Book clubs & Community Evenings

 

 

I love small, story‑rich gatherings—book clubs, library nights, and workshops where we can talk about stories, wild places, and the real adventures behind the books.

Book clubs

 

 

I’m available to join book clubs in person in the Verde Valley and online anywhere. A typical visit includes a short reading, behind‑the‑scenes stories from the road, and plenty of time for questions about characters, settings, and the true events that inspired the books.

 

Below are two of my novels that are especially popular with Book Clubs.

 

Book club visits typically range from $200–$300 depending on length and format.

The Legend of Everett Ruess is a historical fiction account of a vagabond who roamed the Southwest in the early thirties. I imagine Everett as a cross between a young Indiana Jones and a young Walt Whitman. He painted landscapes and wrote beautiful letters—eighty of which his parents collected after he disappeared. He came to the Southwest at sixteen and traveled for four years, living with Hopi and Navajo while exploring the canyon country. Edward Abbey wrote about Everett in Desert Solitaire and Jon Krakauer in Into the Wild.

The Sirens of Oak Creek is a historical mystery that takes place over a 1,200‑year period. There are Sinaguans and Mayans, Apaches and Spaniards, pioneers and modern Sedonans in this mix of history and mythology told by eight women. It has won four national awards, including one for female empowerment. Visiting West Fork or Indian Gardens isn’t the same after reading it.

If your club is interested, reach out with your preferred dates, the book you’re reading, and whether you’d like to meet in person or on Zoom.

Let's Plan an Evening - reach out and we’ll shape a visit that fits your group.

Storyteller Events

at the Sedona Library

Once a month, I host a live storytelling evening at the library—often gathered around the fire outside when the weather cooperates.

 

I invite other local storytellers to join me, and together we share true and imagined tales around a theme for the night. It’s an informal, campfire‑style gathering with plenty of room for laughter, questions, and community.

 

These evenings also inspire the private storytelling sessions I offer for visiting groups and retreats in Sedona.

private storytelling evening

for visiting groups

In addition to the library series, I offer private storytelling evenings for visiting groups, retreats, and conferences in Sedona. I’ll come to your lodging or a nearby gathering spot for a 60–90 minute session of stories from the trail, readings from my Sedona‑based novels, and Q&A tailored to your group’s interests.

 

These events are a relaxed, campfire‑style experience designed to deepen your connection to this landscape and to one another.

 

Private storytelling sessions typically start around $250–$300, depending on group size and format.

 

If you’re bringing a group to Sedona and would like to add an evening of stories and conversation,

reach out so we can plan a night that fits your schedule and budget.

 

 

Writing workshops

This summer I’ll be leading a writing workshop at Yavapai College, blending craft discussion with travel and exploration stories to help writers bring their own experiences to the page.

 

I’m also developing online workshops that will cover topics like writing from place, weaving research into story, and turning real journeys into narrative. If you’d like to be notified when new online workshops open, send me a quick note and I’ll add you to the list.

 

These workshops are designed for adult writers at all levels, from beginners to published authors

 

Shortcuts

Historical fiction, Southwest legends, and global adventures from author & speaker Robert Louis DeMayo.

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Sedona, Arizona