Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Caitlin Berve is a multi-award-winning fantasy author, editor, and speaker. Through Ignited Ink Writing, she edits novels, creates video tutorials, and writes. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics and teaches writing at colleges and writing organizations/conferences. If you're looking to improve your writing or for tips on marketing and publishing your book, check out her blog Ignite Your Ink or YouTube channel Ignited Ink Writing. Caitlin's collection of modern fairy tales When Magic Calls won the CIPA EVVY Herb Tabak (best fiction) book award in 2021 and is available in paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats. When not writing or reading, Caitlin runs the Colorado trails or teaches Pop Pilates and makes color changing potions. She seeks to fill the world with the kind of writing that lingers with readers and find magic in modern times. More: www.caitlinberve.com Also: https://www.ignitedinkwriting.com/   For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nf

Molly McGhee is from a cluster of small towns just north of Nashville, Tennessee. She writes fiction, essays, and teaches in the undergraduate creative writing department at Columbia University. Her debut novel, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind, is forthcoming from Astra House in late 2023. Her work has appeared in publications like The Paris Review.  In addition to writing, Molly has worked in the editorial and digital departments of McSweeney’s and The Believer as well as MCD and FSG Originals and as an assistant editor at Diane Williams’ NOON. Most recently, Molly worked in the editorial department of Tor bringing luminaries such as John M. Ford back to print through The Tor Essentials Series, launching the instant New York Times Bestselling Atlas Six series, as well as assisting in the launch of Tor’s horror imprint, Nightfire. Molly graduated from Columbia University with an MFA in fiction. While there she taught undergraduate creative writing as a Teaching Fellow.  More about Molly: https://www.mollymcgh

Susan Mackay Smith a.k.a. Mackay Wood, a.k.a. Conan the Grammarian — she has been RMFW’s contest chair, critique chair, anthology editor for Broken Links, Mended Lives (with Jeanne C. Stein and Janet Lane), and president. For a decade, she wrote Conan the Grammarian for the Rocky Mountain Writer, the-then monthly newsletter. She won the Jasmine Award in 2009 and was honored as a Guiding Member in 2019.  On the podcast, one of a series of interviews marking the 40th anniversary of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, we talk about Susan’s reflections on the long history of the Colorado Gold contest and much, much more. For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/   Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

L. R. Jones is a pseudonym for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, whose dark, edgy fiction includes the highly acclaimed novels The Poet, A Perfect Lie, and the Lilah Love series. Prior to publishing, Lisa owned a multistate staffing agency recognized by the Austin Business Journal. Lisa was listed as #7 in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of growing women-owned businesses. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a cat who always has something to say, and a golden retriever who’s afraid of her own bark. On the podcast we talk about her latest novel, You Look Beautiful Tonight, and an annual event she recently launched called Readers Take Denver.  More about Readers Take Denver: https://www.readerstakedenver.com/ For more information, visit www.lisareneejones.com. For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygrat

Kate Jonuska is an indie author, freelance writer, and yoga teacher who is currently serving as Conference Co-Chair for Colorado Gold. Kate’s debut novel Transference was a finalist for the 2017 BookLife Prize. And the second edition of her non-fiction book, Dictionary of Fiction Critique, published in 2020. As a part of the critique group 30th Street Fiction, she's published three anthologies, including Broken: A 30th Street Fiction Anthology, currently available in paperback and ebook.  This time on the podcast, Kate gives us a preview of some of what to expect at the 2023 version of Colorado Gold.   More about Colorado Gold: https://rmfw.org/conference-2023/  More about Kate: https://katejonuska.com/ For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Linda Joffe Hull writes mystery and contemporary fiction under her own name, and with author Keir Graff as part of the writing team known as Linda Keir.  Linda has written multiple novels including The Big Bang, Eternally 21, Black Thursday, and Sweetheart Deal. Titles as Linda Keir include The Swing of Things, Drowning with Others, The Three Mrs. Wrights, and The Royal Game which will be released in January, 2024. She also ghostwrites nonfiction and has penned over a dozen memoirs, self-help, and business books. Linda is a Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers former president, and conference chair. On the podcast, we talk about that latest project with Keir Graff and talk about her first experiences with RMFW and how her volunteer work for RMFW led to her first book deal.   More about Linda: https://www.lindajoffehull.com/ For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by

Stephanie Kane  is a lawyer and award-winning author of seven crime novels and a true crime memoir. After graduating from law school, she was a corporate partner at a top Denver law firm before becoming a criminal defense attorney. She has lectured on money laundering and white-collar crime in Eastern Europe, and given workshops throughout the country on writing technique. Her crime novels include Object Lessons, Automat, A Perfect Eye, Seeds of Doubt, Blind Spot, Extreme Indifference, and Quiet Time. She has earned a Colorado Book Award for Mystery and two Colorado Authors League Awards for Genre Fiction. She belongs to the Mystery Writers of America, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and the Colorado Authors League. She lives in Denver with her husband and two black cats. On the podcast, she talks about her new memoir, True Crime Redux, an account of her own involvement in a case of murder that happened in 1973. The victim was Denver-area housewife Betty Frye, the mother of Stephanie’s then fiancé.  More abou

Wendy Portfors currently lives in Diamond Valley, Alberta, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She had a successful 36-year career with a Canadian Bank, and she has drawn on her experience in banking as the basis for the novel she is currently writing. Her first book titled Remembering Love, Balboa Press, was released in 2016, chronicles her journey following her husband’s cancer diagnosis. She is proud to have been published in three Chicken Soup for the Soul books.  In 2021 she published an anthology titled Through My Eyes: 74 True Stories of Survival, Strength and the Power of Believing which is a collection of stories compiled from across Canada. Her short stories have been published in several anthologies. Wendy’s writing is a blend of both fiction and nonfiction.     Wendy is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Writers’ Guild of Alberta, and several regional writing groups.     Wendy enjoys golfing, hiking, and travelling. With her husband Dave, they travel internationally while house and p

  Karen C. Whalen is the author of two mystery series for The Wild Rose Press: the Dinner Club Mysteries featuring Jane Marsh, an empty nester who hosts a gourmet dinner club, and the Tow Truck Mysteries starring Delaney Morran, a super feminine shoe-a-holic who drives a tow truck. Both are cozy mysteries about strong friendships and family ties set in Colorado. The first book in the Dinner Club series tied for First Place in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest sponsored by Oklahoma Romance Writers of America. More about Karen: http://www.karencwhalen.com/ For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Pamela Nowak’s historical fiction tells the stories of real women whose stories have been forgotten via a deft combination of research and character development. She’s won a Will Rogers Gold Medallion and a Laramie Award as well as being a dual Feathered Quill finalist and a finalist for the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award. Her historical romance novels have garnered critical acclaim for her ability to weave fictional relationship stories into historical settings and events and have been awarded a Colorado Book Award, multiple HOLT Medallion Awards, and a WILLA Finalist Award.  Pam was also honored as the RMFW Writer of the Year. She has a B.A. in history, is a member of the Paper Lantern Writers, and works part-time as the Executive Director of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. More: http://www.pamelanowak.com/wp/  For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music

Steve Stratton started his military career at the White House Communications Agency supporting the needs of Presidents Ford and Carter, Vice Presidents Rockefeller and Mondale and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. His work took him around the world introducing him to new cultures, ways of thinking, and the various agencies tasked with projecting and protecting American interests abroad. The jump to the US Secret Service was an easy transition but after several years and an election campaign, Steve left for the commercial sector. Steve was awarded his Green Beret in 1986. From the 80’s through 2000 he deployed with 20th Special Forces on counter-drug and training missions in the SOUTHCOM region. His civilian contractor time includes support for USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, and several intelligence agencies. Today he develops cyber security products that support the warfighter and intelligence community. When he is not working, You can find him mountain biking, trout fishing, or hunting in Colorado. More: www.stevenst

This time on the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast, a chat with the co-editors of the next Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers short story anthology, to be published in 2024. Those co-editors are Linda Ditchkus and Paul Martz.   Linda (L.V.) Ditchkus has written her whole life. But until eight years ago, her writing was either technical, scholarly, or in travel magazines. In 2015, she jumped into novel writing with both feet. After drafting her first chapter, which only amounted to a few hundred words, she realized she had plenty to learn. So she found a network of writing friends—many through RMFW—who gave her writing tips and pointed her toward writing resources like how-to books and classes. She’s grateful for her fantastic writing pals. Being a judge for the 2022 Self Published Science Fiction Competition and a 2023 youth writing competition has deepened her understanding of what makes books and stories stand out. Since her Sasquatch Series won First Place in the Colorado Authors League 2021 Book Awards for Sci-Fi

Chris Goff is an award-winning author of six novels based on environmental themes and two international thrillers. A longtime member of RMFW, she has served as in nearly every capacity from critique chair to President, received a Jasmine Award in 1997, received her PEN Award in 1998, was named Writer of the Year in 2002. She counts among her best friends, many of those she met upon joining RMFW. Chris’ most recent book, RED SKY was a 2018 Colorado Book Award Finalist. Set in Ukraine and Asia, Agent Raisa Jordan must test the boundaries of diplomacy as she races to prevent the start of a new Cold War. Catherine Coulter had this to say: "Breathtaking suspense, do not miss Red Sky."  Goff's series debut, DARK WATERS, was dubbed “a sure bet for fans of international thrillers" by Booklist. DARK WATERS was a Finalist for the 2016 Colorado Book Award, 2016 Colorado Authors' League, Genre Award, and the 2016 Anthony Award for Best Crime Fiction Audiobook. This interview is one of a series of conversations with RMFW

Donald Paul Benjamin is an American novelist who specializes in cozy mysteries and high fantasy. He also writes about Colorado history. A U.S. Army veteran, he served three years as a military journalist, including a tour in Korea. Before retiring, the Colorado native worked as an educator for five decades. He lives in Cedaredge, a small town on the Western Slope of Colorado, where he hikes and fishes in the surrounding wilderness. He and his wife, Donna Marie, operate Elevation Press, a service which helps independent authors publish their works. More: https://elevationpressbooks.wordpress.com/ For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8 Mark Stevens' website: https://www.writermarkstevens.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/  

Luann Koester taught high school language arts, as well as college composition for over 26 years. A fellow of the National and Colorado Writing Projects, she considers herself a writer teaching writers.  Luann graduated Cum Laude from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, received a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Colorado College, and a Post Graduate Certificate of Expertise in Writing from the University of Denver. In 2003 and 2021, she was recognized by the Boettcher Foundation as a Boettcher Educator. And In 2009, MIT (Massachusetts  Institute of Technology) named her an MIT Influential Educator. Recently retired, Luann enjoys teaching, traveling, spending time with her immediate and extended families, writing, and playing golf.  In addition to her children's book, Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone, Luann is a published poet and novelist. Her latest book, just out, is a novel for young adults, Hawk’s Cry.  Luann lives on a cattle ranch near White Butte Creek in Northeastern Col

Mike Torreano is an award-winning author with a military background and a particular interest in American history and the Old West. His debut western mystery, The Reckoning, set in South Park, Colorado in 1868, was released in 2016 by The Wild Rose Press. The sequel, The Renewal, also set in South Park, was released in 2018, with a third western mystery, A Score To Settle, released in 2020. White Sands Gold is his latest western mystery, and was just released by Wild Rose in September 2022. He has a coming-of-age novel due out soon, Fireflies At Dusk, which is set during the Civil War. His short story, The Trade, a tale of the Yukon Gold Rush, was his first published work in 2014. Mike has written for magazines and newspapers for many years. An experienced editor, he’s taught English and Journalism at both the United States Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He’s a member of the Historical Novel Society, Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Western Writers of Am

Debra Bokur is the author of The Dark Paradise Mysteries series from Kensington. She’s traveled the world as a writer, journalist and staff editor for various national media outlets, with more than 2,000 print pieces carrying her byline to date. Debra's work has garnered multiple awards, including a 2015 Lowell Thomas Award for Travel Journalism. For more than a decade, she served as the poetry editor at a national literary journal, and her poetry and short fiction have been widely published. Among her favorite writing credits are a series of original literary essays commissioned by the Celestial Seasonings tea company that appeared on the artfully illustrated boxes of ten separate tea flavors. Debra continues to travel in her capacity as the Global Researcher and Writer for the Association for Safe International Road Travel, and as a monthly columnist for Global Traveler Magazine. Debra is also an experienced voice actor and voiceover artist, and is currently in production for several audio books for fellow

Jasmine Cresswell was born in Wales and educated in London, England.  Recruited by the Foreign Service, she was assigned to the British Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  While in Rio, she met and married Malcolm Candlish and together they immigrated to the United States where he had been offered a job with Colgate Palmolive at corporate headquarters in New York City.  Malcolm's career took him to Australia, Canada and five different American states.  Jasmine tagged along with their growing family.  They finally settled on the West Coast of Florida where  Jasmine, now widowed, is fortunate enough to live close to all four of her children,  along with eight of her twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.   Originally intending to pursue a career in academia, this became impossible due to her frequent long-distance moves.  Instead, as a lifelong lover of fiction, Jasmine decided to write a novel since a writing career could be pursued from anywhere in the world. Her first book was published by Briti

Dr. Dan Lutz began his education career and passion for international education as a high school teacher in the Teacher Corps in New York and the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. His career has included training new Peace Corps Volunteers in Iran, helping initiate the development of Korean Heritage Camp for families with adopted children from that country, serving on the Board of Directors for Colorado Heritage Camps, co-founding the International Studies Schools Association (ISSA), and teaching graduate global education classes for teachers. He developed a high school international studies magnet program which he directed for twenty-one years. He expanded that  program into the Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS), a DPS magnet school for grades 6-12, where he served as principal for four years. Subsequently he designed and established three more DCIS schools for DPS and consulted with a national network of international studies schools to which the DCIS schools belonged. From his professional experienc

Sharon Mignerey is an author who loves sharing what she has learned with other authors.  She has been a workshop presenter at local and national conferences, including Romance Writers of America, RMFW's Colorado Gold conference and Pikes Peak Fiction Writers.  She has taught numerous online classes on the art and craft of writing. She is the author of 12 published novels, and has been a contributor to the Writer Magazine where one of her articles was chosen for the 2005 Writer’s Handbook.  She is also a contributor to Many Genres, One Craft sponsored by the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University.  Sharon taught college composition for more than five years at Lone Star Community College.  She has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hall University. Her novels have been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Heart, the Reader’s Choice Award, and the Keeper Award. More about Sharon http://sharonmignerey.com/ For video versions of this podcast, subscribe: https://www.you