2026 Colorado Gold Conference Presenters
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. V.L. uses they/she pronouns and is based in Wyoming with their partner.
Workshops:
Fanfiction is Practice, Not the Product: How to Train in Borrowed Worlds
Literary Telephone: There Are No New Stories, Only New Storytellers
Turning Mistakes into Momentum: Harvesting Growth from Craft Missteps (Friday Master Class)
What's on My Mind? How Much Time Do You Have? – A Panel of Neurodivergent Writers
Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. She loves to write about queer, disabled, neurodivergent characters falling in love (someone told her write what you know and she went with it). To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/ follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
Workshops:
Hooks vs. Tropes Which Is Which?
Social Media For Authors Without Overwhelm
What’s on My Mind? How Much Time Do You Have? — A Panel of Neurodivergent Writers
Gabriella Batel is a vibrant young Catholic woman with an adrenaline craving and a passion for God, family, acting, animation, fanart, and good food. She's the leechcraft-y author of the acclaimed Don't thriller series, the fantasy thriller Ending, and the prize-winning post-apocalyptic fantasy story "Antivenom."
Workshops:
Frankengenre – The Unending World of Genre Fusion
How to Not Need Me (An Editor): Self Editing Techniques That Will Impress Your Own Editor (Who You Definitely Still Need)
Oliver Blakemore's not in a band. He likes getting that out of the way early. It saves time. Similar to the metal or punk lyrics he's accused of flexing his fingers on, he writes stories aimed to earn pumped fists and devil horns. Like so many punks and metalheads before him, he's a recovering intellectual and an undiagnosed neurodivergent. His idea of a true story is explaining the world by saying it must be witches and dragons (which need befriending) and systemic stereotypes (which need defeating). And he only writes true stories. He lives in Colorado with his partner and her animals. In his daywalker job, he interviews fledgling rock and rollers and writes marketing material for them.
Workshops:
Literary Telephone: There Are No New Stories, Only New Storytellers
What’s on My Mind? How Much Time Do You Have? – A Panel of Neurodivergent Writers
Ryanne Buck (Ryanne Glenn) is the Volunteer Chair of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and has a degree in Chemical Engineering. She currently works as an Electrical Engineer in Grand Junction, CO. After struggling with depression in college, she turned to writing as a healthy outlet for her emotions. She wants to write strong female role models and is excited to share her stories with the world.
Workshops:
Let’s Kill Some Characters – With Science!
Geography, Geology, Geometry, Let's Talk Maps
Debbie Burke looks like a cookie-baking grandma but behind that innocent smile lurks a devious criminal mind. Her award-winning Tawny Lindholm Thriller series (nine books) is set in her home state of Montana, the last best place to kill someone...fictionally, that is. The Villain's Journey - How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate is her bestselling nonfiction book that earned accolades from Christopher Vogler (The Writer's Journey), Will Akers (Your Screenplay Sucks), and Midwest Book Review, as well as enthusiastic readers. With nearly four decades as a novelist, journalist, and freelance editor, Debbie has survived exhilarating success and soul-sucking disappointment. She shares hard-won experience with warmth and humor, teaching classes and workshops for all writing levels. Website: debbieburkewriter.com Contributor to The Kill Zone blog for crime writers Email: debbieburkewriter@gmail.com
Workshop:
Save Yourself from Seductive Scammers – 10 Tips to Recognize and Defend Against AI Predators
Julie Cameron is an acclaimed author known for her award-winning contemporary romance novels and screenplays. With a unique blend of passion and creativity, she crafts stories that resonate with readers around the world. Through her company, Landon Literary and her partnership with Gemini Writer’s Studio, she has established herself as a successful editor, mentor, and coach with over ten years of experience working with both published and non-published authors.
Workshop:
So, You Want to Write Some Romance
The First Chapter Fix: What Editors Look For on Page One (Thursday Intensive class)
A 40-year television, film, and education veteran, Kevin Campbell started his career as a TV news journalist. He produced hundreds of news stories as well as TV commercials, marketing videos, and education/training content. He also taught video production for high school and college students. He wrote and produced his first feature film, Cheerleader Ninjas, in 2001 which sold to Lionsgate Entertainment and is now streaming on Tubi, Apple, Amazon Prime, and Philo. In 2008 he worked with "Save the Cat" author Blake Snyder at the Creative Screenwriting Expo in Los Angeles. Kevin was a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's Gold Rush Literary Awards in 2021 for his rom-com novel, "Kamikaze Girl," and was a Semi-Finalist in the 2022 Emerging Screenwriters competition for his horror-comedy "Blood Rush." You can learn more about him on his website, KevinCampbellFilms.com.
Workshops:
How to Make an Audiobook for Your Novel & Harvest Millions of New Readers
Master Your Novel Pitch: How to Write, Refine, and Deliver a Pitch That Hoos Your Future Agent
Tasha Christensen is a writer, teacher, and researcher based in Colorado. Her Itaska High series chronicles the romantic shenanigans of a high school marching band in Minnesota. The first book, As You Were, won the 2023 Indie Author Project contest, and she was honored as an RMFW Writer of the Year finalist in 2024. She co-edited the short story anthology Wild, and her fiction has been featured in award-winning collections and journals. She recently received her MSc in Digital Anthropology from University College London. In her free time, she enjoys playing D&D, perfecting her volleyball serve, and exploring the Rocky Mountains with her husband and two daughters.
Workshops:
Publishing Isn’t a Straight Line: Creating Your Personal Definition of Success
Worlds That Matter: Using Speculative Fiction to Explore Real Issues
Josh Clark is a writer, graphic designer, and bookseller. He is a writer of genre fiction for adults and young adults. His short fiction has been published by Amazing Stories,The Lunatics Project Podcast, Shacklebound Books, and many others. His life is filled with words professionally and recreationally, so if he's not writing or reading you're likely to find him at author events, science fiction conventions, writing conferences, or out in nature brainstorming his next novel.
Workshop:
Short and Sweet: The Art and Business of Short Story Writing
Caitee Cooper is an entrepreneur, professional copywriter, and the author of multiple novels. She has ten years of writing and editing experience across a variety of industries and channels, and has helped launch three successful small businesses. After having her two sons, she pivoted to writing fiction (her first love). She knows from personal experience how to juggle the responsibilities of family and professional life in a way that (mostly) doesn't drive her insane, and loves sharing that knowledge - as well as her writing craft, business, and entrepreneurship experience - with her fellow writers. She lives in Casper, Wyoming, with her husband, their sons, and a really strange rescue cat named Smokey. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking, oil painting, hanging out with her family, or stuffing chocolate in her face.
Workshop:
Kickstarter 201: Let’s Do This
Rachel Delaney Craft writes speculative fiction for children and teens. Her short stories have appeared in publications such as Cricket, Uncharted, and Cast of Wonders, and she edited the 2020 RMFW anthology, WILD. On the novel side, she is a two-time winner of the Colorado Gold Rush Literary Award and is represented by Alex Land at Mad Woman Literary Agency.
Workshops:
From Picture Books to YA: Writing for the Next Generation Readers
Pitch Your Way to a Better Book
Short and Sweet: The Art and Business of Short Story Writing
Worlds That Matter: Using Speculative Fiction to Explore Real Issues
Z.J. Czupor's new murder mystery, DEAD MEN DON'T DRINK, is published at zoltanjames.substack.com. He's also the author of THE BIG WEIRD: Haikus in Times of Pandemic and Chaos. Z.J. is immediate past president of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He is represented by Terrie Wolf, founder and owner of AKA Literary Management.
Workshop:
The Ten-Page Test: How to Win Agents and Readers Before Chapter Two
Miranda Darrow is an author, freelance fiction editor, and #RevPit online revision contest board member and contributing editor. Miranda's Concise Fiction Academy series of writing craft books and courses combines her experience as a freelance editor and a corporate attorney into an executive summary of complex writing topics with an overview, key recommendations, and sources for more information, all with a dash of humor. Miranda lives in Minnesota with her husband, teen boys, and two bossy little dogs.
Workshop:
DIY Critique Group
Gamify Your Writing to Level Up Your Productivity & Reader Engagement
The Six-Step Revision Process: Revise Your Novel From First Draft to Final
Rachel Horak Dempsey is a writer of dark fiction living in Denver. Her debut novella, a retelling of Pinocchio with a terrifying techno twist, is forthcoming from M4L Publishing in summer of 2026. Her short fiction is available or forthcoming from Creepy Pod, Brigids Gate Press, Timber Ghost Press, Twenty Bellows (Pushcart nominated 2024), Stars and Sabers, and others. Rachel is also the editor of the anthology Horizons 2 from Twenty Bellows. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and appears regularly on the Writers Who Read podcast as a guest host. Rachel holds a BFA in Drama and English from NYU, a Master's in Journalism from Georgetown and an MFA in Creative Writing from Regis University.
Workshops:
Homegrown Heroes: The Real Meaning of Write What You Know
Dig Deep: Story as Our Greatest Tool (Thursday Intensive class)
From Seed to Harvest: The Law of Causality in Fiction (Thursday Intensive class)
Intertextuality: The Art of Crafting Classic and Contemporary Ideas
Elizabeth S. Devecchi spent her formative years in Rhode Island before setting out to gather degrees and experiences. She writes in a variety of genres and styles, but horror holds a special place in her heart. Her most recent short releases include: short horror story "Web of Truths," appearing in Broken Brain Books anthology Screams from the Dark Ages (March 2025); short horror story "Open House," in the Running Wild Press Short Story Anthology, Volume 8 (June 2025); and "Dust," a horror short appearing in Dark and Dreary: A basement horror anthology, by Screaming Scorpion Press (September 2025). Wicked House Publishing released Elizabeth's debut horror novel, A Whisper in the Dark, in October 2024 and followed with her first dark suspense novel, A Twist of the Lens, in October 2025. Now an imprint of Aethon Books, Wicked House Publishing plans to release The Shadow Beside Her, part of the Whisper in the Dark series, in early to mid 2026. Thus far, A Whisper in the Dark has received a Gold Award at BookFest and a Cippa Evvy Gold Medal and A Twist of the Lens was the recipient of a BookFest third place award. Elizabeth is a member of the Horror Writer's Association, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (PAA), and Italian American Writers Association, among others. She resides in Colorado with her family, which includes an ever-changing menagerie of pets and "guest creatures." For more info: elizabethdevecchi.com
Workshop:
POV, How to Properly Pick Your Poison
Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky trilogy, an epic fantasy adventure, and the Fables of Finlestia cozy fantasy series, which includes Guard in the Garden. In 2025, Zac received the honor of being named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. He went to college forever and has too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and worked in ministry for over 10 years. He and his wife live in Colorado with their four children, where they enjoy hikes and tabletop games.
Workshop:
Utilizing KickStarter in Your Publishing Cycle (Thursday Intensive class)
Karen Dropps, author of My Elbert and The Dorcha, holds a master's degree in Heritage Studies for a Global Society and a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts. Karen followed adventurous careers in academia, museums, and cub scouts. She grew up in New England and now resides in the mountains of Colorado, where she enjoys Martial Arts hiking, and spending time with her family and cats.
Workshop:
Protect Your Book and Your Characters
Tom Farrell was the Writer of the Year and a former VP of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.
Workshop:
Audiobooks: What the Author Needs to Know
Viengsamai Fetters is an associate editor at Erewhon Books, where they edit fantasy, science fiction, horror, and genre-bending speculative fiction. Viengsamai has worked with authors such as Kalyn Josephson, Foz Meadows, Lee Mandelo, Tlotlo Tsamaase, and Mizuki Tsujimura, and was named a finalist for Publishers Weekly Star Watch in 2025. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, where they worked as a bookseller, Viengsamai is currently located outside Chicago.
Workshop:
In A Nutshell: Elevator Pitches, Comp Titles, Taglines, and Other Quick Positioning
Farrah Frances writes weird girl fiction and spec fic under the pen name A.Z. Sultana. Her prose can be found scribbled on the walls of many bathroom stalls across the nation. She holds a PMP certification, a Bachelor’s in general studies with a focus on Marketing from Gonzaga, and a Master’s in Library Science from North Carolina Central University. You can find her on Instagram or anywhere questionable behavior is encouraged.
Workshop:
Worlds That Matter: Using Speculative Fiction to Explore Real Issues
Blythe Brandenburg (Rebecca Fuentes) is the author of fifteen published fantasy romance short stories and the fantasy romance novel Mistress & Mage. Her work combines her love of high fantasy, historical romance, and swashbuckling adventure. As such, she's a fan of Tolkien, Jane Austen, and Alexander Dumas, and enjoys the many books those have inspired. She's a former English teacher who's passionate about every child's right to a thorough education and the importance of the arts. Currently, she is on the board of directors for Wyoming Writers, Inc. She lives in the rural Rocky Mountains with her husband, children, and pets.
Workshop:
Twisting Tropes and Crossing Genres
Bowen Gillings comes as both author and literary agent. Known for thrillers and fantasy tales laced with snark, wit, and characters you could share a beer with, he writes to keep fiction fun. He joined Savvy Literary Services in 2025 and is an active member of the American Association of Literary Agents. Bowen brings to the table a decade of experience as an author and champion of authors. He loves giving back to the writing community through workshops, media, and conversations over choice beverages.
Workshops:
Networking the Conference: Getting Out of the Shell and Getting Known
Query Right
The Query Triad: Master the Basics Before Hitting Send
Matt Ginsberg. Author, AI scientist at Google DeepMind, trained by Nobel Laureates Kip Thorne and Roger Penrose. Also playwright, crossword constructor. I would be speaking as a member of DeepMind staff.
Workshop:
AI and Authorship: Separating the Hype from the Reality
Andre Gonzalez is the international bestselling author of the Wealth of Time Series, and co-owner of M4L Publishing. After surviving the Aurora Theater Shooting in 2012, Andre was inspired to chase his lifelong dream of pursuing a career as an author. This tragedy gave him a new appreciation for life along with a drive to make the world a better place by publishing books readers all around the world can enjoy. He has written over twenty time-travel, thriller, and horror books after spending many years reading and studying the works of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Keeping readers up late and their hearts pumping faster than normal is his ultimate goal. Andre was the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2021 Independent Writer of the Year award. When he's not writing, you can find Andre buried underneath a long to-do list or chasing around his three hyper children. He and his wife are raising their family in their hometown of Denver, CO.
Workshops:
The Author Marketing Blueprint (Thursday Intensive class)
From First Book to Full-Time Author: What It Really Takes
Run Your Author Business Without Going Insane
What's the BFD?
Natasha Gonzalez is a Colorado native, children's author, publisher, and marketing strategist dedicated to helping authors build and grow their careers. After 12 years in structural engineering, she transitioned into publishing, co-founding an indie press in 2019 and later help launching a marketing agency specializing in Amazon advertising. She has worked on 50+ books and brings a data-driven, real-world approach to publishing and sales. Natasha is also a bilingual children's author, inspired by her Colombian and Venezuelan heritage. When she's not working with authors, she enjoys traveling, outdoor adventures, and time with her family.
Workshops:
From First Book to Full-Time Author: What It Really Takes
From Picture Books to YA: Writing for the Next Generation Readers
The Long Game: Building a Sustainable Author Business
Plot Twist: AI is Your New Marketing Assistant
Kendra Griffin is an indie author and developmental editor who has never met a good dog or a good underdog she didn't fall in love with. She is addicted to writing about quirky misfits, social inequality, diverse ensemble casts, and sibling dynamics. Kendra has an MA in Literature and has taught college-level creative writing for twelve years. She coaches authors of all levels through community programs, local libraries, and professional conferences. Kendra wishes she could jump between parallel universes and find time to write every novel that has ever occurred to her.
Workshop:
Filtering: Why, When, Where & Why Not?
Rochelle Hampton is an author and playwright currently working in education. She has cast and directed her one-act play, "Closets Cleaned". Her flash fiction story, "Honest to the Last Drop", won an award at the Wyoming Writers Inc. conference. She also contributed to A Season for Romance: Summer Simmer anthology. Currently, she is writing a mafia-centered contemporary fantasy series. Her work is an unflinching exploration of the darker side of human nature. Her career in education has given her experience working with adjudicated teens, emotionally disabled students of all ages, and preparing non-traditional students for college. Rochelle was the former Vice President for the Wyoming Writers Inc.. She is the co-founder of 5150 Writer's Circle, based in Casper, Wyoming. She has presented at multiple conferences.
Workshop:
My Pants Are Missing: The Pantsing and Plotting Continuum
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.
Workshop:
Something to Talk About: Dialogue That Hits Different (Friday Master Class
Upmarket Fiction: Voice, Theme, and Market Identify (Thursday Intensive class)
Welcome to the Spec-Fic Multiverses: A Guided Tour of 100+ Subgenres (Thursday Intensive class)
LS Hawker is the author of the thrillers THE DROWNING GAME, BODY AND BONE, END OF THE ROAD, and THE THROWAWAYS. THE DROWNING GAME is a USA Today bestseller and finalist in the ITW Thriller Awards in the Best First Novel category. Her novels have been translated into eight languages, and she's sold 100,000+ books worldwide. Visit LSHawker.com to view book trailers and read about her adventures as a cocktail waitress, traveling Kmart portrait photographer, and witness to basement exorcisms.
Workshops:
Make the News, Don’t Buy It: Publicity for Authors
Marketing as Mischief: Creative Ways to Get Notices
Sales Surge Strategy: How to Stack Promos That Convert
Scroll-Stopping Book Bub Ads: Design, Copy, Convert
Kate Jonuska is an author, freelance writer, and yoga teacher based in Boulder, CO. Her novel, Transference, was a Denver Post Staff Pick, and Kate's craft book, The Dictionary of Fiction Critique, is in its second edition.
Workshops:
Chair Yoga for Writers
Critique Partner Speed Dating
Dissecting the Story: Critiquing Like a Surgeon
Michelle Kellogg is a published author who moonlights as a corporate Instructional Designer by day and a jill-of-many-trades by night. As Co-founder and President of Denver Novel Writing Month (DenNoWriMo), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she's deeply invested in supporting the writing community—which makes her a natural fit on the RMFW stage. Her eclectic background—a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance (with an emphasis in Opera) from UNC Greeley, a Master's in Religious Studies, and years of wrangling websites and graphics for charitable organizations—gives her a uniquely creative lens on both writing and life. When she's not crafting stories or taming technology, she can be found serving as President of the Board for her choir (another 501(c)(3), because apparently one nonprofit wasn't enough), negotiating treaties with her three cats, and celebrating the fact that her two kids made it to adulthood virtually unscathed.
Workshops:
Taming the Scrivener Beast (Friday Master Class)
Kim Lajevardi is a former teacher who traded the insanity of middle school science for that of working all day every day with her family, but what she truly prefers is to fly dragons and fight crime. Her books have won awards in several writing competitions, including Pike's Peak Zebulon, The Pacific Northwest Writer's Association, The Tucson Festival of Books, and Colorado Gold. The first book of her YA fantasy series is currently winging its way through the submission trenches.
Workshop:
Plot(ing) Is Not a Four-Letter Word
Mira Landry studied Creative Writing at Simon Fraser University and spent three years working at a boutique literary agency. She presents workshops on publishing and craft across the continent and co-hosts a literary-forensics podcast called Writers Who Read. When not writing upmarket suspense novels, she can be found frolicking on the high peaks of the Rockies or knitting sweaters that likely won't fit anyone properly. Born and raised in British Columbia, she now resides in Colorado with her husband.
Workshops:
From Manuscript to Market: Demystifying Traditional Publishing
Homegrown Heroes: The Real Meaning of Write What You Know
Critiquing Opening Pages (Like an Agent)
The Many Angles of Showing Vs. Telling
Intertextuality: The Art of Crafting Classic and Contemporary Ideas
Karen Lin is a hopeless foodie, award-winning novelist, and produced screenwriter. She teaches for cruise lines and writers conferences in Colorado where she is part of a rich author community. Many of her stories are inspired by her experience marrying into a Taiwanese family. Food is a subplot in her novels: Mu Shu Mac & Cheese and American Moon: A Chinese Immigrant Story. She, her husband, and their two boys have traveled the world as she researches recipes for a literary cookbook. She's a pitch and writing coach for award-winning and bestselling authors.
Workshops:
Lights! Camera! Novel! Movie and Screenplay Lessons for Writing Pros.
Take That AI! Tap Into Your Engaging Human Voice
Who's Alpha Now? Why, When, and How to Depict Chracter Status and Status Changes
Kelley J. P. Lindberg writes YA and adult fiction, but her writing history is littered with dozens of how-to books (including several bestsellers) and hundreds of articles. Her fiction and essays have appeared in literary magazines such as The Baltimore Review and Wilderness House Literary Review; in anthologies including This Isn't the Place, Bizarre Bazaar, Journeys into Possibility, and Chicken Soup for the Wine Lover's Soul; and in the Tellables app for Amazon Alexa. When she isn't writing from her home on the high plains of Colorado, she's traveling as far and as often as she can. She blogs about the writer's life and writing craft on her website, www.KelleyLindberg.com, and on the RMFW blog, where she basks in the glory of being RMFW's blog editor. Follow her on BlueSky, Instagram, and X at @KelleyLindberg1.
Workshops:
From Picture Books to YA: Writing for the Next Generation Readers
Just-In-Time Description and World Building (How to Avoid Those Info-Dumps)
Develop Your Characters' Voices: A Hands On Approach 2 hour
Stant Litore is the author of Ansible, Colosseums for Dinosaurs, The Zombie Bible, and Dante's Heart. His short story "The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur" was adapted into an Emmy-nominated episode of Love, Death, + Robots. Besides science fiction and fantasy, he has written the writers' toolkits Write Worlds Your Readers Won't Forget and Write Characters Your Readers Won't Forget, as well as Lives of Unstoppable Hope and Lives of Unforgetting, and has been featured in Jeff Vandermeer's Wonderbook: An Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction. He has served as a developmental editor for Westmarch Publishing and holds a Ph.D. in English. He lives in Aurora, Colorado with his three children and is currently at work on his next novel.
Workshop:
Going from 0-60: Write Pacing Your Readers Won't Forget
Nadia Lynch is a Junior Literary Agent at Talcott Notch Literary, where she combines her lifelong love of books with precision and attention to detail to help guide authors through their publishing journeys. With a bachelor’s degree in political science and a professional background as a paralegal, she brings experience in contracts and problem-solving to her work as a literary agent, blending structure with the creative energy of the literary world. Since joining Talcott Notch in 2021, Nadia has cherished the opportunity to build a career surrounded by books and storytelling. She finds joy in balancing structure with creativity in a way that feels both natural and rewarding.
Workshop:
Positioning, Pitching, and Platforms
New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean wrote her first novel on a dare and never looked back. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide. In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A former columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is a founding board member of Authors Against Book Bans and the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates.
Workshops:
Mastering the Art of Great Conflict
Positioning, Pitching, and Platforms
Public speaker and author Rod Martinez writes middle grade & young adult. Growing up on Marvel Comics and Twilight Zone, the inspiration was inevitable. After a challenge by his son to write a story about him and his friends "like the Goonies' but based in Tampa", his first novel "The Juniors" was published "“ and the rest as they say "“ is history. A regular speaker at conferences and schools, Rod loves to share his writing experience with audiences.
Workshops:
Capturing Middle Grade Voice in an Adult World
Diving Into Diversity: Dodging the Dangerous
#1 International 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. Bernadette is the 2020 Independent Writer of the Year, the 2022 Jasmine Award winner, and past retreat and volunteer chair for RMFW. Having published nearly 60 titles, she is often called upon to teach workshops for organizations such as RMFW, WHWA, RWA, Pikes Peak Writers, Wyoming Writers, Lighthouse Writers, and more.
Bernadette is also the Founder and CEO of 5 Prince Publishing, a mid-sized, traditional publishing house in Arvada, Colorado. An entrepreneur at heart, Bernadette owns 5 businesses, having opened her first at the age of 20.
An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a third-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She loves Tai Chi, traveling to Disney parks, and having lunch with friends. When not writing, or running her own publishing house, Bernadette is probably immersed in a Rom Com, from which she will often quote one-liners.
Workshops:
Protect Your Book and Your Characters
Eva Fox Mate is a traditionally published romance author, literary consultant, and editor who delights inhelping others with every step of their literary journeys. She has over ten years of coaching, content editing, and copy-editing experience with EFM Editing and Gemini Writer’s Studio. Throughout the course of her career, she has developed a unique skill set that benefits beginning authors, seasoned professionals, and everyone in between.
Workshops:
So, You Want to Write Some Romance
The First Chapter Fix: What Editors Look For on Page One (Thursday Intensive class)
Christy Matheson has been a teacher almost as long as she has been a storyteller, starting with running school on the alphabet blanket with a classroom of dolls. Over the next few decades, she has added teaching skills that also benefit adults, where she is praised for being engaging and encouraging. Christy is an agented author with books both trad and indie published, so she is familiar with both major publishing paths. She has built her platform recently enough to understand the challenges that emerging authors are going through today. She is also an anthology editor, which gives her experience working with authors through all stages of publication, and a soft spot for the challenges of short story writing. Besides her own publications, Christy is a regular speaker at writing events and classes, and is a columnist for Write On! magazine.
Workshops:
So You Want to Make an Anthology?
Harnessing the Power of BookFunnel to Find Your Audience
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!
Workshops:
A Decade in Traditional Publishing: Agent and Author Perspectives
Pitch/Query Critique
Playing Chess with Money (Friday Master Class)
Sharon Mignerey is one of the founding members of RMFW, considers the organization to be her writing home, and is a self-described writer, teacher, and spiritual seeker. She remains fascinated about the evolving yet timeless craft of storytelling. As a curious person who is continually learning, one joy is sharing what she has learned along the way. Sharon began her career in traditional publishing and has transitioned to indy publishing, a journey both exhilarating and terrifying. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, and she is the author of 14 (and counting) novels and articles on the art and craft of writing.
Workshop:
Reclaim and Renew Your Writing Spirit
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!
Workshops:
Choose Your Own Adventure in Publishing: Different Paths to Success (Friday Master Class)
Cross Pollination: Mastering the Art of the Marketable Crossover Project
Publishing Isn't a Straight Line: Creating Your Personal Definition of Success
Kim Olgren is the Book Fest award-winning, internationally-selling author of the cozy mystery, Flipped: A Jillian McElroy Flipping Mystery, written as Kimberly Olgren. Flipping houses can be murder. When not writing Kim can be found in her local community renovating houses with her husband, volunteering with her local writers’ organization, or camping somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.
Workshop:
Deviously Twisted Mystery Writing
Chelsea Pennington is a romance author with three published books. She holds a degree in English/Creative Writing from Samford University and previously worked as a freelance editor. She shares the lessons she has learned from writing and editing in the hundreds of articles on her website and now on her Substack. When she's not writing, you can probably find her reading or being distracted by birds.
Workshops:
Critiquing Opening Pages (Like an Agent)
Let’s Start a Newsletter: How to Grow Your Audience
It Builds Character: 4 Steps to Creating Characters That Readers Will Root For and Remember
Ariane Peveto is a YA writer and editor who has called the US, England, and Japan home for a time. She earned a master's degree in creative writing and studied literary craft at the University of Oxford as a Visiting Scholar. Now she supports other writers through her small business, Ground Crew Editorial, while also serving as a volunteer and presenter with SCBWI.
Workshop:
The Three Levels of Editing and How to Use Them to Elevate Your Writing
Kirsten "Kiki" Ringer is a powerhouse in the publishing industry with more than 30 years of experience across editorial, marketing, contracts, and career strategy. She has worked with Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors at Russell & Volkening Literary Agency and held roles at The Walt Disney Studios and Penguin Putnam. For the past 18 years, she has led KLR Literary Management, working almost exclusively with author-publishers to produce books to traditional-industry standards while retaining full creative control. Having worked in every major publishing model, she now teaches authors how to navigate the publishing timeline, build sustainable platforms, and make strategic decisions that support long-term careers. She is known for her no-nonsense approach to marketing and fierce advocacy for authors, and serves as Co-Ambassador for the Denver chapter of the Authors Guild. When she's not working with writers, she's training for a triathlon, snuggling her Dobermans, or taking fall Saturdays off to watch Alabama football. Roll Tide!
Workshops:
The Publishing Timeline Nobody Warned You About
Metadata is Marketing: How Readers Actually Find Your Book
Stop Writing for Everyone
A native of Boulder, Colorado, David Rodeback also lived in Idaho and New York for about a decade each before moving to American Fork, Utah, where he has lived since 1998. He has an MA in Slavic Studies (Russian Literature emphasis) from Cornell University, a BA in Russian and Political Science from Brigham Young University, and a certificate from the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow. He taught writing and Russian language and literature courses at Cornell University, Brigham Young University, and elsewhere, before landing in the software industry. He is Chief Marketing Technology Officer of a West Valley City manufacturing firm and serves on the board of the League of Utah Writers. He and his wife have four children and two grandchildren. He is the League of Utah Writers 2025 Writer of the Year. His two self-published collections of short fiction won 2024 Silver and Bronze Quill Awards from the League of Utah Writers and were named Notable Reads by the 2025 Utah Book Awards. He released his first novel, a contemporary coming-of-age story, in December 2025. He has written and associate-produced two feature-length documentary films and has four Telly Award for commercial short video. He writes a monthly column for local newspapers, mostly about books, bookstores, and reading, and has become a frequent presenter at writing conferences.
Workshop:
Help a Writer Pull the Weeds: Being a Good Critique Partner
Shelly Romero is a Honduran-American Associate Agent at Azantian Literary Agency. She began her publishing career at Scholastic, worked at a book packager, and was a freelance editor prior to agenting. Outside of work, she loves watching movies and immediately logging them on her Letterboxd, playing board games (usually with a horror spin), and attending concerts whenever she can. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she currently resides in New York City.
Workshops:
Spine-Tingling Stories: Writing Horror for MG and YA Readers
The State of Speculative Fiction
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
Workshops:
Choose Your Own Adventure in Publishing: Different Paths to Success (Friday Master Class)
Know Your Ending: How a Killer Outline Elevates Story (Thursday Intensive class)
Speculative fiction author Lesley L. Smith, M.F.A, has had short stories appear in various venues, including Fiction River and Analog Science Fiction and Fact. She has published twelve novels, including The Quantum Cop, Conservation of Luck, Temporal Dreams, and Kat Cubed. She's a founder and editor of the ezine Electric Spec (www.electricspec.com). Check her out online at www.lesleylsmith.com.
Workshop:
Harvest Your Inspiration Through Short Stories
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.
Workshops:
The State of Speculative Fiction
Navigating the Short Speculative Fiction Field (Friday Master Class)
Stephanie Stein is a Senior Editor at Tor Books, where she edits fantasy and science fiction by authors including Ilona Andrews, Evan Leikam, Marie Lu, Maddie Martinez, Annalee Newitz, and Katee Robert. She also works with the Brandon Sanderson team to bring his latest epic worlds to readers’ shelves. Previously, she edited a range of acclaimed and bestselling fiction for YA and middle grade readers at HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Workshops:
Positioning, Pitching, and Platforms
The State of Speculative Fiction
Named 2025 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project, Cynthia Swanson is the author of three novels and a forthcoming short story collection. Cynthia's debut novel, The Bookseller, was a New York Times bestseller, an Indie Next selection, and the winner of the 2016 WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction. The Bookseller is translated into 18 languages and slated to be a motion picture produced by Julia Roberts. Cynthia's second novel, The Glass Forest, was a CAL Award finalist, a USA Today bestseller, and is translated into 7 languages. Her third novel, Anyone But Her, won the 2025 Colorado Book Award (Thriller), was a finalist for the 2025 WILLA Literary Award (Mystery/Thriller), and was named 2024 Best Mystery/Thriller by the Indie Author Project. Her short story collection, This Isn't New: Women's Historical Stories, is forthcoming in May 2026. Cynthia is also the editor of the Colorado Book Award winning anthology Denver Noir. In addition to writing fiction, she is a developmental editor, content editor, and ghostwriter. Cynthia lives with her family in Denver.
Workshops:
When Backstory IS the Story
The Authentic Book Launch
The Multi POV Novel
Travis Tougaw is a writer, editor, and wannabe folk musician from Denver, Colorado. He is the author of the award-winning Marcotte/Collins Investigative Thriller series. The series has been featured as a recommended read by Best Thrillers, The Big Thrill, and The Writer's Dossier. Travis is active in the writing community as a member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America and as a member, contest judge, and monthly blogger for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writing. When he's not writing, he's reading, studying trivia, playing stringed instruments, and enjoying Colorado's outdoors with his wife and family.
Workshops:
The Bad Seed: How to Grow Deliciously Wicked Antagonists
Dialogue Diagnosis: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
#1 Amazon bestselling author Peggy Waide entered her first book in the Colorado Gold. The editor offered a contract. She has published four romances with Dorchester. Montlake now publishes her books. She is shopping an amateur sleuth and a romantic suspense. She's also been a trainer, personal coach and speaker.
Workshops:
What If to Uh Oh: Brainstorming The Art of Cause & Effect
When Characters Drive the Plot: No GPS (or Outline) Required
Why, Why, Why Delilah?
Laurie Marr Wasmund has worked as an editor, community college instructor, and local and national writing workshop presenter. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines such as Cimarron Review and Weber Studies. She is the author of My Heart Lies Here, a novel of the Ludlow Massacre; Clean Cut: A Romance of the Western Heart; and the White Winter Trilogy, which is set in Colorado during the Great War and the 1920s. The third book of the Trilogy, To Walk Humbly, was a 2020 finalist for the Mainstream/Literary book award from the Colorado Authors League. It also received a 2020 EVVY award in Historical Fiction from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. Her newest novel, Catching It Lovely, traces her great-great grandmother's journey from Scotland to America to homestead in Colorado.
Workshops:
What If to Uh Oh: Brainstorming The Art of Cause & Effect
When Characters Drive the Plot: No GPS (or Outline) Required
Why, Why, Why Delilah?
Rachel Weaver's novel Point of Direction was named a Top Ten Book To Pick Up Now by Oprah Magazine and won the Willa Cather Award for Fiction. Rachel's newest book, Dizzy, an "arresting new memoir" according to Maureen Corrigan on NPR's Fresh Air, published in February of 2026. Her second novel The Last Run, is forthcoming in June 2026 with Lake Union Publishing. Prior to earning her MFA in Writing and Poetics at Naropa University, Rachel worked for the Forest Service in Alaska studying bears, raptors and songbirds. She teaches at Wilkes University and Lighthouse Writers Workshop and holds a CPA in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.
Workshop:
How to Find an Agent: Best Practices
How to Hook a Reader in Your First Ten Pages
Jennifer S. Wilkov is a multi #1 international best-selling award-winning author, an award-winning freelance writer, and a Hollywood consultant. She supports first-time writers and seasoned authors with the essentials to become a bestseller: a great project, a strong platform and a well-polished pitch, presentation and hook for their book, television project, film, or theater project. She assists with the writing, editing, marketing, and publishing of their books as well as the building of their platforms to raise their visibility to readers, the media, Hollywood and beyond. She passionately teaches and educates writers as a speaker and program producer of workshops, at writers conferences and events coast to coast, and for groups such as the Writers Guild of America "“ East and New York Women in Film & Television. Her keen eye for stories that sell is trusted by industry professionals who appreciate her savvy in seeing the many possibilities a story lends itself to.
Workshop:
Build Your Practical, Productive, Profitable Platforms
Bestselling YA Author & Romance Novelist Jennifer Wilson is the author of the acclaimed New World Series, comprising Rising, Ashes, and Inferno. Featured in OwlCrate and the BookWormBox, the New World trilogy has sold over 18,000 copies. Her YA short story, "The Vanished," was published in Colleen Hoover's "Two More Days Anthology", and she is the creator of "Write Your Novel: The Writer's Workbook." In addition, she writes Romance under the pen name Kay Rockland, where her writing is a fiery cocktail of witty banter and sizzling romance. When not writing, Jennifer can be found dreaming up new bookish boyfriends, crafting snarky dialogue, and guzzling French press coffee while snuggling her cream retriever.
Workshops:
Publishing Isn’t a Straight Line: Creating Your Personal Definition of Success
Querying Smarter: Using Data, Strategy, and Query Tracer To Find the Right Agent
Strong Stories Start Small: Building a Foundation That Sustain Your Story Idea
Turning up the Heat: Mastering the Art of Spicy Romance
Johnny Worthen is a widely published, award-winning, best-selling author of books and stories. Trained in stand-up comedy, modern literary criticism and cultural studies, he writes excellent multi-genre fiction, symbolized by his love of tie-dye and good words. "I wear tie-dye for my friends, but I write what I like to read," he says. "This guarantees me at least one fan and easy dressing decisions in the morning." Johnny teaches writing at the University of Utah and lives in a house with his wife, assorted cats. There's also a lawn. Find him at: www.johnnyworthen.com.
Workshops:
Morning Meditation and Writer Wellbeing
Riding Between the Brands – Understanding Subtext
The SuperPower of Writing Sprints: Smash Writer’s Block
