Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2025

Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2025

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.

8:30am MDT

Just-In-Time Description and World Building DouglasKelley J. P. Lindberg The Sequel to Every Scene AcademyCallie Stoker

9:45am MDT

Antagonists AcademyKevin Ikenberry Starting Your Story in the Right Place DouglasDavid R. Slayton Story Blueprint: Using Tropes to Build the Infrastructure of Your Story Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeDawn Alexander • Jessica Snyder

11:00am MDT

Non-verbal Communication in Fiction DouglasDeb Courtney Using Outlines and Synopses as Tools for Revision AcademyBrenna English-Loeb Whose Story Are You Telling? El PasoJohn Gilstrap

2:00pm MDT

Capturing the Elusive Voice DouglasCallie Stoker When You See It: A Practical Guide to Show, Don’t Tell El PasoDawn Alexander Do Your Settings Work as Hard as You Do? (2 Hours) PalmerKelley J. P. Lindberg

3:15pm MDT

Contemporary World Building: Tips and Tricks to Giving Readers the Full Experience AcademyAvery Flynn Writing in the Age of TikTok: Ultra Short-Form Storytelling Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeCaris Pasch-Cooper

4:45pm MDT

Decoding Blockbuster Plots and Synopses DouglasSusan Mitchell

9:00pm MDT

Instant Slushpile DouglasLou J Berger Write Drunk Edit Sober FremontDeb Courtney

8:30am MDT

But Is It a Good Idea? El PasoCallie Stoker Codes, Ciphers and Secret Messages Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeChristina Allen Weaponize Those 5 Love Languages to Develop Characters and Build Tension Academy/PalmerKelley J. P. Lindberg

9:45am MDT

Bangs & Booms 101: Technical Stuff That Writers Should Get Right Academy/PalmerJohn Gilstrap Beyond the Bedroom: Using Physical and Emotional Intimacy to Create Authentic Character Relationships Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeDawn Alexander Short Story Generative Workshop (Part 1) DouglasShannon Lawrence

11:00am MDT

Seven Screenwriting Strategies to Elevate Your Script El PasoJennifer S. Wilkov Write Drunk Edit Sober Follow-up Seven FallsDeb Courtney Write What You Feel: Emotion in Fiction Academy/PalmerDavid R. Slayton

2:00pm MDT

Secrets of Pacing and Clarity Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeSteve Saffel Strong Language: For and Against Swearing in Fiction Academy/PalmerDeb Courtney

3:15pm MDT

Book to Film Strategies to Sell Your Story in a Single Sentence, Treatment, Pitch Deck or Bible DouglasJennifer S. Wilkov Map Out Your Plot Using Story Structure Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeChris Mandeville

4:45pm MDT

Make ‘Em Laugh: How Bringing the Humor Heightens All Other Emotions Academy/PalmerAvery Flynn Plotting Your Character's Demise El PasoJames Persichetti

9:00am MDT

Sandboxes: Shared Universes and Co-writing DouglasDavid Shadoin • H.Y. Gregor The Allegory in Your Subtext Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeCallie Stoker There's No "Right" Way to Write El PasoAlexandra Diaz Full-on Fight Scenes: Tools and Tips to Fit Your Tale FremontBowen Gillings • AJ Metzger

10:15am MDT

Microflashbacks as a Plot Device Pikes Peak/Royal GorgeDeb Courtney Short Story Generative Workshop (Part 2) Seven FallsShannon Lawrence

11:30am MDT

Pre-Writing Checklist Academy/PalmerJohnny Worthen Write Towards the Ending El PasoJames Persichetti