Writers on Writing: Beginnings
Apr 15th 2026
Events @ Labyrinth Books
Join acclaimed authors Amy Jo Burns (Wait for Me), Anna-Marie McLemore (We Could Be Anyone), Dexter Palmer (Version Control), and Anica Mrose Rissi (Girl Reflected in Knife) for a conversation about the craft of writing. In this first installment of the Writers on Writing series, the authors will discuss Beginnings, including their best (and worst) techniques for finding their way into a story, the questions that shape both the project and the writer, and ways to not only begin but also continue. Perfect for curious readers and aspiring writers of all genres.
Amy Jo Burns’s latest novel, Wait for Me, was the Today Show Read With Jenna pick for March 2026. She is the author of three other books, including Cinderland, Shiner, and Mercury, which was a Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick, a People Magazine Book of the Week, and an Editor’s Choice selection in The New York Times. A western Pennsylvania native, she lives in New Jersey with her family.
Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them) is the author of thirteen novels, including William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist The Weight of Feathers; Blanca & Roja, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time; Lambda Literary Award Finalist Lakelore; Flawless Girls, an ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project selection; and National Book Award longlist selections When the Moon Was Ours, The Mirror Season, and Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix. Their adult debut, The Influencers, was a People Magazine Best Book of April 2025 and one of The Today Show’s Best Books of May 2025. Their latest YA novel, We Could Be Anyone, has received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist.
Dexter Palmer is the author of three novels: The Dream of Perpetual Motion, which was named one of the best debuts of the year by Kirkus Reviews; Version Control, which was selected as one of the best books of 2016 by GQ and The San Francisco Chronicle; and Mary Toft; or, The Rabbit Queen, which was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award in 2021.
Anica Mrose Rissi is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. Her essays have been published by The Writer and The New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica grew up in Maine and spent many years in New York City, where she worked as an executive editor in children’s book publishing. She lives in central New Jersey with her very good dog, Sweet Potato.
Writers on Writing is an ongoing series of conversations about process and craft, hosted by Amy Jo Burns and Anica Mrose Rissi, with acclaimed guest authors from various sections of the bookstore. Join us for an evening of lively discussion, audience Q&A, and creative community.