Cheré Dastugue Coen, an award-winning journalist, writing instructor, playwright, novelist and cookbook author, will speak at the monthly meeting of the Southeastern Louisiana chapter of the Romance Writers of America at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public. Registration is not required.

Coen began her career in communications at the 1984 World's Fair and has since written for numerous regional, national and international publications. She is a correspondent who covers the Lake Charles area for Forbes Travel Guide. Her books include Exploring Cajun Country: A Tour of Historic Acadiana, Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets with Jude Bradley and Cooking in Cajun Country with Karl Breaux. Her newest book, Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana, is a collection of little known ghost stories. A native of New Orleans, she now lives in Lafayette.

The Southern Louisiana Chapter of the Romance Writers of America meets monthly at the East Bank Regional Library in Metairie. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers who discuss all aspects of writing, editing and publishing. Topics frequently explore subjects other than romance writing though they focus on subjects that make writers better at their craft.