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Registration for the 2025 Pikes Peak Writers Conference is now open!
The current schedule, like much of our writing, is a work-in-progress and is subject to change.
Sched is sponsored by Reedsy.
Type: Business of Writing clear filter
Friday, May 2
 

8:30am MDT

Assembling Your Publishing Dream Team
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
A career writing books involves so much more than just writing. As indie authors, you’re expected to make all the decisions around editing, design, publishing, and marketing. While you can start on your own, you won’t go far without a proper team behind you.

But what work should you outsource first? Is it better to spend your money on editing or on covers? When is the right time to hire a virtual assistant? And how can you find these people who can help take your career to the next level?

In this presentation, Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet will show you how to assemble your publishing dream team and turn your publishing business into a well-oiled machine.
Faculty
avatar for Ricardo Fayet

Ricardo Fayet

Reedsy
Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of two books on marketing: How to Market a Book: Overperform in... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

8:30am MDT

How to Pick Comps and Why They Matter
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Comp Titles That Sell: Positioning Your Book for Success


Want to grab an agent’s attention? Nail your comp titles. The right comparative titles don’t just showcase where your book fits in the market—they make it irresistible. But finding the perfect comps? That’s where most writers get stuck.

In this power-packed, one-hour session, we’ll demystify the art of selecting comps that work for you—titles that highlight your book’s unique appeal while proving its marketability. You’ll learn:

  • Why comps matter—and how they can make or break an agent’s interest.
  • How to find the right comps (Hint: It’s not just picking your favorite books).
  • How to position your book as fresh, exciting, and sellable without forcing awkward comparisons.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a comp title strategy that strengthens your pitch, makes your book stand out, and gives you an edge in today’s competitive market.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Jessica Berg

Jessica Berg

Literary Agent, Rosecliff Literary
Jessica Berg is a literary agent at Rosecliff Literary. She leverages her extensive background as a developmental editor to champion new and emerging authors. She is actively building her list, focusing on compelling character-driven narratives with strong voices and unique settings. Known for her collaborative approach, Jessica works... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
El Paso

8:30am MDT

Pitch Like a Pro
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am MDT
This workshop goes over everything you need to know to pitch your book articulately, enticingly, and successfully to editors and agents. Covers logline, genre, hook, questions to ask in a pitch, and what questions to prepare to answer. Includes multiple worksheets plus a customizable in-pitch guide.

A two-hour version of this workshop includes a pitch "demo", individual hands-on exercises like logline writing, and group brainstorming of “key words” to use in a pitch.
Faculty
avatar for Chris Mandeville

Chris Mandeville

Author
Chris Mandeville is an unrepentant coffee drinker, night owl, and binge writer. She’s been teaching writing workshops for 15+ years, and loves to attend reader/writer events alongside her service dog, Oski. Her publications include nonfiction for writers, as well as short and novel-length... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am MDT
Palmer

9:45am MDT

Marketing Your Book to Success: Before, During & After Publication
Friday May 2, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Authors know that marketing their books is 100% their responsibility but most don’t have the skillset or knowledge to create a winning marketing plan for their project. The truth is: everybody would like to have a plan that works, but getting it written, done, and executed properly out in the marketplace to attract attention and grow your sales can seem like it will take years. It’s time to build a plan to successfully market your book that can save you time, energy and money and can ensure you get results during the most pivotal times. In this presentation, Jennifer S. Wilkov, the founder of Your Book Is Your Hook, LLC, will show you how to master the art of determining what belongs in your marketing platform—and what doesn’t —before, during, and after your book has been published.

Expect to learn:
  • Set goals for your marketing by taking the time to plan your efforts before you start executing them
  • How to use digital marketing to leverage the internet, build awareness online, and generate more sales before, during, and after your book is published
  • Proven techniques for offline strategies to get your message out
  • Measure, correct and keep your marketing momentum going, no matter what
  • Key reasons why you must measure and track your performance
  • Fool-proof ways to master your book marketing efforts to take control of your project’s success
Faculty
avatar for Jennifer S. Wilkov

Jennifer S. Wilkov

Book & Creative Consultant, Your Book Is Your Hook!
Jennifer S. Wilkov is a multi #1 international best-selling award-winning author, an award-winning freelance writer, and a respected book business and Hollywood story consultant in her business called “Your Book Is Your Hook.” She supports first-time writers and seasoned authors... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
El Paso

11:00am MDT

Speed Pitch
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Welcome to Speed Pitch!
Here you are at PPWC 2025 where everybody is curious to learn about you and your book. Nevertheless, people have short attention spans and lots of other writers to meet. Can you explain the highlights of your project without confusing, or worse, boring your listeners? Speed Pitch Practice is here to help.

How the Session Works
Participants will wait “quietly” in line for a turn to speak one-on-one for five minutes with a randomly assigned published author, seasoned writer, or maybe a VIP. You will verbally pitch your book and your coach will ask you questions to refine it. When the time is up, you’re done! But you’re welcome to get back in line for another go.
Faculty
avatar for AJ Metzger

AJ Metzger

AJ Metzger retired from the Navy in 2023 and now plans Wargames for US Space Command. She has been writing all her life and in the last few years published multiple academic papers for law enforcement. She is branching out into fiction writing using some of the more comical and unique... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Fremont

11:00am MDT

Treating Publishing Like Tinder
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
It's so easy in the digital age to get caught up in the little things, especially when it comes to your career. In this workshop we'll go over sweating the small stuff, handling rejections, and what's better left for the group chat.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Sheyla Knigge

Sheyla Knigge

Agent, High Line Literary Collective
Sheyla Knigge (SHAY-luh KUH-nig-gee)is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

2:00pm MDT

Traditional Publishing vs. Independent Publishing
Friday May 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
The desire to be published is more prevalent than ever. A record- breaking number of CEOs, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and aspiring writers from all walks of life dream about becoming published authors but are stumped about which road to publication they would like to travel on. Filled with real-life stories, humor, and practical advice Leticia’s workshop will give aspiring and seasoned authors alike the good, bad, and ugly of these two methods of publication. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have gained the clarity needed to decide whether they have the stomach to take the traditional publishing route with the help of a literary agent or strike out on their own to publish their literary masterpiece.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Leticia Gomez

Leticia Gomez

Editorial Director, Dafina/Kensington Books
Leticia Gomez is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and non-fiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Dafina’s carefully curated list is a home for dynamic stories... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Academy

4:45pm MDT

Agent Panel
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Agents & Editors
avatar for Brenna English-Loeb

Brenna English-Loeb

Agent, Transatlantic Agency
Brenna English-Loeb joined Transatlantic in 2019 after working for several years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates and Writers House, where she had the pleasure of working with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across multiple genres. Brenna grew up in beautiful Upstate... Read More →
avatar for Caitlin McDonald

Caitlin McDonald

Agent, Donald Maass Literary Agency
Caitlin McDonald joined DMLA in 2015, after five years at Sterling Lord Literistic. She represents adult and young adult speculative fiction, primarily science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and related subgenres. She is also seeking graphic novels along the same lines as above. Caitlin... Read More →
avatar for Jessica Berg

Jessica Berg

Literary Agent, Rosecliff Literary
Jessica Berg is a literary agent at Rosecliff Literary. She leverages her extensive background as a developmental editor to champion new and emerging authors. She is actively building her list, focusing on compelling character-driven narratives with strong voices and unique settings. Known for her collaborative approach, Jessica works... Read More →
avatar for Sheyla Knigge

Sheyla Knigge

Agent, High Line Literary Collective
Sheyla Knigge (SHAY-luh KUH-nig-gee)is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge

4:45pm MDT

Editor Panel
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Agents & Editors
avatar for Christina Lopez

Christina Lopez

Assistant Editor, St. Martin’s Press
Christina Lopez is an associate editor at St. Martin’s Press, where she started as an intern in 2021. Her first love was romance novels, and she is thrilled that her list consists mainly of romance. However, in her time at SMP, she has worked on a wide array of books in several... Read More →
avatar for Leticia Gomez

Leticia Gomez

Editorial Director, Dafina/Kensington Books
Leticia Gomez is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and non-fiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Dafina’s carefully curated list is a home for dynamic stories... Read More →
avatar for Melissa Rechter

Melissa Rechter

Editor and Acquisitions Manager, Crooked Lane
Editor and Acquisitions Manager Melissa Rechter joined Crooked Lane Books in 2019. She has had the pleasure of working with ITW nominees, New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, as well as a myriad of talented writers.For Crooked Lane, she is looking for cozy mysteries... Read More →
avatar for Steve Saffel

Steve Saffel

Editor
STEVE SAFFEL has been an editor at Marvel Comics, Del Rey Books, Perseus Books, and Titan Entertainment, working on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and licensed fiction, with a focus on the author’s voice, pacing, clarity, career path, concept development, and creating fiction... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Academy

4:45pm MDT

Speed Pitch
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Welcome to Speed Pitch!
Here you are at PPWC 2025 where everybody is curious to learn about you and your book. Nevertheless, people have short attention spans and lots of other writers to meet. Can you explain the highlights of your project without confusing, or worse, boring your listeners? Speed Pitch Practice is here to help.

How the Session Works
Participants will wait “quietly” in line for a turn to speak one-on-one for five minutes with a randomly assigned published author, seasoned writer, or maybe a VIP. You will verbally pitch your book and your coach will ask you questions to refine it. When the time is up, you’re done! But you’re welcome to get back in line for another go.
Faculty
avatar for AJ Metzger

AJ Metzger

AJ Metzger retired from the Navy in 2023 and now plans Wargames for US Space Command. She has been writing all her life and in the last few years published multiple academic papers for law enforcement. She is branching out into fiction writing using some of the more comical and unique... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Fremont

9:00pm MDT

Entering New Markets Through Literary Translations
Friday May 2, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
A workshop on getting translated into other languages, including:
  • Selling rights vs exploiting them yourself (and tips for both)
  • What markets to focus on first (depending on genres)
  • Average costs per language (and potentially genre)
  • Leveraging AI: yes or no?
  • What it’s like to work with a literary translator
  • Tips for marketing/promotion in the local market
Faculty
avatar for Ricardo Fayet

Ricardo Fayet

Reedsy
Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of two books on marketing: How to Market a Book: Overperform in... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
Academy

9:00pm MDT

Marketing Tips and Tricks
Friday May 2, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
Jenny and Sue shine a light on marketing trends, tips and tricks in a casual setting. Join the conversation and we'll chat about what's working in the industry, the direction digital is taking and how you can get your name and your work out there for readers and the writing community.
Faculty
avatar for Susan Mitchell

Susan Mitchell

Susan Mitchell embraces folklore, ghosts and monsters. She tunes into that wavelength to write dark fiction, horror and thrillers. Her work has appeared in literary magazines and can be found in the upcoming anthology Open-Hearted Horizon from University of New Mexico Press. Originally... Read More →
avatar for Jenny Kate

Jenny Kate

Jenny Kate has been a communicator, marketer and public relations professional since 2001. She has party-planned for US ambassadors, written speech inputs for the President (of the United States), eaten Taco Bell with Jimmy Kimmel and danced with Willy Nelson. She has been quoted... Read More →
Friday May 2, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
 
Saturday, May 3
 

8:30am MDT

Market Awareness and Writing to Market
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
How do I use the data available to me through Amazon to understand my place in the market, and write to market? There are four different archetypal pathways you can use to write to market. This workshop will cover each of the four types and use the Kindletrends data analytics tools to help writers understand whether or not they should write to market, and how to do it.
Faculty
avatar for Becca Syme

Becca Syme

Better-Faster Academy
Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course. She also writes mystery novels in her spare time and lives on one... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Douglas

2:00pm MDT

How to Choose a Hybrid Publisher That Meets Expectations
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Michelle, an experienced hybrid publisher and industry expert, will guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting a hybrid publishing partner. From evaluating distribution options, presale strategies, and print runs versus POD (Print on Demand), Michelle will share her exclusive 27-point checklist designed to help you make the best decision for your publishing journey. Whether you’re a first-time author or looking for a better fit, this session will empower you to choose a publisher that aligns with your creative vision and goals for success.
Faculty
avatar for Michelle Vandepas

Michelle Vandepas

CEO, GracePoint Publishing
Michelle Vandepas' upcoming book, Divine and Dangerous: A Radical Guide to Living Your Most Powerful Purpose, is scheduled for trade release in Fall 2025. Her entrepreneurial journey has led her into publishing, where she is also a captivating speaker known for her empowering message... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Douglas

2:00pm MDT

The Six Marketing Principles That Should Guide Your Writing Career
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Why do some books perform so much better than others? What marketing strategies offer the best ROI? Why do some advertising platforms suddenly stop working? You'll find out the answers to these fundamental marketing questions (and much more) in this workshop celebrating Reedsy's 10th anniversary.

Since co-founding Reedsy in 2014, Ricardo has spent the past decade helping authors navigate the complex world of book marketing. In this workshop, he will distill the knowledge and experience that helped him write a popular book marketing series into six key lessons. With a mix of high-level marketing principles, as well as practical tips you can implement right away, you'll leave with a clear roadmap for the future.
Faculty
avatar for Ricardo Fayet

Ricardo Fayet

Reedsy
Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of two books on marketing: How to Market a Book: Overperform in... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
El Paso

4:45pm MDT

Swipe Write: How to Match with Your Perfect Editor
Saturday May 3, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Learn what aspects to look for when researching the right freelance editor for you and your story, create your own plan for self-editing and revising, and master a few mindset tips that will help you throughout your author career.
Faculty
avatar for Jessica Snyder

Jessica Snyder

HEA Author Services
Jessica Snyder is an editor, author coach, and the host of The HEA Club, a community for romance authors. As the owner of HEA Author Services, she specializes in romance fiction and her clients range from best-selling authors like Pippa Grant and Lucy Score to new authors who are... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Douglas

4:45pm MDT

The Writer’s Career Path
Saturday May 3, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Helping writers establish the foundation upon which they can build their lists and projects, grounded in their unique strengths and background, paving a career path that builds their successes with each creative move.
Agents & Editors
avatar for Steve Saffel

Steve Saffel

Editor
STEVE SAFFEL has been an editor at Marvel Comics, Del Rey Books, Perseus Books, and Titan Entertainment, working on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and licensed fiction, with a focus on the author’s voice, pacing, clarity, career path, concept development, and creating fiction... Read More →
Saturday May 3, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm MDT
Pikes Peak/Royal Gorge
 
Sunday, May 4
 

9:00am MDT

Boost Your Book Sales with Amazon Ads
Sunday May 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Ready to reach more readers and boost your book sales? Join USA Today Bestselling author, Jennie Marts, as she covers the basics of creating Amazon ads that help your book stand out. You’ll learn how to create ads and leave equipped with actionable tips and insights to make your ads work for you. Whether you’re new to Amazon ads or just want some easy-to-follow tips, this session will give you the tools to start using Amazon ads to get your book in front of more readers!
Faculty
avatar for Jennie Marts

Jennie Marts

Jennie Marts is the USA Today Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was... Read More →
Sunday May 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Academy/Palmer

10:15am MDT

Book Cover Design and Positioning for Authors
Sunday May 4, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
In the competitive world of publishing, the adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover” might be sound advice for readers, but for authors, the reality is starkly different. Your book cover is the first impression potential readers have of your work, and it can make or break their decision to purchase your book. Learn the art and science of book cover design and positioning, and how to apply it to your author business.
Faculty
avatar for Nick Thacker

Nick Thacker

Author, Author.Email
Nick Thacker is a USA Today Bestselling Author with over 40 published thrillers to his name. He is the founder and operator of Conundrum Publishing, Book Career In A Year, and the Write/Repeat workshops and writing intensives.In addition to his writing career, Nick has built several... Read More →
Sunday May 4, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Douglas

10:15am MDT

The Pitfalls of Literary Contracts
Sunday May 4, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Getting your first literary contract is cause for celebration! However, for new and aspiring writers contracts can be daunting. Signing a contract you're unfamiliar, or uncomfortable with, can having lasting consequences. While not a complete "deep dive" into contracts, this one hour presentation focuses on the most common pitfalls regarding copyright, terms of rights, rights reversions, and other area writers need to know.
Faculty
avatar for Kevin Ikenberry

Kevin Ikenberry

Author, Speaker
Kevin Ikenberry is a life-long space geek and retired Army officer. As an adult, he managed the U.S. Space Camp program, two Challenger Learning Centers, and served on active duty in space operations before Space Force was a thing. He’s an international bestselling science fiction... Read More →
Sunday May 4, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
El Paso
 
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