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

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

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

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

1:30pm MDT

Finding Your Inner Extrovert

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

Conference Room VIII

Writing is a lonely process. When it comes time to sell your work, you’ll need social skills to help you interact with agents, editors, and readers. This workshop will focus on communication techniques and help you learn to network without burning out.

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 1:30pm - 2:20pm MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Networking

2:30pm MDT

Kid Lit 101

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

Conference Room VIII

Want to write for kids? Here’s everything you’ll need to know to get started. This overview of the current children’s literature landscape, from picture books to YA, highlights unique considerations for writing, querying, publishing, and marketing kids’ books.

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 →

Kid Lit 101 pdf

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

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Genre

3:30pm MDT

Conjuring Up The Past: Character Development in Historical Fiction

Saturday September 28, 2024 3:30pm - 5:20pm MDT

Conference Room VIII

The writer of historical fiction faces an added element when developing a character: the historical landscape. How do sometimes cataclysmic world events affect a character’s everyday life? In this intensive workshop, we will look at the skills needed to create memorable historical characters.

Speakers

Laurie Marr Wasmund

Author

LAURIE MARR WASMUND has worked as an editor, community college instructor, and writing workshop presenter. Her short stories have appeared in magazines such as CIMARRON REVIEW and WEBER STUDIES. She is the author of MY HEART LIES HERE, a novel of the Ludlow Massacre; CLEAN CUT, A... Read More →

Conjuring Up the Past Worksheet docx

Saturday September 28, 2024 3:30pm - 5:20pm MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Genre