Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2026

A look at how Westerns are evolving through crossovers with crime, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. We’ll explore the future of the genre, with examples from writers like Craig Johnson, CJ Box, and Marc Cameron, and modern media like The Mandalorian and Bone Tomahawk.

This presentation puts self-editing tasks into an easy-to-follow list format. You can check off each item before submitting your manuscript to anyone from critique partners to agents and editors. Most of the tasks are quick and use shortcuts in Word such as Find and Replace. Others are a bit more work-intensive, like culling extraneous adverbs or removing filter words and writing in deeper POV but will ultimately strengthen your story.

Using Google Notebook LM: easily create an up-to-date story bible with one of Google’s newest (and little-known) offerings. Google Notebook LM is a free Google app that just might rock your world. Even if you’re not an AI fan, read on.


Building a Story Bible with Google NotebookLM
A compelling novel needs more than inspiration. It needs consistency, clarity, and a place where all the pieces come together. In this hands-on workshop, writers will learn how to use Google NotebookLM as a powerful tool for building and maintaining a complete story bible for their book or series.

Participants will explore how to organize characters, settings, timelines, themes, and worldbuilding details in one central, searchable hub. The session will demonstrate how NotebookLM can analyze uploaded notes, outlines, research, and drafts to help writers track continuity, uncover inconsistencies, and deepen story logic without stifling creativity.

An important focus of this workshop is writer control and privacy. Google NotebookLM works only with the documents you choose to upload, and—according to Google—your content is not used to train AI models. Your writing remains yours, allowing you to experiment, brainstorm, and develop ideas with confidence that your intellectual property is protected.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will:

• Understand what a story bible is and why it matters
• Learn how to set up a NotebookLM project specifically for a novel or series
• Practice structuring character profiles, plot arcs, and worldbuilding notes
• Use AI-powered insights to ask questions of their own material and generate clarity
• Gain confidence using AI tools without sacrificing ownership or creative control
• Walk away with a repeatable system they can use for current and future projects
  
  

This workshop is ideal for novelists, series writers, nonfiction writers, and anyone who wants a smarter, more flexible way to manage complex stories. No advanced technical skills required—just bring your story ideas and curiosity.

Grounded in Authors Guild guidance and current U.S. copyright guidance for AI-assisted work.

Most writers never see what a working novel structure actually looks like until they are deep into a draft.

In this live session, Ana del Valle builds a novel structure in real time using OliviaAI™, showing exactly how to move from a rough idea to structure development. You will watch as core story elements are defined, a Story Bible is created, characters are developed, and a scene-by-scene outline begins to take shape inside a professional writing studio.

You will see how to:

• Turn a loose idea into a clear, structured concept
• Build a Story Bible that holds your narrative together
• Create characters that carry emotional and structural weight
• Move into scene outlining with purpose and direction

If you have ever struggled to bridge the gap between “I have an idea” and “I have a book structure that works and I actually write,” this session will show you how that bridge is built.

This course is designed as an introduction to the ever-evolving indie market. It focuses on defining and clarifying terms of the indie/self-publishing world and on answering questions of those who have one toe in the water but are reluctant to dive into the ocean. Ample time is given for questions and the sharing of experiences between participants.

Whether you're launching your debut or leveling up your growing platform, this two-hour workshop gives you the roadmap to market your books with confidence and clarity. We’ll dig into the essentials authors must know: identifying your ideal reader, crafting a compelling brand, building an email list that converts, and choosing the right mix of social media, events, and partnerships. You'll learn practical, repeatable strategies to boost visibility, grow engagement, and sustain momentum long after launch day. Walk away with a personalized action plan, fresh ideas, and the tools to take your author career to the next level.