A few years back I attended the Castle Rock Writers Conference and heard literary/short story author Pam Houston speak. Her talk will go down, for me, as one of the most motivating speeches I've ever heard, and as a former director for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, I've heard a lot.
This year's Oct. 2 event at Castle View High School (not far from the Outlets at Castle Rock) includes a keynote from Greeley author Connie Willis.

Willis is known as the most decorated American sci-fi author, with 10 Hugos and six Nebula awards to her name, among others.
The conference will also offer nearly 40 workshops, presented by writers from across the state, including a handful from Colorado Springs.
Visit the website for more information and to register.