Get expert writing advice in one-on-one consultations and workshops with mystery author Karen Odden in our Writer in Residence program, running from
January through April 2025.
USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden earned her PhD in English at New York University, writing her dissertation on Victorian literature. After teaching at UW-Milwaukee and editing for an academic journal, she turned to writing mysteries, all of which are set in 1870s London. Her fourth,
Down a Dark River, an Oprah Daily pick, introduces readers to Inspector Michael Corravan at Scotland Yard; the sequel,
Under a Veiled Moon, was nominated for the Agatha, Lefty, and Anthony awards for best historical mystery in 2023. She is a member of the national board of Sisters in Crime and has taught workshops across the US for writing groups, libraries, and conferences, including Desert Nights, Rising Stars at ASU. She makes her home in Arizona and Utah, where she loves to hike while plotting crimes. Visit
karenodden.com for more information.
View Karen Odden's books in the library catalog.
One-on-One Consultations with Karen Odden
Meet one-on-one with Karen Odden for writing advice or manuscript review. Registration is required.
January One-on-One Consultations
February One-on-One Consultations
March One-on-One Consultations
April One-on-One Consultations
Please note: Consulting sessions are limited to the allotted session time. Patrons are limited to one session per week but may stop by to check last-minute availability for any session that has not been reserved online.
Writing Workshops with Karen Odden
What Is the Why? Building a Backstory
Thursday, January 16, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Foothills Library
A compelling and believable protagonist begins with a strong backstory. In this hands-on workshop, we develop a backstory for your protagonist, taking into account the context that shaped them and considering their beliefs, desires, quirks, and the stories they tell themselves about the world and their place in it. A worksheet is provided, and participants will be given writing exercises pertaining to their work-in-progress.
Secondary Characters: Beyond Friends, Foils & Foes
Monday, January 27, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Main Library
Well-drawn, diverse, complex secondary characters can add nuance, humor, and conflict to a novel or short story. This workshop will present 17 different types of secondary characters—beyond friends, foes, and foils—and explore how to develop and deploy them effectively. A worksheet is provided, and participants will be given writing exercises pertaining to their work-in-progress.
Finding True, Unique Voices for Your Characters
Saturday, March 1, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Heroes Regional Park Library
A “unique voice” commands attention, sounds fresh to the reader’s ear, and conveys the sense of a fully developed emotional and mental life. In this workshop we explore a variety of ways to make the voices of your protagonist and a secondary character (or two) sound unique and true to their backstory. A worksheet is provided, and participants will be given writing exercises pertaining to their work-in-progress.
Grand Openings: The All-Important First Page
Monday, March 24, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Main Library
A strong opening page is vital to attracting an agent weeding through her slush pile, an editor seeking the next project, and a reader prowling through the bookstore. In this workshop we examine 6 opening pages, from well-known and award-winning books in different genres, to discover some of the techniques authors use to create compelling, dynamic, engaging openings.
Query Letters
Saturday, April 12, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Velma Teague Library
This practical workshop draws on industry research and Karen's interviews with four agents to provide current advice about the query letter. We discuss what agents want to see in a query — and what they don’t — and how to both show and tell an agent that you and your book are ready for representation.
Finding Your People: Developing Your Community of Practice as an Author
Tuesday, April 15, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Main Library
As the publishing industry changes, authors are increasingly required to handle their own community outreach, including marketing, PR, their website, book launches, zoom events, and social media. With personal anecdotes and industry knowledge, Karen shares her journey toward discovering a “writing community mindset” and discusses some specific, professionally productive and emotionally fulfilling ways to engage with the writing community.
This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.