Birth Year (-Died Year)

1979

Birth City

Abington

Birth State

PA

Current Location

Cascade, CO

Occupation(s)

Author

Biography

Jessica Grey is an author, fairy tale believer, baseball lover, and recovering Star Wars fangirl. A life-long Californian, she now lives with her two children near Colorado Springs, where she spends her time writing, complaining about snow in April, and drinking way too much caffeine. Jessica writes witty, modern Jane Austen adaptations and Young Adult fairy tales featuring strong girls and magic.

Education/Training

2005 - Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (minor in History), Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

* Young adult fiction
* Fairy tale adaptation
* Jane Austen
* Austen-esque fiction
* Social media for writers
* Indie publishing

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1950

Birth City

Waynesville

Birth State

MO

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Realtor and Author

Biography

I've lived in the Colorado Springs area for over 40 years in a downtown Victorian home. We had fun updating and remodeling our home while keeping it to the original standards. We love the people and the community of Colorado Springs. Working in real estate, I've gotten to know the area and can't say there's anywhere else I'd like to live.

I work in real estate during the day and write in the evenings. I like to write stories that have a happy ever after so you'll find me on the shelves in under contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic comedy and romantic suspense. Also, I write some nonfiction as well. I am an award-winning, bestselling author on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Associate Degree in Business Manangement and Marketing

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Interviews

Organizations

Romance Writers of America - Pikes Peak Writers - Pikes Peak Romance Writers - Colorado Romance Writers - Heart of Denver Romance Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Living with chronic pain - Writing romance

Pseudonym

T. R. Fischer

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1964

Birth City

Boulder

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Elbert, CO

Occupation(s)

Buffalo rancher - writer

Biography

T. R. grew up in and around Boulder, Colorado. After moving to California and sampling life in San Diego, San Francisco, and L. A., she and her husband moved back to the wilds of the Denver area. That didn't satisfy, so the city dwellers took up raising buffalo, along with their four rowdy children. Each day is an adventure, on and off the page. T. R. now resides near Black Forest. Before moving to Elbert County, we lived in Colorado Springs for two years.

Education/Training

I have always been a storyteller. Just ask my mother. As for writing them down, that has come by participating in classes and workshops, reading about writing fiction, but mostly from writing and getting critiqued by fellow writers. I have been in several critique groups. The one I am currently involved with formed through the Pikes Peak Writers nearly two years ago.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Pikes Peak Writers - South Denver Critique Group

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

* The road to self-publishing
* Writing suspense/romantic suspense
* How to learn what you don't know through research and networking with specialists

Pseudonym

Lisa Tawn Bergren

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Writer and editor

Biography

I came to Colorado Springs as an editor on the team that founded WaterBrook Press/Random House. After four years with the company, I decided to go freelance, but we had fallen in love with Colorado--it's home now.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

No

Birth City

New Haven

Birth State

CT

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Author & Speaker

Biography

Best-selling author Mara Purl lives in Colorado Springs and in Los Angeles, and writes the Milford-Haven Novels & Stories, set on California's Central Coast. A former journalist who wrote for the Associated Press, Rolling Stone and the London Financial Times, she was also an actress best known for her role of Darla Cook in "Days of Our Lives." Her radio drama "Milford-Haven U.S.A." was a hit on BBC Radio with 4.5 million listeners throughout the U.K.. Mara served on the Community Board that raised funds to complete renovation of the Colorado Springs Carnegie Library, has been a guest professor at Colorado College and UCCS, and is a former president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature and Music, Bennington College

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Organizations

Authors Guild - Writers Guild of America West - Women Writing the West - Author U

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

The Writing Process - Creativity - Fictional World Building - Living from the Heart - Integrity of Brand - Publishing Process - What Matters Most - Story Research

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Writer

Biography

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She's grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings.

Education/Training

Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism, Ohio State

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Romance Writers of America - Colorado Romance Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

The writing craft - Work-life balance

Birth City

1976

Birth State

MD

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Author, Speaker, Brand Partner with Nerium International

Biography

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, and brand partner with Nerium International, who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. Originally from the East Coast, she now makes Colorado Springs her home. She has sold fourteen books so far and is represented by Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary Agency. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Messiah College

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) - HRW (Historical Romance Writers) - RWA (Romance Writers of America)

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

How to Keep Your (Writing) Focus When Life Gets Busy - Your Story and You: How Your Personality Helps and Hinders Your Writing - Character Personalities - Character Conversations: 10 Ways Dialogue Can Define Your Characters - From Premise to Published: 6 Steps That Will Get You There - Killing History or Bringing It to Life - The Training Wheels of Writing - Web Sites, Blogs, and Social Media ... Oh My! -

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1956

Birth City

Jackson

Birth State

MI

Current Location

Fountain, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Technical Support Specialist - Author

Biography

Who says dreams don't come true? Though it took her almost thirty years, Karen Fox managed to make her childhood dream of becoming an author a reality. After selling her first book in 1996, she has gone on to publish eight novels, one short story, and one novella. Born and raised in Jackson, MI, Karen married a boy from the country, John Fox, who then joined the Air Force and took her on a trip around the world. While living in locations such as Tacoma, WA; Charleston, SC; Mons, Belgium; Biloxi, MS; and Colorado Springs, CO, Karen experienced many different cultures and country-sides providing a vast pool of knowledge for stories. Her second novel, Somewhere, My Love, was nominated for the prestigious RITA Award by the Romance Writers of America. Following her husband's retirement from the Air Force, Karen settled in Colorado Springs, CO. Though currently working as a Technical Project Support Specialist for The MITRE Corporation, she hopes to one day be able to devote herself to a full-time career in writing.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

A.A. in English from Fort Steilacoom Community College, WA

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

* Member of Romance Writers of America since 1992
* Board member of Romance Writers of America for four years
* Member of Pikes Peak Romance Writers/Pikes Peak Romance
* Member of Pikes Peak Writers

Speaker Availability

No

Pseudonym

A.L. Kessler

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1987

Birth City

Colorado Springs

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Paranormal Romance Author - Stay at Home Mom

Biography

A.L. Kessler is best known for her Here Witchy Witchy series and can be found on her couch working hard on her next work. She lives in Colorado Springs with her family and her fur babies. She can be bribed with coffee and chocolate if need be. 

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Indie publishing - Writing as a craft - Writing and balancing a family life - Paranormal romance

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Biography

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.” She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends. Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances . Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

Education/Training

Bachelors Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Pikes Peak Writers - Romance Writers of America - Pikes Peak Chapter of Romance Writers of America - Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Topics include book clubs, writing, the craft of writing, and the occupation of writing. Jennie loves guest speaking at book clubs that have read her book