rho Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Spring 2014)
Master of Ceremony, “Tyehimba Jess: Visiting Poet,” Hampton University Department of English (Fall 2013)
Panelist, “What to Expect in Law School,” Hampton University Pre-Law Society, Hampton,Virginia (Spring 2013)
Moderator, “Gender and Class in Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones,” Hampton University Read-In, Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, “The Media’s Effect on Language in Our Culture,” sponsored by the Hampton University chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, “Intensive Care Unit: Where is Black Music Headed,” sponsored by the Hampton University chapters of Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, State of the Black Union, sponsored by Hampton University’s Black Men’s Caucus, Hampton, Virginia (Fall 2012)
Guest Speaker, Chesapeake Bay Writers Dinner, Williamsburg, Virginia (June 2012)
Panelist, Rhetoric and Structure in Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Hampton University Read-In (Spring 2012)
Reading and signing, B-Sides and Remixes. Corinth, Mississippi (November 2011)
Panelist, The African American Influence on Film, The Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Black Film Festival (Fall 2009)
Panelist, English as a Major, Homecoming Week English Department Panel (2009)
Fiction Writing Workshop, National Library Week, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Panelist for Faith-Based Film Forum, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Master of Ceremony for Toni Morrison’s A Mercy writing competition, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Panelist for Mid-Atlantic Film Festival, Norfolk, Virginia (2009)
Panelist for Oh So Political Film Festival, Hampton University (Fall 2008)
Panelist. "Professional Storytellers on Page and Screen." School of Liberal Arts and Education Career Day, Hampton University (February 26, 2025)
Speaker. Writing Workshop. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (November 16, 2024)
Panelist. "Authors Take Control: Tips for Successful Self-Publishing." James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA (Oct. 6, 2024)
Contributor/Reader. "Introduction to Afrofuturism" with DuEwa Frazier (Sep. 4, 2024)
Speaker. "Making the Most of the Inciting Incident." Writer's Digest's Virtual Short Story Conference (May 18, 2024)
Speaker/Filmmaker (The Last Semester). Virginia Black Film Festival, Hampton, VA (Feb. 23, 2024)
Speaker. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (Jan. 27, 2024)
Panelist. "Get In and Get Out: Writing Short Stories." James River Writers Conference (Oct. 6-8, 2023)
Keynote Speaker. Editorial Freelancers Association Conference (August 18-19, 2023)
Speaker."Using Fairytales to Create New Stories." Hampton Public Library (Main Branch), Hampton, VA (July 24, 2023)
Speaker. "Tips for Writing Horror Stories." Hampton Public Library (Main Branch), Hampton, VA (July 25, 2023)
Speaker. "The Similarities and Differences Between Microfiction and Prose Poetry." Short Story Virtual Conference - Writer's Digest University (May 20-21, 2003)
Panelist. "Writing About Tough Topics." Brambleton Public Library, Brambleton, VA (April 22, 2023)
Reading. Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA (April 15, 2023)
Speaker. Gloucester Institute, Gloucester, VA (January 21, 2023)
Panelist. Indie Author Project/Overdrive Webinar. Virtual (October 6, 2022, 2 PM)
Speaker. Hampton Roads Writers Conference 2022. Virginia Beach, VA (September 23-24)
Speaker. City of Richmond Author Chat. Virtual (September 20, 2022)
Speaker. Writer's Digest Conference. New York, NY (July 28-31, 2022)
Speaker. "The Unexpected: Irony and the Short Story." Writer's Digest University Short Story Conference (May 21-22)
Panelist. "The Publishing Business." William Carroll Writers' Festival, Norfolk State University (April 6, 2022, 12-1 PM)
Speaker. "The Lasting Impact of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'" Hampton University Film Festival, Hampton, VA (April 6, 2022, 5-6 PM)
Speaker. "Keep It Concise: Microfiction & Short Stories." Virginia Festival of the Book (March 16, 2022, 6-7 PM)
Speaker. "Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Library of Virginia. Richmond, VA (March 1, 2022, 10-11 AM)
Speaker. "Remixing the Classics: Writing New Flash Fiction from Old Stories." Writer's Digest University (February 24, 2022)
Panelist. "Using Fewer Words for Bigger Impact." James River Writers Writing Show (February 22, 2022)
Speaker. 2020 Fiction Focus Book Club Launch. Richmond, VA (February 8, 2022)
Speaker. "Building Big From Small: A View of Novellas-In Flash, Flash Novels, and Micro Novels." Writer's Digest Literary Fiction Virtual Conference (November 13, 2021)
Shoptalk Session Leader. James River Writers Conference (October 8-10, 2021)
Speaker. "Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Black Ink: LitFest 2021, Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, Chesapeake, VA (September 25, 2021)
Speaker. "Unplugging the Machine." Speakers Showcase. S.U.N.N. Speakers Toastmasters Club (September 29, 2021)
Speaker. "Holding Up a Microscope to Your Fiction: Microfiction and the 100-Word Story." Writer's Digest Annual Conference (July 22-25, 2021)
Interview. Black Authors Matter TV, Facebook Live (June 1, 2021)
Speaker. Writer's Digest University Short Story Conference, Virtual (May 23, 2021)
Moderator. "Collections and Anthologies" feat. Tyrese Coleman and Eric Smith, James River Writers (April 28, 2021)
Panelist. National Library Week at Hampton University, Virtual (April 8, 2021)
Reading at Norfolk State University, Virtual (April 6, 2021)
Author Talk. Lord Fairfax Community College (March 1, 2021)
Session Speaker. "Diversity in Fiction." Inkers Mini Con, Virtual (January 16-17, 2021)
Session Speaker. Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference. (November 6-7, 2020)
Speaker for Indie Author Week at Fairfax County Public Library. Fairfax, VA (Nov. 2, 2020)
Introduction. Lift Every Voice with Tracy K. Smith. (October 21, 2020)
Panelist and Session Speaker. James River Writers Conference. (Oct. 9-11, 2020)
Panelist. Black Ink LitFest, The Cuffee Branch of the Chesapeake Public Library, Chesapeake, VA (Sep. 26, 2020)
Interview. "A Candid Discussion on Race and Writing with Ran Walker," hosted by RAILS and Soon to Be Famous Illinois Indie Author Project (July 24, 2020)
Camp Counselor for Camp NaNoWriMo (June 29-July 3, 2020)
Speaker. Indie Author Project Webinar: Expanding Your Reach. May 14, 2020.
Master Class Instructor. James River Writers: Self-Publishing Print Books Online Workshop, Richmond, VA, May 9, 2020
Panelist. Public Library Association Conference, Nashville, TN, February 27, 2020
Signing and Reading. Corinth Public Library, Corinth, MS, December 23, 2019
Signing and Reading. Blue Bicycle Books, Charleston, SC, December 13, 2019
Panelist. Meeting Modern Patron Expectations and Lowering Cost Per Circulation with Simultaneous Use eBooks Webinar, December 12, 2019
Author Talk. Lafayette Branch of Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, VA, November 20, 2019
Session Speaker and Signing. Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, Pasadena, CA, October 25, 2019
Panel and Signing. National Indie Author Day at Lafayette Branch of Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, VA, October 12, 2019
Panel and Signing. Library Journal's Day of Dialogue, Cambridge, MA, October 3, 2019
Panel and Signing. Black Ink LitFest. Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, Chesapeake, VA, September 28, 2019
Session Speaker and Signing. Writer's Digest Conference, New York, NY, August 24-25, 2019
Signing. American Library Association Conference, Washington, DC, June 22-23, 2019
Panelist. "Public Library Indie Author Support" (w/Indie Author Project and IngramSpark), Webinar, May 8, 2019.
Reading. Hampton University Read-In, Student Center Theater, April 8, 2019
Panel and Signing. Hampton University Literary Festival, Student Center Ballroom, April 6, 2019
Reading and Signing. "Love Never Dies" hosted by Spider Salon, American Legion Hall 134, Portland, OR, March 29, 2019
Reading and Signing. Independent Publishing Resource Center Showcase, Portland, OR, March 28, 2019
Moderator, James Baldwin Day (fiction and poetry panel), National Library Week, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 11, 2018)
Reading and signing, She Lives in My Lap. Virginia Union University (February 12, 2018)
Panelist, "Getting Over Writer's Block" (with Sabin Prentis). National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 11, 2017)
Speaker/Reader. "LOVE..For the Craft of Writing" (with Booker T. Mattison and Shonda Buchanan). Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (February 14, 2017)
Reading. African Voices Magazine Virginia Launch. Hampton, Virginia (April 2016)
Speaker, "Three Books, Two Authors, One Time" (with Dr. Sabin Duncan). National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 12, 2016)
Speaker, "Writing Short Stories." Chesapeake Bay Writers, Williamsburg, Virginia (February 17, 2016)
Speaker, "Self-Publishing: The Pro's and Con's of Doing It Yourself." National Library Week at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 14, 2015)
Panelist, Professionalization in the Humanities for the "Read In" Mini-Conference at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 2, 2014)
Emcee, Opening Session of the Hampton University Read-In (featuring special guest Mat Johnson), Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia (April 1, 2014)
Panelist, State of the Black Union, sponsored by the Hampton University Political Science Club, Hampton, Virginia (February 2014)
Guest Speaker, The Links Host An Evening With Local Authors, Suffolk, Virginia (February 2014)
Panelist, “Blu the Right Thing: New School vs. Old School Approaches to Relationships,” Rho Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Spring 2014)
Master of Ceremony, “Tyehimba Jess: Visiting Poet,” Hampton University Department of English (Fall 2013)
Panelist, “What to Expect in Law School,” Hampton University Pre-Law Society, Hampton,Virginia (Spring 2013)
Moderator, “Gender and Class in Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones,” Hampton University Read-In, Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, “The Media’s Effect on Language in Our Culture,” sponsored by the Hampton University chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, “Intensive Care Unit: Where is Black Music Headed,” sponsored by the Hampton University chapters of Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, Hampton, Virginia (Spring 2013)
Panelist, State of the Black Union, sponsored by Hampton University’s Black Men’s Caucus, Hampton, Virginia (Fall 2012)
Guest Speaker, Chesapeake Bay Writers Dinner, Williamsburg, Virginia (June 2012)
Panelist, Rhetoric and Structure in Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Hampton University Read-In (Spring 2012)
Reading and signing, B-Sides and Remixes. Corinth, Mississippi (November 2011)
Panelist, The African American Influence on Film, The Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Black Film Festival (Fall 2009)
Panelist, English as a Major, Homecoming Week English Department Panel (2009)
Fiction Writing Workshop, National Library Week, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Panelist for Faith-Based Film Forum, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Master of Ceremony for Toni Morrison’s A Mercy writing competition, Hampton University (Spring 2009)
Panelist for Mid-Atlantic Film Festival, Norfolk, Virginia (2009)
Panelist for Oh So Political Film Festival, Hampton University (Fall 2008)