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. To view the conference floor plan, select or click on map from the menu.

5:30pm MDT

Kick-Off Party

Thursday September 26, 2024 5:30pm - 7:30pm MDT

Aurora III

Thursday September 26, 2024 5:30pm - 7:30pm MDT
Aurora III

Aurora III

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Presenters, VIP, RMFW Board, Conference Volunteers
Subject Networking

12:15pm MDT

New Attendees Welcome & Orientation

Friday September 27, 2024 12:15pm - 12:50pm MDT

Conference Room VI

Speakers

Kevin Wolf

Vice President, RMFW

Kevin Wolf needed to write a novel, but he didn’t know how. He attended his first Gold Conference in 2002, became a regular at Saturday workshops, entered contests, and critiqued with the Southwest Plaza Group. Wanting to give back, Kevin judged for the Gold, guided Conference newbies... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 12:15pm - 12:50pm MDT
Conference Room VI

Conference Room VI

Topic Restricted Event
Audience New Attendee
Subject Networking

1:00pm MDT

Welcome Ceremony

Friday September 27, 2024 1:00pm - 1:20pm MDT

Ballroom

Join us in the Aurora ballroom as we kick off the conference with an uplifting welcome from our president, Bernadette Soehner, and a welcome speech from our 2023 Writer of the Year, Mark Stevens, before conference programming begins at 1:30 p.m.

Expect door prizes!

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 →

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 →

Friday September 27, 2024 1:00pm - 1:20pm MDT
Ballroom

Ballroom

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

6:30pm MDT

Writer of the Year Banquet and Keynote Address

Friday September 27, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm MDT

Ballroom

Friday night's banquet, hosted by Bernadette Soehner, will include a presentation of PEN Awards by our PAA Liaison, Andre Gonzalez; a speech by the 2024 RMFW Writer of the Year; and a keynote address by Bestselling Author Beverly Jenkins. Find a seat at a hosted table with one of our visiting VIP guests.

Speakers

Bernadette Soehner

President, RMFW

Andre Gonzalez

International Bestselling Author

Andre Gonzalez is the author of all things thriller and horror. He has penned the Wealth of Time series and the Insanity trilogy. You’ll likely find him buried under a long to-do list or his three young (and energetic) children.

Beverly Jenkins

USA Today Bestselling Author

Although she was the editor of her elementary school’s newspaper in the 4th grade – The Myra Jones Elementary School COMET – Bev had no dreams of being a writer. Her dream job was to work in a library.She was living that dream when Avon Books called on June 3, 1993 – her husband’s... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm MDT
Ballroom

Ballroom

Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

8:30pm MDT

Author Signing Event

Friday September 27, 2024 8:30pm - 10:30pm MDT

Aurora IV

After Friday's banquet, the conference bookstore expands into a book fair featuring dozens of RMFW authors and Gold presenters. Buy books and get them signed, meet writers you admire, and chat while you partake from the cash bar. NOTE: The Author Mic event will take place simultaneously in the Foyer and will offer a chance to hear first pages from works-in-progress and published novels or read from your own books or WIP. You'll never find a friendlier audience for a reading than at Colorado Gold.

Friday September 27, 2024 8:30pm - 10:30pm MDT
Aurora IV

Aurora IV

Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

8:30pm MDT

Open Mic Readings

Friday September 27, 2024 8:30pm - 10:30pm MDT

Foyer

Hosted by an RMFW author, this open mic offers a chance to hear first pages from works-in-progress and published novels, or read from your own book or WIP. You'll never find a friendlier audience for a reading than at Colorado Gold. NOTE: At the same time, the conference bookstore is hosting a book fair featuring dozens of RMFW authors and Colorado Gold presenters. Buy books and get them signed, meet writers you admire, and chat while you partake from the cash bar.

Friday September 27, 2024 8:30pm - 10:30pm MDT
Foyer

Foyer

Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

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 has 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

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

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

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

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

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

Leanne Haase-Goebel

Award-Winning Author

Leanne Haase-Goebel is an award-winning writer. She’s written and published two art books, sixteen exhibition catalogs, fifty-seven magazine articles, and more than 200 profiles and stories. She’s been awarded multiple Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism awards. She was... Read More →

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

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
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

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 →

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
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

9:00am MDT

Professional Authors Alliance (PAA) Meeting

Sunday September 29, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

Conference Room VI

A meeting of all members of RMFW's PAA.

Speakers

Andre Gonzalez

International Bestselling Author

Sunday September 29, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Conference Room VI

Conference Room VI

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking

11:00am MDT

Gold Rush Winners Brunch

Sunday September 29, 2024 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom

Cap off your conference experience at Sunday's brunch, which includes live readings from our Colorado Gold Rush Contest winners and a closing address from RMFW president Bernadette Soehner. Also, an impressive, final door prize: a free conference registration for 2025!

Speakers

Ballroom

Topic General Event
Audience Everyone
Subject Networking