May News & Events

Compiled by Shannon Lawrence


PPW Events
Note: More information can be found on each of the below events on our Events tab, above.

The May Write Brain will be Discovering the Power of Your Unique Voice, presented by Barbara Samuel. Voice is one of the most misunderstood aspects in all of writing--and possibly the most powerful. By working with hands-on, interactive exercises, Barbara Samuel will help you explore the many aspects that create a writer's unique fingerprint--and ways to fit that voice into the marketplace. Tuesday, May 20, 6:30-8:30 PM. Penrose Library, Carnegie Room.  

Sign-up is now open for the June 7th half-day workshop, Writing a Fiction Synopsis That Sells, presented by Pam McCutcheon. 1-5 PM, Space Foundation. Cost is $25. Every writer must know how to write a strong synopsis–a good one can get your piece in front of the right set of eyes; a bad one can get it rejected without a read-through. Pam McCutcheon, author of Writing the Fiction Synopsis, will  teach you how to break your synopsis down into manageable pieces by looking at the vital elements of a synopsis one-by-one. Classroom instruction, plus one-on-one feedback and hands on activities will make this an interactive workshop. You’ll leave with a rough structure for your synopsis that you can refine from there. Space is limited to allow for personal feedback. GO HERE TO REGISTER.

Open Critique is Wednesday, May 21, 6-8:30 PM, at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. Get the first 8 pages of your manuscript critiqued. RSVP required for those wanting a critique. 

Writer's Night is Monday, May 26, 6:30-8:30 PM, at Ivywild. Open forum. Come discuss whatever writerly topics you'd like. Food and drinks available for purchase at the venue. 

Other "Local" Events

Delve Writing is holding an online workshop entitled I Got a Send It! Now what? Chris Mandeville will be teaching this course. Price is $49, discounted to $35 for PPW members. 9:30 AM to noon, MT. It is online only and live. 

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers monthly free programming will be Social Media & Marketing Domination: A Writer's Guide to Social Media, Branding & Guerrilla Marketing in the Digital Age, presented by Julie Kazimer. May 10, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Check their page for three other classes being held this month. Their Colorado Gold Writing Contest is now open, with a deadline of June 1 and registration for their conference is now open.

Colorado Springs Fiction Writers has various meetings throughout at the month at different locations. Visitors are welcome. 

The Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America will host Q&A With David Keil, a Veteran Detective. Thursday, May 8. Doors open at 6:30 PM. $25 for non-members, dinner and program included in price.

Pikes Peak Pen Women will present Create Students Who Soar Higher Through Poetry, presented by Nancy Jurka, Virginia Franklin Campbell, and Diana Alishouse, May 17, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Location will be given upon RSVP. $23 for non-members, lunch and program included in the cost. RSVP required.

Springs Writers will be presenting How to Power Edit Your Manuscript Mini-Bootcamp, with speaker Scoti Springfield Domeij, Saturday, May 10, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PM, at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Cost is $15. They will also hold a free workshop Tuesday, May 27, entitled Memoir, Essay, and Personal Experience: How Real Life Stories Can Power Your Writing, by Liz Duckworth. Check website for more details.

Arapahoe Community College holds various writing events. Check their website for upcoming events.

If there is a local writer's group you'd like to see included in this listing, please feel free to let me know in the comments!

About the Author: Shannon Lawrence enjoys writing mainly urban fantasy and horror, examining the darker side of life. Her flash fiction piece, “The Family Ruins,” is included in the anthology Sunday Snaps: The Stories, andBeyond the Binding, an anthology including her piece, "Spes et Libertas," was just released in e-book only. While her main focus is fantasy and horror, she is working on a Young Adult fantasy novel and also enjoys photographing Colorado scenery, wildlife, and her children. She is also the NCE Director for Pikes Peak Writers, and the managing editor of Writing From the Peak. You can find her atwww.thewarriormuse.com and on Twitter as @thewarriormuse.