Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Sched is sponsored by Reedsy.
The 2026 Pikes Peak Writers Conference is in the books!
You must be logged into Sched to see the handouts.

8:30am MDT

Emotional Resonance: Or How I Made My Dad Not Talk to Me for a Week

Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

Readers connect through emotion. This class explores how to use tropes, the mirror effect, self-realization, and comparison to foster emotional depth and connection. Examples will focus on popular literary and cinematic characters and why these "tricks of the trade" work so well, and how writers can use them to great effect.

Faculty

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

Kevin Ikenberry is a life-long space geek and retired Army officer. As an adult, he managed the U.S. Space Camp program, two Challenger Learning Centers, and served on active duty in space operations before Space Force was a thing. He’s an international bestselling science fiction... Read More →

Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

Craft of Writing

Moderator Sam Knight

9:45am MDT

Q&A with Reavis Wortham

Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Cherry Creek/Cripple Creek

Faculty

Reavis Z. Wortham

Keynote

NYT Bestselling author, Reavis Z. Wortham, is the recipient of many awards, including two Spur Awards from the Western Writers Association, and six Will Rogers Medallions. Kirkus Reviews listed his first novel in the historical Red River series, The Rock Hole, as one of their Top... Read More →

Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Cherry Creek/Cripple Creek

Craft of Writing

Moderator Sam Knight

11:00am MDT

Agent Panel

Friday April 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

Share an hour with our attending agents and learn about them and their agencies.

Agents & Editors

Bowen Gillings

Associate Agent, Savvy Literary

Bowen Gillings joined Savvy Literary in 2025 and has nearly a decade of experience as an author and champion of authors. Currently building his list, Bowen seeks to partner with writers who possess a sense of professionalism and a sense of humor. He loves books with a strong narrative... Read More →

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

Literary Agent, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency with
nearly a decade of industry experience. A life-long lover of books, Cathie enjoys
vivid memories of the exact moment she unlocked the secret code behind the
letters that, when combined, form words. Sinc... Read More →

Elisa Saphier

Agent, MacGregor & Luedeke

Elisa Saphier is an agent with MacGregor & Luedeke where she is the exception, looking for nonreligious nonfiction and upmarket genre fiction (especially mystery/thriller and romance) to balance out her mostly literary list. She represents upper middle grade through adult (fiction... Read More →

Jessica Berg

Literary Agent, Rosecliff Literary

Jessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her... Read More →

T.S. Ferguson

Azantian Literary Agency

Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children's and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked... Read More →

Friday April 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

Business of Writing

Moderator Sam Knight

2:00pm MDT

Why Genre (Really) Matters

Saturday April 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

Douglas

Stories are a collection of patterns and promises and each genre holds their own unique assortment. Stories are also referential, nodding and easter-egging to the tales that have come before. As authors, we must be genre sleuths, looking past lovely covers and into the scaffolding of each genre's secret menu to guarantee our readers won't be disappointed and—if it's important to you—are stories that can be marketed with ease and clarity. Learn the language and patterns of genre to find where your story lands, how to advertise your story to others, and ensure you are fulfilling promises to your future readers.

Faculty

Callie Stoker

Owner, Managing Editor, The Manuscript Dr

Callie Stoker is an editor with almost two decades experience. Her business The
Manuscript Dr offers coaching and editing services. We believe that writing is a skill that
can be taught through the application of individual tools. We love helping our clients
elevate their abilities... Read More →

Saturday April 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Douglas

Business of Writing

Moderator Sam Knight

8:30am MDT

9:45am MDT

11:00am MDT

2:00pm MDT

Get help with the event