2024 Colorado Gold Writers Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome, writers! If you have any questions about the schedule or the conference at large, please refer to the conference website at rmfw.org/conference or email conference@rmfw.org.

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8:00am MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Historical Fiction

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

Cynthia Swanson

NYT Bestselling Author

Cynthia Swanson is the Denver-based author of the psychological suspense novels The Bookseller (an Indie Next selection, New York Times bestseller, and winner of the WILLA Literary Award) and The Glass Forest (USA Today bestseller and noted in Forbes as being one of “Five Novels... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

8:00am MDT

Critique Partner Speed Dating

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:00am - 9:50am MDT

Conference Room VIII

Whether you’re looking for a critique partner, a critique group or simply to network with other writers, the speed dating model is both a fun and effective way to meet new people. Spend five minutes getting to know another writer and their critique needs before moving on to the next in a safe space.

Speakers

Kate Jonuska

Author

In addition to serving as current RMFW Conference Co-Chair, Kate is a freelance writer, indie author, and part-time yoga teacher based in Boulder, CO. Her novel, Transference, was a finalist for the BookLife Prize and a Denver Post Staff Pick, and she often teaches workshops based... Read More →

Amber Herbert

Conference Admin, Author

Amber Herbert is a (mostly) speculative fiction author living in Colorado Springs. She holds a BA in English literature and worked as a freelance editor for seven years. Lipstick Covered Magnet was her first novel. She is also the current RMFW technology chair and conference admin... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:00am - 9:50am MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Other, Networking

9:00am MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Science Fiction

Saturday September 28, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

Calvin Studzinski

Author

Calvin Studzinski is an award-winning aerospace engineer, amateur historian, role-playing game designer, and aspiring author. As a child, Calvin was an avid reader, consuming the works of Jules Verne and J.R.R. Tolkien with equal voracity, before reading everything he could get his... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

10:00am MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Kid Lit

Saturday September 28, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

Christina Allen

Award-Winning Author

Christina Allen (publishing as C.W. Allen) is a Midwestern transplant to rural Utah where she serves as the President-Elect of the League of Utah Writers. She writes long stories for children and short stories for former children. She is also a frequent guest presenter at writing... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

10:00am MDT

RMFW's '24 Anthology Panel

Saturday September 28, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

Conference Room VIII

RMFW’s new anthology was just released, Without Brakes: Fingers Crossed. Want to learn to write, select, and edit short stories? How about self-publish, format, and market? Our panel of co-editors and authors tell all, from production details to how to craft a story destined for the next anthology.

Speakers

Linda Ditchkus

Author

Presenter and co-editor Linda (LV) Ditchkus is the award-winning author of The Sasquatch Series and was published in the 2022 Bizarre Bazaar anthology. She was a team leader and judge for the 2022 Self Published Science Fiction Competition (evaluating 50 of 300 submitted novels) and... Read More →

Paul Martz

Author

Panelist and co-editor Paul Martz has been an RMFW member since 2018, he was published in the 2020 Wild: Uncivilized Tales anthology. His past presentation skills include leading corporate training sessions and technology conference workshops.

Ryanne Glenn

Author

Ryanne Glenn started writing short stories when she was ten and was first published in Fruita’s local newspaper. She took her first creative writing class in high school, and was inspired to expand her writing into poetry and longer stories. After struggling with depression in her... Read More →

Justin Weaver

International Bestselling Author

J. Warren Weaver lives in small town Colorado, where he enjoys the bountiful great outdoors with his wife, daughter, and three dogs. When his infant child isn’t demanding his complete and undivided attention, he enjoys writing edge of your seat thrillers with thought-provoking twists... Read More →

Susan Schooleman

Author

Way back when shoulder-pads were in style, Susan Schooleman (pen name Cepa Onion) wrote for Roseanne Barr, was a member of the Denver Center Theatre’s Playwrights Group, was published by Self magazine and Samuel French. She then chucked it all for adventures in parenthood. Three... Read More →

Laurel McHargue

Author

Laurel McHargue—a West Point grad raised near Boston—lives and laughs and publishes and podcasts in the breathtaking beauty of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. After years as an Army Officer, a mother of two sons, and an English teacher, Laurel abandoned paid employment to concentrate... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Panel
Audience Everyone
Subject Other

11:00am MDT

Improv-ing Your Networking

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am MDT

Conference Room IV

What if networking could actually be fun? Improv helps us navigate the unknown with a sense of play. Join an improv actress for a interactive session of learning a few tried and true tactics so even the most reluctant networker will be able to work a room like the best of ‘em!

Speakers

Sandra Murphy

Award-Winning Actress

Sandra Murphy is an award-winning actress who has narrated over 100 audiobooks across a wide range of genres, authors, and accents. She is sought-after for embodying uncomfortable topics, such as human trafficking, mental health issues and domestic violence. On the lighter side, Sandra... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am MDT
Conference Room IV

Conference Room IV

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

11:00am MDT

Self-Care For Writers

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am MDT

Conference Room VIII

It’s hard to write fun words others will enjoy if you’re not having fun as a writer. We’ll clarify what burnout is and what leads to it as well as how you can climb out of it even at your crispiest. We will also create a plan for how to bring more joy and calm to your writing.

Speakers

Amy Armstrong

Author

Amy Armstrong loves to dabble with ideas and occasionally gets a good story out of her dabbles. She loves to read and serves as a volunteer reader for The Masters Review. Amy managed social media for Pikes Peak Writers and received the Volunteer of the Year Award. She often moderates... Read More →

Self Care Resources for Writers pdf

SelfCare for Writers pdf

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Productivity

12:00pm MDT

Publishing Panel Luncheon

Saturday September 28, 2024 12:00pm - 1:20pm MDT

Aurora Ballroom

Saturday's buffet lunch will include an agent, editor, and scout panel moderated by RMFW President Bernadette Soehner as well as addresses from RMFW's sibling organizations.

Speakers

Bernadette Soehner

President, RMFW

Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie writes contemporary romances and believes in Happily Ever After. The married mother of five believes in love at first sight, quick love, and second chances. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a second degree... Read More →

Mira Landry

Associate Literary Agent, Corvisiero Literary Agency

Mira Landry is an associate literary agent with Corvisiero literary agency, currently acquiring upmarket and literary YA and Adult fiction. After a decade building her own business as a photographer, she’s eager to help authors turn their art into a career. As a chair on the Rocky... Read More →

Angie Hodapp

Director of Literary Development, Nelson Literary Agency

As an active member of the Denver literary community, Angie Hodapp has served as a board member for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and she regularly teaches highly regarded writing and publishing workshops, including at Denver’s prestigious Lighthouse Writers Workshop. She is the... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 12:00pm - 1:20pm MDT
Aurora Ballroom

Ballroom

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone

1:30pm MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Humor

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

A. Z. Sultana

Author

A.Z. Sultana has been writing for ten years. She has a bachelor's in marketing and a master's in library science. She has had over 80 paying jobs (not gigs, actual w2 jobs or under the table) which lends her a wealth of experience in many fields as well as a misspent youth. She is... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

1:30pm MDT

Critiki Room: Live Critique

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 3:20pm MDT

Conference Room VI

Witness the magic of peer feedback in action as a panel of agents, authors and publishing professionals critique short pieces of fiction submitted in advance. Find out why critique is a valuable tool for writers of all levels — and how the process usually becomes a raucous good time.

Speakers

Kate Jonuska

Author

Amber Herbert

Conference Admin, Author

Mark Stevens

2023 Writer of The Year

Author of The Fireballer and five books in The Allison Coil Mystery Series. Short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune, two RMFW anthologies, and others. Host of the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast. RMFW Writer of the Year (2016 and 2023). Previous RMFW President... Read More →

Critiki Room Submissions pdf

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 3:20pm MDT
Conference Room VI

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Everyone
Subject Other

2:30pm MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Fantasy

Saturday September 28, 2024 2:30pm - 3:20pm MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

David R. Slayton

Author

David R. Slayton (He/Him) grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. Now he lives in Denver and writes the books he always wanted to read. His debut, White Trash Warlock... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 2:30pm - 3:20pm MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

3:30pm MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Women's Fiction

Saturday September 28, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

Bernadette Soehner

President, RMFW

Saturday September 28, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

4:30pm MDT

Birds of a Feather ~ Crime/Thriller

Saturday September 28, 2024 4:30pm - 5:20pm MDT

Boardroom A

Birds of a Feather are casual sessions between writers of the same genre hosted by an RMFW member published in that genre. Attend to ask genre-specific questions, get ideas, and/or make friends.

Speakers

Nanette Gamily

Author

Nanette Gamily’s debut Native American crime fiction novel, CRY FOR THE CHILD, is represented by Josh Getlzer at HG Literary. She’s an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a Tin House Finalist, a Regis University MFA graduate, and a guest blogger for Rocky Mountain Fiction... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 4:30pm - 5:20pm MDT
Boardroom A

Boardroom A

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Genre, Networking

6:30pm MDT

Gold Rush Awards Banquet

Saturday September 28, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm MDT

Aurora Ballroom

Saturday evening’s banquet will feature the much-awaited announcement of winners in the 2024 Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards Contest as well as a keynote address by New York Times' bestseller Chuck Wendig.

Welcome – Bernadette Soehner
Jasmine Award winner
Colorado Gold Awards - presented by Mira Landry and Rachel Dempsey
Keynote Address – Chuck Wendig

Speakers

Bernadette Soehner

President, RMFW

Mira Landry

Associate Literary Agent, Corvisiero Literary Agency

Rachel Dempsey

Author

Rachel Dempsey is a writer of horror, mystery and thrillers living in Denver. Her short fiction has been published by Shacklebound Books, Brigids Gate Press, Timber Ghost Press and Twenty Bellows (Pushcart nominated, 2023). She holds a BFA in Drama and English from NYU'S Tisch, a... Read More →

Chuck Wendig

NYT Bestselling Author

Chuck Wendig is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath, as well as the Miriam Black thrillers, the Atlanta Burns books, Zer0es/Invasive, Wanderers, and the upcoming Book of Accidents (July 2021). He’s also worked in a variety of other formats... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm MDT
Aurora Ballroom

Ballroom

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

8:30pm MDT

BarCon

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:30pm - 11:30pm MDT

Borealis Bar/Restaurant

Saturday September 28, 2024 8:30pm - 11:30pm MDT
Borealis Bar/Restaurant

Borealis

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking