Charles Todd, Lip Service, writing workshops

Charles Todd — the pseudonym of the writing team of mother, Caroline, and son, Charles Todd —writes two well-plotted, elegant series about WWI’s effect on England. One series follows Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge and the other nurse Bess Crawford.

“A Forgotten Place,” Todd’s 10th novel about Bess, finds the battlefield nurse assigned to a clinic for amputees. WWI has just ended but the battle scars — both physical and emotional — remain with the soldiers, especially the Welsh patients who have few options but to return to the coal mines. And only the former soldiers who are fit can find work. But the former soldiers also are being targeted by a killer, prompting Bess to make a visit to a remote Welsh headland.

“A Forgotten Place” shows the cultural and economic changes of the era. Charles Todd — who lives in Palm Beach — will discuss “A Forgotten Place” at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, 561-279-7790.

Out Loud stories find voices

The Miami Book Fair — known across the country for its innovative lineup — makes its annual appearance Nov. 11-18 at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. The organizers also schedule a number of events leading up to the main event. The popular storytelling series Lip Service: True Stories Out Loud begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lightbox Theater at Goldman Warehouse, 404 NW 26th St., Miami. Tickets are $20. The eight-week workshop How to Tell True Stories, Out Loud runs from Sept. 11 to

Oct. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $190.

A blend of theater, storytelling and literature, Lip Service solicits true, personal stories. Eight stories are selected and the Lip Service producers work with the authors to present their stories before an audience. This is an adultonly series and workshop. For more information on both events, visit miamibookfair.com/ event.

Authors Academy concludes

The annual Authors Academy with workshops led by published authors and publishing experts wraps up this month. The workshops are held 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach. Each workshop is $25. For reservations, call 561-279-7790, email murdermb@gate.net or visit FLauthorsacademy.com.

The workshops are:

Saturday: Break Through: How to Get Published. How to meet and approach publishers and agents. Instructor: Prudy Taylor Board

Sept. 15: Queries and Pitches. How to prepare that all-important plot synopsis for a query letter. Volunteers will be invited to prac- tice their pitch and receive feedback. Instructor: Alison McMahan

Sept. 22: Self-Publishing Made Simple. Workshop touches on preparing a manuscript, creating cover designs and marketing. Instructor: Nancy J. Cohen

Sept. 29: Open mike for workshop attendees to read from their works in progress and get feedback from three multipublished author judges. $25 per person to read. Free admission for audience members. Refreshments served.

Finalist for prize

M. Evelina Galang, who directs the masters program in creative writing at the University of Miami, is a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for her nonfiction book “Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living With War.” The prize recognizes the written word’s power to promote peace. Galang’s book tells the stories of 16 surviving Filipino “comfort women.”

Mystery, Romance workshops

Harriet Ottenheimer, who writes about language and culture for encyclopedias, magazines and academic journals, offers an unusual workshop for would-be writers. She’ll discuss “Forensic Linguistics: Language as Evidence” in an interactive workshop in which she will show how linguists analyze language evidence to assist law enforcement to solve crimes. The presentation will feature real examples as part of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America’s monthly meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 15 at Embassy Suites, 661 NW 53rd St., Boca Raton. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for nonmembers. For information, visit mwaflorida.org or email harriet@ottenheimer.com.

Karen Kendall, author of 24 novels, most of them romantic comedies, will discuss how to turn an idea into a book from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday during the Florida Romance Writers meeting at the Tigertail Lake Recreational Center, 580 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. For more information, visit frwriters.org/ events or email janetfrankslittle@gmail.com.

Bouchercon in Florida

Boucheron — also known as the World Mystery Conference — has been going strong for 49 years, giving readers a chance to meet their favorite mystery writers and listen to panels about the genre. It generally attracts 1,200 to 1,500 people each year. For the first time, Bouchercon will be in Florida — from Saturday through Spet. 9 in St. Petersburg. Many Florida writers will participate. The short story collection “Florida Happens” is the official anthology of Bouchercon. Several of the stories use South Florida locations, including Davie, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hollywood, Wilton Manors and Palm Beach. For more information, visit bouchercon2018.com.

Goodbye, Jake

Back in 1990, author Paul Levine helped usher in a new wave of Florida mysteries when he introduced Miami Dolphin turned lawyer Jake Lassiter in “To Speak for the Dead.” Laden with humor and insight into South Florida culture, “To Speak for the Dead” was also a tightly plotted novel. But now it’s time to say goodbye to Jake. “Bum Deal,” the 13th novel in this series, is the finale for Jake. Levine has always kept his series mindful of current events, and he continues that with Jake’s departure.

Jake may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of all those concussions on the football field. But he doesn’t go quietly. In “Bum Deal,” Jake undergoes experimental treatments, and switches sides in the courtroom to prosecute a surgeon accused of killing his wife. Levine now lives in Los Angeles, but his view of Miami is still sharp.

Glass art on the high seas

Cheryl Hollon’s novels about glass shop owner Savannah Webb are a lovely blend of light mystery with a sturdy plot. Hollon also gives the reader a look at what goes into creating glass art. In “Shattered at Sea,” Savannah, who lives in St. Petersburg, goes on a Mediterranean cruise where she will demonstrate glassblowing. Hollan discusses her latest novel at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, 561-279-7790.

Vote for favorite read

With the Florida primaries behind us and the midterms looming on Nov. 6, we are definitely in voting season. Here’s a less stressful vote you can make, and you can vote often, even daily. The Great American Read is a chance to vote on your favorite book from a list of 100 novels. It’s a diverse group — from Dickens to “50 Shades” to “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (my favorite) — chosen during a survey earlier this year. To vote, go to pbs.org/thegreat-american-read/vote.

Meltzer to the moon and back

Best-selling author Brad Meltzer, who lives in Broward, goes to the moon with “I Am Neil Armstrong,” the 15th in his children’s series that focuses on influential people. Meltzer will talk about astronaut Neil Armstrong, who was the first person to walk on the moon, at 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408.

Deadline for the October column is Sept. 20.

Charles Todd team.

Galang