Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2025

Conquer the structural elements of character-driven fiction to write romance novels that readers love. This presentation teaches romance fiction from a structural standpoint. You’ll learn about goal, motivation, and conflict, which are the cornerstones of fiction writing. But then we dive deeper to cover character arcs, flaws and stakes, which are vital in character-driven stories like romance. You’ll understand how each element hinges on the others to build the infrastructure of your story, and you’ll gain the confidence to utilize these elements to improve your own books.

Mystery is one of the hardest genres to write because of the myriad of moving parts in play at any given time. Then you have to make the ending a dramatically satisfying event for the reader. One way to do this is with a twist ending. Learn how to determine if a twist ending is the right ending for your story, the different kinds of twist endings, and how to ensure it will be satisfying for your reader.

Are you interested in crafting captivating mysteries wrapped in the warmth of small-town charm? Dive into the world of cozy mystery writing with award-winning and USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennie Marts, as she teaches you what it takes to write in this beloved subgenre of crime fiction. Learn how to create a story with a charming setting, an intriguing murder, a quirky cast of characters—some of whom will be the amateur sleuths trying to solve the mystery—and that a red herring is more than just a smoked piece of fish.

Horror is more than a genre—it's a feeling that grows in the pit of your stomach and spreads until you have to turn on the lights and check the locks. We'll dissect the horror "genre" and go over tricks and tips to create your own terrifying tales.

Want to write for kids? If you're used to the norms of the adult publishing landscape, moving into children's literature requires understanding a whole different set of rules. This overview of the current children's literature landscape, from picture books to YA, highlights unique considerations for writing, querying, publishing, and marketing kids' books.