April 17-19, 2026
Pikes Peak Writers Conference
DoubleTree Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO
As president I won’t be giving and workshops, but I will be wandering around all weekend to get to know our attendees. Feel free to approach me with questions or comments and my table is usually mostly open seating.

April 21, 2026
Pikes Peak Writers, Write Brain
Presented online via Zoom
I’ll be hosting speculative fiction writer, Kristina Atkins who will be presenting her workshop, Antagonist, Take the Wheel: Using Your Antagonist to Drive Your Story.

There are dozens of books on story structure, but many of them make one egregious mistake: they give little to no attention to the antagonist’s influence on the plot. However, the protagonist and antagonist should play a game of cat-and-mouse that carries them through the entirety of the story. Come learn why you should never neglect your antagonist, and how to use them to propel your protagonist to action and, ultimately, internal growth.

May 2, 2026
Pikes Peak Library District
East Library, Colorado Springs
Presenting:

Beyond the Page: How to Sell Your Book in Person Like a Pro
Join us for a hands-on workshop designed for authors who want to boost their confidence and sales at live events. Learn how to create an inviting table display, craft a compelling book pitch, engage readers naturally, and turn conversations into lasting connections. Whether you’re at a local fair, signing, or festival, you’ll leave with proven strategies, checklists, and a fillable workbook to help you sell with ease — and joy. Details and registration information can be found here:
Beyond The Page: How to Sell Your Book in Person Like a Pro | Pikes Peak Library District
Get the workbook here: Beyond the Page: How to Sell Your Book in Person Like a Pro Workbook

May 16, 2026
Pikes Peak Library District
Library 21c, Colorado Springs, CO
Mountain of Authors

Open to the public. It’s not just about selling books. Meet some great local authors looking to meaningfully connect with readers and their fellow authors. I’ll be there with my amateur sleuth/cozy mystery and Pikes Peak Writers’ four anthologies. Come say “hi!” This year’s keynote speaker is Randi Samuelson-Brown who writes about the darker side of western history.
Registration information coming soon!

May 19, 2026
Pikes Peak Writers Write Brain
Presented online via Zoom

I’ll be hosting Mario Acevedo, internationally bestselling author and past faculty member in the Regis University Mile-High MFA program and Lighthouse Writers Workshops. In his workshop, Let Me Tell You: Exposition and Backstory we’ll be talking about when exposition and’/or backstory are the right tools to make your story work.

We’ve heard the writing dictums. Show, don’t tell. Avoid exposition and backstory. But sometimes, the most compelling way to tell your story is through exposition and backstory. How do we know when? And why? How can you use exposition and backstory to modulate pacing and suspense? We’ll review examples from literary and commercial works and try our hand with writer prompts.