Top Resources For Aspiring Writers In Denver

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Self publishing has grown enough recently that there is a large surge in new authors throughout the Denver area. Whether you are a self-published author, a traditionally published author or a writer just starting out, there are lots of great resources to help you find your audience, focus and hone your writing skills. With these resources, you'll be able to take the mystery out of writing so that you can continue to grow your own skills. Before you know it, you'll be selling your books in local stores and you may even appear on a coveted best-seller list.

Book Organizations of Colorado
www.coloradobook.org

Book Organizations of Colorado connects all facets of the book community in Colorado. The current membership includes more than 30 nonprofit organizations that support writing, publishing, promoting and literacy in Colorado. The Find an Author database is a great place to start. It helps connect authors with illustrators and schools or libraries. You can use the database to make connections or even set up speaking engagements. Also be sure to check out the website's list of resources, with lots of great articles and advice on promoting your books, publishing your books and more.

If you are looking into self publishing, then there is a really exciting way to get started. Tattered Cover, one of the largest independent booksellers in the country, is also home to the Tattered Cover Press and its Espresso Book Machine. You can arrange to have your books printed on-demand, with full-color covers and all of the same treatments you would get at a larger printing press you find online. It is a great resource for new authors who see their  books come to life at the Tattered Cover. Once you've printed your book, you can submit it for consideration in the the Tattered Cover's local authors program and you may even get to see your book for sale on those famous shelves.

Related: Top Independent Bookstores in Denver

Writing can be an awfully solitary occupation, that's where a meetup group can be very handy. Get advice from fellow writers, hear other works, share your ideas and collaborate with other writers. It is the best way to grow at your craft while helping other writers do the very same thing. The Denver Writers Meetup Group meets bi-weekly on Saturday afternoons and Thursday nights. The meetings include sharing your work and getting a group critique from others in the group. The group will also share in discussions of the common challenges and issues of being a writer, from writers block to publishing and how to cope with them all.

Connecting writers from all over the world, Absolute Write is a fantastic resource for learning and growing as an author. There is a constant stream of fascinating blogs covering every topic from writing fiction to freelance writing to editing or publishing and more. The blogs all come from a variety of contributors and prove to be extremely valuable information. However, the best part of Absolute Write are the very active forums. These forums let you ask questions of other writers and share the answers. You'll find categories on everything from technical help to promotion, writing for youth or the stage and so much more.

Related: Top Book Clubs To Join In Denver

For more than 15 years, Lighthouse Writers Workshop has been one of the best resources for writers in Colorado. A huge variety of classes and instruction is offered on subjects from poetry to fiction to playwriting and more. And the proof is in the pudding. Lighthouse students have been published by some of the biggest names in publishing including houses like Harper Collins and Little Brown. You'll find a variety of courses, ranging from half-day workshops to full eight-week classes, so there is sure to be something to suit your skill and your wallet. If you are looking to grow your own skills as a writer, then the classes offered at Lighthouse Writers Workshop are the best places to start. You'll get so much valuable training, and before you know it, you just may be one of those published authors as well.