Aspen Words

Writer in Residence: Erica Bauermeister
2017-10-24 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | United States
DOORS OPEN AT 5PM — Arrive early to purchase drinks or food so as not to disrupt the author talk. While these events are free and open to the public, donations at the door are encouraged.
Erica Bauermeister is the bestselling author of three novels, The School of Essential Ingredients, Joy for Beginners, and The Lost Art of Mixing. Her fiction has been published in over 25 languages. She is also the co-author of two non-fiction works, 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. She has a PhD in literature from the University of Washington and has taught there and Antioch University. She lives in Port Townsend, WA.

Community Partner: Aspen Film Screening of Arthur Miller Documentary
2017-12-02 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | United States
A Benefit for Aspen Film | Special Sneak Screening
ARTHUR MILLER: WRITERAn HBO Documentary Film by Rebecca Miller
“…for those who revere Arthur Miller’s best work, this film is an indispensable and deeply personal addition to an understanding of the artist and the man.” –Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter
Aspen Words is a community partner for the Aspen Film screening of “Arthur Miller: Writer,” an intimate portrait of one of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century. This documentary is told from the unique perspective of an award-winning filmmaker: his daughter, Rebecca Miller. The film includes material never before seen by the public, including in-depth interviews and home movie-style footage, providing insights into Miller that are quite different from the ones the public has previously seen. Rebecca Miller opens the door to the man behind the icon, delves into the roots of his life as an artist, and explores his character – both its strengths and its weaknesses.
Post film discussion with producer, Cindy Tolen followed by a reception at Explore Books.
All proceeds benefit Aspen Film. Tickets $75 (on sale Nov 6) | aspenshowtix.com | 970-920-5770

AWN Holiday Party - Invite Only
2017-12-06 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | United States
Aspen Writers’ Network members are invited to a year-end celebration and networking event with fellow Roaring Fork Valley writers. Join us for appetizers, cocktails, literary trivia and holiday cheer!
Free for members. RSVP to Elizabeth Nix. * Bring a wrapped book (new or used) for a fun gift exchange.

Literary Prize Longlist Announcement Party
2017-12-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | United States
Please join us for a free community event celebrating our inaugural Aspen Words Literary Prize longlist! The AWLP is a $35,000 annual award for an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture. All of the longlisted titles (fiction published in 2017) will be available for purchase. Give the gift of influential literature this holiday season!
Limited complimentary food and drink provided by Pyramid Bistro. Winter Words season passes and Aspen Words swag will also be available for purchase.
FREE EVENT – Please RSVP
SPECIAL THANKS TO ELLEN HUNT

Spring Workshop: How to Write Great Dialogue
2018-05-16 17:45 - 18:45 UTC
Pitkin County Library in Aspen
Learn the essentials of crafting compelling dialogue in a one-hour workshop presented by award-winning novelist Tiffany Quay Tyson, who will join us via Skype from Denver, where she teaches at Lighthouse Writers Workshop. The session will include lots of practical advice as well as hands-on exercises.

Agent/Editor Consultations at Summer Words
2018-06-19 17:00 - 2018-06-21 20:00, 2019-06-18 08:00 - 2019-06-20 17:00 UTC
The Gant in Aspen
Featuring representatives from the top publishing houses and literary agencies. Each spring, AWN members receive information on how to sign up for a private consultation and how to submit their work.

Publishing Talk with Novelist Amy Meyerson
2018-07-19 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Bookbinders in Basalt
Novelist Amy Meyerson will discuss everything you need to know about what happens after you finish writing your book–but before it’s published. She’ll talk about what’s it like to work with an agent + editor and how to market a book as a first-time author, among other topics.

Fiction Writing Workshop with Daryl Gregory
2018-10-13 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Pitkin County Library in Aspen
Award-winning author Daryl Gregory’s college acting teacher once told him that you can’t play running from a bear—you can only run to what’s going to save you: the tree, the shotgun or that spot just past your slower brother Louie. In this workshop you’ll learn how to create compelling stories by focusing on the essence of drama: characters who want something specific and fail to get it–or realize it’s not what they needed after all. Through exercises and discussion you’ll learn practical techniques for creating dynamic plots, believable characters and scenes that matter.

How to Promote Your Writing
2019-02-28 17:30 - 19:00 UTC

Practice Your Pitch
2019-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 UTC
Aspen Institute Campus
This session is for anyone who’s interested in the art of talking about and selling a book, whether you’re just beginning to think about the publishing industry or want to meet with an agent at Summer Words this June. Members discuss tips for crafting and delivering the right message, while also taking the opportunity to practice their own pitches with Aspen Words Executive Director Adrienne Brodeur and local author Scott Laser.

How to Write a Page-Turner: A Workshop for Fiction, Memoir + Narrative Nonfiction Writers
2019-10-19 10:00 - 16:00 UTC
Red Brick Center for the Arts
High tension is probably the No. 1 reason readers keep reading. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir or narrative nonfiction, if you can keep your reader on the edge of his or her seat by creating and maintaining tension throughout scene after scene, that reader will stay up way too late reading your book and tell all his friends to go out and buy it. In this workshop, we’ll delve into the interplay of all the elements that raise tension and create conflict and explore how to craft your story to capitalize on each within scenes as well as across your entire plotline. The workshop will include short readings, craft discussion and lots of writing prompts.
Special price for Aspen Writers’ Network members: $40. Non-members: $95.
Registration is closed and the workshop is at capacity. Please email Ellie Scott to be added to the waitlist.

Writing is Rewriting (Virtual Workshop)
2020-05-11 18:00 - 20:30 UTC
Are you lost in the hazy fog of revision? Not sure what to do next? Have you been cutting and pasting, rewriting and moving things around and moving them back? It’s easy to get caught in addressing surface problems rather than evaluating the backbone of the story from a crafting standpoint. The most difficult part of writing is often revisions. In this spring workshop, Rachel Weaver (“Point of Direction”) will discuss concrete stages of revision, help you figure out where you are and what’s next, and discuss solid techniques to make your revisions as efficient and effective as possible. You will leave class with a long checklist of things you’ve done, and things you’ve got left to do.

The Life of a Book (Virtual Panel)
2020-06-09 17:30 - 18:30 UTC
It takes a village to publish a book. This presentation will offer a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into turning a manuscript into a book — from the acquisition process to selecting a cover, distribution channels and the thousand other decisions that are essential to publishing a book.
Presenters: Becky Saikia-Wilson, SVP, trade associate publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt  + Lauren Wein, editorial director at Avid Reader Press.

Personal Essay Workshop (Virtual Workshop)
2020-09-22 18:00 - 2020-09-29 19:00 UTC
Led by award-winning author Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, this generative workshop explored the powerful possibilities of memory, experience and reflection inherent in the personal essay. Through a close study of traditional and more experimental expressions of narrative, participants worked towards creating and workshopping original work that was nuanced, complex and effectively written. The group looked at work from writers like Maggie Nelson, Rebecca Solnit, Gloria Anzaldúa and others for inspiration. Participants were asked to look closely at their own lives to find the tremendous potential hidden in their stories.

AWN – Third Thursdays Zoom Writing Meetups
2020-10-31 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Writing is a solitary endeavor that can leave us feeling isolated. What has this meant for you in your writing life during this time when we’ve all been asked to isolate and stay at home?
The theme for these 60-minute informal gatherings is “Communing”. We ask that writers (that are comfortable) to share 1-3 ways that they’re nourishing their creativity and writing practice with the group. Feel free to bring a beverage!

Self Publishing Zoom Workshop
2021-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Self-publishing workshop with editor, typographer and designer
Barbara Scott (Be). Engage in a conversation about the process and design stages of taking your project from manuscript to finished book, via Amazon. This workshop is intended to answer writers’ questions about what it takes to self-publish a book.

Practice Your Pitch
2021-08-03 17:30 - 18:30 UTC
Red Brick Center for the Arts
To help prepare for the upcoming agent, editor meetings at Aspen Autumn Words we are hosting “Practice Your Pitch” at the Red Brick Center for the Arts (Dance Studio space). This session is for AWN members who are interested in the art of talking about and selling their book, whether you’re just beginning to think about the publishing industry or have a meeting scheduled with an agent or editor at Autumn Words this fall. We’ll practice with one another, go over some tips and hear some input from Adrienne Brodeur, executive director of Aspen Words and former editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Members should reach out to Marie Chan (marie.chan@aspeninstitute.org) to indicate your interest and confirm your AWN membership is up to date

Agent/Editor Consultations at Autumn Words
2021-10-01 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The Gant in Aspen
Featuring representatives from the top publishing houses and literary agencies. Each year, AWN members receive information on how to sign up for a private consultation and how to submit their work.

AWN – Third Thursdays Zoom Writing Meetups
2021-10-22 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Third Thursday of (almost) Every Month
7-8 p.m. MT
Writing is a solitary endeavor that can leave us feeling isolated. What has this meant for you in your writing life during this time when we’ve all been asked to isolate and stay at home?
The theme for these 60-minute informal gatherings is “Communing”. We ask that writers (that are comfortable) to share 1-3 ways that they’re nourishing their creativity and writing practice with the group. Feel free to bring a beverage!

Presentation by Author Rachel Weaver
2022-01-20 19:00 UTC
Kick off the new year by joining AWN for a zoom meeting with author and editor Rachel Weaver as she shares tips on writing in 2022, and meet other local writers from the Roaring Fork Valley. You will also learn more about the exciting in-person programs AWN has planned for 2022, starting in February! This virtual meeting is open to anyone interested in AWN. All genres welcome.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Weaver is the author of the novel Point of Direction which Oprah Magazine named a Top Ten Books to Pick Up Now. She is on faculty at Regis University’s low-residency MFA program, and at Lighthouse Writers Workshop where she won the Beacon Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018.

In-Person Group Meeting: Writer Introductions and Optional Readings
2022-02-17 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
In-Person at Bonfire Coffee Company (433 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623)
Think Aspen Writers’ Network might be a good fit for you? Learn about the exciting in-person programs AWN has planned for 2022, weigh in on what you’d like to see from the program this year, and meet your fellow Roaring Fork Valley writers. Snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine will be provided. An interest poll will be conducted for future meeting topics.
After introductions, there will be short readings from interested members. Slots are limited.
To read at this meeting (not required), either email Mark Tompkins (MarkLTom@icloud.com) or sign up when you arrive. Readers can receive feedback from the group if desired; indicate your preference when you sign up.
Non-AWN members are welcome to attend their first meeting to see if they want to join; however, all attendees must upload their proof of vaccination in advance on the ReturnSafe app.

Aspen High School Only - Heather Hansman in the Schools
2022-02-23 09:15 - 10:15 (America/Denver) | United States
“Powder Days” author Heather Hansman will visit Aspen High School to discuss her book and career as a ski journalist and environmental writer. This event is for AHS students and faculty; not open to the general public.
Schools interested in learning about Aspen Words’ Writers in the Schools programming should reach out to Madeline Liption (Madeline.lipton@aspeninstitute.org).

State of the Publishing Industry
2022-03-17 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
In-Person at Bonfire Coffee Company (433 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623)
Todd Doughty, SVP, Publicity and Communications at Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group will be in-person at this meeting to discuss the state of the publishing industry. This is an incredible opportunity to hear from a longtime publishing professional on the state of the industry. Moderated by Adrienne Brodeur, author and Executive Director of Aspen Words. Q&A will follow. Snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine will be provided. Snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine will be provided.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Todd Doughty is currently SVP, Publicity and Communications, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and has worked at Penguin Random House for more than two decades. A graduate of Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and former bookseller, he lives with his partner in Westchester County, New York.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Adrienne Brodeur is the author of the memoir, “Wild Game,” which is in development for film. During her 15 years in the publishing industry, she founded the literary magazine “Zoetrope: All-Story” with filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, was an acquiring editor at Harcourt and HMH Books, and served as a judge for the National Book Award, among other literary contests. Her essays have appeared in Glamour, O Magazine, The National, The New York Times, Vogue and other publications. She has been with Aspen Words since 2013.
This meeting is for AWN members only; interested writers are welcome to join at the meeting.
All attendees must upload their proof of vaccination in advance on the ReturnSafe app.

Craft workshop with Rachel Weaver
2022-04-14 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
In-Person at Bonfire Coffee Company (433 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623)
*Note: this is the 2nd Thursday of the month
Rachel Weaver will provide a short, targeted craft workshop for the first hour. The second hour will be personal writing time. Snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine will be provided.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
20 Questions to Strengthen Your Novel or Memoir
This class will cover twenty important questions that will help you identify and strengthen weak points in your novel or memoir with regards to structure, characterization, arc, scene work and thematic elements. This is appropriate for writers of all genres at any point in the drafting process. Open to fiction and memoir writers of all levels.
This meeting is for AWN members only; interested writers are welcome to join at the meeting.
All attendees must upload their proof of vaccination in advance on the ReturnSafe app.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel is the author of the novel Point of Direction, which Oprah Magazine named a Top Ten Book to Pick Up Now. She is on faculty at Regis University’s low-residency MFA program, and at Lighthouse Writers Workshop where she won the Beacon Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018

Practice Your Pitch Workshop
2022-05-19 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
In-Person at Bonfire Coffee Company (433 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623)
This is a great opportunity to practice talking about your work. Even if you are not ready to pitch your book/essay/poem to publishers/agents, developing a pitch is a great way to determine what is most important in your writing project, which helps you with editing and even finishing the work. Snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine will be provided.
This meeting is for AWN members only; interested writers are welcome to join at the meeting.
All attendees must upload their proof of vaccination in advance on the ReturnSafe app.
