August News and Events

Compiled by Debi Archibald

(Please visit the EVENTS tab on both the Writing from the Peak Blog and pikespeakwriters.com for more detailed information.)

August Write Brain is Tuesday, August 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Carnegie Room of the Penrose Library (20 North Cascade Avenue). The topic this month is Query 101: Creating Eye-Catching Queries with presenter Brandy Vallance. Knowing how to craft a strong query letter may be the only thing that frees your manuscript from the slush pile.

Brandy Vallance is a graduate of Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprenticeship, has had fifty articles published in various magazines and newspapers, and was on staff with a magazine focusing on the Victorian time period. She’s a member of the Christian Writers Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Pikes Peak Writers, and has won several writing awards, including the 2013 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest. In addition to attending many CBA and ABA writing conferences across the country, Brandy has taught a variety of workshops and been the main speaker at ladies retreats.


Open Critique is Wednesday, August 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts (426 East Colorado Avenue). Get the first 8 pages of your manuscript critiqued. First 8 to RSVP to pikespeakopencritique@hotmail.com.  NOTE: Donnell Bell is the new facilitator for Open Critique beginning this month.

PPW Writer's Night at Ivywild is Monday, August 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Principal's Office at Ivywild (1604 South Cascade).

The Zebulon Contest:  This contest will open up in September with the winners being recognized at the 2015 Pikes Peak Writers Conference.  Watch the Events tabs on both the Blog and pikespeakwriters.com for upcoming details. 

Other Community Writing Events:

Visiting Writer Series

The Colorado College Visiting Writer Series season is starting up. The series is sponsored by the Colorado College English Department with the Support of the Maclean Visiting Writers Endowment. All Events Free and Open to the Public. For more information call (719) 389-6853 or check out the 2013/2014 Calendar:
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/academics/dept/english/visiting-writer-series/

Colorado Springs Book Group Round-Up   (Free Event)
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
LIBRARY 21C
1175 Chapel Hills Drive
(Chapel Hills and Jamboree)
6:00 p.m.: Refreshments and self-guided tour of Library 21C
7:00 pm.:  Panel discussion
Please enter by the east door facing Chapel Hills Drive and come to the Program Room.
Want to add a new voice to your next book group?  Connect with a nationally known author? Contact a Colorado author to attend your next book group?  This event can show you how, provide contacts and lists of willing authors who would love to share their writing experience and inspiration.