Ellen is available for Workshops & Presentations.
Topics:
For the Public:
- WWII Lady Spies of the OSS (1 hour)
- Top 10 Art Heists in History (1 hour)
For Writer’s Groups, Workshops & Conferences:
- Finding an Agent – Blurbs, Queries & Taglines (1-hour presentation or 2.5-hour workshop)
- The Business of Publishing – Expectations for Traditional, Small Press & Indie Publishing (1 hour)
- From Manuscript to Publication – Independent Publishing Workshop (2 hour program)
- The Dreaded Marketing – Avenues for Getting Your Name and Your Book Out There (1 hour)
- Turning Your Fiction into Paid Public Speaking
For further information, or to receive a Presentation Information Proposal, and to book Ellen, please fill out the contact form here.
Testimonials
“Ellen Butler regaled our Library Society community with her well researched and thoroughly honed presentation recounting 10 contemporary Art Heists, each curated by the speaker for their unique and fascinating detail. Butler delivered the talk, rife with absorbing information, through her particular lens of wit and charisma. Ellen Butler was more than happy to interact with our attendees either on the subject material she spoke to or the process of crafting the novels themselves. Ellen Butler is an immersive, delightful speaker!” ~ Charleston Library Society
“I really enjoyed your intriguing, informative and fun presentation at the University Club of DC of The Top Ten Art Heists in History!!! I never thought about what and how criminals plan or don’t plan the details of an art heist!!!” -The University Club of Washington, DC
“Much appreciated the Women of the OSS presentation.” – The Freedom Museum (Smithsonian Affiliate)
“…thank you so much again for coming to our library this past Saturday to talk about the Business of Publishing… Our patrons appreciated it very much.” – Alexandria Public Library
“Thank you for providing your presentation on lady spies. Fascinating information!” – Virginia Beach History Museums
“Thank you for being a part of our PWC-Manassas History Symposium! I fully enjoyed your presentation.” -Prince William County Historic Preservation
2025 Schedule
Wednesday, January 8, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Unlock the Power of Storytelling: Narrative Essay Workshop – January 8 & February 5 6:30-7:30 p.m – Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Have a story of faith to tell but don’t know where to start? Whether you’re sharing a life-changing experience or reflecting on a defining moment of faith that shaped you, this workshop will guide you in crafting compelling narrative essays that captivate and resonate. For more information and to register: Click HERE.
Thursday, January 9, 4:45-6:00 p.m. – Colonial Heritage Book Club – Colonial Heritage Club House. Book being discussed – Spectral Revelations: A Karina Cardinal Mystery. Visit Amazon or your favorite retailer to obtain a copy.
Tuesday, February 11, 6:00-7:00 p.m. – Top 10 Art Heists in History presentation. Carrollton Library. 14362 New Towne Haven Ln, Carrollton, VA 23314. Open to the Public. Books available for purchase.
Friday February 21, 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Top 10 Art Heists in History, Presentation and Box Lunch at the Charleston Library Society. 164 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Books will be available for purchase. To purchase tickets follow this LINK.
Sunday March 9, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Top 10 Art Heists in History presentation. Ford’s Colony Club House, Fireside Chat. Private Event.
Saturday, March 15, 11:30-6:00 p.m. – Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival. Suffolk Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront
100 E. Constance Road Suffolk, VA 23434. Meet and Greet. Purchase Books. Panel Sessions. https://www.suffolkvaauthorsfestival.com/activities.html
April 25-27 – Malice Domestic Conference. Panelist, Reporter Sleuths in the Changing Landscape of Journalism. Book Signing. Malice Domestic is an annual fan convention that takes place each year in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Malice celebrates the Traditional Mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. Visit the Website for details and booking: Malice Domestic
2024 Schedule
Saturday, February 24, 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Williamsburg Book Festival. 40+ authors will be selling and signing from all genres. Workshops and presentations. Free to attend. https://www.williamsburgbookfestival.org/2024-book-festival
Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 p.m. – Billsburg Brewery, Books & Brews Book Club. Open to the public. The book we will be discussing is Operation Blackbird. Show your purchased book for a $1 off your drink. The Hungry Pug Food Truck available for eats and bar snacks. Books available for purchase at Billsburg Brewery.
Saturday, March 16, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival. Suffolk Conference Center @ the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk River Front. 50 Mystery Authors will be signing. Visit the website for further information and to register. https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/
Wednesday, March 19, 6:00 p.m. – Green Boundary Club. Private Event. Top 10 Art Heists in History Presentation. Aiken, S.C.
Saturday, May 18th, 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Smithfield Arts Festival. Signing. Christ Episcopal Church on the corner of Main and Church Streets, Smithfield, VA.
August 28 – September 1, Bouchercon, Nashville, TN – Panelist for You Can Do Magic: Cozies that cast a spell! Friday, (8/30) from 5:00 – 5:50 PM, Canal E Room. Book sales and signing at The Discovery Zone, Friday (8/30) from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Delta Ballroom C.
September 13-15 – Creatures, Crimes & Creativity. – At the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Columbia, 5485 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia MD. Panelist & book signing. Readers and writers of genre fiction–mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal – to meet in an informal atmosphere so that everyone can have fun connecting, and learning about writing, the authors and their books. https://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com/
September 11 – Private Book Club Event, Colonial Heritage.
Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. – Author Talk, Top 10 Art Heists in History Presentation. The University Club, Washington, D.C. Private Event for Club Members only.
Friday, October 18, 1:00-2:00 p.m. – Virginia Library Association Conference, Norfolk, VA. Panel session – The Writer’s Perspective.
CANCELED Sunday, October 20, 2:00 – 3:00 – Alewerks Brewing Company – Panel Session. Sleuths & Suds: Solving Mysteries Over a Pint. 5711 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA.
Sunday, November 17, 10:00 – 3:00 – UJC Autumn Vendor Fair – 401 City Center Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606
Saturday, December 7, 9:00- 3:00 – Tinsel and Tidings Colonial Heritage Craft Fair – 6500 Arthur Hills Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188, (off Richmond Rd, across from The Pottery)
2023 Schedule
Sunday, February 19, at 5 p.m. – Fireside Chat at Ford’s Colony Country Club, Williamsburg. Open to members and their guests.
Saturday, March 11, 11:30 – 6 – Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival. Suffolk Conference Center @ the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk River Front. 50 Mystery Authors will be signing. There will be panel sessions from 2-6 p.m. Ellen will be moderating the Making History: Writing Historical Period Mysteries. Visit the website for further information and to register. https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/
Saturday, May 13, 10-3pm. – Spring Bazaar & BBQ at Poquoson Masonic Lodge – Signing. 6 Hunts Neck Rd. Poquoson, VA. Over 30 Artisans will be selling their wares. The lodge’s famous BBQ lunch will available for purchase. Visit the site for more information: http://
May, 24, 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Book Club, Private Event.
Saturday, July 8, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland Street. Ellen will be interviewing Katherine Schellman about her new release The Last Drop of Hemlock. Free event. https://events.wm.edu/event/view/libraries/206450
September 8-10 – Creatures, Crimes & Creativity (C3Con) – At the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Columbia, 5485 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia MD. Panelist & book signing. Readers and writers of genre fiction–mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal – to meet in an informal atmosphere so that everyone can have fun connecting, and learning about writing, the authors and their books. https://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com/
September 16, 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Annual Fall Vendor Fair -Yorktown Masonic Lodge, 221 Ballard Street, Yorktown. Sales and Signing.
October 13, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Spooky Signing and Book Launch – Turn the Page Bookshop, Prime Outlets in Williamsburg (between White House Black Market and Banana Republic) Signing new release Spectral Revelations. Paranormal mystery author Allie Marie will also be signing and interview Ellen Butler at 7:30. Champagne toast & snacks. Everyone who comes will be entered for the door prizes. (Must be present to win).
LOCATION CHANGE SEE ABOVE October 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Wine and Crime – Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room, 427 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA. Award-winning mystery author Allie Marie will be interviewing Ellen Butler about her newly released Karina Cardinal mystery, Spectral Revelations. Books for sale as well as spooky wine pairings and appetizers. Door prizes and giveaways.
October 15, 6:00 p.m.- Interview With the Author – 208 Queen St, Alexandria, VA 22314. An interview about Ellen’s new release Spectral Revelations, A Karina Cardinal Mystery hosted by Jeffrey James Higgins.
November 5, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Top 10 Art Heists in History Presentation – Williamsburg Regional Library, Stryker Center, Room 127. 515 Scotland Street. Ellen will be discussing her new book Spectral Revelations, and the history of art crimes, composing of her ten favorites.
November 11, 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Hanover Book Festival – VFW Post 9808, 7168 Flag Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Sales and Signing. http://www.hanoverbookfestival.com
November 24, 11:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Turn the Page Bookshop – Black Friday Signing. Prime Outlets in Williamsburg (between White House Black Market and Banana Republic).
December 2, 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Colonial Heritage Xmas Craft Fair, 6500 Arthur Hills Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Signing. Over 40 artisans will be selling their wares.
2022 Schedule
Saturday, August 13, from 12-5 – Saude Creek Vineyard’s Sip & Read. A multi-author signing-reading event. Approximately 20 authors will be selling & reading excerpts from their novels throughout the day. For directions and further information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/377972401067154
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER Saturday, October, 1, from 10-4 – Williamsburg Book Festival Stryker Center and Williamsburg Community Building. Signing. For more information about the festival visit: https://williamsburgbookfestival.org/
Saturday, November, 19, from 10 – 3 – Holiday Bazaar at the Greek Orthodox Church, 60 Traverse Dr, Newport News. Signing. For directions and further information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/401633558075757
Saturday, December 10, from 10-3 – Wonderfest! Scottish Rite in Newport News. Signing. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/714825693168251
2021 Schedule
Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – While we can’t get together in-person, this year the Suffolk Mystery Author Festival has gone virtual and FREE! there will be panel sessions running each hour. I will be on the Writing Strong Women panel from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Register to join:
https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/2021-registration.html
Saturday, May 1, 3:00 p.m. – Sixth Annual Prince William/ Manassas History Symposium. WWII Lady Spies of the Office of Strategic Services. Admission is $10 for all day symposium (8:30a.m. – 4p.m.) and will take place under a tent at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136. Co-sponsored by the Manassas Museum, Prince William County Historic Commission and Historic Prince William. Register Online at www.pwcparks.org/historicprograms or by calling 703-792-4754.
CANCELED ~ August 25-29 – Bouchercon, Blood on the Bayou in New Orleans, Louisiana.
September 11, All Day – Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity in Columbia, MD. Panel sessions, author signings. https://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com/
November 12-14, 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Northern Virginia Christmas Market. Signing and book sales. Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA. Over 100 exhibitors. See the website for more information. https://www.emgshows.com/anvcm
2020 Schedule
Everything cancelled due to COVID. Hope to see you in 2021.
2019 Schedule
May 3-5, 2019 – Malice Domestic, Bethesda, MD.
August 10, 2019 – Suffolk Mystery Author Festival, Suffolk, VA. Workshop Presenter & Signing. Workshop: You Wrote Your Novel, Now What? Publishing World Options ~ The publishing industry has changed drastically in the past decade, and it continues to evolve. This workshop discusses an author’s options, from Traditional to Small Press to Indie Publishing.
August, 24, 2019 – Alexandria Library, Burke Branch, Workshop: You Wrote Your Novel, Now What? Publishing World Options ~ The publishing industry has changed drastically in the past decade, and it continues to evolve. This workshop discusses an author’s options, from Traditional to Small Press to Indie Publishing.
September 13-15, 2019 – Creatures, Crimes and Creativity (C3Con), Panelist & Signing, Columbia, MD
October 4, 2019, 6-8 p.m. – Prosperos Books, Signing at Manassas First Friday Event. First Friday events provide a fun way to interact with the community while experiencing Downtown Manassas. Participating First Friday locations often provide a fun game, special discount, or activity that fits the shared theme for the month. Manassas, VA.
October, 12, 2019, 11:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Eat Local Read Local Event, Diamonds & Deception Signing. 50 local authors in attendance, the event includes giveaways, food trucks and children’s activities. Cascades Library, Loudoun County Public Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA 20165.
October 26, 2019, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Royal Book Bash, Woodbridge, VA. Diamonds & Deception Book Release Event. Signing, giveaways. Author meet & greet.
November 10, 2019, 2- 4 p.m. – The Wine Attic, Clifton, VA. Diamonds & Deception Release Event. Author meet & greet, signing. Includes an interview with local mystery writer Colleen Shogan, author of the Washington Whodunit series.
November 17, 2019, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Trinity Episcopal Church, Manassas, VA. Signing at their annual Arts & Crafts Show.
December 4, 2019, 5:30 p.m. – Thirtieth Annual University Club Meet the Author Night and Book Fair, Washington, D.C. Signing, giveaway.
Past Public Appearances
November 3, 2018 – Author Talk, Private Presentation.
November 29, 2018 – Twenty-Ninth Annual University Club Meet the Author Night and Book Fair, Washington, DC. Open to the Public. 70 Authors will be signing and socializing.
October 5-7, 2018, Creatures, Crimes & Creativity, (C3 Con), Columbia, Maryland. Signing & Panelist.
August 25, 2018, Dark and Stormy Book Club Podcast. A discussion about Isabella’s Painting, we discuss art heists, criminals and mystery.
August 13, 2018, 3:00 p.m. Lady Spies of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS): Roles, Weapons, and Accomplishments Presentation. Arlington Central Library, Encore Learning.
June 23, 2018, Noon-4:00 p.m., Royal Book Bash, Author Signing, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Maryland. BOGO TIME! Ellen with be having a Buy One Get One free promotion at her booth. Stop by early before all the free books are gone!
July 6-8, 2018, Sexy Sassy Signing – Naughty Sirens Weekend Affair, Norfolk, Virginia. Signing, Panelist and Moderator on Friday July, 6. BOGO TIME! Ellen with be having a Buy One Get One free promotion at her booth. Stop by early before all the free books are gone!
Panelist for the Romantic Suspense Panel. Moderator for I’m Game if You Come Panel: When you’ve had a million questions to ask but never had the chance. When it’s fun to know about your favorite authors and some of their sexy and funny habits that make writing possible or motivate. This will be a fun interactive panel session.
May 19, 2018, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Brass Compass Book Signing at Armed Forces through the Ages at Rippon Lodge event. Books available for purchase $15, cash or credit. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192. Admission to the event is $5, kids 6 & under free.
April 23, 2018, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., WWII Women of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS): Roles, Weapons, and Accomplishments Presentation. Chancellor’s Village, Fredericksburg, VA.
March 5, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Women of the OSS: Roles, Weapons, and Accomplishments ~ Sabotage, seduction, and secret pockets-just a few of the tough-and-tender ways women approach espionage. Ellen Butler, author of The Brass Compass, will provide a lively presentation about lady spies of the Office of Strategic Services. Beatley Central Library, Alexandria, VA.
March 12, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Women of the OSS: Roles, Weapons, and Accomplishments Duncan Public Library, Alexandria, Virginia.
March 15, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Women of the OSS: Roles, Weapons, and Accomplishments (OSS). Central Rappahannock Community Library, Porter Branch.