Diversity in Pikes Peak Writers

By Jennifer LaPointe

Pikes Peak Writers (a 501(c)(3) organization) is committed to helping writers grow and thrive through education, outreach, and community. In order to fulfill our mission, we have a variety of non-conference events, such as our monthly Write Brains, Open Critique, Writer’s Night, or the upcoming Write Your Heart Out free half-day.

At the Pikes Peak Writers Conference we strive to balance our programming to meet the needs of new writers and professional authors, to reflect traditional and new paths, and to energize you for the writing challenges to come.

Generally we receive great feedback on the programming we put together, but from time to time a lack of diversity is pointed out, whether at conference or for the various non-conference events. So dear members, I have to ask, would you like to see more diversity?

If your answer was yes, in what ways? For instance: 

Do you want to see more traditional publishing, small publishing, and/or independent publishing?

Do you want to see more craft, business, genre, and/or writer’s life specific topics? Are there specific topics you'd like to see that we haven't done recently? Topics you'd like to revisit, as it's been awhile? Topics you'd like a half- or full-day workshop on?

Do you want to see more of your genre, whatever that may be?

Do you want to see more men and/or women presenters? More feminine, masculine, and/or neutral topics?

Do you want to see more African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, Pacific Islander, and/or multi-cultural presenters and/or topics?

If you answered yes to any of these or if I missed something tell us. If we don’t know it’s missing or that it’s out there we can’t acquire it.

If you know of someone who can speak knowledgeably about any of these topics and you would like to hear them at conference or an event like a Write Brain let us know at http://www.pikespeakwriters.com/events/request-a-workshop/

Or if you know someone personally who can speak knowledgeably about any of these topics and they would want to speak at conference or an event like a Write Brain tell them to submit a proposal at http://proposals.pikespeakwriters.com/


About the Author: Jennifer LaPointe, 2014 Conference Assistant Director for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, is hard at work making sure the behind the scenes is going smoothly.  You can reach her at conferencead@pikespeakwriters.com or find more information about conference at www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/.

September Free Events Reminder & Conference Deadline

If you're planning on submitting a proposal for PPWC 2014 (Pikes Peak Writers Conference, held in April), the deadline is Sunday, September 15. You can go HERE to propose your workshop or HERE to suggest a workshop you'd like to see, but don't intend to present yourself.

September Write Brain

What: Advanced Plotting
Who: Chris Eboch
When: Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Where: Online Only, RSVP will be required for attendance, as we will need to email you a link to join us online FREE!
More Information: Many books and workshops teach the basics of plotting: conflict, complications, climax. Now learn advanced techniques that will make a decent plot dynamic. Start with a "grab you by the throat" opening to pull readers into the story. Learn how to pack the plot full by complicating your complications. Control your pacing through sentence and paragraph length. And finally, cliffhanger chapter endings ensure late-night reading under the covers. Learn techniques to make any story or book better. Novelists will benefit from these insights, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience.

About the Presenter: Chris Eboch writes fiction and nonfiction for all ages, with 20 traditionally published books for children. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of the Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; and the Haunted series. her bookAdvanced Plotting helps writers fine-tune their plots. Learn more atwww.chriseboch.com. Chris also writes novels of suspense and romance for adults under the name Kris Bock. What We Found is a suspense about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods; Rattled follows a treasure hunt in New Mexico; and Whispers in the Dark involves intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com. RSVP to rsvp@pikespeakwriters.com.

 

PPW Open Critique Night
When: Wednesday, September 18, 6:00-8:30 P.M.
Location: Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO
More Information: The first 8 to RSVP can have up to 8 pages of their manuscript pages discussed by the group and the night's guest critiquer. All are welcome to come observe.

PPW Night at Ivywild
**PLEASE NOTE the change of venue**
When: Monday, September 23, 2013; 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: The Principal's Office in the Ivywild School, 1604 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80905
More Information: Join fellow writers on the 4th Monday of each month for writerly discussion, laughter, and socializing. The direction of the discussion is decided by the participants.

August Letter From the Editor

August, already. The waning of summer. And with this change, we bring changes to Pikes Peak Writers.

The website has been updated. We hope you find it easier to navigate. Check it out at www.pikespeakwriters.com. Want to sign up for a free Pikes Peak Writers membership? You can do that on the People tab. Want to access our online recordings of the past few Write Brains? Go to the Events tab and look for Delve Writing Events. Also on the Events tab, you'll find information on upcoming Write Brains, Open Critiques, and Writer's Nights, as well as other special events. Find out anything you need to know about The Zebulon on the Contest tab. Bonus: if you forget where this blog is, you'll find it on the new Blog tab!

In addition to the website changes, we now offer you the ability to propose a workshop online. Whether you wish to present it or suggest someone else, there is now an easy way to do either. Want to present a Write Brain or conference workshop? Go to our new Workshop Proposal Portal. You'll have the option to choose a length and describe your workshop or panel, as well as anything you need to go along with it. And it's easy to do!

Not interested in presenting a workshop, but have something to suggest? Maybe you saw someone present elsewhere, and you'd love to see them again with Pikes Peak Writers. You can Request a Workshop. Both this capability and the Workshop Proposal Portal can be found on the website under the PPWC tab or the Events tab.

Another change was to our Facebook page. It has been switched from a regular account, which you had to "friend," to a business page. If you haven't already, please pay us a visit and "like" us. Unfortunately, we had to change, because we were at our limit for friends. The only way to continue welcoming new folks was to switch to a page. The new url is https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakWriters. We post our events on the page, and it's a great way to keep up to date on everything going on, or to chat with fellow writers.

Finally, we've changed the Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Writing Contest. It's now named The Zebulon. As in years past, the winners will be announced at Pikes Peak Writers Conference (you don't have to be present to win). For more information on The Zebulon, see the Contest tab.

A note on the blog: we are looking for a columnist, as Cindi Madsen has had to resign. We're sad to see her go, but happy for her that the reason has to do with the hustle and bustle of the published life. For those interested in the position, please email me at editor@pikespeakwriters.com. We ask for one blog post per month, with the deadline being the 25th of the month prior to your post date (so August 25 is the deadline for September posts). This is not a paid position, but we'll link to your personal blog or website in the sidebar, and your bio will be shared at the end of each of your posts.

We're also looking for someone to handle our Sweet Success posts. You'd be responsible for posting reminders for people to contact you with their Sweet Success information, gathering the information you'll need for their posts, and compiling that information. Again, if interested in this position, email me at editor@pikespeakwriters.com. This is also not a paid position, but we'll link to your blog or personal website in the sidebar.

Let us know what you think about all the changes!

~Shannon Lawrence
Managing Editor, Writing From the Peak
NCE Director, Pikes Peak Writers

Wanted: Workshop Proposals for PPW and PPWC 2014!

Have something you're busting to present as a conference workshop, Write Brain, or full- or half-day workshop? Not sure how to propose such a thing?

Well, now you can! Here's a message from MB Partlow, Programming Director for Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2014:

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We're proud to present our brand new web portal, through which we will accept proposals for Conference workshops and Write Brains, in addition to half-day and full-day workshops. All the info we need about you, your credentials, and your brilliant ideas, in one easy-to-access location.

Plus, you have the ability to go back in and check the status, provide additional information, and make changes or updates.

What are you waiting for? You know you want to!

*To be considered for the 2014 PPWC, please submit by September 30, 2013.
*We even have a couple of slots for half-day workshops for Add-on Thursday, but they're filling up fast!

For monthly Write Brains and longer workshops, you may submit your proposals at any time.

You can visit our website at www.pikespeakwriters.com or go directly to the Proposal Portal.
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MB Partlow
Programming Director, Pikes Peak Writers Conference

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In addition, if you aren't interested in presenting, but have attended a workshop or heard someone speak who you really enjoyed, you can suggest them. Or, if you have an idea for something you feel we haven't covered recently, even if you have no idea who might present it, feel free to suggest a general topic, as well! Go here to Request a Workshop.