From the Editor: What’s the Big Deal About PPWC?

If you’ve been reading this blog, checking out the Pikes Peak Writers web site, or following conversations on the PPW Yahoo! discussion loop, you’ve undoubtedly noticed all the chatter about the upcoming Pikes Peak Writers Conference. And if you’ve never been to PPWC, you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal?”

One of last year’s PPWC attendees, Deb Nottingham, said it was the most fun she’d had in many years. “It was fabulous! I feel like I’ve had somewhat of a college education in the last four days.”

New York Times best-selling author and multiple Edgar Award winner John Hart has this to say about PPWC:

"Pikes Peak is hands down one of the best writers conferences going today. Beautifully organized and flawlessly run, my two days there were outstanding. Great people, great mountains. What else does a writer need?"

If those testimonials aren’t enough, consider these points:

• This year’s conference (April 20-22, 2012) marks the 20^th anniversary of PPWC – which is a big deal in itself! Check out the conference brochure here and see how PPW is celebrating this milestone.
• If you live in the Pikes Peak region, PPWC is right in your back yard. How many other writers conferences are less than a 30-minute drive from your house?
• In this tough economy, PPWC is easier on the budget than many other conferences of its caliber. Check out Grant McKenzie’s cost comparison here.

I attended my first PPWC back in 2004 as a novice writer with very little knowledge about what it takes to write a novel, or how to navigate the bewildering seas of the publishing industry. I left with more knowledge than I’d ever hoped, some new friends, and a slew of motivation to finish my first novel. Every conference since then has only helped to improve my writing and expand my knowledge base.

So from one writer to another, if you can make this conference, do so. It’s worth every penny.

Robin Widmar

Managing Editor, Writing from the Peak