Superstars Writing Seminars 2025

Superstars Writing Seminars 2025

8:30am MST

Opening Remarks and Announcements

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST

Opening Remarks by Kevin J. Anderson. Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST
Colorado

Announcements

9:15am MST

Supercharge Your Sales by Mastering the Customer Connection (Part 1)

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am MST

(Part 1 of 2) Join us for an immersive 3-hour intensive class designed to empower authors with strategies to boost sales by building strong connections with customers. Learn from industry experts Lydia Sherrer and David Sherrer as they share insights on distilling emotional promises, mastering in-person sales and networking, and cultivating digital tribes.

Speakers

David Sherrer

David Sherrer is a lifelong gamer and story teller, and is the Marketing Director of Chenoweth Press and Lead Game Designer of Chenoweth Games. His debut card game "Cat Magic: The Game" released in 2022 and was funded on Kickstarter within hours of launching.

Lydia Sherrer

Lydia Sherrer is the award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe of books which have sold over three-quarters of a million copies worldwide. She has also published the TransDimensional Hunter series with NYT bestselling author John Ringo... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am MST
Colorado

Skills Day

11:00am MST

Supercharge Your Sales by Mastering the Customer Connection (Part 2)

Wednesday February 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm MST

(Part 2 of 2) Join us for an immersive 3-hour intensive class designed to empower authors with strategies to boost sales by building strong connections with customers. Learn from industry experts Lydia Sherrer and David Sherrer as they share insights on distilling emotional promises, mastering in-person sales and networking, and cultivating digital tribes.

Speakers

David Sherrer

David Sherrer is a lifelong gamer and story teller, and is the Marketing Director of Chenoweth Press and Lead Game Designer of Chenoweth Games. His debut card game "Cat Magic: The Game" released in 2022 and was funded on Kickstarter within hours of launching.

Lydia Sherrer

Lydia Sherrer is the award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe of books which have sold over three-quarters of a million copies worldwide. She has also published the TransDimensional Hunter series with NYT bestselling author John Ringo... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm MST
Colorado

Skills Day

2:00pm MST

Strata: the Underlying Layers of Skillful Writing (Part 1)

Wednesday February 5, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST

(Part 1 of 2) There is more to writing skill than just avoiding typos and grammatical errors. Like a mountain, good writing is supported by countless layers of substance that may not be visible on the surface—dialog, pacing, theme, sensory images, micro-storytelling, and more. Do you know the strata of good writing?

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Rebecca Moesta

Rebecca Moesta (pronounced MESS-tuh) is a freelance editor, co-publisher at WordFire Press, and bestselling author. She writes SF/F and nonfiction books for writers, both solo and with her husband, Kevin J. Anderson. Her work includes novels in Star Wars, Star Trek, and Buffy the... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST
Colorado

Skills Day

3:45pm MST

Strata: the Underlying Layers of Skillful Writing (Part 2)

Wednesday February 5, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm MST

(Part 2 of 2) There is more to writing skill than just avoiding typos and grammatical errors. Like a mountain, good writing is supported by countless layers of substance that may not be visible on the surface—dialog, pacing, theme, sensory images, micro-storytelling, and more. Do you know the strata of good writing?

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Rebecca Moesta

Rebecca Moesta (pronounced MESS-tuh) is a freelance editor, co-publisher at WordFire Press, and bestselling author. She writes SF/F and nonfiction books for writers, both solo and with her husband, Kevin J. Anderson. Her work includes novels in Star Wars, Star Trek, and Buffy the... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm MST
Colorado

Skills Day

5:30pm MST

Announcements

Wednesday February 5, 2025 5:30pm - 5:45pm MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 5:30pm - 5:45pm MST
Colorado

Announcements

8:30am MST

Opening Remarks and Announcements

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST

Opening Remarks by Kevin J. Anderson. Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST
Colorado

Announcements

9:00am MST

How to Keep on Keeping On

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Two steps forward, one step back. How do you keep your confidence and drive as you build your writing career?

Moderators

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Colorado

Keynote

10:15am MST

Unlocking Success: The Unmatched Advantages of Traditional Publishing

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MST

Join our discussion to uncover why, even in the age of self-publishing, traditional publishing remains a powerful avenue for authors aiming to maximize their book’s reach and impact in the literary world.

Speakers

Anne Fonteneau

Anne began at Blackstone Publishing in 2001 and quickly became Head of Retail Sales, significantly boosting sales. By 2008, she was managing Digital Sales, leading to rapid sector growth. Her innovative leadership as Chief Sales Officer has been key in adapting strategies in the dynamic... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MST
Colorado

Session

11:30am MST

Agent AMA

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST

Letting the participants ask any and all questions about publishing.

Speakers

Cherry Weiner

Born and raised in Australia. Came to American when I married a Brooklyn boy. I worked for one of the biggest Literary Agents in NY until he fired me and then his clients took two years to convince me to open my own agency by sending me authors and their manuscripts. I handle all... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST
Colorado

Session

2:00pm MST

Writing Craft and Character Death

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST

Killing characters; how, why and when

Speakers

Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and his new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
Colorado

Session

3:15pm MST

Your Book is Talking Now: A Narrator Jam Session

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MST

Bring a character-driven paragraph from your book if you wish for a chance for Ray to read it. Ray will select work from a few attendees and he will read it out on the microphone to give authors a sense of what their work actually sounds like in narration.

Speakers

Ray Porter

Ray Porter is a multiple award winning narrator with over 500 titles. His narration of “Project Hail Mary” garnered 2021 Audie awards for Best Science Fiction and Audiobook of the Year. In addition to being the voice of Darkseid in “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”, he can... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MST
Colorado

Session

4:30pm MST

Career Paths For Writers: One Size Does not Fit All

Thursday February 6, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm MST

Newton’s First Law does not apply to literary careers: a career in motion does not always stay in motion. A discussion of different paths that other genre writers have followed, and guide to help you figure out which path suits you best.

Speakers

Toni Weisskopf

Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has been nominated four times for a Hugo Award. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor.

Thursday February 6, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm MST
Colorado

Session

5:30pm MST

Announcements

Thursday February 6, 2025 5:30pm - 5:45pm MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 5:30pm - 5:45pm MST
Colorado

Announcements

8:30am MST

Announcements

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MST
Colorado

Announcements

8:45am MST

Get Out Of Your Own Way

Friday February 7, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MST

Through subconscious self-sabotage and other internal safety mechanisms, we hinder ourselves from realizing our full potential

Speakers

Craig Martelle

Craig Martelle is a million-selling author of Sci-Fi and Thrillers. He runs the Successful Indie Author series of author-help videos, books, and group.

Friday February 7, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MST
Colorado

Session

10:00am MST

How to Make Money as a Writer

Friday February 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

The bottom Line on how to build a successful income-driven writing career

Speakers

Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, and comic book writer. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was produced as a Netflix original series. He writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Colorado

Session

11:15am MST

6 Secrets about 6-Figure Kickstarter Success

Friday February 7, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

Explore advanced strategies and insights that power high-performing crowdfunding campaigns in this session tailored for experienced creators. Discover the key elements behind six-figure success, from maximizing audience engagement and crafting optimized prelaunch marketing funnels to designing premium reward structures and tackling mid-campaign slumps with tactics like flash rewards. Packed with actionable strategies and real-world examples, this session is designed to help you refine your approach and scale your results. If you're ready to push your campaigns to the next level, this is your blueprint for Kickstarter success.

Speakers

Dana Claire

Dana Claire, a marketing and sales expert, public speaker, and young adult author, founded The INKfluence, a specialized marketing agency for authors. The INKfluence offers special edition design & production, Kickstarter campaign management, and direct sales website build outs. Passionate... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Colorado

Session

1:45pm MST

Writing Real Law Enforcement Characters

Friday February 7, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm MST

Getting it right without getting bogged down. Where to get information, what you need to know—and what you don’t need to worry about. Do you have to have experience as a cop to write about that life? Not at all. But it helps to "know a guy."

Speakers

Marc Cameron

New York Times bestselling author Marc Cameron has written short fiction for The Saturday Evening Post and Boys’ Life Magazine. He’s the author of thirty books—Westerns, Jericho Quinn Thrillers, Arliss Cutter Mysteries featuring a deputy US marshal based in Alaska, and seven... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm MST
Colorado

Session

3:00pm MST

Panel: Writers of the Future

Friday February 7, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST

Writers of the Future was launched in 1984 by L. Ron Hubbard to provide a means for writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and had some of the biggest names in SF&F as its judges, which continues to this day. Join Writers of the Future and WotF judges as they discuss the backstory to Writers of the Future as well as what it has meant to the SF&F community.

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Rebecca Moesta

Rebecca Moesta (pronounced MESS-tuh) is a freelance editor, co-publisher at WordFire Press, and bestselling author. She writes SF/F and nonfiction books for writers, both solo and with her husband, Kevin J. Anderson. Her work includes novels in Star Wars, Star Trek, and Buffy the... Read More →

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Todd McCaffrey

New York Times Bestselling Author Todd J. McCaffrey has over sixty books in print including eight in the classic Dragonriders of Pern® series. He holds degrees in art and engineering, is a licensed pilot, and an Army veteran.

John Goodwin

John Goodwin, President Galaxy Press, has been involved with book publishing since 1986, publishing the fiction works of bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard which includes the Writers of the Future anthology. He is also host of the award-winning Writers and Illustrators of the Future... Read More →

Emily Goodwin

Emily has been involved with book publishing since 2007, including the international Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests. She is the producer for the Writers of the Future annual Achievement Awards and the online writing workshop. She is involved in community activities... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST
Colorado

Panel

4:15pm MST

Announcements

Friday February 7, 2025 4:15pm - 4:30pm MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 4:15pm - 4:30pm MST
Colorado

Announcements

4:30pm MST

A Special Presentation: Drawing Out the Dragons

Friday February 7, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm MST

A Special Presentation: Drawing Out the Dragons

Speakers

James Artimus Owen

James Artimus Owen is part artist, part writer, and all heart. He has written and illustrated the Mythworld series, two dozen Starchild comics, available as The Twentieth Anniversary Nearly-Complete Essential Starchild, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica (and coloring books... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm MST
Colorado

Special Event

8:00pm MST

Romance: A Hot Genre That Keeps Getting Hotter

Friday February 7, 2025 8:00pm - 10:00pm MST

The hottest genre in the market is still romance! Learn from our panel of romance writers how to amp up the steam between your characters while keeping the genre fresh.

Speakers

C.J. Anaya

C. J. Anaya is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author and writes teen and young adult fantasy romance. However, she tends to tell stories within the genres she loves to read. So you can find her sweet romantic comedies of the billionaire variety under the pen name Cynthia... Read More →

JanaLee Brown

Jana S. Brown has been involved in publishing as an Author, Editor, Presenter, slush reader, executive secretary, and marketer for nearly 30 years. She is the acceptance editor for Book Cave and an editor and author coach specializing in self-publishing. She writes the weird and the... Read More →

Lindsay Flanagan

Lindsay Flanagan is an award-winning editor with an MA in English and Creative Writing.Her debut novel, AnnaGrey and the Constellation, was published by Young Dragons Press in August 2023, with two more books about AnnaGrey slated for publication in 2024 and 2025.She’s edited for... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:00pm - 10:00pm MST
Colorado

Panel

8:30am MST

Announcements

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MST
Colorado

Announcements

8:45am MST

Creating a Successful Podcast

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MST

John Goodwin is the host of the award-winning Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast. Podcasting has become a successful means of reaching a target audience. How do you create a successful podcast and what are some of the important do's and don'ts.

Speakers

John Goodwin

John Goodwin, President Galaxy Press, has been involved with book publishing since 1986, publishing the fiction works of bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard which includes the Writers of the Future anthology. He is also host of the award-winning Writers and Illustrators of the Future... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MST
Colorado

Session

10:00am MST

Diversification Strategies to Build an Ironclad Author Career

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Come learn proven strategies for diversifying your operations and exploiting your IP to the fullest in order to create stability and longevity for your career.

Speakers

Lydia Sherrer

Lydia Sherrer is the award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe of books which have sold over three-quarters of a million copies worldwide. She has also published the TransDimensional Hunter series with NYT bestselling author John Ringo... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Colorado

Session

11:15am MST

The Author and the Narrator Can Be Friends

Saturday February 8, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

There are some things that authors can do to better help their work shine in audio. Learn about challenges a narrator can face while performing your book.

Speakers

Ray Porter

Ray Porter is a multiple award winning narrator with over 500 titles. His narration of “Project Hail Mary” garnered 2021 Audie awards for Best Science Fiction and Audiobook of the Year. In addition to being the voice of Darkseid in “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”, he can... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Colorado

Session

1:45pm MST

Level-Up Your Self-Publishing Game: Five Pillars of a Thriving Author Career — Intermediate Level+

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm MST

Aimed predominately at authors who have already have a basic handle on Self-Publishing and want to take their business to the next level. James will discuss best practices and common mistakes that beginning authors make by looking at five key areas, or pillars, necessary for long-term success:

1. Content is King
2. Quality is Queen
3. Leverage Connections
4. Market Smarter, Not Harder 5.
It’s All a Numbers Game.

Speakers

James Hunter

James Hunter is a full-time Inkslinger and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Discount Dan, and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, a publishing company that specializes in LitRRP... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm MST
Colorado

Session

3:00pm MST

My Origin Story

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST

Bestselling author Jim Butcher talks about how he got started writing stories, and finally made his big break in publishing.

Speakers

Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and his new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST
Colorado

Session

4:15pm MST

Find Your Superpower as a Writer

Saturday February 8, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm MST

My keynote from 2022, finding inspiration, tribe, networking

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm MST
Colorado

Session

5:30pm MST

Endowment Auction and Announcements

Saturday February 8, 2025 5:30pm - 6:15pm MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

James Artimus Owen

James Artimus Owen is part artist, part writer, and all heart. He has written and illustrated the Mythworld series, two dozen Starchild comics, available as The Twentieth Anniversary Nearly-Complete Essential Starchild, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica (and coloring books... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 5:30pm - 6:15pm MST
Colorado

Special Event

8:00pm MST

Science Fiction: the Sweeping Stakes of Space Opera

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm MST

Space opera is having is heyday again, thanks to recent successes like the "Dune" movies and new HBO series. Our panel of experts discusses what makes for big enough stakes in this far-reaching genre, that still draws readers in.

Speakers

D.J. Butler

D.J. (Dave) Butler has been a lawyer, a consultant, a corporate trainer, and a registeredinvestment banking representative, and he is now a Senior Editor for ARK Press. He plays guitarand banjo whenever he can, and hangs out in Utah with his wife, their children, and the familydo... Read More →

Mia Kleve

MRK'd Up Editing

Mia has been an avid reader since she was a kid, starting with science fiction and fantasy, but soon moving into detective fiction. She’s one of those people who always has a book. She started as a proofreader, but soon moved into line, copy, and developmental editing. She has... Read More →

Michael La Ronn

Michael La Ronn (also known as M.L. Ronn) has published over 100 science fiction & fantasy novels and self-help books for writers.Michael also runs the award-winning YouTube channel “Author Level Up,” with over 40,000 subscribers and 2 million views. Writer’s Digest voted the... Read More →

Toni Weisskopf

Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has been nominated four times for a Hugo Award. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor.

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm MST
Colorado

Panel

8:15am MST

Announcements

Sunday February 9, 2025 8:15am - 8:30am MST

Announcements by Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Marie Whittaker

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 8:15am - 8:30am MST
Colorado

Announcements

8:30am MST

Things I'd Tell My Younger Self

Sunday February 9, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MST

Things I'd Tell My Younger Self

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Rebecca Moesta

Rebecca Moesta (pronounced MESS-tuh) is a freelance editor, co-publisher at WordFire Press, and bestselling author. She writes SF/F and nonfiction books for writers, both solo and with her husband, Kevin J. Anderson. Her work includes novels in Star Wars, Star Trek, and Buffy the... Read More →

James Artimus Owen

James Artimus Owen is part artist, part writer, and all heart. He has written and illustrated the Mythworld series, two dozen Starchild comics, available as The Twentieth Anniversary Nearly-Complete Essential Starchild, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica (and coloring books... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MST
Colorado

Session

9:45am MST

Drawings / Vendor Bingo

Sunday February 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:00am MST

Drawings / Vendor Bingo

Speakers

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, published more than thirty-five books, and is a pioneer in digital publishing. Past roles include President of Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations and Director of Business Development, and... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:00am MST
Colorado

Session

10:00am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Sunday February 9, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Speakers

Chris Kennedy

A Webster Award winner and three-time Dragon Award finalist, Chris Kennedy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher who has written over 65 books and published more than 500 others. Get his free book, “Shattered Crucible,” at his website, https://chriskennedypublishing.com... Read More →

Jeanette Strode

During the last 8 years as COO of Shadow Alley Press, Jeanette’s learned a lot about Indie Publishing. It takes persistence, a dedicated team, and big goals and dreams. Since 2016, she’s worked with numerous authors on these exact things. Helping them to narrow down their goals... Read More →

Cherry Weiner

Born and raised in Australia. Came to American when I married a Brooklyn boy. I worked for one of the biggest Literary Agents in NY until he fired me and then his clients took two years to convince me to open my own agency by sending me authors and their manuscripts. I handle all... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am MST
Colorado

Session

10:45am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Sunday February 9, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Speakers

James Hunter

James Hunter is a full-time Inkslinger and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Discount Dan, and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, a publishing company that specializes in LitRRP... Read More →

David Weber

David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952. Weber and his wife Sharon live in Greenville, South Carolina with their three children and “a passel of dogs”.With a blue-collar, science-fiction loving father, a college... Read More →

Toni Weisskopf

Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has been nominated four times for a Hugo Award. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor.

Sunday February 9, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am MST
Colorado

Session

11:15am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Sunday February 9, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am MST

End of Conference Q&A

Speakers

Michael La Ronn

Michael La Ronn (also known as M.L. Ronn) has published over 100 science fiction & fantasy novels and self-help books for writers.Michael also runs the award-winning YouTube channel “Author Level Up,” with over 40,000 subscribers and 2 million views. Writer’s Digest voted the... Read More →

Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, and comic book writer. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was produced as a Netflix original series. He writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction... Read More →

Ray Porter

Ray Porter is a multiple award winning narrator with over 500 titles. His narration of “Project Hail Mary” garnered 2021 Audie awards for Best Science Fiction and Audiobook of the Year. In addition to being the voice of Darkseid in “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”, he can... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am MST
Colorado

Session

11:45am MST

Farewell

Sunday February 9, 2025 11:45am - 12:00pm MST

Farewell

Speakers

Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the founders of Superstars, a #1 international bestselling author known for his work in the Dune, Star Wars, X-Files, Batman and Superman universes. He is also publisher of WordFire Press, and director of the Publishing Masters Degree program at Western... Read More →

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Executive Director of Superstars Writing. She started her career writing horror. Marie created The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch, is published in Weird... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 11:45am - 12:00pm MST
Colorado

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