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

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Organizations

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA)

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Autism, Neurodiversity, Non-Binary, Trans

Birth City

Hayes

Birth State

KS

Current Location

El Paso County, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

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/

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Interviews

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.

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

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

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

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

Birth City

Colorado Springs

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Breckenridge, CO

Email (Public)

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.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Pikes Peak Writers

Speaker Availability

No

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

Education/Training

Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications (St. Cloud State University)
Master of Education, Adult Education (University of Alaska Anchorage)

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

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

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

Published Works

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.

Pseudonym

Martlet di Rotstein

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1997

Birth City

Colorado Springs

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

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

Published Works

Speaker Availability

No

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

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

I am more than happy to speak about writing, editing, or critiquing fiction.

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1983

Birth City

Ukiah

Birth State

CA

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

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

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Self Publishing - LITrpg (a relatively new book genre that is booming) - my book series

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

Education/Training

MA-English/Language Arts

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

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