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Friday, April 17
 

8:00am MDT

Newcomers Briefing
Friday April 17, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT
Academy
New to Pikes Peak Writers? New to writing conferences? New to writing, in general? Here's your chance to ask virtually everything about how to get the most out of your conference experience. There's etiquette, jargon, and a lot more to learn so that you present yourself in the very best light to our faculty and your fellow attendees. Learn what to do and what not to do by folks who have learned from their mistakes. You have questions? We have answers.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Bowen Gillings

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT
Academy
  Business of Writing

8:30am MDT

Book Cover Design...You're Not the Audience
Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Douglas
A workshop on effective book cover design: what works, what doesn’t, and how covers communicate professionalism and genre promise to readers.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Casey Cowan

Casey Cowan

Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates
Casey Cowan began his career in graphic design, shaping projects across a wide range of industries for nearly two decades before finding his niche and co-founding Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates in 2013. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a successful, award-winning... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Douglas
  Business of Writing

8:30am MDT

Read & Critique Session 1
Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Fremont
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Faculty
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Keynote
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award winning alternate history novel The Calculating Stars, the first book in the Lady Astronaut series which continues in 2025 with The Martian Contingency. She is also the author of The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost... Read More →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Anna Michels

Anna Michels

Senior Editorial Director, Sourcebooks
Anna Michels has been at Sourcebooks for more than thirteen years and is Senior Editorial Director of Sourcebooks nonfiction and Poisoned Pen Press. Anna is looking for a wide variety of books under the nonfiction umbrella, including history, narrative and prescriptive nonfiction... Read More →
avatar for Bowen Gillings

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

9:45am MDT

Freelancers: Building a Business Mindset
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Academy
Owning and running your own business as a freelancer or an author is not only about the logistics of taxes, running a website, and marketing your business but also includes a foundational philosophy by which to focus the decisions that will affect your business and your brand.
Faculty
avatar for Callie Stoker

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Academy
  Business of Writing

9:45am MDT

Lending a Voice to Your Voice: Mastering the Author-Narrator Relationship
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Palmer
A writer and her narrator (and best pals) Chris Mandeville(writer) and Aaron Fors(Narrator) talk about the ins and outs of producing an audiobook. How to find potential narrators, how to audition and select a narrator, the research, preparation, artistic calibration, and retake/pickup process, the release, the works. How to build and maintain a relationship and workflow that produces the best product and what to expect. Having just finished work on a 143,000 word audiobook together, we'll use our process as a template to talk in-depth, as well as drawing from our diverse experiences.
Faculty
avatar for Chris Mandeville

Chris Mandeville

Author
Chris Mandeville is an unrepentant coffee drinker, night owl, and binge writer. She can write anywhere, but her usual spot is a comfy chair at home in the Rocky Mountains with her service dog, Oski, snoozing by her feet. When she isn't writing, she loves to cook, travel, and teach... Read More →
avatar for Aaron Fors

Aaron Fors

Aaron Fors is an author, actor, filmmaker, creator thingy! An obsessive collector of obscure skills and knowledge, they love infusing their passion for the niche into their works. Aaron writes scifi, fantasy, and whatever fills their heart up and makes them feel like they’re going... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Palmer
  Business of Writing

9:45am MDT

Read & Critique Session 2
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Fremont
Fantasy/SciFi
Faculty
avatar for Carol Berg

Carol Berg

Carol Berg, former software engineer, never expected to write epic fantasy novels. Nor did she expect to win the Colorado Book Award four times or hear that her books had been read on the slopes of Denali, in the war zone of Iraq, or underneath the Mediterranean. She certainly never... Read More →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Elisa Saphier

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 →
avatar for Kelly Stone

Kelly Stone

Associate Editor, St. Martin’s Publishing Group
Kelly Stone is an associate editor at St. Martin’s Publishing Group. She joined St. Martin’s in 2021 after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Communication. Her list consists of action-packed thrillers, rom-com/mystery mash-ups, elevated cozy mysteries, and humor-filled... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

9:45am MDT

The Art of the Elevator Pitch
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Douglas
An editor-led workshop and deep dive into how editors pitch their books in-house—from editorial board meetings to formal sales presentations—featuring a group activity at the end of the session, "Pitch Wars," in which attendees will split into teams and role play as editors pitching a book at a seasonal Sales Launch.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Nicole Luongo

Nicole Luongo

Associate Editor, Hachette Book Group
If you asked six-year-old me and present-day-me what a “perfect day” looked like, our answers would be identical: hot cocoa, a loaded bookstore gift card—with unlimited browsing time—mint chocolate chip ice cream, and an evening of uninterrupted reading. (I’m nothing if... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Douglas
  Business of Writing

9:45am MDT

They Want to Hear From You!
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Pippa Grant launched her pen name with a newsletter plan, and that plan was crucial to the rise of her brand from complete unknown to Amazon Top 10 bestselling author within 16 months. This workshop is a guide on to how to attract readers to your newsletter, why you should send newsletters regularly, and how to identify newsletter content that you’ll want to write.
Faculty
avatar for Pippa Grant

Pippa Grant

Keynote
Pippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

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
avatar for Bowen Gillings

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 →
avatar for Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

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 →
avatar for Elisa Saphier

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 →
avatar for Jessica Berg

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 →
avatar for T.S. Ferguson

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

11:00am MDT

Speed Pitch
Friday April 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Fremont
Welcome to Speed Pitch!
Here you are at PPWC 2025 where everybody is curious to learn about you and your book. Nevertheless, people have short attention spans and lots of other writers to meet. Can you explain the highlights of your project without confusing, or worse, boring your listeners? Speed Pitch Practice is here to help.

How the Session Works
Participants will wait “quietly” in line for a turn to speak one-on-one for five minutes with a randomly assigned published author, seasoned writer, or maybe a VIP. You will verbally pitch your book and your coach will ask you questions to refine it. When the time is up, you’re done! But you’re welcome to get back in line for another go.
Friday April 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

2:00pm MDT

Becoming Your Characters: Narrating Your Own Audiobook
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Academy
During the class, attendees will be reading and analyzing first pages as actors. Samples will be available, but attendees are encouraged to bring your own first pages to work on.

Humans hear emotions first, then pitch and rhythm, and only then words. I want to give writers the most fundamental and powerful performance tools their creative cousins, actors, use to bring words to life. This will cover performance and speech skills that will render their text clear and easily understood. Emotional, expressive and analytical tools that bring their characters to life, vocal tools that will render their characters distinct from each other and grounded in the character's truth, and recording and editing technical how-to that will make the final product polished and professional quality on any budget. If you only had a few hours to take someone from 0 to a world class actor, how would you do it? That's what we're going to find out. Realistically, acting is like playing the violin, with a very high skill-cap, but progress can be fast with the right tools, the most precious thing that will come from this is the continuing education tools, resources, drills, and understandings that will have would-be author/narrators growing for years to come.
Faculty
avatar for Aaron Fors

Aaron Fors

Aaron Fors is an author, actor, filmmaker, creator thingy! An obsessive collector of obscure skills and knowledge, they love infusing their passion for the niche into their works. Aaron writes scifi, fantasy, and whatever fills their heart up and makes them feel like they’re going... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Academy
  Business of Writing

2:00pm MDT

Editor Panel
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Share an hour with our attending editors and learn about them and their publishing companies.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Anna Michels

Anna Michels

Senior Editorial Director, Sourcebooks
Anna Michels has been at Sourcebooks for more than thirteen years and is Senior Editorial Director of Sourcebooks nonfiction and Poisoned Pen Press. Anna is looking for a wide variety of books under the nonfiction umbrella, including history, narrative and prescriptive nonfiction... Read More →
avatar for Drue VanDuker

Drue VanDuker

Assistant Editor, St. Martin's Press
Drue VanDuker is an assistant editor at St. Martin's Press, where she has worked since 2022 after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English and a minor in Rhetoric and Writing. At SMP, she has worked across a wide range of genres, including book club... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Stone

Kelly Stone

Associate Editor, St. Martin’s Publishing Group
Kelly Stone is an associate editor at St. Martin’s Publishing Group. She joined St. Martin’s in 2021 after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Communication. Her list consists of action-packed thrillers, rom-com/mystery mash-ups, elevated cozy mysteries, and humor-filled... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Luongo

Nicole Luongo

Associate Editor, Hachette Book Group
If you asked six-year-old me and present-day-me what a “perfect day” looked like, our answers would be identical: hot cocoa, a loaded bookstore gift card—with unlimited browsing time—mint chocolate chip ice cream, and an evening of uninterrupted reading. (I’m nothing if... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

2:00pm MDT

Read & Critique Session 4
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Fremont
Historical/Horror/Western
Faculty
avatar for Reavis Z. Wortham

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 →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Casey Cowan

Casey Cowan

Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates
Casey Cowan began his career in graphic design, shaping projects across a wide range of industries for nearly two decades before finding his niche and co-founding Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates in 2013. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a successful, award-winning... Read More →
avatar for Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

3:15pm MDT

Ask an Agent: Q&A with Elisa Saphier
Friday April 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Cherry Creek/Cripple Creek

Agents & Editors
avatar for Elisa Saphier

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Cherry Creek/Cripple Creek
  Business of Writing

3:15pm MDT

Editor-Agent Sweet Spot
Friday April 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
My Sourcebooks editor, Anna Michels and I will talk about that sweet spot between the editor and author when working on a novel, from ideas, to writing and acceptance, and finally, to covers and audio book talent.
Faculty
avatar for Reavis Z. Wortham

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 →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Anna Michels

Anna Michels

Senior Editorial Director, Sourcebooks
Anna Michels has been at Sourcebooks for more than thirteen years and is Senior Editorial Director of Sourcebooks nonfiction and Poisoned Pen Press. Anna is looking for a wide variety of books under the nonfiction umbrella, including history, narrative and prescriptive nonfiction... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

3:15pm MDT

Read & Critique Session 5
Friday April 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Fremont
Children/MG/YA
Faculty
avatar for Kelley J. P. Lindberg

Kelley J. P. Lindberg

President, Blue Raven Services Inc.
Kelley J. P. Lindberg writes adult and YA fiction, but her writing history is littered with dozens of how-to books (including several bestsellers) and hundreds of articles. Her fiction and essays have appeared in literary magazines, in anthologies including PPW’s Journeys into... Read More →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Drue VanDuker

Drue VanDuker

Assistant Editor, St. Martin's Press
Drue VanDuker is an assistant editor at St. Martin's Press, where she has worked since 2022 after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English and a minor in Rhetoric and Writing. At SMP, she has worked across a wide range of genres, including book club... Read More →
avatar for T.S. Ferguson

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 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

4:45pm MDT

Pitch Perfect
Friday April 17, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Crafting the perfect live pitch to make the most of your one-on-one time with an agent/editor.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

4:45pm MDT

Read & Critique Session 6
Friday April 17, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Fremont
Romance
Faculty
avatar for Pippa Grant

Pippa Grant

Keynote
Pippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually... Read More →
Agents & Editors
avatar for Jessica Berg

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 →
avatar for Nicole Luongo

Nicole Luongo

Associate Editor, Hachette Book Group
If you asked six-year-old me and present-day-me what a “perfect day” looked like, our answers would be identical: hot cocoa, a loaded bookstore gift card—with unlimited browsing time—mint chocolate chip ice cream, and an evening of uninterrupted reading. (I’m nothing if... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Fremont
  Business of Writing

9:00pm MDT

Marketing
Friday April 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Unwind after a full conference day and join an open, energizing discussion all about marketing your books. This relaxed after-hours session invites authors to ask candid questions, share real experiences, and explore smart, sustainable strategies with Jenny Kate, a seasoned book-marketing expert. From building an author platform to promoting backlist titles, launching new releases, optimizing newsletters, and reaching the right readers—nothing is off-limits. Bring your challenges, your wins, and your curiosity. You’ll leave with practical insights, fresh ideas, and renewed confidence to market your books effectively in today’s competitive publishing landscape.
Faculty
avatar for Jenny Kate

Jenny Kate

Director, Pike Peak Writers Conference
Jenny Kate is a professional communicator. She has been quoted by the New York Times, CNN, FoxNews, and Time Magazine, and wrote her first novel in the second grade. She is a member of Washington Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and freelanced for New York literary agent Ethan Ellenberg... Read More →
avatar for Susan Mitchell

Susan Mitchell

Susan Mitchell embraces folklore, ghosts and monsters. She tunes into that wavelength to write dark fiction, horror and thrillers. Her work has appeared in literary magazines and can be found in the upcoming anthology Open-Hearted Horizon from University of New Mexico Press. Originally from the East Coast, Susan calls the Southwest home and has degree in English from Northern Arizona University. She works at New Mexico PBS and served on the PBS Marketing Advisory Council. As a Multi Media Producer she has written, pr... Read More →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

9:00pm MDT

Working Through the Slush Piles
Friday April 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
El Paso
If you’ve never caught this workshop at, say, MileHiCon, Bubonicon, FyreCon, or at COSine, the premise is absurdly simple:

Attendees bring an anonymized, 300-word story opening, either short story or novel, and drop it in front of Bowen at the beginning of the workshop. He will peruse the audience and select INSTANT EDITORS from those gathered and bring them up front.

For each manuscript, in randomized order, he will read aloud until three of the Instant Editors raise their hands, signifying that they would not publish the story. If he completes the story with fewer than three hands raised, consider that a success!

Each Editor will then share what they liked about the story, and then Bowen gives his own thoughts. The author, who is still anonymous at this point, is invited to reveal themselves. Sometimes, Bowen reads a ringer, a manuscript from a previously-published work, by a noted author, just to keep the Instant Editors guessing.

If you find that you have the time and inclination to participate, please consider joining Bowen and his INSTANT SLUSHPILE WORKSHOP with your anonymized manuscript in hand!
Agents & Editors
avatar for Bowen Gillings

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 →
Friday April 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
El Paso
  Business of Writing
 
Saturday, April 18
 

8:30am MDT

Decision Making for Authors
Saturday April 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Palmer
Writers who treat their work as a business must make clear-eyed, professional decisions. This class helps you use data instead of emotions to guide your next steps in all aspects of writing life.
Faculty
avatar for Kevin Ikenberry

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 →
Saturday April 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Palmer
  Business of Writing

2:00pm MDT

Rock Your Reader Magnet
Saturday April 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Palmer
Build your fan base the easy way.

Most authors know that growing your fan base with a free giveaway makes great sense. But what do you offer? This workshop offers a slew of enticing options (for both fiction and nonfiction authors) for items that will have readers jumping on to your newsletter list.

We’ll cover:
>What to offer, including five different kinds of reader magnets
>Easy ways to format your giveaway
>How to easily deliver your freebie

Your list will grow in no time, and that means a built-in audience to buy your books.

Faculty
avatar for Debbie Maxwell Allen

Debbie Maxwell Allen

Editor, Author, Scrivener Coach
Debbie Maxwell Allen writes historical fiction–with a touch of the unexplainable–set in quirky Mediterranean locations in the 18th century. She has placed in the Zebulon Contest three times and contributed to the Fresh Starts anthology. Her debut series launches in 2024. Debbie teaches workshops on the craft of writing, productivity, and how to use Scrivener and Vellum software at local writing groups and writing conferences... Read More →
Saturday April 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Palmer
  Business of Writing

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
avatar for Callie Stoker

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

3:15pm MDT

Best Practices: Author Bios & Photos
Saturday April 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
El Paso
Your author bio can be a valuable tool for connecting with readers. Or it can bore them to death. Too much info, or the wrong info, and you may lose a potential reader of your work. But a good bio can spark the beginning of a great author-reader bond. This workshop provides an easy-to-use M-PACT system of “best practices” for creating an author bio. M-PACT prompts us to consider the desired Message of a bio, be Professional, be Appropriate for the audience/venue, practice Consistency, and edit until your bio is To the point for achieving your goals. In addition, this class covers how to curate a great author photo, using the M-PACT system as a guide. In conjunction with the guidelines and system, this presentation employs examples and advice from current bestselling authors. Attendees leave with proven “best practices” for crafting professional bios and winning headshots.
Faculty
avatar for Chris Mandeville

Chris Mandeville

Author
Chris Mandeville is an unrepentant coffee drinker, night owl, and binge writer. She can write anywhere, but her usual spot is a comfy chair at home in the Rocky Mountains with her service dog, Oski, snoozing by her feet. When she isn't writing, she loves to cook, travel, and teach... Read More →
Saturday April 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
El Paso
  Business of Writing

3:15pm MDT

Book Fair Business
Saturday April 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Congratulations! You book has been published, and you’re ready to sell at your first book fair. Whether it’s local with only a few authors or one of the major “cons” or regional events, you’ll want your work to stand out from the crowd. How do you draw attention to yourself and your book(s)? What kind of sales pitch will bring and keep customers at your table? How do you speak about your book to the general public? In this workshop, we’ll discuss the secrets of successful sales at book fairs.
Faculty
avatar for Laurie Marr Wasmund

Laurie Marr Wasmund

Author, lost ranch books
Laurie Marr Wasmund holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Denver. She has been an editor, community college instructor, and national writing workshop presenter. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines such as Cimarron Review and Weber Studies. She is... Read More →
Saturday April 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing

4:45pm MDT

BookTok and Instagram for Writers
Saturday April 18, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Academy
Ready to amplify your author brand and connect with readers in a fresh, exciting way? This workshop dives into the fastest-growing social platforms for storytellers, breaking down what works right now on TikTok and Instagram. Learn how to craft scroll-stopping videos, build an authentic presence, use trends without losing your voice, and turn followers into true fans. We’ll cover practical strategies, content ideas, and time-saving tools so you can show up consistently—without overwhelm. Perfect for authors at any stage who want to grow visibility, boost engagement, and have fun doing it!
Faculty
avatar for Jenny Kate

Jenny Kate

Director, Pike Peak Writers Conference
Jenny Kate is a professional communicator. She has been quoted by the New York Times, CNN, FoxNews, and Time Magazine, and wrote her first novel in the second grade. She is a member of Washington Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and freelanced for New York literary agent Ethan Ellenberg... Read More →
Saturday April 18, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Academy
  Business of Writing

4:45pm MDT

Inventing a New Author You
Saturday April 18, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
Things aren’t rolling along quite the way you’d like in your career? In this workshop, I’ll offer practical tips on identifying your goals, evaluating how your current brand meets those goals, and steps to take for launching a new brand. We’ll discuss everything from re-branding within the same pen name to modernizing your catalog’s packaging to launching an entirely separate pen name.
Faculty
avatar for Pippa Grant

Pippa Grant

Keynote
Pippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually... Read More →
Saturday April 18, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing
 
Sunday, April 19
 

9:00am MDT

Self-Publishing: Is It Your Friend or Foe?
Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Palmer
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.
Faculty
avatar for Laurie Marr Wasmund

Laurie Marr Wasmund

Author, lost ranch books
Laurie Marr Wasmund holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Denver. She has been an editor, community college instructor, and national writing workshop presenter. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines such as Cimarron Review and Weber Studies. She is... Read More →
Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Palmer
  Business of Writing

10:15am MDT

Marketing 101 for Writers (2 hours)
Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 12:30pm MDT
Palmer
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.
Faculty
avatar for Jenny Kate

Jenny Kate

Director, Pike Peak Writers Conference
Jenny Kate is a professional communicator. She has been quoted by the New York Times, CNN, FoxNews, and Time Magazine, and wrote her first novel in the second grade. She is a member of Washington Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and freelanced for New York literary agent Ethan Ellenberg... Read More →
Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 12:30pm MDT
Palmer
  Business of Writing

11:30am MDT

SEND IT!?! What to Do—and What Not to Do—When an Editor or Agents Wants Your Manuscript
Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
You’ve pitched your project to an editor or agent, and you’ve received the magic words: send me your manuscript! After you’ve done your happy dance, you might be inclined to panic: wait a minute, what exactly am I supposed to send? What if I need more time? What if it’s no good? What if I make a bunch of rookie mistakes and I BLOW THIS CHANCE??? Fear not, intrepid writer. This workshop provides a comprehensive guide to getting your workshop from “send it” to pro-level submission. With advice from industry experts, real-world examples, and a detailed checklist, you’ll have everything you need to whip your manuscript into shape, craft a compelling synopsis, write a stellar cover letter, and submit your requested materials like a pro.
Faculty
avatar for Chris Mandeville

Chris Mandeville

Author
Chris Mandeville is an unrepentant coffee drinker, night owl, and binge writer. She can write anywhere, but her usual spot is a comfy chair at home in the Rocky Mountains with her service dog, Oski, snoozing by her feet. When she isn't writing, she loves to cook, travel, and teach... Read More →
Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  Business of Writing
 
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Friday, April 17
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Academy
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Cherry Creek/Cripple Creek
Douglas
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Palmer
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
  • Business of Writing
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  • Meal
  • Reality Track/How-to
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  • Deb Courtney
  • Debby Brewer
  • DJ Cochran
  • Jeff Schmoyer
  • Jodi Anderson
  • Joe Lenhoff
  • John Neal
  • Kaitlyn Price
  • Lin Faloon
  • Mike Torreanno
  • Pam McCutcheon
  • Sam Knight
  • Torie Fox-Phillips
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