In answer to a demand for more in-depth programming, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference offers Friday Master Classes: half-day themed programming on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 8am to 12pm, before the official conference begins Friday afternoon. (Note: Lunch is not included.)
Cost: $100
VL Andromeda
Turning Mistakes into Momentum: Harvesting Growth from Craft Missteps
Growth as a writer does not happen in isolation. It happens in revision and reflection. It occurs during vulnerable but transformative moments when we admit: I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
In this highly interactive session, participants will examine early craft mistakes—not as failures, but as fertile ground for learning. Drawing on principles from learning theory, this workshop explores how naming and sharing our missteps reduces shame, builds resilience, and accelerates skill development.
In a creative industry that often celebrates perfection, we must learn to be comfortable gaining inspiration from imperfection.
V.L. Andromeda brings academic rigor and creative insight to writing, editing, and teaching. With a background in the humanities and higher education, they specialize in translating complex storytelling and craft theory into practical, actionable tools writers can apply immediately.
An author, poet, editor, and college educator, V.L. works with writers at every stage of their careers to strengthen foundations, deepen character work, and build sustainable creative practices. Their approach emphasizes ethical storytelling, inclusive creative spaces, and the intentional development of both skill and confidence.
Angie Hodapp
Something to Talk About: Dialogue That Hits Different
What shapes the way your characters speak—the words they choose, the truths they reveal, and the secrets they swallow? In this workshop, we’ll dig into how context, subtext, and conflict work together to inform dialogue that lands with impact. You’ll learn how a character’s goals, emotional state, power dynamics, and relationships influence every line they deliver, as well as how silence, hesitation, and what’s left unsaid can be just as powerful as spoken words.
Angie Hodapp is the Director of Literary Development at Nelson Literary Agency. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from the University of Northern Colorado and an MA in English and communication development from Colorado State University. A graduate of the Publishing Institute at the University of Denver, she has worked in professional writing, editing, and education for more than twenty years. A frequent presenter at writing conferences and events, and the author of Query Craft and Do You Need a Literary Agent (plus a bunch of short stories and comic books for a couple video-game companies), she loves helping writers improve their craft and learn about the ever-changing world of publishing.
Sara Megibow
Playing Chess with Money
Profit strategy for authors (traditional publishing, self-publishing, etc) is a bit like playing chess. In this masterclass, we'll look at distribution, formats, subsidiary rights, genre, platform, publicity and how each author can move the pieces around their own board effectively. Time for Q&A!
Sara Megibow (she/her) is the President and Senior Literary Agent at Megibow Literary Agency out of Broomfield, CO. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Rebecca Roanhorse, Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jaleigh Johnson and Jason M. Hough. Sara specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly!
Genres accepted:
- Picture Book (fiction and nonfiction/ any and all sub-genres)
- Middle Grade (any and all sub-genres)
- Young Adult (any and all sub-genres)
- Romance (any and all sub-genres including romance for the YA market, the New Adult market and the adult market)
- Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (any and all sub-genres)
Rob Samborn and Meghan Scott Molin
Choose Your Own Adventure in Publishing: Different Paths to Success
You just typed your last word of your first draft. Feelings of exuberance, pride, and accomplishment fill you, followed by overwhelming dread. Now what? Do you seek an agent? Do you self-publish? Do you start a website? Publishing is a unique adventure not only for each author but for each book. This comprehensive masterclass will take you from manuscript to market. We'll cover the different publishing options (indie, small press, and trad pub), how to choose which path you take, and how to set yourself up for success in each adventure.
Rob Samborn is the multi-award-winning author of seven books, including The Prisoner of Paradise and The Swordsman of Venice. In addition to being a novelist, Rob is a screenwriter, entrepreneur, sales & marketing executive, and avid traveler. He’s been to forty countries, lived in five of them, and studied nine languages. A native New Yorker who lived in Los Angeles for twenty years, he now makes his home in Denver with his family. He’s represented by Kimberly Brower of Park, Fine & Brower Literary.
Meghan Scott Molin is an Amazon and Audible best-selling author who lives in Colorado with her husband, sons, a veritable zoo of animals. She’s a fervent corgi enthusiast, avid equestrian, and has permanent wanderlust. Her degrees in Opera and Architecture serve as excellent fodder for her books. Her series, The Golden Arrow Mysteries (SFF/Mystery Crossover) have sold over 100,000 copies and have over 5,000 5* reviews on Amazon! She is represented by Joanna MacKenzie of Nelson Literary.
Arley Sorg
Navigating the Short Speculative Fiction Field
Arley is bringing his decade of experience in the SFF short fiction field to you. Through lecture, conversation, and Q&A we'll cover topics including: utilizing short fiction to build a career; submissions and finding markets; sketchy contracts; and more. If you write short speculative fiction, or are short spec fic.
Arley Sorg is an associate agent at kt literary. He is a Senior Editor at Locus Magazine, book reviewer at Lightspeed magazine, columnist for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and interviewer at Clarkesworld Magazine. He is a 2022 Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award recipient and a 2023 Space Cowboy Award recipient. He is also a 2021 and 2022 World Fantasy Award finalist and a 2022, 2023, and 2024 Locus Award finalist for his work as co-Editor-in-Chief at Fantasy Magazine. Arley is a 2022 Ignyte Award finalist in two categories: for his work as a critic, and for his essay “What You Might Have Missed” in Uncanny Magazine. A 2014 Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate, Arley has spoken at a range of events and taught for a number of programs, including guest critiquing for Odyssey and being the week five instructor for the six-week Clarion West workshop.
He's accepting pitches for adult SFF (broadly speaking), including horror if it has speculative elements of some kind. He's open to works that are speculative/fantastic-ish, including light touches.
