MID-AMERICA
ROMANCE AUTHORS
Where writers grow and flourish.
At MARA, we believe in advancing the professional interests of career-focused romance writers. If you want to connect to other romance authors, hone your skills as a writer, or learn more about what's happening in this ever-changing genre, we would love for you to visit. We are a Kansas City-based writers group with opportunities for virtual members from anywhere. Join us for a meeting!
NEXT MEETING
Presenter: Lisa Rabey
Lisa Rabey is the chief Nerd Girl in Nerd Girl Industries. She lives in N. Michigan with her husband (whom she sometimes likes) and her persnickety pug (who sometimes likes her). She watches trashy TV, reads heaving bosom books, and loves to bake. Lisa is a librarian, writer, researcher, and instructor. Her favorite Elizabeth Bennett is Keira Knightley. She can be found at https://lisarabey.com
OCTOBER 24th, 2026, 12-3
Prairie Village City Hall Council Chambers
Program: Don’t Call Me Crazy: Creating Believable Characters with Mental Illness
Presenter: Lisa Rabey
One in five people in the United States has or will have a mental illness in their lifetime, with anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression leading the charge. Yet, characters with mental illness are surprisingly underpresented in fiction. And if a character is written with a mental illnes, they are often portrayed as a caricature of the illness or treated as a plot device. In this workshop, we'll discuss the various types of common mental illnesses, how to research reliable information about the condition, and how to portray the character with compassion.
Lisa can be found at https://lisarabey.com or come by and visit us on the 24th!
FIND US LIVE
7720 Mission Rd,
Prairie Village, KS 66208
We meet at the Prairie Village City Hall Community Center near 75th and Mission from noon to 3pm, or you can join in via Zoom. Check our calendar for upcoming dates!
GET IN TOUCH
Curious about MARA or want more information about us, our meetings, speaking opportunities, contests, or anything else? We'd love to chat! Send us a message via this form or email us at: