Monthly Events
WE WELCOME VISITORS to join us for up to two meetings/workshops before becoming members.
In-Person Monthly Workshop:
Where: B.R.A.V.E. Church
(formerly Fervent Church)
3337 N. Academy, (just south of N. Carefree)
Colorado Springs, CO
– VIEW MAP –
Also available via ZOOM
Link will be emailed to members AND
posted on the ACFW Colorado Springs Facebook page
May 3: TBD with Joy K. Massenburge
About our presenter:
Joy K. Massenburge has built and maintained successful businesses for over twenty years. She has written two novels, independently and traditionally published, making her a hybrid author with Lighthouse of the Carolinas, as well as a contributing author for Our Daily Bread. As the CEO of Joy K. Massenburge & Associates, she and her team of female mindset coaches go beyond the manuscript and help struggling writers identify their roadblock(s) to publication so they can produce a first draft from start to finish. Her voice can be heard professionally speaking at marriage, writer’s, and women’s conferences, workshops, and retreats. She added narrator to her professional portfolio when she debuted in Michelle Stimpson’s “MAMA B: A Time to Speak,” audible book. She serves on the national board of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also the founding president of their ACFW-East Texas Writers. Find out more at joykmassenburge.com.
June 7: Research with Tracie Peterson
About our presenter:
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer. Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana. Find out more at traciepetersonbooks.com.
July 12: Craftiing Complex Characters with Lisa Phillips
A career author is the writer who has learned to craft a complex character who is the lead in their story. Someone in control of their actions, their words, and their choices. Learn how to develop the layers of a character who will come alive off the page, and how to show their depth in specific scenes. Full of craft and practical examples this class will help the writer of any genre elevate their character skills and build a satisfying internal arc for the story.
About our presenter:
Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after. Find out more at http://authorlisaphillips.com/
August 2: Marketing Trends with Steve Oates
About our presenter:
Steve Oates is a sales and marketing professional with 35 years of experience helping authors and fellow employees reach their goals and full potential. He strives to help the people around him solve problems, remove obstacles and be fully engaged in their work. He understands and has worked in nearly all facets of publishing, including retailing, distribution, author acquisition, retention, national account sales, and marketing. Naturally curious, Steve is always learning and growing and finding new ways to do things.
September 13: Common Mistakes Writers Make & How not to Make Them with Jocelyn Green
About our presenter:
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Metropolitan Affair, The Windy City Saga, The Mark of the King, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. Jocelyn is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and serves on the executive board of her local chapter. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two teens in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
October 4: TBD with Colleen Coble
About our presenter:
Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and her books have been on the USAToday bestseller list, the ECPA, CBA, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestseller lists. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.
November 1: TBD with Amanda Dykes
About our presenter:
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com.
Dec 6: Christmas Party
All chapter members and their spouses/significant others/or one guest are welcome to join us for a Christmas potluck brunch and short meeting at Brave Church. Members with last names beginning with A-K, please bring a savory item to share and L-Z please bring a sweet item. The board members will each bring a main dish. And don’t forget the gift exchange! Please bring a wrapped copy of one of your books, a favorite craft book, or writing journal for a gift drawing.