Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Paul Martz is an award-winning science fiction author, technology blogger, and former punk rock drummer. At age six, he saw 2001: A Space Odyssey on the big screen, which lead him to a collection of Arthur C. Clarke's short stories and a lifelong insatiable appetite for mind-bending science fiction. His short stories can be found at Amazing Stories, Uncharted Magazine, Creepy Podcast, and many others.  Paul is totally blind, but losing his eyesight hasn't slowed him down. He co-edited last year's RMFW anthology, Without Brakes, Fingers Crossed. And he competes in Rubik's Cube speedsolving competitions. His new non-fiction book, Solve It! The Only Speedsolving Guide for Blind Cubers, has just been released.  Paul lives in Erie, Colorado, where he sips lattes while the snow sublimates. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Andrea Catalano is a historical novelist who holds a master of philosophy in historical studies degree from University of Cambridge, UK. Originally from the Boston area, she currently lives in Texas with her husband, children, two fluffy cats, and many, many books. Andrea's debut novel, The First Witch of Boston, comes out in September after years and years of honing her craft. Find her online at www.andreacatalanoauthor.com.   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Gabriella Batel is a vibrant young Catholic woman with an adrenaline craving and a passion for God, family, acting, movies, fanart, YA, and good food. Of course, she's also a writer and archivist of dark fantasy and thrills, including the highly praised Don't YA thriller series, the upcoming dark fantasy mystery Ending, and the prize-winning post-apocalyptic fantasy story “Antivenom.”    Batel is the founder of Bonepiercer Media, where she was the fiery audio narrator of Mary Rose Kreger's award-winning story “Fiona's Choice”; and she is a mentor at LegendFiction, where she uses her degree in English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology and experience in the trenches of indie publishing to help new indie authors make their stories shine and sing.   https://www.gabriellabatel.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Mariko Tatsumoto is an award-winning author of Adult, Middle Grade, Young Adult novels that explore Japanese history, culture, and adventure. Her books have earned eight literary honors, including the Freeman Book Awards, the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, and Colorado Gold Award. Born in Japan and raised in the U.S. from the age of eight, she became the first Asian woman attorney admitted to the Colorado Bar. In addition to fiction, she coaches aspiring writers the craft of writing through her writing handbook. On the podcast, we talk about the narrative impact of a character's death in fiction. More at: marikotatsumoto.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Melissa George is a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and resides in the peaceful mountain town of Estes Park. She has an MPH and enjoys exploring aspects of disaster management, which she incorporates into her dystopian writing. When Melissa isn't writing, she loves to spend her time running, biking, and kickboxing. She's a proud graduate of the University of Missouri Track and Field program, where she currently holds the school record for the 3,000m steeplechase. Following collegiate athletics, she pursued running on the professional level with the Roots Running Project for two years. Outside of sports, she loves to spend her time with her husband and their three tortoiseshell cats: Katniss, Primrose, and Navi. More: Melissageorgebooks.com Instagram: @melissageorgebooks TikTok is @melissageorgebooks Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/share/18geycAbGs/?mibextid=wwXIfr Substack: https://substack.com/@melissageorgebooks?r=2zlguc&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Leah Naess is a retired technical writer and instructional designer who published Redemption: A Jo Walker Mystery for her friend and writing critique group member, the deceased Karen Starkins. Leah has written and produced two short films, written two novels, drafted two feature-length films, and, with friends, researched and drafted a non-fiction historical account of the Denver Artists Guild. More https://karenstarkins.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Jenny Dandy is a graduate of Smith College and of Lighthouse Writers Workshop Book Project. Though she has lived and worked from Beijing to Baltimore, from Northampton to Atlanta, it was New York that held onto a piece of her heart. She now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains where she would never lift a wallet or scam her dinner guests. On the podcats, Jenny talks about her debut novel, The Brownstone on E. 83rd. More: www.jennydandy.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Bryan Canter is an author, independent publishing consultant, and retired Army officer with overseas tours in Iraq, Korea, and Okinawa. Bryan helps authors navigate the complex world of independent publishing as a book and audiobook publishing consultant for My Word Publishing out of Denver. Additionally, he is an Amazon Ads specialist with the Successful Writer Marketplace. As an international speaker and educator, Bryan has addressed large groups and conducted training seminars in venues across the USA, Nicaragua, India, Scotland, the Middle East, and Japan. Bryan lives full-time in a motorhome with his wife, Dawn, visiting historic sites and enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the United States. This time on the podcast, Bryan takes offers a reality check for first-time authors.  https://www.mywordpublishing.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens: www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Kate Jonuska is an author, freelance writer and yoga teacher based in Boulder, CO. Her short fiction was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and her first novel, Transference, was a finalist for the BookLife Prize. She's also the author of The Dictionary of Fiction Critique, now in its second edition. Kate is a longtime organizer of yoga sessions at RMFW's Colorado Gold conference and this time on the podcast we talk about a yoga and writing retreat opportunity she is heading up that will take place later this summer. In France.  NOTE: Early bird prices available ONLY through March 1 for Kate's July retreat. https://curatedyogaretreats.wetravel.com/trips/where-body-meets-creative-soul-with-kate-jonuska-curated-yoga-retreats-84333548 More about Kate: http://katejonuska.com.    Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Lisa C. Taylor is the author of the novel, The Shape of What Remains, three poetry collections, most recently Interrogation of Morning (2022) and two short story collections, most recently Impossibly Small Spaces (2018). Her honors include the Hugo House New Fiction Award and Pushcart nominations in fiction and poetry and Best-of-the Net nominations in both categories. Her poetry collaboration with Irish writer Geraldine Mills, The Other Side of Longing received the Elizabeth Shanley Gerson Honor at University of Connecticut. Lisa holds an MFA in Creative Writing and she is the co-director of the Mesa Verde Writers Conference and Literary Festival. She is also a board member for Four Corners Writers and the Mancos Creative District. Lisa has received writing residencies from Vermont Studio Center, Willowtail Springs, and Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland. She teaches writing online and offers workshops around the country.   More: https://www.lisactaylor.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Bill Liggett writes fiction that blends behavioral and earth sciences in the recent cli-fi (climate fiction) literary genre. His goal is to paint a hopeful future based on solutions to global warming. He holds a BS in geology and an MA in education, both from Stanford University, and a PhD in applied social psychology from New York University. Among the many positions he has held over the years, he taught in high school and college, conducted behavioral science studies for IBM, and consulted with health care and educational organizations. Wherever he lives, he loves being outdoors. Home for him has included the West Coast, East Coast, Alaska, and now Colorado, the state of his childhood. He and his wife, Cathy, live in Niwot, Colorado.   For more information, visit his website: www.williamliggett.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

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 Pikes Peak Writers, Black Hare Press, The Lunatics Project Podcast, and many others. Since 2018, Josh has worked at two of Colorado's premier bookstores as a bookseller, backlist buyer, and head of the shipping and receiving department. Josh has served in key roles for various writing organizations over the years, such as Speaker's Coordinator for Pueblo West Writers, Query Coordinator for Pikes Peak Writers, and as a judge for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Gold Rush Contest. He has presented workshops for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Pueblo West Writers. Prior to working in the indie bookstore world, Josh worked full time as a graphic designer at the Professional Bull Riders, a local newspaper, an automotive advertising agency, and as a freelancer. 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.   Follow Josh: Bluesky: joshofclark.bsky.social Instagram: josh_of_clark X:@joshofclark Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Scott Graham is the National Outdoor Book Award-winning author of the National Park Mystery Series, published by Torrey House Press. A special 10th Anniversary Edition of book one in the series, Grand Canyon Sacrifice, featuring a foreword by Anne Hillerman, will be released March 25, 2025. Death Valley Duel, book nine in the series, was released in June 2024. Scott's critically acclaimed mysteries feature archaeologist Chuck Bender and his family as they encounter villainous intrigue in America's iconic western national parks, illuminating environmental and social justice issues specific to the parks along the way. Upon its debut, William Kent Krueger praised Grand Canyon Sacrifice as “engrossing…a topnotch read,” and Nina de Gramont called Death Valley Duel “a taut, smart, and propulsive thriller.” Scott is an avid outdoors person and advocate for public lands who lives with his wife, an emergency physician, in Durango, Colorado. In addition to his mysteries, Scott is the author of five nonfiction books. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, radio disk jockey, city councilor, and coal-shoveling fireman on the steam-powered Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  More: scottfranklingraham.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Celina Thompson is basically a vampire. She is a disabled author with multiple invisible illnesses which cause sunlight to be painful, require blood transfusions, and even make garlic off limits. This serves as her inspiration. Before discovering her conditions, she worked in technical theatre and continues to have a deep appreciation for the arts. She loves immersing herself in telling a powerful  story and transporting people to another world. Celina is a member of the Horror Writers Association & Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW). Currently she is the chair for the RMFW Colorado Gold Writers Conference and on the podcast we get a sneak peek at some of the improvements and key announcements about what's being planned for the conference this coming September. More about Celina: bit.ly/m/AuthorCT Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Kathryn Eastburn the editor and publisher of five-month-old Rocky Mountain Reader. She is an award-winning Colorado journalist. She co-founded the Colorado Springs Independent in the early 1990s and is the published author of two books of nonfiction. She has taught journalism at The Colorado College and creative nonfiction writing at Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Eastburn holds a BA in English from the University of Hawaii and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. When she's not writing or editing, she can be found in the garden getting dirt between her toes. More: rockymountainreader.org Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Nancy Houser-Bluhm now hails from Michigan after living in the Colorado foothills for 26 years with her husband, various pets, and many, many trees. When she retired from a full-time career as a Speech Pathologist, report writing was replaced with creative projects-novels, short stories, and inspired poems. Nancy shifted reader's thinking about the earth's soil with her debut novel, Whispers for Terra. Her second novel, The Nickel Loop released in July 2024. Nancy enjoys being carried away by a good story while given cause to ponder some aspect of our existence. More: www.nancyhouserbluhm.com   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

This time on a quick bonus episode of the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast, a chat with Sue Hinkin of Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America about the 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Virtual Con, a FREE conference for all writers being held on Saturday, Feb. 8 via Zoom. Sue Hinkin is the author of the award-winning thriller series, The Vega & Middleton Novels, featuring the investigative team of Los Angeles TV news journalist Bea Jackson and best friend, photographer Lucy Vega. BestThrillers.com called Lucy and Bea one of the top female detectives of 2023. A former Cinematography Fellow at the American Film Institute, Hinkin was a TV news photographer like her character, Lucy. Now living in Colorado, she was voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Writer of the Year. Complete details about 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Virtual Con - and to register, for free - are at rmmwa.org Schedule for Virtual Con: SCHEDULE: 10-10:55 AM CRAFT: The Power of Now The former President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, Mark Stevens is the son of two librarians. Raised in Lincoln, Massachusetts, he has worked as a reporter, as a national television news producer and in public relations.  Stevens is the author of acclaimed The Fireballer (Lake Union, 2023). He is also the author of the award-winning The Allison Coil Mystery Series including Antler Dust, Buried by the Roan, Trapline, Lake of Fire, and The Melancholy Howl. He has had short stories published by Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune, and in Denver Noir (Akashic Books, 2022).  Denver Noir went on to win the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2023. In 2016 and again in 2023, Stevens was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year. He hosts a regular podcast for that organization. Stevens also publishes reviews for the New York Journal of Books, Four Corners Free Press, and on his review website.  He lives in Mancos, Colorado. Learn more at www.writermarkstevens.com 11-11:55 AM Book Marketing Strategies: What Publishers and Authors Say What Works NowBestThrillers.com founder Bella Wright and Staff How are publishers, writers and publicists marketing their books right now? What are the most valuable formats, services and channels? To find out, we reached out to hundreds of authors, publishers and publicists involved in creating and promoting mystery and thriller books. There are quite a few surprises in our BestThrillers.com Book Marketing Survey. You'll earn about what we found. See more at www.BestThrillers.com LUNCH BREAK 1-1:55PM CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: THE LATEST IN FORENSIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DP Lyle, MD, is the Amazon #1 Bestselling; Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winning; and Edgar (2), Shamus, Agatha, Anthony, Scribe, Silver Falchion, USA Today Best Book Award (2), and Foreward INDIES Book of the Year nominated author of 25 books, both non-fiction and fiction, including the SAMANTHA CODY, DUB WALKER, JAKE LONGLY, and CAIN/HARPER thriller series, and the ROYAL PAINS media tie-in novels. His forensic science books (FORENSICS FOR DUMMIES, HOWDUNNIT:FORENSICS) and his very popular Q& A Series (MURDER AND MAYHEM, FORENSICS AND FICTION, MORE FORENSICS AND FICTION) are published worldwide. See more at www.dplylemd.com 2-2:55PM Writers LIFE: Anne Hillerman New York Times best-selling author Anne Hillerman's debut novel, Spider Woman's Daughter, received the Western Writers Spur Award as best first novel.That book and the six novels that followed were all New York Times best sellers. Her ninth mystery, Lost Birds was launched April 23, 2024 and the tenth book in the series is due for release in 2025. Her mysteries continue the Navajo detective stories her father Tony Hillerman made popular. Anne has also been involved in script development for the AMC TV show, Dark Winds, featuring Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito. When she's not working, Anne likes to read, cook, ski and travel. She lives in Santa Fe and Tucson with frequent trips to the Navajo Nation. Learn more at www.annehillerman.com   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Rachel Delaney Craft is a travel writer by day and storyteller by night. Her work has appeared in publications such as Cricket, Uncharted, and Cast of Wonders, and she co-edited the anthology Wild: Uncivilized Tales from Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Her most recent novel won the Colorado Gold Rush Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Searchlight Writing for Children Award and Voyage YA First Chapter Contest. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a succulent collection that is slowly taking over her house. Learn more about her at racheldelaneycraft.com, or connect with her on X and Bluesky @RDCwrites.   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Bryan Canter is an author, independent publishing consultant, and retired Army officer with overseas tours in Iraq, Korea, and Okinawa. Bryan helps authors navigate the complex world of independent publishing as a book and audiobook publishing consultant for My Word Publishing out of Denver. Additionally, he is an Amazon Ads specialist with the Successful Writer Marketplace.  As an international speaker and educator, Bryan has addressed large groups and conducted training seminars in venues across the USA, Nicaragua, India, Scotland, the Middle East, and Japan. Bryan lives full-time in a motorhome with his wife, Dawn, visiting historic sites and enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the United States. This time on the podcast, Bryan takes on a deep dive for authors on the best way to run advertising campaigns on Amazon   https://www.mywordpublishing.com/   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/   Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

This time on the podcast, I'm joined by my two co-editors on a brand new anthology called Four Corners Voices - Stories, Poetry, Essays. The collection is a production of the new nonprofit Four Corners Writers, an organization based in Cortez. The volume includes 24 poems, 13 essays, and 12 short stories that were selected following a submission process in the Summer of 2024.  Chuck Greaves edited the short stories, Lisa C. Taylor edited the poetry, and I had the chance to edit the essays. Chuck and Lisa each introduce themselves on the podcast, but please visit chuckgreaves.com and lisactaylor.com.  The anthology is available wherever books are sold, but also feel free to visit fourcornerswriters.com and click on the anthology tab. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Living just west of the Continental Divide, in the traditional homeland of Shoshone and Bannock peoples, sid sibo has won the Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award, and has work selected for the Best Small Fictions 2022 anthology, along with excerpts highlighted in the craft book Reader Centered Writing. Bison Books published a debut novel, The Scent of Distant Family, in 2024. Published stories can be found in the charity anthology Maine Character Energy, honoring victims of the 2023 mass shooting in Maine, as well as Fourth River (Tributaries), The Hopper, Orca, The Literary Hatchet, Cutthroat, Cardinal Sins and Brilliant Flash Fiction, among others. Positive news about people and planet can be found on the Acoustic Burro blog at sidsibo.com.   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Ann Lowry, Ph.D. is an author and expert in human interaction. Her debut novel, The Blue Trunk, was inspired by the discovery of a family heirloom—a travel trunk from Norway. Ann's writing dives deep into the complexities of relationships, conflict, and the human condition. Reviewers have noted that she provides sharp social commentary in her writing. She has made significant contributions to academic journals, authored insightful opinion pieces, and crafted content for various platforms, including Writer's Digest, Women's Writers/Women's Fiction, and Girl Talk HQ. She's also appeared on several podcasts and has been interviewed on television and radio discussing genealogy research and the treatment of mentally ill patients in the early 1900's. When not writing, Ann enjoys a range of activities, from swimming and golfing to baking cookies and bread. She treasures moments with her therapy dog, Loki, and cherishes time with her family. She is always eager to explore new adventures in life and storytelling. Ann lives in Timnath, Colorado. More: www.annlowry.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Elizabeth Devecchi spent her formative years in Rhode Island, setting out after high school to travel and gather degrees. She writes in a variety of genres and styles, but lately has focused on horror. Her debut horror novel, A Whisper in the Dark, was released by Wicked House Publishing in October, 2024. Other recent releases include: “Oh, Brother,” found in Volume II of Black Spot Books's annual women in horror poetry showcase, Under Her Eye (November 2023); a recipe accompanied by a flash fiction story in Nightmare Fueled Inc's anthology Cooks of Horror (August 2024); and horror poem “In the Belly of the Mills,” which appears in the anthology Monsters in the Mills, launched at NecromoniCon in Providence, RI (August 2024). Upcoming releases include: “A Corporate Family,” a tech-gone-wrong horror short which will appear in Rabid Otter Horror's anthology Error Code this November; short horror story “Open House,” to appear in a Running Wild Press anthology in 2025; and debut thriller/suspense novel, A Twist of the Lens, to be published by Wicked House Publishing in 2025. Elizabeth is a member of the Horror Writer's Association, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Castle Rock Writers, and the Italian American Writers Association. She currently resides in Parker, Colorado with her husband, children, and an ever-changing menagerie of pets and “guest creatures.”  For more info: elizabethdevecchi.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com

Jason always wanted to be a writer, he just didn't know it. He grew up in Southern California and taught high school social studies after college until he got married and moved to Denver in 2004. He continued in education and earned an MA in History, until he realized his heart was in fiction. Since 2012 Jason has had over a dozen short stories and essays published, ran an online magazine, and became a regular panelist at local conventions. He blogs regularly on his own website and newsletter. The Whimsycon Anthology was published March 2nd, 2018, giving Jason his first editorial credit. His debut novel, The Gallowglass, was published in July of 2019 Jason's latest novel, The Righteous and The Damned, is being published this month. More: https://jasonhenryevans.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Over a 30-year Air Force career, author Cam Torrens delivered combat supplies and personnel across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He piloted the first mobility aircraft into Iraq during the Iraq War, served as the United States Air Attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing, China, and spent four years as the Professor of Aerospace Studies at Virginia Tech. Cam is proud graduate of the Class of 1984 at Montesano High School. A father of six, Cam and his spouse live in Buena Vista, Colorado where he serves as the Vice President of the Central Colorado Writers, volunteers with the Chaffee County Search & Rescue team, and chairs the board for the Buena Vista Public Library. He's admittedly weird—he likes to count things, like consecutive days running, books read, hiking miles, tennis/pickleball/ping pong matches, jacuzzi use, and so on. Cam will release a prequel to his Tyler Zahn Series, Damaged, in February 2025.   More: https://camtorrens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Kevin Wolf is an award-winning Mystery and Western author. His books include Trailridge (2024), The Homeplace, winner of the 2015 Tony Hillerman Prize and the 2016 Strand Critics Award finalist for Best Debut Mystery. His short story "Belthanger" received the 2021 Spur Award for Best Short Fiction and his novel, The Bootheel was a 2024 Peacemaker Award finalist. The legends and landscape of the West are evident in everything he writes. His newest novel, Trailridge, is set against the grandeur of Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood. Those who have chosen the national park for their once-in-a-lifetime destination will recognize the mountains, valleys, rivers, and the twists and turns of Trailridge as this story races to its climax.    More: https://kevinwolfstoryteller.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216  

Cynthia Swanson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the psychological suspense novels The Bookseller, The Glass Forest, and Anyone But Her. Cynthia is also the editor of the Colorado Book Award winning anthology Denver Noir. She lives with her family in Denver. Find Cynthia online at www.cynthiaswansonauthor.com and follow her on Facebook (Cynthia Swanson, Author), Instagram (cynswanauthor), and Threads (cynswanauthor). Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com 

David R. Slayton (He/Him) grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. Now he lives in Denver and writes the books he always wanted to read. His debut, White Trash Warlock, was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. In 2015, David founded Trick or Read, an initiative to give out books along with candy to children on Halloween as well as uplift lesser-known authors or those from marginalized backgrounds. His latest release is Dark Moon, Shallow Sea, an epic fantasy, won the 2024 Colorado Book Award.  His latest book, due out in October and the start of another new series, is called Rogue Community College.  Find him online at www.DavidRSlayton.com.   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Jill Lynn is a two-time ACFW - that's American Christian Fiction Writers - Carol Award winning author of inspirational romance for Harlequin Love Inspired and a co-author of the Selah Award winning nonfiction book of the year Just Show Up. She lives near the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband and two teenage children. Jill's latest book, just out, is The Summer of Keeping Secrets. More at https://www.jill-lynn.com/    Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216   Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/   Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

This time on the podcast we talk with writer Kirk Rafferty about his experiences in the querying trenches as he looks to find an agent for his novel, The Cosmonaut and The Fisherman. Kirk Rafferty is a native Coloradan who has lived in many places worldwide but has always managed to return home. Kirk writes historical fiction and fantasy and is still looking for his first breakout novel. A former US Navy Cryptologist, Kirk loves reading and writing about Cold War-era intrigue, technology, and a wide variety of nerdy topics from dragons to starships. Kirk is a husband to a wonderful wife and father to four fantastic children. Validation from strangers on the internet is crucial to his mental health. You can connect with Kirk at http://kirkrafferty.com. Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216 Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

This year at Colorado Gold in September, you can sign up for a special mentor session with one of nine mentors who will take time to work with you one-on-one and discuss any topic about writing and publishing under the sun. Well, there were originally nine mentors, but one mentor's schedule is already full. The appointments cost only $40. You can schedule the mentor session as you register, but if you've already done so you can contact conference@rmfw.org and set it up. These are 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” appointments.   So, this time on the podcast - four of those mentors. Peggy Waide, Susan Brooks, Nick Thacker, and Kendra Griffin. Peggy Waide is an Amazon Best selling author of Regency romances and romantic suspense. A RMFW member since 1995, she has served as Vice-President, PAL Rep and she's run the Colorado Gold Conference twice. Peggy has worked with two excellent editors, had both a great and not-so-great agent, and participates in a long-time multi-genre critique group of eight authors that are traditionally and self-published. Peggy loves teaching craft and helping authors find their path. Since she's seen the industry change dramatically over the years, she has a wealth of knowledge to help authors with their writing career. kendragriffin.com Susan Brooks is Editor-in-Chief at Literary Wanderlust, a small traditional publisher in Denver. She has many years of editorial experience and a master's degree in publishing from George Washington University. She was on the board of directors for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and played many roles from 2009 to 2019. She has a passion for helping authors create great books. More at https://www.literarywanderlust.com/. Nick Thacker is USA Today Bestselling Author, with over 40 thrillers published. Nick owns and operates Conundrum Publishing, Book Career In A Year, and runs the write/repeat workshops and writing intensives. In addition, Nick has built businesses for authors: Author.Email, the only email marketing platform for authors, and RadioWrite.com, the 24/7 writing inspiration radio platform. Nick is also currently the VP of Author Success with Draft2Digital, focusing on getting authors to the next level.  More at https://www.nickthacker.com/ Kendra Griffin is an indie author, teacher, 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 (and reading) about quirky misfits, social inequality, and diverse ensemble casts. She recently published two novels in her dystopian young adult series: The Pox Ward and Apocalypse Thoughts. Kendra does developmental editing for Status Quill, and you can learn more about her at kendragriffin.com. Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216 Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

This time on the podcast, a chat with Kate Jonuska and Connie Conolly-Bauldree, the co-chairs of the Colorado Gold conference coming right up at the end of September.  To be precise, Sept. 27 through Sept. 28.  As this year proves yet again, this a conference for writers that is always finding new approaches, new means of accessing the material.  From the “one-day” pass to hybrid access to mentoring sessions and agent pitch appointments, this year's Colorado Gold is guaranteed to be a winner.    Full of dark humor and deep characters, Kate Jonuska's short fiction was nominated for a 2015 Pushcart Prize (“Desire Designed,” BROAD Magazine), and her first novel, Transference, was a Denver Post Staff Pick. She's also the author of the Dictionary of Fiction Critique, edits and publishes anthologies, and serves as Conference Chair on the Board of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Find out more at www.katejonuska.com. Connie Connolly-Bauldree is a versatile author who delves into both fiction and non-fiction, employing a range of pen names and exploring various genres. She boasts a portfolio of self-published works and has previously been published by 5 Prince Publishing under the pseudonym Emersyn Kane. Beyond her literary pursuits, Connie is the Founder and Owner of Author by Design, known for the Builder Series and the Writer's Block Box. She also plays an integral role in the RMFW community as the Conference Co-Chair. In addition to her professional endeavors, Connie finds fulfillment as a stay-at-home mom. More: baulconnpublishing.com Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216 Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

This time on the podcast, a check-in with the two writers who will be offering social media check-ups at the Colorado Gold conference (Sept. 27 - 29) in Denver. Bestselling author 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. To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/. Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his love for fun and fantastical stories. His short works have been published in magazines, literary journals, newspapers, and books. He went to college for a very long time and has far 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 before pursuing creative endeavors full-time. Visit zsdiamanti.com Connect on social media @zsdiamanti To sign up for a social media check-up at Colorado Gold, register for the conference at www.rmfw.org and review your options for add-on opportunities. Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216 Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

October K Santerelli is a fantasy author from Denver, Colorado. His works include City of Day, book one in the Nightfall series, and The Book of the Witch's Son. He works as a sensitivity editor for LGBTQ+ and disability content. Beyond his writing, October spends his time as an advocate for disabled, neurodivergent, and queer persons with the Colorado government. For more information, please visit octoberksanterelli.com. Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216   Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/   Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Bethany Turner is a seasoned author who works with a major publishing house, but she's made the decision to look for an agent now — and not finding the process all that easy. On this episode of the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast, she explains her decision and also talks about her brand new book, just out this week, Cole and Laila Are Just Friends - A Love Story. Bethany has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany writes pop culture–infused rom-coms for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case, and they are now the proud parents of two grown sons. Connect with her across social media @seebethanywrite, where she clings to the eternal dream that John Stamos will someday send her a friend request. More: https://seebethanywrite.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216 Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Scott Graham is the author of the National Park Mystery Series, featuring archaeologist Chuck Bender, paramedic Janelle Ortega, and their daughters Carmelita and Rosie. The series is published by Torrey House Press. Release date for Death Valley Duel, book nine in the series, is June 2024. In addition to his mysteries, Scott is the author of five nonfiction books, including Extreme Kids, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award. Scott is an avid outdoors person and advocate for public lands who lives with his wife, an emergency physician, in Durango, Colorado. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, radio disk jockey, city councilor, and coal-shoveling fireman on the steam-powered Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  On the podcast, we talk about his latest entry in the National Park Mystery Series and we discuss what writers need to plan out a series that will run for a long time.   More about Scott: https://scottfranklingraham.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Intro by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/   Outro by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

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, she loves helping writers improve their craft and learn about the ever-changing world of publishing. On Saturday, June 22 Angie is leading a day-long RMFW education event called “MFA in One Day” at the Hyatt-Regency Aurora Denver. Complete details at rmfw.org - look under events.     https://nelsonagency.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com    Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Angela Sylvaine is a self-proclaimed cheerful goth who writes speculative fiction and poetry. Her debut novel, Frost Bite, a ‘90s sci-fi horror comedy, is available now, and her debut short story collection, The Dead Spot: Stories of Lost Girls is forthcoming. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in or on over fifty anthologies, magazines, and podcasts, including Southwest Review, Apex, and The NoSleep Podcast. She lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her sweetheart and three creepy cats. You can find her online angelasylvaine.com. Thanks to Kirk Rafferty for the new podcast graphic! Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com    Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/  

Tom Farrell has worked as a golf course starter, a chemist and clerked at City Hall in Chicago while attending law school. He is the author of The Wager Series, a mystery-thriller series set in the world of sports betting, horse racing and poker. The series includes Wager Tough, WagerEasy, and Wager Smart. Wager Tough was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Indie Books of 2021 and one of the Best Indie Mystery Thrillers of 2021. Wager Smart was an Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews and was chosen as a Finalist by Indies Today for their book award. Each book in the series received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Tom has served as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and was a 2021 finalist for RMFW's Independent Writer of the Year. This year, he is one of three finalists for the 2024 Writer of the Year award. Now retired from practicing law when he's not handicapping, he can be found at the local RMFW critique group meeting or on the golf course.  On the podcast, Tom also talks about a Master Class he is teaching at Colorado Gold in September about audiobook production.  Visit Tom at www.tomfarrellbooks.com Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Previous podcast with 2024 Writer of the Year Finalist Z.S. Diamanti: https://youtu.be/gWCtLb_vBvI?si=Qd_bvJdxQn4Dzs4Q Previous podcast with 2024 Writer of the Year Finalist Tasha Christensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7LP90anSfk&t=4s Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his love for fun and fantastical stories. His short works have been published in magazines, literary journals, newspapers, and books. He went to college for a very long time and has far 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 before pursuing creative endeavors full-time. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes, camping, and tabletop games. You can get a free series of his stories at zsdiamanti.com Connect on social media @zsdiamanti Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com  Previous podcast with 2024 Writer of the Year Finalist Tasha Christensen: https://five.libsyn.com/show/episodes/view/30899063  YouTube version of Tasha Christensen interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7LP90anSfk&t=4s A future podcast will feature an interview with the third 2024 Writer of the Year finalist, Tom Farrell. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs:

Tasha Christensen believes the best love stories are found in the geekiest places. When not composing tuba closet make-out scenes, she enjoys playing volleyball, getting way too competitive about board games, and exploring the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Tasha lives with her husband, daughters, and an overly affectionate dog named after her favorite Stranger Things character. Tasha's Itaska High book series chronicles the romantic shenanigans of a high school marching band in Minnesota. On the podcast, Tasha talks about recently being named a finalist as the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year and about a short story she will publish as part of the upcoming RMFW short story anthology, WITHOUT BRAKES, FINGERS CROSSED.  Oh, and Tasha drops some personal news that is a bit of a headline all on its own.   By the way, upcoming podcasts will include interviews with the other two Writer of the Year finalists, Tom Farrell and Zac Diamanit. More about Tasha: www.tashachristensen.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Ryanne Glenn began writing as a way to battle depression and continued because she believed she had a story to share. An avid reader herself, Ryanne wanted the chance to add to the bookshelves of young adults everywhere. She is currently signed with Atthis Arts LLC to publish her first young adult fantasy trilogy. Ryanne Glenn is a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver, CO, where she works as an image analyst for a bioscience company. She has a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She loves to golf, though after playing for twelve years, her handicap should be much lower than it is. Between writing and work, she often visits her hometown of Fruita, Colorado, to spend time with her family and dogs, Coco, Pebbles, and Captain Carl. Ryanne's recent writing news is her story There Will Always Be Peaches is being included in the upcoming RMFW short story anthology, Without Brakes, Fingers Crossed. On the podcast, Ryanne talks about coming back from a long creative burnout after publishing her trilogy.  More about Ryanne Glenn: https://ryanneglenn.com/about/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Justin Weaver, who writes as J. Warren Weaver. is the author of the award winning, international bestselling Shadow of a Spy Trilogy. He lives in small town Colorado, where he enjoys the bountiful great outdoors with his wife, daughter, and three dogs. When his infant child isn't demanding his complete and undivided attention, he writes page-turning thrillers with thought-provoking mysteries. The third volume in Justin's trilogy, Solace for the Forgotten, comes out in April and he's got his first short story being published in RMFW's upcoming anthology, Without Brakes, Fingers Crossed. Also on the podcast, we chat about a book fair Justin is putting together in May in his hometown of Fruita. More about J. Warren Weaver: https://www.jwarrenweaver.com/  Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/    

How do you shift easily among writing a variety of genres? Aimie K. Runyan knows a few things about that, especially with the release of her debut women's fiction this month after writing a variety of historical fiction novels. Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history's unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors' Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond.  Aimie lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable kitties, and a dragon. Aimie's contemporary Women's Fiction debut, The Memory of Lavender and Sage, just released this month. More about Aimie: https://aimiekrunyan.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/    

This time on the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast, we get to know the folks behind the Writers Who Read podcast — Gary McBride, Mira Landry, and Whitney Pinion. ++ Gary McBride founded the Writers Who Read novel study group back in August of 2018. After meeting at the Boulder Book Store, the group moved to the Boulder Public Library in 2019 after its adoption as part of the Boulder Writers Alliance. Gary McBride lives just outside of Boulder with his wife Deb and their cats Wallace and Vincenzo. A fourth-generation Denverite, Gary has visited over 70 countries, worked in more than 50 of them, and lived for over a decade in Europe and Southeast Asia. Gary has written a reference guide for Writers Who Read, entitled Literary Forensics, which will be published in 2024. ++ Born and raised in British Columbia, Mira Landry now resides in Colorado with her husband. She has a Creative Writing Certificate from Simon Fraser University, and works both as an associate literary agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency and as a wedding and portrait photographer. She serves on the board of directors for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and when not writing, she can be found frolicking on the high peaks of the Rockies or knitting sweaters that likely won't fit anyone properly. ++ Whitney Pinion fell in love with books when her parents gave her a set of mystery-adventure stories in which she and her cousins and friends were the main characters. She wrote poetry as a kid—and in college—where she studied literature and earned a BA in English. After working her way up from editorial assistant to magazine editor at a publishing company in Washington, DC, she and her husband moved to the Bay Area, where she further honed her writing and editing skills at a San Francisco PR firm. The drive to write more meaningful stories led her back to school, where she earned a Master's in English and Creative Writing.  Whitney has written a collection of short stories and is working on a novel. When she isn't reading or writing, she's hiking with her family in the stunning Colorado mountains, trying out new recipes (like cocktails for the next Writers Who Read podcast), and traveling. She lives with her husband and son in Boulder. More about the Writers Who Read podcast: https://garyalanmcbride.com/writers-who-read/   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/  

Linda (L.V.) Ditchkus has written her whole life. But until eight years ago, her writing was either technical, scholarly, or in travel magazines. In 2015, she jumped into novel writing with both feet. After drafting her first chapter, which only amounted to a few hundred words, she realized she had plenty to learn. So she found a network of writing friends—many through RMFW—who gave her writing tips and pointed her toward writing resources like how-to books and classes. She's grateful for her fantastic writing pals. Being a judge for the 2022 Self Published Science Fiction Competition and a 2023 youth writing competition has deepened her understanding of what makes books and stories stand out. Since her Sasquatch Series won First Place in the Colorado Authors League 2021 Book Awards for Sci-Fi and her short story was included in the last RMFW's anthology (Bizarre Bazaar), Linda plans to stop calling herself a debut author. In addition to marketing the Sasquatch Series, she's recently released the first book in her new series about two time-traveling women from the distant future working desperately to repopulate the world with men.Terrorist factions, a nefarious artificial intelligence, and their own government fight against them. While they struggle to save the unborn babies, the laws of time and space have their own imperatives, and saving everyone they love may be beyond their reach. When Linda's not writing, she leads adventure travel trips for the Colorado Mountain Club and travels with her husband. She's been to more than 100 countries and hiked or climbed in many of those. Linda and her husband live selfish lives (without plants or pets) above 7,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. ++ Paul Martz has been writing science fiction short stories for five years, though his love for sci fi began decades earlier. When he was six, he saw 2001: A Space Odyssey on the big screen, which lead him to a collection of Arthur C. Clarke's short stories--and a lifelong insatiable appetite for mind-bending sci fi.  But his hobbies and interests extend far beyond the science fiction galaxy. He has authored books on programming and holds a data encryption patent. Like all true nerds, he runs his own web server. He recently learned to read braille and can solve a tactile Rubik's Cube. He has traveled the world to view multiple total solar eclipses. He has a life-long interest in music. He has ripped his entire vinyl collection to MP3, recorded his own original digital compositions, and played drums since childhood. Currently, he's teaching himself to play piano. Paul has been published in Uncharted Magazine. He lives in Erie Colorado with his wife and loyal cat. Short stories included in FINGERS CROSSED, NO BRAKES: Where the River Ends by J. Warren Weaver Beyond Carbon by Rachel Delaney Craft The Tamarisk Hunter  by Paolo Bacigalupi Our Sprinkler System by Lesley L. Smith Rightsizing by Jeff Jaskot Attack of the Third Planet by Collin Irish Iphus by Laurel McHargue Visited by a Crane by Rick Ginsberg Sticka by Natasha Watts The Cistern by Mark Stevens Stokes the Happy by Cepa Onion We'll Always Have Peaches by Ryanne Glenn A Blip in Time by Pat Stoltey   More about Paul Martz: https://paulmartz.com/blog/  More about Linda Ditchkus: https://www.lvditchkus.com/ Drum sound by Holy Ghost Party: https://freesound.org/people/HolyGhostParty/sounds/71133/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

After nearly two decades of interaction with authors, musicians, and dignitaries in the arenas of publishing, international media, large-scale events, and agricultural endeavors, Terrie founded AKA (Also Known As) Literary Management (AKALM) in 2009. As a full member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), she received the Agent of the Year Award in 2021 from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), was named a “Top 20 of 2020 Agent” by Writer's Digest and has sold rights in over forty countries and thirty languages.    More at https://akalm.net/  Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Bowen Gillings writes to bring fun back to fiction. His latest novel, EXCEPTIONALS was released in 2023 while his short works have been published in anthologies and periodicals. He's been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and YouTube channels. His quirky, offbeat tales are lauded as "perfect," "charming,” and "fun," with writing that "boggles the genre mind." Bowen facilitates a variety of writing workshops and is an active member of Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, and the Author's Guild. He holds a Master of Education, five martial arts black belt certifications, and is an Army veteran. Travel enthusiast, outdoors lover, and RPG nerd, he also enjoys cooking big meals for family and friends. Find out more at storiesbybowen.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Dani Coleman is a four-time finalist in RMFW's Colorado Gold novel contest. She works as a scientific computer programmer, karate instructor and parent and has many hobbies that attempt to steal time from her writing. She is also co-chair of the Workshop Selection Committee for the Colorado Gold conference and this time on the podcast we run down all the details about workshop proposals and the submission process, which closes on February 29.  To submit a workshop proposal, visit: https://rmfw.org/conference-proposal-guidelines/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Linda Keir is the pen name of Linda Joffe Hull and Keir Graff. Their previous titles include The Swing of Things, The Three Mrs. Wrights, and Drowning with Others. Independently, they have published over a dozen novels. You can find them on X @LindaeJH and @KeirGraff. Their latest collaboration, due out on January 30 from Blackstone Publishing, is The Royal Game.   For more information: www.LindaJoffeHull.com www.KeirGraff.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com  

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado where there is far less humidity, but not nearly enough BBQ.  DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press. More: https://kerriefayebooks.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/