On Saturday, November 15, I’ll be joining a dozen other expert authors at the Manor Mill Writers Retreat, where we’ll discuss questions about craft, publishing, and platform. Local writers can expect a welcoming, casual environment and lively discussion with peers.
Where and When
Manor Mill is a newly restored historic grist mill and miller’s house in Monkton, Maryland, located in northern Baltimore County. This scenic setting has been repurposed into a creative hub for writers and artists, featuring classes, workshops, writers’ gatherings, theater and music performances, and a fine art gallery.
The Mill’s events for writers include a monthly write-in, poetry workshops, poetry and prose readings and open mic nights, songwriter meetups, and opportunities for playwrights to connect to the local theater community.
The 2nd Annual Writers Retreat will be held on November 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What
I will be speaking on two panels.
DEMYSTIFYING AI: FRIEND, FOE…OR A FORCE YOU CAN USE?
AI: one can barely blink without hearing the term! Love it or fear it, artificial intelligence is here to stay—and whether or not you use AI tools directly, they’re likely influencing your daily life in surprising ways. Chances are you’re already interacting with it more than you realize.
From brainstorming and drafting to editing and publishing, artificial intelligence is quietly becoming part of the writing toolkit. In this conversation, editor and publisher Will Remains and novelist Katie Aiken Ritter will discuss things AI can do for you, including some practical examples and important ethical considerations.
BUILDING YOUR PLATFORM: SUBSTACK 101
Substack: you keep hearing about it, but what is it, really? This fast-growing platform blends blogging, newsletters, and podcasts, giving writers a simple, powerful way to share their work and connect with readers.
But is it right for you? Building an audience can feel daunting, especially with so many platforms competing for attention. Editor and publisher Will Remains and fantasy author Emily Parks will introduce you to Substack and walk you through the basics: creating a Substack account and profile, doing first posts, setting up an email newsletter, using graphics, and social connections. Grow your community!
Hope to see you there!
PS – I dropped a deadline last week. Did you miss me?
Sounds great Will. I wish I was on the east coast.😉Obviously we have to learn to live with AI, and I know all of us use it more than we like to admit-any internet research I do or internet publishing I do is going to be heavily AI involved, that’s just how it is. But learning to live with it and use it wisely; there’s the rub. Just dismissing it out of hand makes no sense, and using it to generate stories is unethical and a disservice to creativity. So how to fit in with a technological world as a creative person? We’re all learning here.