P.M. Castle

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What happens when a kid in a candy store drinks from a fire hose?

October 19, 2021 by Phil Castle

It can be risky business to use idioms in writing. Nonetheless, two come to mind in describing the annual conferences staged by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. That’s what happens when a kid in a candy store drinks from a fire hose.

At the beginning of the latest Colorado Gold Conference in Denver, I rubbed together eager hands in anticipation of the assortment of presentations scheduled there. By the end of the weekend, I was soaked by the information in which I’d been inundated.

In other and better words, the conference offers something for all writers regardless of the genres in which they work or the stages of their careers. More, in fact, than can be assimilated over a couple of days.

I attended presentations on pitching to literary agents, structuring novels and writing thrillers. 

I also attended a presentation on the duties of coroners in Colorado. I did so to more accurately portray in my novels the elderly owner of White Mountain Mortuary who serves as Diamond County coroner. Contrary to what appears on TV, coroners only rarely bring medical training to their duties. Why are funeral home owners frequently elected coroners? Simple. They have a place to store bodies.

But wait, there was even more to my experiences.

I was thrilled to join other finalists for the 2021 Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards presented at the conference. An entry based on my novel “Delve Too Deep” didn’t win, but I really was honored to be mentioned among such admirable writers.

The annual contest for unpublished authors constitutes one of the best ways I’ve encountered to polish manuscripts and, in turn, agent submissions. Judges provide critiques that help me make progress on my works in progress. Win, lose or finish somewhere in between, the ultimate reward of the competition is the process itself.

By virtue of winning the mystery and thriller category in 2020 with “Small Town News,” I was invited to join other Gold Rush winners at a presentation to read the openings of our novels. I never imagined I’d one day stand before a hotel ballroom chock-full of the most talented writers in the region and read my work. MY work. How incredibly cool is that?

Of course, some of the most rewarding events of all at the conference aren’t scheduled. They’re the impromptu conversations with other writers about their work and where they draw their inspiration. Everyone I met was generous in sharing advice and encouragement. Every one.

Last — but certainly not least — I pitched “Small Town News” to three literary agents. Two were gracious enough to agree to look at pages. I realize the long odds I face. Agents might review a thousand submissions in a year, yet take on only a handful of clients. But an at bat is an at bat. And I’m excited for the opportunity to step up to the plate and take a big swing.

I suppose that’s yet another idiom. One I’m pleased to use in my writing.

Filed Under: Awards, Storytelling, Writing

It IS a mystery — and, thankfully, a winning one

September 17, 2020 by Thin Air

I’m thrilled to report my entry in the 2020 Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards competition based on “Small Town News” was selected as the winner of the mystery and thriller category.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conducts the contest, which offers the best practice I’ve yet encountered for preparing submissions for publication. Polish those first pages and refine that synopsis. Judges score the entries to select finalists that are evaluated a second time by editors and agents. Terri Bischoff, senior acquisitions editor for Crooked Lane Books, judged the mystery and thriller category.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conducts the contest as part of its annual conference, which this year is offered online. The objective of the contest and conference — the entire organization for that matter — is to educate and encourage writers, whether they’re aspiring authors working on first drafts or seasoned professionals who’ve been published multiple times. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers offers an impressive breadth and depth of information on the craft and business of writing.

Gold Rush 2020 Award

As a newspaper reporter and editor, I’ve been blessed to make a living as a writer for more than 40 years. Still, nearly all I need to know about writing fiction I learned from Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. I’ve benefited professionally and personally from the presentations, the conferences and especially the contest. The critiques from judges have been more helpful than anything else in making progress on my work in progress. Here’s the other thing: Every member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers I’ve met has been invariably gracious in sharing their advice and offering their encouragement.

Mark Stevens, a remarkable mystery novelist and one of those gracious members, advised me four years ago to join Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers — that my membership would constitute the best investment I could make in my writing endeavors.

How prophetic.

Filed Under: Awards, Writing

I really am honored to be mentioned

September 1, 2019 by Thin Air

I’m thrilled to report my entry in the 2019 Colorado Gold writing contest based on “Small Town News” was selected as one of five finalists in the mystery category and received an honorable mention. I really was honored to be mentioned.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conducts the contest, which offers the best practice I’ve yet encountered for preparing submissions for agents and editors. Polish those first pages and refine that synopsis. Then there are the critiques entrants receive from the judges. It costs $45 to enter the contest — plus another $30 for those who want to receive a critique. The process and evaluation are priceless.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conducts the contest as part of its annual conference. The conference also offers a variety of workshops, panel discussions and keynote speeches geared to everyone from writers working on first drafts to those who’ve been published many times. The 2019 conference was my first, but I’ll be back. I was impressed by not only the breadth and depth of information offered there, but also the friendly and supportive environment. For an aspiring novelist, the experience was incredible.

I’ve repeatedly heard membership in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers described as the best investment writers can make in their craft and their efforts to publish their work. I couldn’t agree more. A number of published authors who belong to the organization and have been there and done that with their writing careers have been so gracious in sharing their time and expertise. I can only hope to pay it forward at some point.

Filed Under: Awards Tagged With: Images Left

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