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

How to Write Like a Martial Artist

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

Conference Room VI

Writers will learn basics of self-defense, what happens to a body in a fight, and how to write action that moves the scene and doesn’t feel redundant or unrealistic. This class will cover strikes, holds, targeting and basic Jujitsu techniques and how to incorporate them into fight scenes.

Speakers

Sarah Reichert

Author

Sarah Reichert (S.E. Reichert) is a novelist, poet, blogger, writing mentor, and herder of cats. She’s the Youth Coordinator for the Writing Heights Writers Association. She is also the webmaster for WyoPoets and a member of Wyoming Writers, Inc. Her Sweet Valley Series, a contemporary... Read More →

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Intermediate
Subject Genre

9:00am MDT

Developmental Editing Concepts

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

Conference Room VI

Editing isn’t just spelling and commas. Developmental editing looks at “big picture” concepts in your manuscript and tackles topics like plot, pacing, proportion, and POV, as well as character arcs and genre norms. Get an overview of these topics and a behind-the-scenes look at a developmental edit.

Speakers

Miranda Darrow

Author, Editor

Miranda Darrow is a freelance editor, #RevPit board member, and writer. After graduating with a degree in English (and then a law degree), she became a practicing attorney but never lost the urge to read and write fiction. Taking an in-house counsel position fifteen years ago allowed... Read More →

Dev Editorial Checklist Darrow pdf

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Editing

10:00am MDT

Illustrating & Publishing Your Book

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

Conference Room VI

In this session, I’ll talk about how to organize ideas, research your subject, and turn your idea into a finished project you can publish. Whether you’re writing and illustrating a children’s book, a textbook, or a comic, the creative process is the same.

Speakers

Rachael Bush

Author

Rachael Bush published her fourth book, Love on Location, with The Wild Rose Press in 2018 under her pen name, September Roberts. As September, she writes romance that's smoking hot and always happy ever after. As Rachael, she writes the Botany for Everyone series, because everyone... Read More →

Illustrating and Publishing Your Book handout pdf

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Genre, Craft, Publishing

11:00am MDT

Help Me, Obi-Wendig You're My Only Hope

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

Conference Room VI

A Q&A where audience members come prepared with questions about their stories or their writing careers (or, one supposes, about LIFE ITSELF if they are so troubled) and Chuck Wendig attempts to answer their questions and grease the wheels of progress. So to speak.

Speakers

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 11:00am - 11:50am MDT
Conference Room VI

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Other

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

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 →

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

3:30pm MDT

Secondary Characters Need Loving Too

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

Conference Room VI

Secondary characters complete a cast needed for depth in a novel. Each character has a role to play, often working with or against the main characters. Do they help, impede or motivate, or are they a lesser player? Discover how to develop their roles and relationships for a fun and dynamic read.

Speakers

Peggy Waide

Bestselling Author

#1 Amazon bestselling author Peggy entered her first book in the Colorado Gold. The editor offered a contract. She has published four romances with Dorchester. Montlake now publishes her books. She is shopping an amateur sleuth and a romantic suspense. She’s also been a trainer... Read More →

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Intermediate
Subject Craft

4:30pm MDT

How to Write Compelling Villians

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

Conference Room VI

You can write great stories, but if you want to take your writing to the next level, you need a compelling villain. From intergalactic wizards to high school mean girls, a great villain will move your story like no other character can. Come and bring something to take notes with!

Speakers

Jason Evans

Author

Jason Henry Evans has been an active member in the Colorado Writing community for over ten years. He has published four novels, including his debut, the Gallowglass, which was released in July of 2019 to much acclaim. He has had a dozen short stories published and has taught writing... Read More →

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Genre