Phillip Nutman

Phil Nutman

We regret to report we’ve just learned of the passing of author, Phillip Nutman.  Phil was on the faculty at PPWC 2011 and delighted attendees with his quick wit and congenial manner. He will be missed.

The Zebulon is Now Open

The Zebulon is now open for submissions! You can find complete information about the new Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Writing Contest here. You may enter as many times as you like but the deadline for entry is Noon (MDT) November 1, 2013, so get authorin’.

Amy Koumis

Amy Koumis

We’re sad to announce the passing of Amy Koumis. We send our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.

PPWC 2013 Delivers Big

The 21st Pikes Peak Writers Conference was a hugely successful weekend of amazing workshops, motivational speeches, and informative presentations. Our inspiring keynote speakers included: Amber Benson, an actor/director/writer who reminded us all how lucky we are to be writers in this point in history; Libba Bray, who gave one of the funniest, and at the same time most poignant, keynote speeches I’d ever heard; David Liss, a hilarious speaker and insightful teacher whose listeners mobbed the bookstore; and Barry Eisler, whose casual discussion of traditional versus digital publishing has touched off an internet firestorm. It was not remotely a dull weekend. On Friday at lunch, Barbara Nickless spoke movingly about all she gained when the Waldo Canyon Fire consumed her home. Barbara’s speech not only set the tone for the entire conference, she embodied the theme of “Writing from the Ashes… Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams.” Attendees were offered a dizzying array of over 70 workshops to choose from as well as 15 Read & Critique sessions, 9 informal un-workshops, and countless discussions over meals, at the mixers, or in the bar. Many attendees heard the words “send it” from an editor or agent, and they left in high spirits. Others seriously pondered the worlds of digital and independent publishing and considered a path to publication they’d previously ignored. Brian Schwartz, president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, taught an extended session on the topic of independent publishing in his “Pixels to Profit” sessions. Editors Michael Braff, Christopher Hernandez, Pat Van Wie, and Deb Werksman busted through the myths about book publishing in our “Mythbusting Editors” panel. Literary Agents Hannah Bowman, Sorche Fairbank, Barry Goldblatt, Shannon Hassan, Nicole Resciniti, Kate Testerman, and Pamela Van Hylckama Vlieg did the same in our “Mythbusting Agents” panel. Both editors and agents also presented informative workshops, read attendees’ first pages, and took pitches. The conference bookstore enjoyed huge success in a new location, the Marriott’s glass-walled conference room. The faculty booksigning on Saturday was one of our most successful ever. Featured speaker David Liss was so popular in his Thursday and Friday sessions that we’d nearly sold out his entire stock of books before the booksigning on Saturday. (Sorry, David!) On Saturday Night we honored our volunteers. Shannon Lawrence received the Pikes Peak Writers Volunteer of the Year award, while the PPW Conference Volunteer of the Year award went to two people, Jennifer LaPointe and MB Partlow. All three of these women have been extraordinary in their tireless work for Pikes Peak Writers over the past year. Thank you to these award winners and all our dedicated volunteers. Then came the big announcement. Many of you know that the PPW Fiction Writing Contest had been retired last year. We presented a retrospective on Saturday Night highlighting the tremendous success that has arisen out of the contest over the last twenty years. Afterward, we announced that the contest is returning with a new, revamped format. Be looking for more information here on our website this summer. By the time attendees left on Sunday there was not only tremendous emotion – and exhaustion – but also the sense that everyone had been a part of something special. We carried with us the knowledge that we are writers. And we are the luckiest people in the world.

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

By Bonnie Hagan, Director PPWC 2013

Community. In a word, that’s what any good writer’s organization creates. Pikes Peak Writers excels at bringing people together from across the world, and nowhere is that more obvious than at the annual Pikes Peak Writers Conference. A solid corps of dedicated people devote countless hours creating this weekend of cutting edge information, amazing opportunities, essential feedback, and writing wisdom. We’re a community. And as we were reminded last year, community doesn’t burn. Times are hard, tensions around the world are high, and many dreams die a slow, thirsty death. That’s why Pikes Peak Writers Conference is more important now than ever. We remain dedicated to excellence. We bring our agents and editors from afar. We seek out published authors with sterling reputations to speak to us. We find the professionals who are in the know to help us make sense of an ever-changing industry. We create an environment of mutual support that sends our attendees home riding the emotional high of their lives. And we do it all at a competitively low price. When you attend the 2013 Pikes Peak Writers Conference, you will see new faces like Lisa Renee Jones, Bob Liparulo, Lynda Hilburn, Twist Phelan, and Laura Resau. Established Colorado authors, all of them. And all of them new to our conference. We also bring best-selling authors like Libba Bray, Barry Eisler, David Liss, and Amber Benson from across the country to bring their delightful and distinctive voices to our mealtimes and workshops. Not all of the presenters are new, of course, and the familiar faces of longtime PPW folks are part of the magic of our conference. The only thing missing is you. Has your dream of writing grown a bit dusty from neglect or has your writing career gotten mired in the mud? What demons prevent you from the success you imagine? When you attend Pikes Peak Writers Conference, you’ll not only find the knowledge to write from the ashes and realize your dreams, you’ll find a group of people who will supply you with writing tools, support your goals, and surprise you with their genuine warmth. In short, you find community.

January 2013 Board of Director Changes

Note from Mandy Houk:

Last September, I was honored to take on the role of Pikes Peak Writers’ president. I have benefitted personally and professionally from my membership and volunteerism with this organization for the past six years, so I was excited for the opportunity to give back in a more meaningful way. In December, I wrote a piece for the Pikes Peak Writers blog, comparing the impending new year to the turn of a page. Even as I wrote that piece, I was in the midst of discovering that what was on my own family’s “next page” was going to change our lives in significant ways. I’m sad to say that the changes on this metaphorical page make it impossible for me to continue as the president of Pikes Peak Writers. The details are personal, but suffice it to say that our extended family members are facing struggles that necessitate immediate, active, and prolonged engagement from me. I simply cannot fulfill the roles I’m needed for in my family and continue in leadership with Pikes Peak Writers. In keeping with our bylaws, vice president Laura Hayden has accepted the role of president in my place. To fill the vacant seat of vice president, the board has unanimously elected J.T. Evans, and he has graciously accepted. All other board members will remain in their current roles, and are prepared to fully support Laura and J.T .during this time of transition and beyond it. I trust that you are familiar with Laura, Queen of the Universe and integral part of this wonderful organization since its inception. As for J.T., he became a member of Pikes Peak Writers in 2008, and since that time has been a faithful conference attendee and volunteer. Most recently, he has worked with the board and with our administrator, Michelle Baker, to update our website and train key volunteers to keep it current. In addition, for the past four years J.T. served as president of Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group. Pikes Peak Writers is privileged to have this wonderful writer and dedicated, experienced volunteer join our board of directors. I am indescribably grateful to each member of the board – including its newest member, J.T. – for the compassion and understanding that was shown to me over the past few weeks. While I regret the suddenness of my departure, I am more than confident that Pikes Peak Writers is in the very best sets of hands. God bless you all, and Happy Writing.

Note from Laura Hayden, Current PPW President:

It’s with great regret that we accept Mandy’s resignation. Despite her shortened tenure, she brought an incredible amount of energy and wisdom into the organization. We wish her well and hope that one day, when life calms, she can return to board service. Also, the board and I welcome J.T. Evans as our new Vice President. He comes to the position with a wide variety of experiences, skills and talents and we look forward to working with him.

Note from J.T. Evans, Current PPW Vice-President:

Greetings Fellow Writers, Back at the 2010 Pikes Peak Writers Conference, I had my first volunteer duty. The silent auction was being held, and I was lounging around the hallway watching people meander by. All of the items that captured my interest were already out of my price range, so I had nothing better to do than stand there. That’s when Chris Mandeville called out, “Hey, J.T.! You look bored.” I’d say I was a little bored since I knew very few of the people there and didn’t have anyone to talk to. I looked her way and nodded. She asked, “Would you mind being a guard for these two tables of auction items? We have a few people from the public moving around, and I’d hate for something to wander off.” I agreed, and that small act began my road as a volunteer with Pikes Peak Writers. Over the past three years, I’ve worked as a moderator, presented a Write Brain, judged in the 2012 conference contest, stepped into the role as webmaster, and pitched in here and there where I could. Then Mandy Houk reached out to me with the information that she was in a tight spot and had to step down as president of PPW. She asked me if I would be interested in joining the board as vice president to support Laura Hayden. My first response was surprise since I knew Mandy had just been elected, then once I read the email closer, I moved to understanding. Then it sank in. She and the rest of the board of PPW wanted me to help them as best I could. Wow. I’m incredibly honored that people I hold with such high regard asked me to step into the role as vice president of the Pikes Peak Writers. I will do my best to continue the grand traditions, ideas, efforts, and contributions to the writing community that Pikes Peak Writers has been steadfastly providing over many years. Thank you very much for your trust and friendship. Now, Let’s make 2013 as creative and wonderful as possible!

2012-13 Leadership Changes

Every year at the end of summer, PPW holds elections for positions on the Board of Directors. This momentous event has probably slid by many of you unnoticed in past years, as we try to make the transition as seamless as possible. This year will hopefully be no different in that you should not notice any interruption to the great events, benefits and services you are accustomed to receiving. However I wanted to take a minute to let you know who will be serving on the PPW Board of Directors for the coming year. Returning to the Board this year are Laura Hayden as vice president, Connie McKenzie as treasurer, and members Bonnie Hagan, Susan Mitchell, Todd Fahnestock, Chris Boswell and Mandy Houk. We welcome new Board member Laura Reeve who has been elected to serve a two-year term as secretary. We’re thrilled to announce that the secretary position became available because incumbent secretary Mandy Houk has agreed to serve a two-year term as PPW’s president! As for me, after 10+ years serving on the PPW Board of Directors, I’m pleased and honored to be moving into the role of “ex-officio” member of the Board. Joining me will be former PPW Executive Director Jodi Anderson. Together we will serve as advisors and mentors to your seated Board. It has been an incredible privilege and pleasure serving as PPW president, and I have truly enjoyed my tenure. I leave this role knowing you are in very good hands with your new president and Board. Please join me in welcoming our new secretary and president, and in thanking all the Board members for their volunteer service as the leadership of this incredible organization. Chris Mandeville

Jodi Anderson Retires

On behalf of the Pikes Peak Writers’ Board of Directors, members and staff, we take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation for the contribution of Jodi Anderson. PPW is deeply grateful for her talent, skills and dedication as she concludes her tenure as Executive Director. It is through the dedication of people like Jodi Anderson that we are able to continue to strengthen our programs, and to develop new and innovative projects to serve our members and the writing community. As we turn a new page in PPW’s success story, we would like to thank Jodi Anderson for making our mission a reality, and are excited that she will continue to support PPW as a visionary and volunteer.