Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Ryanne Glenn began writing as a way to battle depression and continued because she believed she had a story to share. An avid reader herself, Ryanne wanted the chance to add to the bookshelves of young adults everywhere. She is currently signed with Atthis Arts LLC to publish her first young adult fantasy trilogy. Ryanne Glenn is a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver, CO, where she works as an image analyst for a bioscience company. She has a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She loves to golf, though after playing for twelve years, her handicap should be much lower than it is. Between writing and work, she often visits her hometown of Fruita, Colorado, to spend time with her family and dogs, Coco, Pebbles, and Captain Carl. Ryanne’s recent writing news is her story There Will Always Be Peaches is being included in the upcoming RMFW short story anthology, Without Brakes, Fingers Crossed. On the podcast, Ryanne talks about coming back from

Justin Weaver, who writes as J. Warren Weaver. is the author of the award winning, international bestselling Shadow of a Spy Trilogy. He lives in small town Colorado, where he enjoys the bountiful great outdoors with his wife, daughter, and three dogs. When his infant child isn't demanding his complete and undivided attention, he writes page-turning thrillers with thought-provoking mysteries. The third volume in Justin’s trilogy, Solace for the Forgotten, comes out in April and he’s got his first short story being published in RMFW’s upcoming anthology, Without Brakes, Fingers Crossed. Also on the podcast, we chat about a book fair Justin is putting together in May in his hometown of Fruita. More about J. Warren Weaver: https://www.jwarrenweaver.com/  Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/    

How do you shift easily among writing a variety of genres? Aimie K. Runyan knows a few things about that, especially with the release of her debut women's fiction this month after writing a variety of historical fiction novels. Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond.  Aimie lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable kitties, and a dragon. Aimie’s contemporary Women's Fiction debut, The Memory of Lavender and Sage, just released this month. More about Aimie: https://aimiekrunyan.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/    

This time on the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast, we get to know the folks behind the Writers Who Read podcast — Gary McBride, Mira Landry, and Whitney Pinion. ++ Gary McBride founded the Writers Who Read novel study group back in August of 2018. After meeting at the Boulder Book Store, the group moved to the Boulder Public Library in 2019 after its adoption as part of the Boulder Writers Alliance. Gary McBride lives just outside of Boulder with his wife Deb and their cats Wallace and Vincenzo. A fourth-generation Denverite, Gary has visited over 70 countries, worked in more than 50 of them, and lived for over a decade in Europe and Southeast Asia. Gary has written a reference guide for Writers Who Read, entitled Literary Forensics, which will be published in 2024. ++ Born and raised in British Columbia, Mira Landry now resides in Colorado with her husband. She has a Creative Writing Certificate from Simon Fraser University, and works both as an associate literary agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency and as a

Linda (L.V.) Ditchkus has written her whole life. But until eight years ago, her writing was either technical, scholarly, or in travel magazines. In 2015, she jumped into novel writing with both feet. After drafting her first chapter, which only amounted to a few hundred words, she realized she had plenty to learn. So she found a network of writing friends—many through RMFW—who gave her writing tips and pointed her toward writing resources like how-to books and classes. She’s grateful for her fantastic writing pals. Being a judge for the 2022 Self Published Science Fiction Competition and a 2023 youth writing competition has deepened her understanding of what makes books and stories stand out. Since her Sasquatch Series won First Place in the Colorado Authors League 2021 Book Awards for Sci-Fi and her short story was included in the last RMFW’s anthology (Bizarre Bazaar), Linda plans to stop calling herself a debut author. In addition to marketing the Sasquatch Series, she’s recently released the first book i

After nearly two decades of interaction with authors, musicians, and dignitaries in the arenas of publishing, international media, large-scale events, and agricultural endeavors, Terrie founded AKA (Also Known As) Literary Management (AKALM) in 2009. As a full member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), she received the Agent of the Year Award in 2021 from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), was named a “Top 20 of 2020 Agent” by Writer’s Digest and has sold rights in over forty countries and thirty languages.    More at https://akalm.net/  Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Bowen Gillings writes to bring fun back to fiction. His latest novel, EXCEPTIONALS was released in 2023 while his short works have been published in anthologies and periodicals. He’s been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and YouTube channels. His quirky, offbeat tales are lauded as "perfect," "charming,” and "fun," with writing that "boggles the genre mind." Bowen facilitates a variety of writing workshops and is an active member of Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, and the Author’s Guild. He holds a Master of Education, five martial arts black belt certifications, and is an Army veteran. Travel enthusiast, outdoors lover, and RPG nerd, he also enjoys cooking big meals for family and friends. Find out more at storiesbybowen.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Dani Coleman is a four-time finalist in RMFW's Colorado Gold novel contest. She works as a scientific computer programmer, karate instructor and parent and has many hobbies that attempt to steal time from her writing. She is also co-chair of the Workshop Selection Committee for the Colorado Gold conference and this time on the podcast we run down all the details about workshop proposals and the submission process, which closes on February 29.  To submit a workshop proposal, visit: https://rmfw.org/conference-proposal-guidelines/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Linda Keir is the pen name of Linda Joffe Hull and Keir Graff. Their previous titles include The Swing of Things, The Three Mrs. Wrights, and Drowning with Others. Independently, they have published over a dozen novels. You can find them on X @LindaeJH and @KeirGraff. Their latest collaboration, due out on January 30 from Blackstone Publishing, is The Royal Game.   For more information: www.LindaJoffeHull.com www.KeirGraff.com. Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com  

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado where there is far less humidity, but not nearly enough BBQ.  DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press. More: https://kerriefayebooks.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Travis Tougaw is a writer and editor. He has degrees in English from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. An Air Force Veteran, Travis has worked in a variety of roles, including English teacher, employee educator, and health care administrator.  He lives in Denver with his wife and children. Foxholes, coming out January 11 (2024), is his first novel.  More: https://travistougaw.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Mike Torreano  Mike is a multi-award-winning author of traditional Western mysteries and historical fiction. In the fifth grade, he read his first Zane Grey novel and has been hooked on the Old West ever since.  Mike’s debut western mystery, The Reckoning, was released in 2016 by The Wild Rose Press and the sequel, The Renewal, was released in 2018. Both are set in South Park Colorado, circa 1870. He’s now finishing up the third in the South Park series, The Return. The Goodnight-Loving cattle trail inspired his first stand-alone western, A Score To Settle, (2020) set on that New Mexico Territory trail in 1870.  Mike’s latest western mystery, White Sands Gold, (2022) is set in New Mexico Territory in 1890. It has received four literary awards. A lifelong interest in American history led to his first historical novel, Fireflies at Dusk, released November, 2023. Fireflies is a coming-of age tale about a young man torn between his pacifist family and his urge to fight the injustice of slavery as the Civil War br

Jon Christian Rutigliano's credo is that individuals naturally gravitate toward the positive energy in life, and are at their best when left to their own devices. For good or bad, his work will always explore this proposition. When not writing, you can find Jon and his wife Krissy at their Colorado based ranch introducing his two rambunctious boys to mother nature. Jon’s first novel RECLAMATION debuted in 2020. On the podcast, we talk about Jon’s role coordinating agent pitch sessions at Colorado Gold and publishing on the platform Substack.   More about Jon: www.jonchristianauthor.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Maria Kelson writes crime fiction, speculative stories, and poetry. She won the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Crime Fiction Writers of Color from Sisters in Crime for her first mystery novel, coming out from Crooked Lane Books in Fall 2024, and her short stories appear in Lightspeed, About Place Journal, and strandmag.com. Her two poetry collections with University of Arizona Press (as Maria Melendez) have been finalists for the International Latino Book Award, PEN America, and Colorado Book Award. More: https://mariakelson.com/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/   Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Kris Abel-Helwig is a graphic designer, photographer, and author illustrator of multiple picture books and young adult novels. Fictional characters inhabit her dreams and haunt her nightmares. Their stories emerge while swimming laps, walking pups, and drinking espresso. Substitute teaching inspired her Hero series, recently re-edited and released through Culicidae Press, including the award-winning I Wish My Words Tasted Better. She is currently working on a whodunit modern crime fiction. Originally from Illinois, she and husband Mike have moved coast to coast and many states in between with a herd of animals and for visits from their three sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandkids, and friends near and far. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and a benign brain tumor in 2022, she advocates early detection, aggressive treatments, and thriving happily ever after. Kris’s young adult Hero Series novels are available through Culicidae Press: https://culicidaepress.com/books-by-kris-abel-helwig/ Amazon and Ingra

Shannon Baker is author of the Kate Fox Mystery series. Set in rural Nebraska cattle country, according to a starred review in Library Journal, "Baker’s writing evokes the beauty of the Nebraska Sandhills, and her colorful cast of secondary characters adds a depth of charm." Now a resident of Tucson, Baker spent 20 years in the Nebraska Sandhills, where cattle outnumber people by more than 50:1. Shannon is proud to have been chosen Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2014 and 2017 Writer of the Year. Her stand-alone psychological thriller, The Desert Behind Me, was the winner of the 2019 New Mexico/Arizona Book Award. Baker also writes the Nora Abbott mystery series, a fast-paced mix of Hopi Indian mysticism, environmental issues, and murder. The first in the series, Height of Deception, is set in Flagstaff, AZ, and a finalist for the New Mexico/Arizona Book Award.  A lover of the great outdoors, she can be found backpacking in the Rockies, traipsing to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, skiing mountains and plains,

Kevin Wolf’s debut novel, The Homeplace was the winner of the 2015 Tony Hillerman Award. The novel was a nominee for the 2016 Strand Critics Award for Debut Mystery. His Paranormal Western series Brokeheart (2017)and A Town Called Vengeance (2018) are published by North Star Editions. The great-grandson of Colorado homesteaders, he enjoys fly fishing, old Winchesters, and 1950's Western movies. He lives in Estes Park, Colorado with his wife. Rocky Mountain National Park is his backyard. Kevin's latest novel, The Bootheel, just launched in September after sitting in a drawer for eight years.  On the podcast, we also talk about the Colarado Gold Conference this year and about a Dec. 2 holiday season event to help RMFW sell their books at Bookies bookstore in Denver. Kevin's website: https://www.kevinwolfstoryteller.com/ Scroll down here for details on Dec. 2 event: https://rmfw.org/learn/ Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

Angela Sylvaine is a self-proclaimed cheerful goth who still believes in monsters. She adores reading and is always looking for a great book recommendation. Angela writes horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy. She has published one novella, CHOPPING SPREE, and her short stories have appeared in over two dozen publications. Her debut novel, FROST BITE, releases on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from Dark Matter INK. Her debut short story collection, THE DEAD SPOT: Stories of Lost Girls, will be available from Dark Matter INK next May. Angela grew up in North Dakota and holds degrees in psychology and philosophy from the University of North Dakota. After marrying her high school sweetheart, they moved to Colorado, and now live on the front range of the Rockies with their three creepy cats. Angela is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and Pikes Peak Writers. https://angelasylvaine.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.

Kerry Hammond decided to give up the practice of law to commit crimes—on the page. Her work has appeared in the Malice Domestic Anthologies: Mystery Most Geographical, Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Traditional, and the upcoming Mystery Patrons Present: Mystery Most International. Her love of travel means that her stories often take place in foreign locales she has (or wants to) visit, or while her characters are enroute to their next adventure. She’s a huge fan of the subtle surprise ending and is happiest when her readers didn’t see the ending coming. More: https://www.kerryhammond.com/  Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/

In fourth grade Callie read The Indian in the Cupboard. The idea of a boy’s toy coming alive in a magic cupboard grabbed a hold of her imagination and never let go. The addiction only increased as she read Roald Dahl, Lloyd Alexander, Madeleine L’Engle, and the Redwall series. In sixth grade her teacher took away Jane Eyre because it was distracting Callie from her work. In all her reading, one question has always fascinated her. Why do some stories with great ideas fall flat? For the past decade, Callie has honed her skills by studying the craft of writing and defining the elements that make a story work. She can read any story, any rocky first draft, and provide the first aid it needs to make your manuscript resonate in the minds of your readers. Callie is also a mother of four. She is a singer and theater buff, she has spent a lot of time on the stage and behind the curtain as a music director and costumer. She loves good stories told on television and is a big fan of many. She’s also the founder of The Ma