Tag Archives: NCW

Northern Colorado Writing News

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Registration for the 12th Annual Northern Colorado Writers Conference is January 9, and I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s lineup. This time last year, when I took over directorship of NCW, the only thing we had done for the 2016 conference, was a secured venue. About six weeks later, we had most of our faculty set, but I was minus a few brain cells. I was so jazzed about the 2017 conference, that I got to work early on it and once again, we have a stellar conference on our hands. It also allowed me plenty of time to continually annoy Chuck Wendig, until he finally agreed to be a presenter and our keynote speaker. Now, I only annoy him once in a while.

This year, attendees will have more opportunities to get their work in front of literary agents and editors because not only do we have twice as many industry professionals as last year, we’re offering a critique session in addition to pitches. I’m still working on a lot of details, but you can view the SCHEDULE and check out our FAQs page. We would love to have you join us!

Also, there are a few new classes NCW is offering in February. Chuck Barrett, a bestselling, self-publishing extraordinaire, will be spilling all his marketing secrets on February 7. Chuck gave an abbreviated version of this class at last year’s conference to a packed room of attendees. It was one of the highest rated sessions last year.

Yours truly will be offering a class on how to publish your family history or memoir on February 12. Publishing options can be confusing and intimidating for writers, so for those who aren’t writers, but want to leave their legacy, or that of a loved one, the process can be daunting. That’s where I plan to blow the cover off this whole writing thing and show it’s not that hard after all. (Well, you know, sort of.)

Rachel Weaver will be teaching Get Your Opening Chapters Submission Ready  (perfect if you’re ready to query or pitch to an agent) on February 26. This is a 3-hour workshop that will help you polish those opening chapters when an agent or editor requests to read more.

I’ll be adding a few more classes, so check the site periodically for updates. I also want to let you know about Ultimate Pitchfest, a one-day event in Denver where writers will have the chance to pitch to 24 different literary agents via video chat. This is a great event and had a pretty darn successful inaugural event last year.

Happy writing!

My New Job

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Northern Colorado Writers

I’m thrilled to announce that I am the new benevolent overlord of Northern Colorado Writers. Kerrie Flanagan started the organization in 2006 to help support and encourage writers of all levels and genres and I’m looking forward to continuing that mission. 

NCW offers classes, workshops, meetings, retreats, and an annual conference, so I have my work cut out for me. Luckily, I have some great folks behind the curtain who help me run this amazing organization. 

SAVE THE DATE: April 22-23, 2016 marks the 11th annual NCW Conference. We will be bringing in an impressive list of industry professionals, so keep an eye out for that. 

I’ve got a few changes up my sleeve such as lower membership dues and a lower conference fee. There’s also some great classes and workshops in the pipeline. 

Stay tuned!

My New Writing Gig

Conferences & Retreats, Writing, , , , , ,

Northern Colorado Writers

The Writing Bug

If you’re not completely sick of me, then I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to know that I’ll be a regular contributor to the Northern Colorado Writers blog, The Writing Bug starting January 14th. I’ll be sharing Wednesdays with the talented JC Lynn. I’m excited for this new endeavor and I hope you guys can find the time to stop by and visit me, JC, and the other amazing authors at The Writing Bug. (In case you’re wondering, I’ve already been told that I have to keep my trucker mouth in check while I’m over there.)

And if you’re really not sick of me yet, you can see me with my fellow Conference Creative Team members in a trailer for the 2015 NCW Conference on March 27-28. Have you signed up yet? It’ll be a smashing good time! (Click above, not on the video pic).
NCW Conference Trailer

2014 Top of the Mountain Book Award

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TOM logo

The Top of the Mountain Book Award Contest is officially underway! This book award, given out at the Northern Colorado Writer’s annual conference in the spring, is  open to unpublished and previously published authors. Plus, the award money has been upped to $1,000! You do not need to be a member of the NCW, nor do you have to attend the conference to win (although you should really consider attending this highly-rated writer’s conference). Check out all the rules HERE and good luck!

Save the Date: April 26-27 Northern Colorado Writers Conference

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NorthernColoradoWritersConferencePoster_Small

I am so excited for this year’s NCW Writers Conference. We’ve been pretty much planning this conference since last summer—it’s gonna be good! (And not just because actor, author, and director, Andrew McCarthy is going to be our keynote speaker) . . . it doesn’t hurt though, does it? The theme, The Art of Writing, is definitely up  my alley and myself and the rest of the Conference Creative Team are hard at work. . . We’ve decoupaged canvases with book pages and have picked famous artists to inspire us. It may not look like much now, but I’m going for an Alphonse Mucha thing here . . .

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I’ll unveil this sure-to-be-a-masterpiece 😉 when it’s finished. Or burn it. We’ll see. Anyway, this conference (like the previous ones) are going to be one hell of a good time and I encourage all you writers to register and head on out to Fort Collins, CO April 26-27. Did I mention you’ll receive a copy of Andrew’s book, Longest Way Home? And get an opportunity to have him sign it? Well, you will. Looking forward to seeing you!

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Oh, and while I’m at it, I want to remind folks about the Top of the Mountain Book Award that we will be giving out at the conference. You do not have to attend the conference to win, but it’s a great opportunity to swagger your bad-ass writer self on stage and be recognized for your amazing writing talent in front of your peers, agents, and editors. Check out the link above for contest rules. Deadline is March 1. Good luck!

Top of the Mountain Book Award

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As contest coordinator, I’m thrilled to announce the Northern Colorado Writers are now accepting submissions for the 2nd annual Top of the Mountain Book Award. The contest is open to unpublished works of fiction, creative/narrative nonfiction, and nonfiction. The contest is open until march 1, 2013. Winners receive a $100 and a framed certificate, as well as recognition at the NCW Conference April 26, 2013. Get the submission guidelines HERE and good luck!

7th Annual Northern Colorado Writers Conference

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There is nothing like a writers conference to get that writing fire lit. Like any type of conference, being surrounded by like-minded people, can get you excited about learning new things, and then implementing them into your work.  This is the third NCW conference I’ve attended, and the second one I’ve helped organize. The conference is located in Fort Collins (where I live), is typically capped at 125-140 participants, and a great deal of thought goes into the details. The presenters are always top notch, and this year, we had a particularly outstanding group of faculty. They were personable, friendly, and eager to talk with participants outside of the workshops. For a good time (in the most professional sense) call Adriana Dominguez of Full Circle Literary, Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency, and Steve Metee of Quill Driver Books if you are a conference organizer.

One of the (many) highlights was our keynote speaker and NCW member, Jim Davidson, co-author of The Ledge. Have you read this book!? It’s fantastic and Jim is such a high energy, dynamic speaker.

Classes included: Writing & Publishing Your Memoir, The Difference Between Selling & Slushing, Dealing with Self-Sabotage, and The ABCs of Writing for Children, just to name a few. There were 28 different workshops and classes in all, as well as an opportunity to pitch to an agent or editor.

It’s hard to believe we’re already discussing our plans for next year’s conference, held in March. This year’s theme was Take the Road Less Traveled. To see yours truly make a fool of herself, you can see “Writer vs. Wild,” a video I co-wrote (and starred in) with my fellow Conference Creative Team member, Jenny Sundstedt.  I apologize in advance.