Resource Sharing

Spotlight on Sharing: Resources for Writers

By Amy Hitchner: Published on
Resource Sharing

Colorado is rich with stories and people who want to tell them. And while we certainly have our fair share of well-known authors living in cities and tucked away in small towns, we have even more aspiring authors and people who may not consider themselves authors, but who want to tell the story of their families and communities.

The relationship between libraries and writers goes back a long time—writing is the kind of “making” that was going on at the library well before makerspaces became popular. As we will see in this Spotlight on Sharing post, many libraries around Colorado have nurtured this important partnership by making resources available to their writing community.

Online Resources for Writers

Writer’s Corner

  • Pikes Peak Library District
  • PPLD maintains a curated collection of reference tools, style guides, dictionaries, and organizations.
  • Writer’s Corner website

Chaffee County Writers Exchange Portal

  • Salida Public Library
  • The library adds local authors to this portal upon request, which leads to the Chaffee County Writers Exchange. The Exchange itself offers writing sessions, resources, workshops, and author visits.
  • Salida Public Library
  • Chaffee County Writers Exchange

Resources for Writers LibGuide

  • Mesa County Libraries
  • This LibGuide has extensive resources for writers of all types, links to local and regional writers organizations, where to submit work for publication, and how to self publish. They also have a monthly poetry nights and a teen creative writing club called Wordsmith, which meets the second Monday of the month.
  • Wordsmith site
  • Poetry night site
  • Resources for Writers LibGuide

Writers Groups & Programs

Emerging Writers Workshop

  • Basalt Regional Library
  • July 6, 13, 20, 17, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
  • “Understand the craft elements behind compelling fiction.”
  • Basalt website

Camp NaNoWriMo: Campout at the Bookstore

  • Bud Werner Memorial Library
  • Thursday, July 21, 2016, 8:00 pm
  • “Campout inside Off the Beaten Bath Bookstore for a late-night Write-in! Camp NaNoWriMo participants are encouraged to camp out after-hours at Off the Beaten Path. Spend the evening in the bookstore loft, writing and exchanging ideas with your fellow creatives. With plug-ins and plenty of space, this is your time to write together and share ideas, breakthroughs, frustration and giggles. Plus, you can enjoy coffee, beer and snacks from the Off the Beaten Path Cafe!”
  • Event site

Writer in Residence Program

  • High Plains Library District
  • “The goal of the program is to support the creative process of one Weld County writer during a six-month time-period so they may complete a manuscript with the intent to e-publish. In addition, the writer will be working within the community to help other aspiring writers hone their skills, and create a culture of support for other Weld County writers.”
  • Current Writer in Residence Jaydine Rendall will lead a program on August 8, 2016 for the local writers community called Writers of the High Plains: How Has the Past Become Your Future?
  • Event site (registration required)
  • Writer in Residence program

Hard Times Writing Workshop

  • Denver Public Library, Central Library
  • Every Tuesday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm
  • “Going through a tough time? Telling our stories can often help us process our life experiences and find new paths. Join us for a safe and supportive creative writing workshop that’s free and open to all; sharing is not mandatory. Hosted by Jane Thatcher of the Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Writing prompts, tools and refreshments will be provided. No registration or experience required.”
  • Event site
  • Lighthouse Writers Workshop

Writers Studio

  • Arapahoe Community College
  • “Festivals, workshops, literary contests, readings and open mics offer opportunities for writers of every level to connect and develop their craft. These events are open to ACC students and the community at large and many are free.”
  • Writers Studio site

Longmont Public Library Writers Group

  • Longmont Public Library
  • Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
  • First and third Tuesdays are open write/sharing.  Second and fourth Tuesdays are discussion and meeting.
  • This group is for patrons who are at least 18-years-old and at any point in their writing endeavors. The group is sometimes joined by inspiring and helpful speakers or presenters, so be sure to check the Calendar for specifics!

Wednesday Writers Group

  • Englewood Public Library
  • “Meet with us the 1st Wednesday of each month to discuss the craft of writing, practice writing prompts and exercises, and support each other.”
  • Library website

Delta Peer Writing and Critique Group

  • Delta County Libraries
  • “Join other writers to discuss writing techniques and get help critiquing your writing. This group meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at the Delta Library. All earnest writers are welcome.”
  • Calendar

Writers’ Group

  • John C. Fremont Library
  • 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month, 10:00 am
  • “Love to write? Bring in your work to share with a small group lead by Vaughn Neeld for discussion and feedback.”
  • Thank you to Tabby Selakovich for sharing this program!

This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. How does your library support local writers? Let us know by filling out this super short form or emailing ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. If you’re on Twitter, tweet @hitchlib or use the hashtag #spotlightonsharing.

Amy Hitchner
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