Inspiration
Big Cypress – The Heart of Swampness
How an art gallery trip turned into an unexpected walk through real Florida—magical, wild, peaceful Big Cypress—and changed a writer forever “Moonrise” by Clyde Butcher In 2004, hurricanes savaged the Gulf Coast. Charley, Frances and Ivan cut deadly swaths across Florida. Though the roof of our 1968 house on the Intracoastal had been mauled and…
Read MoreTough Women
Lisa Unger knows a thing or two about strong women, In her new book, THE RED HUNTER, these women are fighters, warriors, and survivors. They’ve been knocked down and pick themselves up again and persevere. So in honor of Women’s History Month this March, Lisa discusses below how these charters came to be and how everyday…
Read MoreAn Evening with Stephen King and John Grisham
Wow! I’m still seeing stars this morning after attending Bookends: An Evening with Two Literary Giants featuring Stephen King and John Grisham. Held at the State College of Florida and benefitting the Manatee Library Foundation, this fundraiser commanded over $200,000 last night. I was privileged to meet both authors at the VIP reception held before the…
Read MoreRaisins in my Palm
During the Great American Teach-In last week, I arrived a little early and caught the presentation before mine. A rabbi, the mother of one of the other students in the class, gave a presentation on mindfulness. Every kid (and adult) held a raisin in his or her palm while the rabbi asked the room to…
Read MoreSecond Saturday Art Walk in St. Petersburg
Last night was our first time doing the Second Saturday Art Walk in St. Petersburg, Florida. And I can’t believe we haven’t done this sooner! We started the evening at our friend Duncan McClellan’s Gallery in the Warehouse Arts District, which is one of the most beautiful and inspirational galleries, working studio, and homes I’ve visited anywhere in the…
Read MoreBouchercon 2018 will be in St. Petersburg, Florida!
Bouchercon 2018 – I’m so excited to announce that Bouchercon (the largest mystery conference in the world) will be held in St. Petersburg in 2018! It seems so far, but I’m thrilled to be the toastmaster and can’t wait to see the other guests of honor Karin Slaughter, Mark Billingham, Sara Blædel, Tim Dorsey, Ian Rankin, Sean Chercover, and all the wonderful…
Read MoreEugene Lang Commencement Ceremony
It was such an honor to participate in the beautiful Eugene Lang College 2015 commencement ceremony! And it brought back so many wonderful memories of my time at this amazing school. Congrats to Stephanie Leone (winner of the Eugene Lang Dean’s Alumni Circle Award) and all The New School Graduates of 2015! …
Read MoreOur Love of Books and Community
Last night I spoke at the brand new Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, Florida about my journey from aspiring to published writer, libraries, and early influences – including my librarian mom. The talk benefitted The Manatee County Library Foundation and it was a wonderful crowd of warm and engaging readers. I opened talking about my…
Read MoreNew York City Lights to Florida's Sugar Sand for Love
The first place I ever loved was New York City. I had a very glamorous aunt who lived a fabulous life in a Park Avenue apartment, and from my very first visit, everything about the place—the buildings, the people, the noise, the smells—mesmerized me. As soon as I was old enough to know what I…
Read MoreWall Street Journal – A Comfort Junkie's Resistance to Adventure Travel
“Before I met my husband, my idea of an adventure was traveling without a second suitcase just for my shoes.” Read my article in the Wall Street Journal this Saturday!
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