Based in Central Colorado since 1995, Central Colorado (CC) Writers fosters writing and encourages publication through the sharing of resources critique sessions, and information. (more)
*Note: The mobile phone version of this website requires you to zoom and scroll for functionality.
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WE Write: Spring TBD
The next WE Write session is scheduled for March 23rd, 2026 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Author Carla Seyler will host with a theme to be announced soon. Here's the Zoom link.
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​​Bring paper and pen or laptop, a snack and a drink at your side while on Zoom.​​
CC Writers In the News
Richard “Rick” Bader’s “Circle of Fifths,” which first appeared in Boudin Magazine, was nominated for the 2025 Pushcart Prize.
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The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America - including Highest Honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
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Since 1976, hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in our annual collections. Each year most of the writers and many of the presses are new to the series. Every volume contains an index of past selections, plus lists of outstanding presses with addresses.
Laurie Benson’s new book, Resilient Activism: Igniting Wild Hope in Uncertain Times, will be available everywhere starting 8/12/2025, and is currently available in stores throughout Buena Vista, Colorado.
Update: Laurie's book was just recognized as a 2026 Indies Today Finalist! Congrats, Laurie!
2026 Youth Writing Contest
Central Colorado Writers is excited to announce the 2026 Youth Writing Contest! The theme of this year's contest is "Secret(s). The contest will officially start on Feb 2, 2026 and all submissions must be turned in by Mar 2, 2026. We will announce the winners at the beginning of April and the awards ceremony is scheduled for April 13, 2025. Please check our guidelines here for more information on rules and prizes. We will update this announcement as the contest nears!​
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Workshop Opportunities
Coming in March
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Andy Duncan: How to Give Effective Critiques
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Presented by CCW and Spec Fiction Writers - free to CCW members.
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Date: March 12th (Thursday)
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. MT
Zoom link: Coming Soon
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Picture credit: Shaniya Johnson
Andy Duncan will conduct a workshop on how to give effective critiques. He's won 3 World Fantasy awards, a Nebula, and many more. He has several graduate degrees in fiction writing and graduated from Clarion West (one of the premier organizations—known for its intensive writers’ workshops and classes, especially in speculative fiction). See Andy's full bio here.
Coming in April
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Amanda Clark: Ghostwriting
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Presented by CCW and Spec Fiction Writers - free to CCW members.
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Date: April 23d (Thursday)
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. MT
Zoom link: Here
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Amanda E. Clark is President and Editor in Chief of Grammar Chic, Inc., as well as an accomplished fiction and nonfiction ghostwriter whose work has been published internationally. In this session, she will pull back the curtain on the world of ghostwriting—exploring the different types of ghostwriting projects available to writers, what the client collaboration process really looks like, how confidentiality and voice adaptation work, and how authors can build ghostwriting into a sustainable and profitable revenue stream. She will also share candid insights from her own career and answer audience questions about this often-misunderstood but highly rewarding field. Learn more about Amanda here.
Coming in May
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Setting Yourself Up For Success: What to do before you get published with David Hicks
Saturday, May 2nd
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10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT (Zoom)
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Author David Hicks has published three books with small presses (one breaking the publisher’s sales record for fiction), and for years has coached writers to prepare them for publishing success. This is an author workshop, focused on what you can do to make sure your book has the best odds of gaining representation or publication, and sells well once it’s published. You'll learn:
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how best to make final revisions to your manuscript to prepare it for submission;
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how to identify who and where your readers are;
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how to write a good query letter and how to research agents and editors;
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how to identify, cultivate, and expand your reader/writer network;
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how to set up a good author website or Substack;
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what to blog about on that website/Substack and the best way to post;
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what groups/websites/blogs/podcasts to target for promotion;
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how to build social media followers your way;
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what to do as soon as you get a contract: setting up a book launch and book tour, what to post on social media, pre-order marketing, etc.
Subscribe to Receive
Free News & Updates
Join our email list to receive updates and notifications about upcoming writing sessions, workshops, twice monthly critique sessions, November NaNoWriMo mentoring, Members' new book releases, Salida Art Walk community event participation, links from our website to your published book(s).
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CC Writers Membership
CCW Members receive these extras
for only $20 in 2025...​
​> Workshop discounts​
> Monthly Critique sessions
> November NaNoWriMo Mentoring
​> WE Write sessions
​> Links to your website​​
​> End of year Book Exchange
> Members' year-end writing session
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I've heard enough, SIGN ME UP!
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Find out more on our Membership Page!
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Contact Membership Chair Melony Franchini with questions.
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Writing Critique Sessions
Want feedback on your writing from other authors? Having trouble finding beta readers? Want to learn about writing craft by reviewing other authors’ work?
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Join the FREE CCW Critique Group – for CCW members only.
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This on-line group meets twice per month on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to about 8:00 (see the CCW calendar for dates). By Sunday prior to the meeting, post your submission (3,000 words maximum) to Google Docs. You have three days to review/provide written feedback on three submissions and, in return, you will receive three reviews on your work. At Wednesday’s on-line meeting, you will give/receive additional feedback.
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If you’re not a Google Docs user – NO WORRIES! Our facilitators will walk you through how to upload and download documents like a pro.
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If you want to find out more? Please contact Author and CCW Board Member, Linda Ditchkus. Contact Linda Ditchkus HERE! or call her at 720-985-8450.
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WE Writes
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Join us for our free and open to the public WE Write (WW) Sessions!
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​WW sessions are done on Zoom, in-person, and sometimes a hybrid version of both. Each session has time allotted at the start for general discussion, writing updates, and events.
Plan for a 15-minute "head start" for technical set-up before the start time.
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The opportunity to read your writing is encouraged with no critique! See our Event Calendar for dates, times. Zoom connection information is on the calendar and in the article in the left column. Be sure to RSVP!​
Contact Tom Dury to volunteer as a session facilitator! tdury3384@gmail.com
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Subscribe to CCW to stay current with our schedule of events!
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