2026 Colorado Gold Writers Conference

When: October 1–4, 2026

Registration Information

Early Registration

May 8–June 5, 2026

Members: $490

Non-Members: $540

Regular Registration

June 6–July 11, 2026

Members: $540

Non-Members: $590

Late Registration

July 12–Sep 10, 2026

Members: $590

Non-Members: $640

Saturday Only

Members: $290

Non-Members: $350

(Includes buffet lunch and banquet dinner)

Basic Schedule

Thursday, October 1: All Day

Paid Intensive Participants Only

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday, October 3: All Day

Main Conference

8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Friday, October 2: Morning

Master Class Participants Only

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, October 4: Morning

Main Conference

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Friday, October 2: Afternoon

Main Conference

1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Pre-Conference Events

Thursday Intensives and Friday Master Classes are separate, pre-conference events and registration for either/both will be in addition to regular conference fees.

All Thursday Intensive programming options may be found on the Thursday Intensives page. All Friday Master Class programming options may be found on the Master Classes page.

Thursday Intensives: 8 hours of intensive content/presentations. (Lunch is not included.)	$200
Friday Master Classes: 4 hours of intensive content/presentations. (Lunch is not included.)	$100

Add-On Options

Please Note: Select Add-On Options above for details regarding each additional opportunity to get the most, and individual support, for yourself and your manuscript. These 1:1 or small group sessions are scheduled throughout the weekend.

Blue Pencil: 1:1 Session	$40/30 min
Mentor: 1:1 Session	$40/30 min
Round Table: Editing and Consulting	$40/30 min

EXTRA PITCH (opportunities with an agent or editor)

Second Pitch: This opportunity is based on agent/editor availability and is scheduled during regular Saturday pitch hours only.	$25/10 min
After Dark Pitch: This is a more relaxed, Friday evening 1:1 pitch opportunity with an agent following the conference Friday dinner and keynote speech. These will be held in a comfortable lounge location and will include complimentary wine.	$30/10 min

Author Banner

Your book banner(s) displayed prominently in common hallways of the conference center. Will be rotated throughout the weekend for maximum exposure. Author provides the banner(s).

$35/banner

Keynotes & Welcome Speaker

Keynote Speaker

Stephen Graham Jones

New York Times bestselling author, NEA recipient, Texas Institute of Letters Award for Fiction winner, LA TImes Ray Bradbury Prize winner, Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award winner, British Fantasy Award winner for Best Horror Novel, Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction winner, WLA’s Distinguished Achievement Award, ALA’s RUSA Award and Alex Award, the 2023 American Indian Festival of Words Writers Award, the Locus Award, four Bram Stoker Awards, three Shirley Jackson Awards, six This is Horror Awards, and he’s been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award, and the Eisner Award. He’s also made Bloody Disgusting’s Top Ten Horror Novels.

Keynote Speaker

Sarah MacLean

New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller and former columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, is a founding board member of Authors Against Book Bans and the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates.