James, MJ

Author MJ James
Birth City
Tucson
Birth State
AZ
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Email (Public)
Author's Website
Biography

MJ James is an own-voice science-fiction and fantasy author for queer and neurodiverse readers. With themes of found family, aromantic and asexual representation, and a focus on belonging, MJ hopes their stories can provide companionship for their readers along with a sense of validation, understanding, and being seen.

Education/Training
MS Developmental Psychology
Organizations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA)
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Autism, Neurodiversity, Non-Binary, Trans

Ward, M.M.

Author M.M. Ward
Birth City
Hayes
Birth State
KS
Current Location
El Paso County, CO
Email (Public)
Occupation(s)
Indie Author
Biography

I am M.M. Ward, an indie author, stroke survivor, and chronic migraine overcomer. I started writing as part of my stroke recovery because I lost most of my ability to use language in 2015. I write in a variety of genres from contemporary stories that focus on realistic-feeling characters dealing with their own internal issues as they navigate the difficulties of life to fantasy and sci-fi series where my characters face as much struggle within as they do in the world around them. My whole writer's journey is to show characters overcoming versus succumbing because that is the way of the world. I want my readers to feel like they know my characters better than their neighbors, that my characters could be their neighbors. Why? Because Life always offers us the choice; be bitter or Become Better. I choose Better.

My Youtube Page https://www.youtube.com/@PenumbraMineMMWard

Facebook Page Author M.M. Ward https://www.facebook.com/authormmward/

Substack PenumbraMine https://penumbramine.substack.com/

Published Works
How to Become a Crazy Cat Lady to Survive the Zombpocalypse (2023) - Dystopian …
Red Velvet and Anemones, Pagosa Cliffs Anemones 1 (2025)
The Wild Anemone, Pagosa Cliffs Anemones 2 (2025)
Some Anemones Are Blue, Pagosa Cliffs Anemones 3 (2025)
Anemones In The Wind, Pagosa Cliffs Anemones 4 (2024)
The Wind Flowers, Pagosa Cliffs Anemones 5 (2025)
Tarnished Stars, Pagosa Stars 1 (2021)
Blue Water, Pagosa Stars 2 (2022)
Blue Butterflies, Pagosa Stars 3 (2022)
Windswept Stars, Pagosa Stars 4 (2024)
Winds Over Pagosa, Pagosa Stars 5 (2025)
Stars Over Pagosa, Pagosa Stars 6 (2025)
Card on the Table, Pagosa Stars 7 (2026)
Steamers’ Tea and Coffee House (2020) - Devoted Sisters, Contemporary Standalon…
The Flame Burning Within (2021) - Devoted Sisters, Contemporary Standalones
The Spartan Chimera (2024) - Greek Myth AU
Ghost with Cats, Book of Eloh 1 (2020) - Sci-fi, Ancient Alien Conspiracy
Ghost with Ink, Book of Eloh 2 (2021)
Ghost with Hope, Book of Eloh 3 (2022)
A Huntsman's Honor, #1 (2020) - The Huntsman of Adamos
A Huntsman's Heart, #2 (2021)
A Huntsman's Hatred, #3 (2021)
A Huntsman's Horror, #4 (2021)
The Relic of Time and Prophesies, Relic of Time War Series Book 1 (2023)
War of Prophecies, Relic of Time War Series Book 2 (2023)
Cretaceous Conspiracy, Relic of Time War Series Book 3 (2023)
Ancient Ice Apocalypse, Relic of Time War Series Book 4 (2023)
Aetheria Rising, Relic of Time War Series Book 5 (2023)
Dust Shadow Insurgence, Relic of Time War Series Book 6 (2023)
Allies of Dust, Relic of Time War Series Book 7 (2024)
Terrearth Falling, Relic of Time War Series Book 8 (2024)
Swords of Aetheria, Relic of Time War Series Book 9 (2024)
The Dauntless Deception, Relic of Time War Series Book 10 (2024)
Light of Jura, Relic of Time War Series Book 11 (2025)
Darkness of the Devourer, Relic of Time War Series Book 12 (2025)
The Shadow Hunt, Relic of Time War Series Book 13 (2025)
A Huntsman’s Hope, Relic of Time War Series Book 14
AuthorTube Presents Bog Hag: An Anthology (2024) ~ Sludge and Sparkles
AuthorTube Presents Beltane: An Anthology (2025) ~ Sludge and Slayers
Beyond The Hallow Grave ~ Wildflowers by Moonlight (Daisy the Werecow 1)
Curse of the Hallow Moon ~ The Wolf, the Witch, and the Werecow (Daisy the Were…
Whispers of a Hallow Night Mirror, Mirror, Minotaur (Daisy the Werecow 3)
Snowflakes and Winter Dreams, Editingle Cozy Romance Anthology: "A Christmas Re…
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
I talk about Writing with disabilities, Worldbuilding, Self-editing, Story Seed Creation, and many other topics about being an Indie and Trad author with brain damage.

Jones, C. Buck

Author C. Buck Jones
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1951
Birth City
Springfield
Birth State
MO
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Email (Public)
Author's Website
Occupation(s)
Retired Engineer - Writer
Biography

C. Buck Jones writes science fiction and fantasy novels with a Christian perspective. When he retired as an engineer, he took up writing to give himself something to occupy his time and keep him out of his wife’s hair. He enjoyed reading, especially science fiction and fantasy. When not at his computer writing or editing, he fishes with his grandkids or his dog in the Colorado streams and lakes near his home. He enjoys soccer, walking with his wife, and spending time in God’s infinitely beautiful creation.

Awards/Honors
Salvation and Doom: The Cathardi Prophecy received a 2024 Cristlit Book Award and was a finalist for Book of the Year
Education/Training
Graduated from W. J. Palmer High School
B.S., Colorado State University Pueblo Mechanical Engineering and Technology
M.B.A., University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover image of Lightning's Edge
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Book cover image of Salvation and Doom
Organizations
Member of the American Christian Fiction Writers national and the Pikes Peak chapter
Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Becoming a writer after retirement - Self-publishing an expensive hobby

Aisling, Nicole

Photo of author Nicole Aisling
Birth City
Colorado Springs
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Breckenridge, CO
Author's Website
Biography

I am a Colorado native, born in Colorado Springs, with a bachelor’s degree in biology (which I rarely use). An incurable thirst for knowledge led me astray to philosophy and psychology classes, which inspired stories like my debut novel, Chasing Nightmares. I love merging magic with science, creating worlds grounded in physics and biology… but still fantastical. I grew up practically living at various PPLD branches and am honored to now have my debut in the library catalog.

Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover image of The Sound of Nothing
Image
Book cover image of Chasing Nightmares
Organizations
Pikes Peak Writers
Speaker Availability
No

Gillings, Bowen

Author Bowen Gillings
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1973
Birth City
Oshkosh
Birth State
WI
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Email (Public)
Author's Website
Occupation(s)
Author, Park Interpreter
Biography

Bowen Gillings writes to keep fiction fun. Readers love his quirky, offbeat style that "boggles the genre mind." Bowen has shared writing tips and secrets on TV, radio, podcasts, YouTube channels, and through a variety of workshops. He holds a Master of Education, five martial arts black belt certifications, and is an Army veteran. Travel enthusiast, outdoors lover, and RPG nerd, Bowen enjoys cooking big meals for family and friends. Find out more at storiesbybowen.com.

Awards/Honors
Honorable Mention L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Competition (Winter 2024)
Finalist, Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards (2019)
Third Place, Zebulon Fiction Writing Contest: SciFi/Fantasy (2018)
Education/Training
Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications (St. Cloud State University)
Master of Education, Adult Education (University of Alaska Anchorage)
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for A Night to Remember
Image
Book cover for Exceptionals
Image
Book cover for Fresh Starts
Image
Book cover for Journeys Into Possibility
Organizations
* Pikes Peak Writers
* Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
* League of Utah Writers
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
* Writing fight scenes
* Getting the most out of a writers conference
* Self-publishing
* How to critique writing
* How to conduct a critique group
* Turning a short story into a novel
* History of Garden of the Gods
* Charles Elliott Perkins (Perkins family gave the original piece of land that would become Garden of the Gods)
* The Civilian Conservation Corps in Colorado Springs

Porter, I'Sha'Keyva

Author I'Sha'Keyva Porter
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1993
Birth City
Richmond Heights
Birth State
MO
Current Location
Colorado Springs CO
Email (Public)
Author's Website
Occupation(s)
Writer, baker, and customer service rep
Biography

Though I was not born here, Colorado is my home and has been since the age of 4. I started writing early; at that time I enjoyed seeing others response to the stories I told, I didn't realize writing was a part of me, and the thing that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Now that I am older, I have set goals, and I am reaching them. As a writer, I hope and plan to go far. I look forward to stealing hearts and captivating the mind with amazing stories.

Local Authors Genres
Organizations
GoodNovel.com
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
My journey as a new writer coming out of the shadows, finding my way, working through self-doubt, and gaining confidence.

di Rotstein, Martlet

Pseudonym
Martlet di Rotstein
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1997
Birth City
Colorado Springs
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Email (Public)
Occupation(s)
Writer
Biography

Born and raised in Colorado Springs, I returned after college and took advantage of the time before me during the 2020 COVID lockdown to devote myself to writing. After finishing my first book, I look forward to continuing forward on to my next projects.

Education/Training
Bachelor's of Science in Computer Engineering.
Local Authors Genres
Speaker Availability
No

Herbert, Amber

Herbert, Amber
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1993
Birth City
Anaheim
Birth State
CA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Email (Public)
Author's Website
Occupation(s)
Writer - editor
Biography

Amber Herbert is a published author/poet living in Colorado Springs with her husband and two sons. She has a BA in English Literature and has worked as a freelance editor since 2018. She writes high fantasy, horror, science fiction, and YA and New Adult fiction. Lipstick Covered Magnet is her first novel.

Education/Training
BA in English Literature - developmental and copy editor since 2018 - judge for Colorado Book Awards and the Colorado Gold contest
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for Lipstick Covered Magnet by Amber Herbert
Organizations
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
I am more than happy to speak about writing, editing, or critiquing fiction.

Barber, Sean

Head and shoulders photograph of Sean Barber
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1983
Birth City
Ukiah
Birth State
CA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Local truck driver
Biography

I have been a Colorado Springs resident for over 20 years and have been a member of the Pikes Peak Library District for nearly as long. I have been a lifelong reader and have always dreamed of becoming a published author. I finally accomplished my dream in January of 2022 and hope to be a full time author in the next couple years.

Education/Training
Associates Degree in IT - Bachelors Degree in Psychology - CDL holder
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for Initialization, Book 1 (Paths of Power series)
Image
Book cover for Initialization, Book 2 (Paths of Power series)
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Self Publishing - LITrpg (a relatively new book genre that is booming) - my book series

Emanuelson, K. L.

Author K. L. Emanuelson
Birth City
Milwaukee
Birth State
WI
Current Location
El Paso County, CO
Occupation(s)
Author
Biography

K. L. Emanuelson is an Army veteran. She was a working cowgirl for many years, a horse trainer and a riding instructor. As a Beowulf scholar, she's presented at academic conferences and been published in the proceedings. She's entered the poetry, essay and short-short fiction divisions and won, at the Colorado Veterans Arts competitions, but now focuses upon writing her novels. She shares her ranch in the beautiful, historic Bijou Basin with her horses, dogs and cats. She's a historian with a focus upon pre-Viking early 6th century Scandinavia and the 19th century American West.

Awards/Honors
First Place, "Blue Agave," Colorado Women's Poetry Competition, open division
2018 Colorado Veterans Arts Competition: First Place Essay, First Place and Best in Show in Writing for a Short-short Fiction piece
2019 Colorado Veterans Arts Competition: First Place Essay, First Place Short-short Fiction, First Place Poetry
Education/Training
MA-English/Language Arts
Published Works
Published in the Proceedings from the SISSI academic conference for many years,…
Ghost Dream (forthcoming)
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for The Woman Who Rode Destiny by K. L. Emauelson
Organizations
Pikes Peak Writers
Sons of Norway
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Beowulf, horses, including accurate horse portrayals in film and fiction, Viking and pre-Viking Norse culture, and cowboys/cowgirls
Subscribe to Fantasy/Magical realism