Published Author’s League Liaison Introduction

I am so excited to begin 2020 as the RMFW Published Authors League Liaison. I thought I would take this month’s post to tell everyone a little about my history with RMFW as well as my plans for the PAL over the next couple of years.

Before I was ever a writer, I served in the US Army as a medic for ten years. I worked in Baghdad ER as a medic and in later deployments, ran the busiest outpatient clinic in southern Iraq. After leaving the army, I focused on my job as a mother and continued in the medical field with University of Colorado Hospital where I currently work full time.

I joined RMFW the summer of 2017 when I finished my very first novel, Apparent Power. The following year I attended my first Colorado Gold Conference and learned so much about the writing craft and the industry in general. RMFW provided me with education, opportunities and a long list of authors ahead of me who were willing to show me the ropes.

In July 2018, I started writing monthly for the RMFW blog. Mark Stevens, in response to my first article, interviewed me for my very first ever podcast experience. Rocky Mountain Fiction writers wrapped a warm blanket around me and invited me in.

In January 2019, I decided to begin giving back to the organization that helped build me into a well-rounded author. I submitted a program proposal for Colorado Gold Conference and was chosen to teach a four hour intensive class on nearly every aspect of author marketing. Even through my biggest doubts, the board members encouraged me to go for it despite my few years in the industry and it was a hit. Further, I was awarded my PEN for being the only Hybrid author to qualify for both PAL and IPAL in the same year.

I am not the most qualified person to serve our Published Author’s League, but I promise I will work hard to show up and make things happen for our members and the organization as a whole.

December is a very big and busy month for me. I’m working through the last four classes of my Bachelors, I celebrate my anniversary, my birthday, my one year anniversary as a traditionally published novelist, many many author signings, and of course the holidays with my two very little kids. I officially take the position of Liaison in January, but I have far too many ideas to contribute to keep quiet.

My plan for PAL is to create as many opportunities as I possibly can for each member to learn and grow as authors and business people. I want to help get books into hands of new readers.

I also want to support RMFW’s vision of raising the next generation of writers and authors. I plan on being very involved in outreach to bring in new authors at every level, to include young writers. Exploring this will be a fun learning experience and I look forward to the new amazing things ahead in this rewarding organization.

You do not have to be a member of PAL to reach out to me for help, guidance, advice, or friendship. I am also an active member of IPAL and love helping others where I can. Please don’t hesitate to ask.