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.

8:00am MDT

Traditional Publishing Bootcamp ~ Block One: Traditional Publishing Overview

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:00am - 9:50am MDT

Conference Room VII

From idea to manuscript, from published novel to reverted rights, trace a story’s typical journey across the mountains and valleys of the traditional-publishing landscape.

Speakers

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 →

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:00am - 9:50am MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

10:00am MDT

Traditional Publishing Bootcamp ~ Block Two: Contracts and Royalties: Know Your Rights, Manage Your Money

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:00am - 11:50am MDT

Conference Room VII

Angie will put into easy-to-understand language the major sections and clauses of a typical Big Five contract. Get a peek at the full laundry list of rights and subrights (including film/TV deals) on the table during a negotiation and learn to spot red flags that mean an author should walk away. Want to understand how the money moves in publishing and learn how to read a royalty statement to catch typical Big Five accounting errors? Be sure to catch this session!

Speakers

Angie Hodapp

Director of Literary Development, Nelson Literary Agency

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:00am - 11:50am MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

1:00pm MDT

Traditional Publishing Bootcamp ~ Block Three: Agents and Editors: Hook ’em Deep and Reel ’em In

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:00pm - 2:50pm MDT

Conference Room VII

By this point in the day, you’ll already have a pretty good idea what agents and editors do—and what they don’t. Now we’ll cover not only how to land an agent or editor (which includes knowing how to craft compelling pitches, query letters, synopses, and opening pages), but also how to maintain these professional relationships as your career progresses…and how to know when it might be time to break up.

Speakers

Angie Hodapp

Director of Literary Development, Nelson Literary Agency

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

3:00pm MDT

Traditional Publishing Bootcamp ~ Block Four: You Be the Agent: Live Pitch Read

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm MDT

Conference Room VII

Don’t miss this fun, action-packed, end-of-day session wherein you’ll be the literary agents! Angie will read aloud pitches submitted anonymously, ahead of time, by you, the audience—and you, the audience, will decide which pitches would have you scrambling to offer representation. (Everyone who registers for the Thursday Intensive will receive an email from Angie with instructions for submitting your pitch.)

Speakers

Angie Hodapp

Director of Literary Development, Nelson Literary Agency

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Restricted Event
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

8:00am MDT

How to Self Publish Your Novel on a Budget - Master Class

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Conference Room IV

Independently published Novels are now the norm. But how does a writer navigate the ins and outs of putting a professional-looking product on the market? More importantly, how does a writer complete this project in a timely manner without being taken advantage of, going crazy, or breaking the bank?

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 →

Melissa Koons

Award-Winning Author

Melissa Koons has a passion for books and creative writing. She has won the Editor’s Choice Award for both her novel, Orion’s Honor, and her poetry. Melissa writes in various genres but primarily publishes historical fiction, short story horror, and poetry. Melissa works as a... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Conference Room IV

Conference Room IV

Topic Restricted Event
Subject Publishing

8:00am MDT

Audiobooks: What The Author Needs to Know - Master Class

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Conference Room VII

With eleven consecutive years of double-digit growth and revenues of 1.79 billion in 2022 (APA Survey, 2023), can you ignore audiobooks any longer? The workshop focuses upon audiobook production. Co-presenter and narrator, Josh Innerst, will give you insight into compelling audiobook narration.

Speakers

Tom Farrell

Author

Tom Farrell Tom Farrell has worked as a golf course starter, a chemist and clerked at City Hall in Chicago while attending law school. He is the author of The Wager Series, including Wager Tough (Book One), WagerEasy (Book Two) and Wager Smart (Book Three). Each book has received... Read More →

Susan Brooks

Editor in Chief, Literary Wanderlust

Susan Brooks is Editor-in-Chief at Literary Wanderlust. She has many years of editoral experience and a master's degree in publishing from George Washington University. SHe was on the board of directors for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and played many roles from 2009 through 20... Read More →

Josh Innerst

Actor, Audio Book Narrator

Josh Innerst has narrated audiobooks for Penguin Random House Audio, Harper Collins Audio and others. He is the narrator for each of the books in The Wager Series by Tom Farrell. He was the recipient of an Earphone Award from AudioFile Magazine and was named as the Voice of the Month... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Restricted Event
Subject Publishing

8:00am MDT

The Middle Edit: What Happens Between the First Draft and Line Edits - Master Class

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Conference Room VIII

This intensive workshop addresses middle stage edits when you tighten characterization, layer in themes and symbols, mirror chapters, perfect plot threads, scenes, dialogue, narration, style, action, and more. Learn to test your chapters without combing out your voice. Exercises and interaction.

Speakers

Karen A. Lin

Award Winning Author, Coach, Writer's Launchpad

Karen is a pitch and writing coach for award-winning and bestselling authors. She teaches for cruise lines and writers conferences. Many of her stories are inspired by her experience marrying into a Taiwanese family. Food is often a subplot. Mu Shu Mac & Cheese and American Moon... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Restricted Event
Subject Publishing

1:30pm MDT

How to Write a Synopsis Without Crying First

Friday September 27, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm MDT

Conference Room I

It doesn’t have to be the “Dreaded Synopsis”. It can be the efficient, well-written synopsis that highlights your premise and stand-out voice, all without making you want to give up writing. We’ll cover a Synopses Writing Recipe using Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King as examples.

Speakers

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 →

Friday September 27, 2024 1:30pm - 2:20pm MDT
Conference Room I

Conference Room I

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing
Area Hybrid

2:30pm MDT

A Survivor’s Guide to Pitching: Before, During, and After the Pitch

Friday September 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:20pm MDT

Conference Room I

Pitching your novel to an agent or editor? Great! But how should you prepare for this nerve-wracking meeting? And what happens afterwards? In this presentation, a pitch survivor reveals secrets of what to do before, during, and after your pitch to take your pitch session from awkward to awesome.

Speakers

Kelley Lindberg

Award-Winning Author

Kelley J. P. Lindberg writes award-winning fiction for adults and young adults, with stories appearing in literary magazines such as The Baltimore Review and The Citron Review, anthologies such as RMFW’s Bizarre Bazaar and Pikes Peak Writers’ Journey into Possibility, and in the... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 2:30pm - 3:20pm MDT
Conference Room I

Conference Room I

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing
Area Hybrid

3:30pm MDT

Audiobooks in an AI World

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT

Conference Room II

Audiobooks are a great way to tap into readers who might not otherwise discover you. But this comes at a price which to offset, some authors are utilizing the cost and time savings offered by artificial intelligence. What is the impact of using AI narration on your copyright, brand, and bottom line?

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 →

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT
Conference Room II

Conference Room II

Topic Workshop
Audience Advanced
Subject Publishing
Area Hybrid

3:30pm MDT

The Quintessential Query

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT

Conference Room VII

This workshop outlines the dos and don’ts of the query process. It includes (1) an overview of the querying process and how it works, (2) how to find an agent, (3) how to format a query letter, (4) what information should and should not be included in a query letter, (5) and a step-by-step walk-through a sample query letter.

Speakers

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

Literary Agent, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a Literary Agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, and is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). With eight years of industry experience and a published author herself, Cathie has been on both sides of the querying process and takes... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT
Conference Room VII

Conference Room VII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

4:30pm MDT

Punched Up Pitches: Better Blurbs and Queries

Friday September 27, 2024 4:30pm - 5:20pm MDT

Conference Room VIII

Whether you are writing a query letter or back cover copy, it’s important to know how to sell your book through a concise, exciting blurb. We’ll look at winning examples and techniques to help you write a blurb that sells.

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 →

Friday September 27, 2024 4:30pm - 5:20pm MDT
Conference Room VIII

Conference Room VIII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

8:00am MDT

The Right Mind For Self-Publishing

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

Conference Room I

There’s never been an easier time to self-publish—and that’s great! But with great ease comes great risk of mistakes or assumptions. Better expectations lead to better results! Let’s walk through the mindset minefield and talk about how best to approach the fantastic opportunities we have today.

Speakers

Laura VanArendonk Baugh

Award-Winning Author

Laura VanArendonk Baugh writes award-winning fantasy of many flavors as well as non-fiction. She has summited extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes, but none has yet accepted her sacrifice. She lives in Indiana where she enjoys Dobermans, travel, fair-trade chocolate, and making... Read More →

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

Conference Room I

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing
Area Hybrid

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 →

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

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Genre, Craft, Publishing

1:30pm MDT

The Year of 100 Rejections

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

Conference Room VII

This class will focus on a 100-rejection challenge, how to face and use rejection, how to choose submissions, how to read and follow guidelines, and how to track your submissions. We’ll also look at rejections as a tool for improvement and how to separate ourselves and our worth from rejection.

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

Conference Room VII

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Publishing

8:00am MDT

How to Work With an Editor

Sunday September 29, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

Conference Room VI

Whether you’ve just signed with a publisher or you’re submitting to an anthology, this presentation will show you what to expect from your editor, the differences between the types of editors, and will remind you to be patient and professional through it all.

Speakers

Rachael Bush

Author

Sunday September 29, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
Conference Room VI

Conference Room VI

Topic Workshop
Audience Beginner
Subject Editing, Publishing

9:00am MDT

Serial Fiction: If It Worked for Andy Weir, Can It Work for Me?

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

Conference Room V

Serial fiction has been around for more than 200 years and is making a comeback with the emergence of technology from social media platforms to television streaming and comic books. This advanced program will explore serial fiction’s history, current opportunities, and how it might start or jump start your writing career.

Speakers

Z.J. Czupor

Author

Z.J. Czupor is immediate past president of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and an active member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. In addition to writing monthly columns for Rogue Women Writers, his latest thriller, "Cut Right Through Me," and mystery... Read More →

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

Conference Room V

Topic Workshop
Audience Advanced
Subject Marketing, Publishing
Area Hybrid