Any writer will tell you that we are an uncommon crowd, not always easy to deal with, but quiet enough and handy to have around if you need a word or three.

And most of us, though we may vehemently deny it, enjoy the company of other writers.

With this in mind, I’m calling Austin’s wordsmiths out of their hidey-holes: Grant Blackwood is teaching an all-day seminar, and you need to sign up.

I previously mentioned Blackwood, a New York Times bestselling author, in my first article back in May — he’s slated to speak on our author stage at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24.

But the U.S. Navy veteran has also teamed up with the Friends of the Library to bring us an expanded and in-depth exploration of concepts from the author’s popular “Seven Elements of Big Thrillers” class, which he teaches each year at the annual International Thriller Writers conference.

“Getting published is a challenge and making it big is even a bigger challenge,” Blackwood says, “but there are secrets that can tilt the odds in your favor.” To that end, his workshop will include discussion of the key elements in thrillers as well as various techniques Blackwood has developed over his 27-year career. The seminar, which is limited to 30 participants and is open to high school students and adults, costs just $25 per person. It runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., includes snacks and lunch, and it all goes down at Austin Public Library on Wednesday.

Those of you with writers, here is your mission: drag that guy or gal down to the library, sign them up, and make sure they go. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your writer.

Until next week.