The Book Project is a two-year program for experienced writers who need support, guidance, connections, and camaraderie as they draft and revise their books. Once writers apply, mentors select groups of six writers who seem like a mutually beneficial fit, and together cohorts work through the two years. Applications are accepted through June 21. 

Join many of the authors, the editorial board, and the WCWF Board at the Palisade Pizza and PourHouse (just off I-70) to celebrate our book, Western Colorado Voices!Light snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments will be provided, so please be as accurate as possible in planning attendance. Please let them know total number of guests when you RSVP via email to “info@westerncoloradovoices.org”

June 20-27 at Viewline Resort, Snowmass Village.

Juried workshops include Fiction led by Steve Almond, Vanessa Chan, and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah; Memoir led by Hector Tobar; Sci-Fi/Fantasy led by P. Djeli Clark; and Screenwriting led by Christina Lazaridi. Deadline to apply for juried workshops is Feb. 26. Guidelines to apply here.

General admission workshops are on a first-come, first-served basis. Topics include Book Branding, Generative Writing, and Readers Retreat.

For full description of workshops and faculty bios, click here.

Writing workshops start at $1,150, Readers Retreat at $755.

Join us every month on fourth Fridays for a Spoken Word Open Mic Night from 4:30-6:00 p.m. The Western Colorado Writers’ Forum has partnered with Carboy Winery in Palisade, CO,  to bring you this opportunity to read your work. We welcome poetry, prose, storytelling, and slam, and all skill levels are welcome.

Signups start onsite at 4:15 and there is a 5-7 minute time limit.

June 27

This facilitated writing program aims to combine two things every writer needs: focused time and a sense of community. Join us once a week on Sundays, in-person at Lighthouse, for concentrated writing time to finish that draft or start a new project using the Pomodoro technique—25-minute writing sprints, followed by 5-minute breaks.  Sundays, June 29-July 27.  $95 members, $105 nonmembers.

This course is for anyone who loves novels and aspires to write them. We’ll read a lot and we’ll write even more. We’ll delve into craft elements like character, plot, structure, perspective, and language. We’ll find the voice and lens that’ll set your novel apart. Mondays, July 7-28. $240 Lighthouse members, $265 nonmembers.

This four-week, 48-hour intensive writing experience uses a method similar to the Pomodoro Technique, a proven time-management system that keeps you focused and driven. You’ll commit yourself to distraction-free writing for four cycles per day, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for four weeks. Offered by Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, July 7-Aug. 1. $150 for members, $180 for nonmembers.

This reading-and writing- based course examines the fundamental keystones of short fiction. Learn about character, plot, structure, language—all the rules about what should go into a successful short story. Tuesdays, July 8-29. $240 for Lighthouse members, $265 for nonmembers.